Hillel
Econ 10 Professors Debate, Juggle Latkes and Hamantaschen at Comical Harvard Hillel Event
A debate between the two professors leading Harvard’s introductory Economics course descended into a circus as they weighed whether hamantaschen or latkes are the superior Jewish holiday food.
Jason Rubenstein ’04 to Serve as Harvard Hillel Executive Director
Rabbi Jason B. Rubenstein ’04 will serve as the next executive director of Harvard Hillel, the organization announced in a press release on Monday.
Harvard College Israel Trek Will Not Take Place Amid War in Gaza, Campus Strife
Harvard College Israel Trek, an annual subsidized trip to Israel and the West Bank held over spring break, will not be taking place this year, according to Hillel President Nathan B. Gershengorn ’26.
Jonah Steinberg Will Advise Harvard Antisemitism Task Force, Boaz Barak Joins as Member
Interim Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76 named former Harvard Hillel Executive Director Jonah C. Steinberg as an adviser to the presidential task force on antisemitism and appointed Computer Science professor Boaz Barak to join the group.
Bernie Steinberg, Former Harvard Hillel Director, Remembered As ‘Tremendous’ Teacher, Listener
Late last year, Bernie Steinberg had been watching a crisis at Harvard unfold from his home in Chicago. As outrage over then-President Claudine Gay’s leadership and accusations of antisemitism on campus sparked national headlines, Steinberg — the director of Harvard Hillel from 1993 to 2010 — decided to take action.
Harvard Undergraduates Form Forward-Thinking Jewish Union
Around a dozen Jewish undergraduates formed the Harvard Forward-Thinking Jewish Union last semester to create a space for students to engage in discussions questioning Zionism and Jewish life on campus.
Harvard Hillel, Chabad Students Install 200-Foot Shabbat Table to Represent Hundreds Held Hostage by Hamas
Students from Harvard Hillel and Harvard Chabad assembled a roughly 200-foot Shabbat table running the length of Tercentenary Theatre Friday as a tribute to the more than 240 civilians, soldiers, and foreigners held captive by the Islamist militant group Hamas.
Harvard President Gay Forms Advisory Group to Combat Antisemitism on Campus
After Harvard faced fierce criticism over its response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, top administrators will work with a newly established advisory group to combat antisemitism on campus, University President Claudine Gay announced at a Harvard Hillel Shabbat dinner Friday.
At Sunday Vigil, More Than 1,000 Mourn Victims of Hamas Attacks, Stand in Solidarity with Israel
More than 1,000 people gathered by the steps of Widener Library Sunday evening for a vigil to stand in solidarity with Israel and mourn the civilian deaths of the Oct. 7 invasion by Islamist militant group Hamas.
Harvard Affiliates Mourn Israeli Victims of Hamas Attacks at Candlelit Vigil
More than 200 Harvard affiliates gathered in front of Widener Library Sunday evening for a candlelit vigil to mourn the victims of the invasion of Israel by Islamist militant group Hamas.
Harvard Affiliates Gather at Hillel to Show Support and Grieve Amid Invasion of Israel
More than 100 University affiliates attended a Harvard Hillel gathering Saturday afternoon to mourn the lives lost to a deadly invasion of Israel by the Islamist militant group Hamas and to offer support to those affected by the attacks.
‘Celebrations Come to Life’ for Harvard Students Celebrating Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur
Students sporting suits, ties, and dresses gathered in the lofty Wasserstein Hall at Harvard Law School on Yom Kippur Monday night to break their fast with bagels and lox.
Cattle Car Exhibit in Harvard Yard Commemorates Holocaust Remembrance Day
In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Harvard students, administrators, and Cambridge residents gathered in front of Widener Library for the opening ceremony of a “Hate Ends Now” cattle car exhibit on Monday.
Harvard College Palestine Solidarity Committee Hosts Annual Israeli Apartheid Week
The Harvard College Palestine Solidarity Committee kicked off its annual Israeli Apartheid Week on Sunday, which includes a slate of events around Palestine and an art installation that received criticism from some Jewish campus organizations.
Harvard Hillel Executive Director Jonah Steinberg to Step Down After 12 Years
Rabbi Jonah C. Steinberg will step down as executive director of Harvard Hillel, the University’s Jewish center, at the end of this academic year after 12 years in the role.
Linda Sarsour Appearance at Harvard Arab Conference Sparks Hillel, McKinsey Criticism
Consulting firm McKinsey & Company and Harvard Hillel’s executive director criticized the Arab Conference at Harvard’s decision to invite Linda Sarsour, a Palestinian rights activist and an activist for Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions, which advocates for institutions globally to sever ties with Israel.
Pulitzer-Winning Author Joshua Cohen Discusses Novel ‘The Netanyahus’ at Harvard Hillel Event
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Joshua Cohen discussed his 2021 novel “The Netanyahus” at an event hosted by Harvard Hillel and the Harvard Book Store on Thursday.
Palestine Solidarity Committee Hosts Annual Israeli Apartheid Week, Drawing Backlash from Harvard Hillel
The Harvard College Palestine Solidarity Commitee hosted its annual Israeli Apartheid Week this week, featuring a series of events aiming to promote Palestinian solidarity through virtual and in-person discussions.
Harvard Hillel Holds Holocaust Remembrance Day Memorial
Harvard Hillel held a memorial service on the steps of Widener Library in observation of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Thursday.
800 Harvard Affiliates Sign Letter Rebuking ‘Anti-Israel Sentiment’ on Campus
More than 800 University affiliates signed a Harvard Israel Initiative letter supporting “the right of the Jewish people to self-determination” and Israel’s “right to self-defense” against rocket attacks by the Islamic militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.
HUPD Investigating Two Vandalism Incidents at Harvard Hillel Amid Nationwide Rise in Anti-Semitism
The Harvard University Police Department is investigating two incidents of vandalism at the Harvard Hillel building that occurred within two weeks of each other in late May and sparked forceful emails from administrators.
Harvard Hillel Executive Director Accuses Cornel West, Supporters of Furthering ‘Anti-Jewish Conspiracy Theory’ in Tenure Controversy
Responding to vigorous campus support for Professor Cornel R. West ’74 — who said last month Harvard declined to consider him for tenure in part due to his outspoken criticism of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians — Rabbi Jonah C. Steinberg, executive director of Harvard Hillel, criticized West for having “egged students on” in “scapegoating and demonizing” Jewish people.
Supreme Court Justice Breyer Discusses Landmark BGLTQ Case, Remote Oral Arguments at Harvard Hillel Talk
Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer spoke to nearly 1,000 attendees at a virtual Harvard Hillel event Monday evening where he discussed the Court’s recent move to virtual oral arguments and a landmark decision earlier that same day that protects BGLTQ workers from workplace discrimination.
Amid Criticism, Jewish Harvard Students Create Pro-Palestinian Rights Group
The coalition bills itself as an “anti-Zionist Jewish organization” focused on countering anti-Semitism through solidarity with marginalized groups, and creating spaces and events for Jewish students outside of Harvard Hillel, according to a public statement on the organization’s Facebook page.
Jewish Coalition for Peace
The Harvard Jewish Coalition for Peace, which will hold its first meeting in the PBH Building, is a new anti-Zionist Jewish organization focusing on Palestinian solidarity work, fighting anti-Semitism through solidarity, and engaging with the history of radical Jews.