This article was written using material from the World ORT Archive. The site provides users with access to thousands of images, documents and other artefacts, giving an insight into ORT’s rich past worldwide.

Did you know that Albert Einstein was guest speaker at an ORT dinner?

In 1930 British ORT held a dinner at the Savoy Hotel in London, at which Einstein spoke in the presence of George Bernard Shaw, H. G. Wells, Lord Rothschild and Chief Rabbi Joseph Hertz.

Shaw first gave a  speech in honour of Einstein, who then responded, saying: “It is no easy task for me to overcome my inclination to a life of quiet contemplation. Nevertheless, to the cry of ORT… I have been unable to tum a deaf ear. For it is at the same time to the cry of our heavily burdened people that I respond.”

You can watch a video of the event on the World ORT Archive.