Religion
On Harvard’s 2024 Pulse Survey, Jewish and Muslim Students Report Higher Rates of Feeling Like They Don’t Belong
As Harvard’s campus convulsed in protests over the war in Gaza, Jewish and Muslim students reported lower levels of belonging on Harvard’s latest Pulse Survey compared to their peers — even as overall student sentiment has seen modest improvement since the survey’s first iteration in 2019.
Peter Beinart Asks Harvard To ‘Lose With Dignity’ in Standoff With Trump at IOP Forum
Peter Beinart, the editor-at-large of the liberal publication Jewish Currents, said Harvard could only maintain its “self respect” by resisting Donald Trump’s demands against the University at an Institute of Politics Forum on Tuesday.
Campus Evangelist Cliffe Knechtle Visits Harvard
Public evangelists Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle, who have spent the last 45 years visiting college campuses, came to Harvard on Friday to speak to students about Christianity.
‘A Burst of Fun’: Harvard Students and Affiliates Celebrate Holi in Harvard Yard
More than 100 Harvard students and affiliates gathered in New Yard on Sunday afternoon for a colorful event co-hosted by Harvard Dharma and the Harvard College Dean of Students Office — Holi.
Harvard Chabad Petitions to Change City Zoning Laws
Harvard Chabad is petitioning the city of Cambridge to change its zoning laws to exempt religious buildings from certain restrictions in an apparent effort to move forward with plans to expand its headquarters, currently blocked by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Longtime Campus Rabbi Getzel Davis Resigns From Harvard Hillel
Campus Rabbi Getzel Davis suddenly left Harvard Hillel after 13 years at the organization, surprising students in Hillel, who were not aware of his departure until it was announced in a Monday morning email.
At HBS Shabbat Dinner, Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Says He Trusts Garber To Fight Antisemitism
New England Patriots owner Robert K. Kraft said he believes Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76 “personally is committed to eradicating antisemitism from this campus” in a keynote speech at the annual Harvard Business School Shabbat Dinner on Friday.
Campus Rabbi, Muslim Chaplain Share Lessons on Resilience
Campus Rabbi Getzel Davis and the University’s Muslim Chaplain Khalil Abdur-Rashid hosted an interfaith discussion on mental resilience to explore different religious practices on Thursday.
HBS Task Forces Recommend Anti-Bias Training Updates, Applaud Non-Attribution Policy
Task forces to address antisemitism, Islamophobia, and free speech issues at Harvard Business School recommended policy updates and endorsed the school’s non-attribution rules in an update released last week, reporting a pervasive “feeling of invisibility” among Jewish, Arab, and Muslim students.
Political Commentator E.J. Dionne Discusses Role of Religion in 2024 Election
Political commentator and Brookings Institute Senior Fellow E.J. Dionne ’73 joined the Assistant Director for Undergraduate Studies for the Committee on the Study of Religions, Carleigh Beriont, for a conversation on religion and American politics Thursday night at the Barker Center.
Chabad, Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeals Schedule Mediation Resolution Hearing
The long-running legal dispute between Harvard Chabad and the Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal has entered a new phase as both parties prepare for an alternative dispute resolution hearing scheduled for Feb. 12.
In Annual Elections, Students Debate Role of Zionism at Harvard Hillel
Harvard Hillel elected its new student board after an election revealed debates over how the organization can represent Jewish students with varying political beliefs, even as the group’s leaders define it as a voice for Zionism on campus.
Dozens Gather at Harvard Chabad Vigil for Murdered Rabbi
More than 30 people gathered at Harvard Chabad’s house Monday evening for a vigil honoring the life of Israeli-Moldovan Rabbi Zvi Kogan, whose body was found in the United Arab Emirates.
Candles and Marigolds: Hundreds Gather for Harvard Dharma Diwali Celebration
More than 200 Harvard affiliates gathered Sunday night to celebrate Diwali — the Hindu festival of lights — in the Mather House faculty deans’ residence, which was adorned with candles and marigolds for the occasion.
Growing Pains: Harvard Dharma Searches for New Space as Attendance Increases
Canaday Hall B has hosted a small prayer space for Hindu students since 2006. But Harvard Dharma says that space’s size has become a recent struggle.
Harvard Chaplains Urge ‘Peace’ at Vigil to Mourn Victims of Israel-Hamas War
More than 25 people, including University President Alan M. Garber ’76 and College Dean Rakesh Khurana, gathered on the patio of Memorial Church Tuesday afternoon for an interfaith vigil to mourn the victims of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Police Investigating Antisemitic Stickers Discovered Near Harvard Hillel
The Cambridge Police Department and the Harvard University Police Department are jointly investigating an apparent act of “religiously threatening” vandalism after multiple antisemitic stickers were discovered around Harvard Square.
Hillel Temporarily Suspends J Street After Flyering Campaign Sparks Police Response
Harvard Hillel Executive Director Jason B. Rubenstein ’04 temporarily suspended J Street U on Tuesday after the group’s members used Hillel funding to print and display flyers around Harvard Square that Hillel staff reported to campus and city police as “intimidating.”
Anti-Abortion Lawyer Defends Crisis Pregnancy Centers at Federalist Society Event
Lawyer Erin M. Hawley spoke about her work representing anti-abortion organizations against recent legal challenges at a Tuesday event organized by the Harvard Law School Federalist Society, a conservative student group.
Harvard Doesn’t Have a Shia Muslim Chaplain. Students Say They May Not Need One
Harvard does not have a University-ordained chaplain for Shia Muslim affiliates on campus, but some Shia students said it has not significantly impacted their experience at Harvard.
Harvard Memorial Church Temporarily Closed for Emergency Steeple Repairs
Harvard’s Memorial Church has been temporarily closed for emergency work on the steeple, according to a University spokesperson.
Hate Crimes Reported to Harvard Police Doubled From 2022 to 2023
The number of hate crimes reported to the Harvard University Police Department doubled from 2022 to 2023, and included hate crimes on the basis of religion for the first time in at least two years.
Harvard Police Investigating Missing Mezuzah Incident as ‘Bias Crime’
The Harvard University Police Department is investigating a “bias crime” after a Jewish freshman’s mezuzah briefly went missing from her doorway in Thayer Hall last month, according to HUPD spokesperson Steven G. Catalano.
HBS Faculty Add Mezuzahs to Office Doors in Support of Jewish College Freshman
More than a dozen Jewish Harvard Business School faculty added mezuzahs provided by Harvard Hillel to their office doorposts in support of Sarah F. Silverman ’28, a Jewish freshman at the College whose mezuzah briefly disappeared earlier this month.
In Last Month, Harvard Police Increased Security at Jewish Events
Harvard University Police Department along with local police forces have increased security measures at Jewish and Israel related events on campus in the last month.