[Jan 10, 1940]
Dear Nathan,
I likewise received the letter regarding the Jerusalem academy, but was not in a position to form an opinion on it.
1)	Personal involvement can only occur at the place where the academy is located, i.e., in Jerusalem. Or are branches of this academy, dedicated to similar activity, supposed to be formed in other cities? Are associations of scientists supposed to be organized for refugees? Then, on the whole, it could only involve specialties. But specialists will more likely accept refugees into their seminars, etc., than assemble under the aegis of a Jerusalem foundation. Even if they did declare their willingness, it would not be viable because of lack of time.
2)	Or does it involve job placement by field, such that the members commit themselves to doing what they can for the individual cases? I think that good-willed individuals have been doing that the whole time already, and the rest don’t allow themselves be organized.
3)	Or does it involve facilitation of publications? There is little difficulty in getting publications whose content is appreciated printed in one of the professional journals, which are far too numerous anyway.
4)	Or does it involve financial support for productive exiled manpower? How can a Jerusalem academy that surely would have no funds of its own help there?
5)	Does it involve a (political) act of sympathy by non-Jewish scholars toward the martyred Jewish intelligentsia? This would be very praiseworthy. But one event does not create an ongoing condition; and there is the danger that out of heartfelt good will, something would be brought into the world that can neither live nor die when normal times return. (Look at the creation of the International Research Council after the last war.)
In short, I do not understand what its actual purpose is. In any event, one should not do anything that becomes an embarrassment.
[AL]