October, 2005

OU Radio Interviews Nobel Laureate, Professor  Robert Aumann, Beginning Friday, November 4

Nobel Laureate in Economics Professor Robert (Yisrael) Aumann of Hebrew University in Jerusalem is an Orthodox Jew, whose success in the secular world complements his Torah studies. The Orthodox Union will present a telephone interview with Professor Aumann on its Shabbat Shalom website feature, beginning Friday, November 4, the Sabbath of Parshat Noach, at www.ouradio.org.

The interview, included as part of the website’s Israel Insights segment, will be conducted by Betty Ehrenberg, the host of Israel Insights.

Professor Aumann, 75, was awarded the extraordinarily prestigious Prize together with Prof. Thomas C. Schelling of the University of Maryland, for his work in game theory – that combination of economics and mathematics that helps to explain conflict and cooperation. He will receive the award in Stockholm on Saturday afternoon December 10 – but since the Sabbath ends very early in December in Scandinavia, there will be no conflict with Professor Aumann’s Sabbath observance.

“Professor Aumann represents everything that the Orthodox Union stands for,” declared OU President Stephen J. Savitsky. “He is a Torah-observant Jew, with his feet planted firmly in the outside world, and in which his life as a Jew and his life as a professor reinforce one another. The honor that has come to him is a Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of the Divine Name) for the Jewish people.”

The 25-minute interview, conducted with Professor Aumann in his Jerusalem apartment, touches on a variety of topics, including influences on his life at New York’s Rabbi Jacob Joseph Yeshiva; making aliyah in 1956; an explanation of game theory; his definition of “Palestinian;” his lack of concern for kavod (glory); game theory and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza; and prospects of Middle East peace based on game theory.

He discusses how he wants to bring 34 members of his family to the Stockholm ceremony, plus friends and colleagues. “Getting them all in will be harder than winning the prize,” Professor Aumann told Ms. Ehrenberg.

“It was an honor to speak to Professor Aumann,” said Ms. Ehrenberg. “Winning the Nobel Prize is a great recognition of the contributions of the Jewish people to improving the world. As a Jew who fled the Nazis, came to the United States, built a family and successful career in Israel, and now has won the Nobel Prize, he is a great inspiration to our entire people.”

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