FIFTEEN MINUTES
Volume XXXVII, Issue II
At a Stalemate: Venezuelan Exiles at Harvard are Caught Between Two Regimes
From 2,000 miles away, Venezuelan exiles at Harvard have worked with opposition leaders for decades to develop policy proposals for the future of their country. But in Venezuela’s post-Maduro moment, many of these academics are now left questioning the U.S.’s priorities, and what role, if any, they themselves will be allowed to play in the country’s tomorrow.
Editor's Note
Dear Reader, This week’s cover story was written by two brilliant journalists who took on a mammoth assignment with style, grit, and determination. In this timely piece, VDR and MBF investigate the historic connections between Venezuela’s opposition parties and Harvard University, telling the stories of political activists who fled Chavismo and found refuge in the Kennedy School. Our incredible writers confront controversies and clashing views head on as they explore what role, if any, these academics will be allowed to play in Venezuela’s post-Maduro future. The rest of this issue is also full of striking stories. CGH asks fifteen questions to Rabbi Jason Rubenstein, the executive director of Harvard Hillel. Their conversation spans everything from navigating public scrutiny to wearing mis-matched shoelaces. Next, SBC, NNG, and CX publish perhaps the most thoroughly reported profile you’ll ever read, of a misunderstood figure you may know from “The Social Network.” These writers worked incredibly hard on this story, and you don’t want to miss the final result. Finally, DGL closes out our issue with a thoughtful endpaper about celebrating Chinese New Year away from home. Thank you to everyone involved in making this issue a reality. In particular, we want to shout out DC, who made a stunning piece of art for this issue’s cover. And to our readers: thank you for continuing to tune in. MagLove, KJK and AJBS
Fifteen Questions: Jason Rubenstein on Pluralism, Reflection, and Leadership Through Crisis
The Executive Director of Harvard Hillel sat down with Fifteen Minutes to discuss antisemitism on campus, the pressures of leadership, and what keeps him grounded.
There’s a Lot You Don’t Know About Divya Narendra
Fifteen years after ‘The Social Network’ made him — and his Facebook lawsuit — famous, we check in with the ConnectU co-founder.
Door Decor
The transition from accustomed conventions of home to unfamiliar college life was not as discernible as I had anticipated. It was only when cultural idiosyncrasies were missing that the pangs of homesickness rippled over me at last.
Fifteen Questions: Jason Rubenstein on Pluralism, Reflection, and Leadership Through Crisis
The Executive Director of Harvard Hillel sat down with Fifteen Minutes to discuss antisemitism on campus, the pressures of leadership, and what keeps him grounded.
There’s a Lot You Don’t Know About Divya Narendra
Fifteen years after ‘The Social Network’ made him — and his Facebook lawsuit — famous, we check in with the ConnectU co-founder.
Door Decor
The transition from accustomed conventions of home to unfamiliar college life was not as discernible as I had anticipated. It was only when cultural idiosyncrasies were missing that the pangs of homesickness rippled over me at last.
