Religion
‘Spiritually Stimulating’: Harvard Students Embark on First Umrah Trip in Four Years
Thirty-two Muslim Harvard undergraduates embarked on the University’s second Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, over winter break — one of two religious pilgrimages within the Muslim faith.
Cambridge Public Schools Establishes Sacred Spaces On All Campuses
Cambridge Public Schools established sacred spaces at each campus for students and staff to practice regular religious prayers, becoming the first public school district in New England to do so.
Harvard Divinity School Dean David Hempton to Step Down After Decade in Role
Dean of Harvard Divinity School David N. Hempton announced Thursday he step down from the school’s helm at the end of the 2022-23 academic year, though he will continue teaching.
Harvard Chabad Announces $5 Million Endowment
Marking 25 years since its founding, Harvard Chabad announced last month the establishment of a $5 million dollar gift toward the Harvard Chabad Endowment for Jewish Leadership.
Faith and Life Forum Returns at Harvard’s Memorial Church
At Memorial Church’s first Faith and Life Forum of the semester on Sunday, Minister Matthew I. Potts commemorated the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
HDS Hosts Panel on Extremism and De-Radicalization Efforts
Experts, including former extremists, discussed efforts to counter hate groups and extremist violence at a panel hosted by the Harvard Divinity School on Monday.
Pusey Minister Matthew Potts Reflects on Past Year and Looks Forward to New Initiatives
As his first year as Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church draws to a close, Matthew Ichihashi Potts — who also serves as the Plummer Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard Divinity School — reflected on his time as minister in an interview with The Crimson last week.
HDS Fellow Presents Art Exhibition on Cultural Activism and Identity
Taurean J. Webb, an instructor at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and a Harvard Divinity School fellow, presented a collaborative art exhibition called “Ye Shall Inherit the Earth & Faces of the Divine” at a virtual event sponsored by the Divinity School.
‘A Great Time to Reflect’: Back In Person, Students Observe Lent at Harvard
Lent observances are underway on campus, and students are making the most of being back in person.
Harvard Divinity School Prof. Discusses Black Church Arson at Virtual Lecture
Todne Thomas, an associate professor at the Harvard Divinity School, examined the 2015 burning of a predominantly African American church as part of a wider discussion about the phenomenon of Black church arson at a virtual lecture Friday.
Students Launch New Buddhist Group at Harvard
Students launched a new Buddhist campus group, Harvard Maarga, for Buddhist undergraduates to engage with one another.
Harambee Hosts Sixth Annual Black Religion, Spirituality, and Culture Conference at HDS
Harambee, an organization for students of African descent at Harvard Divinity School, hosted the sixth annual Black Religion, Spirituality, and Culture Conference last week.
Memorial Church
Sunlight comes through the windows in Memorial Church. The Morning Prayers service takes place in Memorial Church every weekday morning.
Harvard Dharma Hosts Annual Diwali Celebration
Dharma, Harvard’s Hindu students’ association, hosted a prayer service and home-cooked dinner on Saturday evening in celebration of Diwali, the five-day festival of lights celebrated throughout South Asia.
Freshmen Split on Defunding Police, Other Hot-Button Political Issues
This third installment of The Crimson’s four-part survey of the Class of 2025 examines their beliefs on politics, religion, and Harvard issues, as well as aspects of their lifestyle, such as sex, drugs, mental health counseling, and technology.
Humanist Chaplain Greg Epstein Elected President of University Chaplains’ Organization
Humanist Chaplain Greg M. Epstein will serve as the president of the Organization of Harvard University Chaplains after being selected by more than 30 other chaplains of different faiths.
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.
City Council Votes to Terminate Contracts With Companies Allegedly Violating Human Rights, Drawing Criticism from Harvard Jewish Leaders
The Cambridge City Council voted to end its contract with companies that “perpetuate violations of International Human Rights Laws” during a Tuesday meeting that followed more than seven hours of public comment the previous day.
Matthew Potts Appointed as New Memorial Church Minister After Two-Year Search
Matthew Ichihashi Potts will serve as the next Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church and Plummer Professor of Christian Morals beginning July 1, University President Lawrence S. Bacow announced in an email to Harvard affiliates last Friday.
Harvard Chaplains Reflect On A Year of Religious Life in the Pandemic
Before the pandemic struck, Harvard’s religious groups would physically gather to worship, study scripture, perform service work, and enjoy food in each other’s company.
Harvard’s Muslim Students Celebrate Virtual Ramadan with Zoom Prayer Sessions, Care Packages, and New Halal Menu Options
Observing its second Ramadan of the pandemic, the College’s Muslim community is celebrating with virutal programming and enjoying halal meals from Harvard University Dining Services — a new offering that resulted from months of discussion between students and HUDS.
Sikhs and Companions Hold Vigil for Sikhs Killed in Indianapolis Shooting
Sikhs and Companions of Harvard hosted a vigil Sunday night to honor the victims of the recent mass shooting at a FedEx warehouse in Indianapolis, in which four of the eight victims of the attack were Sikh.
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.
Religious Groups Keep Faith During Pandemic, Remote Academic Year
As the College approaches the first anniversary of sending students home due to the pandemic, students said they have adopted new ways to practice their faith in the Covid-19 era, including attending reduced-capacity services, convening for religious conversations over Zoom, and seeking support from Harvard chaplains.