It’s all relative: London plays host to Hebrew University Einstein House project

London’s Jewish centre JW3 welcomed special guests on Tuesday for an evening devoted to the Einstein House project at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Daniel Libeskind, architect for the twisted-cube design Einstein House, together with Professor Hanoch Gutfreund, director of the Einstein Archive and former president of the University, delved into the life of the famed scientist and shared anecdotes on the planning of the project in a conversation moderated by Vivienne Stern, UUK (Universities UK International) chief executive.

Professor Albert Einstein along with other luminaries including Freud, Buber and Weizmann were founders of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel’s foremost centre of advanced learning and research.

Einstein remained a committed supporter; when he died in 1955, he bequeathed his entire collection of 80,000 personal and academic papers to the Hebrew University. The University is now the guardian of this treasure which includes among many other unique documents, the original 46 pages of the General Theory of Relativity.

The new building, generously supported by philanthropist and art collector Jose Mugrabi, along with funding from the Israeli government, will exhibit examples of Einstein’s legacy, work and research.

At a celebratory lunch the following day hosted by the British Friends of the Hebrew University, Daniel Libeskind said: “It’s been more than a thrill, it’s been really an adventure to be involved with this project, which will be a fantastic building designed to welcome people, it will have something for everyone, and it’s meant to be really an icon, not just of the campus but of Einstein as a human being; not just a scientist but a great humanitarian and a great person of justice who had progressive ideas, who was always true to himself and to the ethics of what a Jew is. I’m following a great architect; Einstein was the greatest architect of the universe”.

Alan Jacobs, Chair of the British Friends said: “The close connection between the British Friends and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem spans the entire period of its almost 100 years of existence. Our joint support is particularly welcomed during this challenging period. We’re thrilled to be able to provide our British friends with access to the University’s fantastic academic scholars and we eagerly anticipate the next upcoming event”.