Religious Groups
Harvard Chabad Seeks Zoning Amendments as Expansion Plans Move Forward
Harvard Chabad appeared before the Cambridge City Council on Tuesday as a part of an ongoing effort to advance zoning changes — supporting its plans for the expansion of its building on Banks Street.
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.
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.
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.
‘When I Change, the World Will Change’: Visiting Hindu Monastics Discuss Self-Transformation at HDS Event
Hindu monastics Brahmacharini Durga and Sudarshan Sundar discussed their personal paths into Hindu monasticism at a Harvard Divinity School event Monday, highlighting the spiritually transformative nature of the practice.
Levitsky Secures Underdog Victory Over Pinker at Latke vs. Hamantasch Debate
Pinker and Levitsky went head-to-head for their Jewish pastry of choice before a packed crowd at Hillel Saturday night, delivering comedic speeches filled with jabs at the Trump administration, and quips about diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and institutional neutrality policies.
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.
Harvard Jewish Groups Hold Vigil To Mourn Four Dead Hostages After Hamas Returns Remains
Around 100 people mourned the lives of four Israeli hostages at a vigil held in the Science Center Plaza Thursday afternoon after Hamas returned four bodies to Israel earlier Thursday.
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’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Condemns Antisemitic Stickers
Sherri A. Charleston, Harvard’s chief diversity and inclusion officer, condemned the antisemitic stickers discovered around campus in a University-wide email Friday afternoon.
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.
Harvard Dharma Dances In the Year With Hungama
Hundreds of Harvard affiliates and residents gathered at Smith Campus Center for Harvard Dharma’s annual Hungama on Thursday evening to celebrate Navaratri, a nine-day Hindu festival honoring three Hindu goddesses.
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.
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.”
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 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.
Harvard Jewish Alumni Alliance Slams Harvard, Global Antisemitism at Event
A number of speakers condemned antisemitism on Harvard’s campus and called on the University’s leadership to better protect Jewish students during an event hosted by the Harvard Jewish Alumni Association on Sunday.
Harvard Chabad Accuses City Zoning Board of Religious Discrimination in Lawsuit
Harvard Chabad accused the Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal of religious discrimination in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court on Friday morning after the board denied the group’s application to significantly expand its headquarters.
More Than 1,000 Harvard Affiliates Gather to Celebrate Jewish Life at Shabbat 1000
Candles, food, and prayers filled the Science Center Plaza on Friday evening as Jewish and non-Jewish affiliates gathered for Shabbat 1000.