World Congress of Jewish Scientists

Dear Colleagues:

   Now at the beginning of the third millennium the specter of antisemitism raises its ugly head again in civilized Europe.

   Jewish scientists from the whole world could play a leading role in opposing the current boycotts against Israeli scientists and the State of Israel. However, Jewish scientists of different countries are not as a rule associated with each other. Therefore we propose to create a means for their cooperation for the benefit of the Jewish people, and to create firm connections between them and the state of Israel. At the present time preparations are underway for the realization of the formation of the World Congress Jewish Scientists (WCJS).

   As a result of many meetings and discussions dedicated to the subject of establishing the WCJS some matters of principle arose. Some scientists expressed their points of view and raised questions such as:

Why is it necessary to organize Jewish scientists?
Who are the Jewish scientists?
Why are some Jewish scientists not interested in this project?
We shall try to give our responses to these questions as follows.

   In the course of their history the Jewish people have been known for their aspiration to education, particular their respect for knowledge and intellectual activity. In Jewish communities, even in ghettos, intellectual professions have been traditionally recognized as more prestigious than other activities. These values have born fruit - the percentage of Jews in the ranks of eminent persons of science and culture, for example among Nobel Laureates, is notably higher in comparison to the number of Jews than any other ethnic group. There are 129 Jews among all Nobel Laureates (about 23%) while the Jewish population in the world is equal to 0.2%.

   Moreover the nature of traditional Jewish education stimulated the development of creative potential when children were not pushed to learn everything dogmatically. In discussions they are expected to have their own opinions between alternative points of view, and to find their own way to the truth. It would be a great loss not only for the Jewish people but for mankind as well if we fail to maintain this unique result of Jewish education

   However, the Jewish people are historically scattered all over the world: only 5.3 million Jews out of 13.5 live in Israel. In what way can we unite these people for the benefit and interests of the Jewish diaspora and for the state of Israel? What should be done for the Jewish people to feel their strength? The answer suggests itself: the efforts of Jewish intellectuals and scientists must be directed to their uniting. No doubt that scientists, being the most educated members of society, are respected both by their people and their governments. They always influenced and are still influencing the life of their countries. Their opinions are considered and their advice is sought. Taking all this into consideration the intellectual support of scientists from all countries is very important for Israel and the Jewish people.

    Now let us return to the most controversial question: What does this particular science population - "Jewish scientists"- mean, and why is it necessary to unite them? We'll answer in a Jewish manner: And why not? Why is it permissible to gather Jewish sportsmen (Maccabia), Jewish lawyers (The Intl. Association of Jewish Attorneys and Jurists), Jewish Members of Parliament, etc. There are also many ethnic scientific organizations, such as those in America representing African American or Chinese scientists. Why cannot Jewish scientists be united according to their nationality for their mutual interest?

   Some people state that scientists cannot be tied to a specific nation since science itself is international. Taking into account this thesis all scientists may be classified only according to the geographical criterion, i.e. according to the places of their residence in this or that country (American, French, Chinese, Israeli, etc). We are not going to dispute the international value of science. There is not a Jewish physics of course, but there is no doubt that there are Jewish physicists in the world.

   Many scientists working in the former USSR were known as Soviet scientists and this camouflaged their national identity. Now having come to Israel they became Israeli scientists, if we follow the above-stated logic. But people of many other nationalities came to live in Israel, therefore the identification of a scientist is camouflaged in Israel too. Meanwhile many scientists - emigrants from the USSR - were discriminated against in their home country exactly on the basis of their Jewish nationality, and as a natural reaction they felt increased national self-respect.

   Take for example the case of Albert Einstein. What was he - a German or an American scientist? The first half of his life he lived in Germany and the second in the USA. We would thus say: he was a Jewish scientist who lived and worked in Germany and the USA. We agree that the great scientist A. Einstein and the results of his scientific activity undoubtedly belong to the whole world, but as a personality he first of all belongs to the Jewish people. After all nobody expresses a doubt that M. Lomonosov was a great Russian scientist, and M. Faraday - a British one. The life of Fritz Haber, a great scientist and the Nobel Laureate in chemistry for 1918, is very interesting in this respect. In 1933 when the Nazis came to power the Jew F. Haber was the director of an Institute and he was ordered to remove all non-Aryans from the Institute. He resigned in response and left for England. And there, working with the outstanding scientist and future first President of Israel H. Weizmann, he was discussing with him moving to Palestine to work at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. But it was not fated to be realized since Fritz Haber died in 1934. Now we put this question: why is it that F. Haber is listed purely as a German scientist and not a Jewish one?

   Until now there is no organized means whereby the Jewish people could see the achievements of Jewish scientists. Jewish people should be filled with pride for the scientists they have produced? We do not agree with the thesis that "a scientist has no nationality". He has, like any other specialist, and it gives him huge possibilities for his own identification and usefulness for his people. We do not agree with those people who declare that for them party and international interests are higher than national ones. These declarations are heard at the time when in many countries anti-Semites of all colors make a noise. The thesis -"there are Jewish people but there are not Jewish scientists" - is beyond our comprehension.

And now the question: Why are certain Jewish scientists indifferent (or even antagonistic) to the project of the WCJS? Why do we receive their polite refusal to participate in the project which allows them both to show their solidarity with the state of Israel at this difficult time and to make their contribution to the further development of the intellectual and scientific needs of the Jewish people? Are they guided by the wish not to show themselves as a Jew? Maybe it is a demonstration of their intellectual pride when it seems to them that it is untimely and humiliating to refer to their national origin. But a denial of one's background is more humiliating. It is clear that science is international but the contribution of representatives of every nation and every culture is unique and cannot be equated. Those Jews who consider themselves just radical intellectuals of the West just abase their true identity. Real worthiness is the use of scientific and intellectual potential in order to restore sound national self-consciousness to one's own people.

   It is absolutely true that Israel wants Jews but it is not of less importance that all Jews of the world want a strong and scientifically advanced Israel. Nowadays the problems of Israel and the Jewish people have become so serious that it is time for Jewish scientists and intellectuals to leave their "ivory towers" and to band together in order to support their unique Jewish contribution to world society.

   Prof. E. Altshuler

   Prof. J. Cohen

    Dr. A. Groisman

   Mr. V. Knijnik

    Dr. T. Kovler

   Prof. Y. Krasik

   Prof. V. Rotenberg

   Dr. A. Vexler