PUBLIC LECTURE: Albert Einstein�the Man and the Scientist

Abstract: A variety of events the world over are being held this year in order to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of Albert Einstein “Annus Mirabilis”, the year in which he published several articles, which fundamentally changed the worldview of physics. The character of these events reflects the increasing interest, not only in Einstein’s scientific achievements, but also in his outstanding personality and in his place in contemporary history. Albert Einstein has become a cultural symbol and a scientist of renown among the wide public. The lecture will depict Einstein not only as the outstanding scientist of the 20th century, but also as the man through whom the most important developments and events of the century can be told.

Biographical note: Born in Cracow, Poland, Professor Gurfreund immigrated to Israel in 1948. He began a long professional association with the Hebrew University, obtaining a M.Sc in Physics in 1962 and a PhD in Physics in 1966. His professorship at the Hebrew University’s Racah Institute of Physics was followed by administrative leadership roles: as Head of the Racah Institute (1981-1984), Rector (1990-1992) and President (1992-1997). Professor Gutfreund’s research interests include theoretical Solid State physics and Computational Neuroscience. He has been a visiting scientist at Stanford University, a professor at the University of Paris VI at Ecole Normale Superieure, at the Institute for Theoretical Physics in UC Santa Barbara and visited many other universities and research institutes. Within the realm of public activities in the Israeli educational system, professor Gutfreund is known for his service on the national committee on Science Education, the Pedagogical Council of the Ministry of Education, for chairing a National Committee on University-Industry Relations and for chairing the Young Scientist Contest at the Jerusalem Science Museum. In recent years, Professor Gutfreund has been the coordinator of all Hebrew University activities in charge of organization and participation in events related to Albert Einstein the world over.