Harvard Divinity School
‘A Campaign of Anti-Palestinian Racism’: HDS Students, Alumni Decry Program Suspension
HDS Dean Marla Frederick announced on March 28 that the Religion, Conflict, and Public Life program would be paused, citing a budget cut and a desire to “rethink” the future of the program. But Frederick’s decision drew anger from some RCPI affiliates.
Kestenbaum Required to Hand Over Documents in Ongoing Lawsuit, Judge Rules
Harvard Divinity School graduate Alexander “Shabbos” Kestenbaum will have to hand over a series of documents related to his ongoing Title VI lawsuit against Harvard, after a judge approved the University’s request to compel the production of documents on Wednesday.
Harvard Opposes Plaintiffs’ Motion To Remain Unnamed in Kestenbaum Suit
Harvard filed its opposition in court on Friday to a motion to allow two plaintiffs to proceed pseudonymously as they seek to join Harvard Divinity School graduate Alexander “Shabbos” Kestenbaum’s ongoing Title VI lawsuit against the University.
Harvard Divinity School Suspends Religion, Conflict, and Peace Initiative
Harvard Divinity School will suspend its Religion, Conflict, and Peace Initiative amid budget cuts at HDS and public accusations that the initiative’s programming presents a one-sided view of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Kestenbaum Files Opposition to Harvard’s Request for Documents
Harvard Divinity School graduate Alexander “Shabbos” Kestenbaum, the lead plaintiff in an ongoing Title VI lawsuit against Harvard, filed opposition to Harvard’s motion to compel him to produce documents relating to the case, claiming Harvard’s argument is “baseless.”
‘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.
Summers Accuses Harvard Corporation, Garber of Inaction Against Antisemitism
Summers’ thread was an extraordinary broadside against Harvard — not just a rebuke of the University’s sitting leadership by a former president, but also a wide-ranging attack against individual instructors, academic programming, and professional schools that Summers termed “redoubts of the far left.”
Leaders of Harvard Divinity School’s Religion and Public Life Program To Depart Abruptly
The associate dean of the Religion and Public Life program at the Harvard Divinity School departed suddenly in January, creating turnover at the top of an initiative that became a lightning rod for controversy in fall 2023.
Students Suspended from Harvard Divinity School Library After Pray-In
Harvard Divinity School students were issued two-week suspensions from its library for participating in a pro-Palestine “pray-in” demonstration last Monday.
Students Stage Pro-Palestine ‘Pray-In’ Protest at Harvard Divinity School Library
More than 55 graduate students called on the University to divest from Israel’s war in Gaza and end censorship on campus during a “pray-in” protest at the Harvard Divinity School’s library on Monday.
‘Our Forever President’: Black Harvard Graduates Celebrate Claudine Gay at Affinity Ceremony
Two Harvard graduates presented an award for faculty who show “a strong commitment to social justice” to former Harvard President Claudine Gay during the University-wide celebration of Black graduates on Tuesday evening in Sanders Theatre.
Harvard Grad Students Charged Following Confrontation at October Pro-Palestine Protest
Two Harvard graduate students are facing criminal charges and up to 200 days in jail following their involvement in a confrontation with an Israeli student at a Pro-Palestine protest at the Harvard Business School in October.
Divinity School Student Government Calls On Harvard to Divest from ‘Illegal Occupation of Palestine’
The Harvard Divinity School Student Association passed a resolution Friday morning calling on the University to divest from entities involved in “violations of international law and human rights against Palestinians.”
Lowell Panel on Islamophobia and Antisemitism Canceled After Panelists Withdraw
The organizer of a Lowell House panel on Islamophobia and antisemitism canceled the event Wednesday afternoon after two of the panelists withdrew due to backlash and a lack of institutional support for the event.
Divinity School Harambee Group Hosts Screening of Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s New Docuseries
Faculty and staff from across Harvard gathered Tuesday night for a screening of Gospel, a new docuseries produced and hosted by University Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Ten Stories That Shaped 2023
In 2023, Harvard had a tumultuous year. Claudine Gay’s first semester ended amid a leadership crisis as she came under fire for her response to tensions on a campus divided by the Israel-Hamas war and faced allegations of plagiarism. Harvard’s legacy and donor preferences in admissions also faced national scrutiny following the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling striking down the University’s affirmative action policy. Across campus, scandal after scandal hit parts of the University. Here, The Crimson looks back at the 10 stories that shaped 2023 at Harvard.
Rabbi Wolpe Steps Down from Harvard Antisemitism Advisory Group After President Gay’s Congress Testimony
Prominent Rabbi David J. Wolpe announced that he had stepped down from Harvard’s antisemitism advisory group in a Thursday post on X, citing University President Claudine Gay’s Tuesday testimony before Congress and an ideology that “places Jews as oppressors” at Harvard.
Author Mike Jay Talks Religious and Scientific Perspectives on Psychedelics at Div School Webinar
Author and cultural historian Mike Jay discussed the role of psychedelics as a bridge between science and spirituality at a Monday webinar hosted by the Harvard Divinity School’s Center for the Study of World Religions.
NYU Philosopher Juliana Bidadanure Discusses Demonization at Harvard Divinity School Lecture
Juliana U. Bidadanure, professor of philosophy at New York University, presented her theory of demonization during a talk at the Harvard Divinity School Thursday, assessing its prevalence and impact on society.
Tennessee Representative Justin Jones Talks ‘Leading with Love’ in Harvard Divinity School Event
Tennessee State Rep. Justin Jones discussed his experiences as an activist, legislator, and minister at a Harvard Divinity School event Thursday.
Harvard Announces Study of Psychedelics in Society and Culture Following $16M Donation
Harvard will be launching a new interdisciplinary program focusing on psychedelic drugs, the University announced last week.
Harvard Divinity School Panel Provides ‘Theological Perspective’ on War in Israel and Palestine
Religious scholars called for peace in Israel and Palestine and discussed the religious context behind the war during a Harvard Divinity School panel on Wednesday.
Dean Distances Harvard Divinity School From Israel Statement Issued by Religion and Public Life Program Leaders
Harvard Divinity School Interim Dean David F. Holland distanced the institution from a statement on the ongoing war in Israel and Gaza issued by leaders of the HDS Religion and Public Life program.
Two Years Into Tenure as Pusey Minister, Potts Says ‘The Biggest Delight’ Has Been Connecting With Undergrads
For Pusey Minister Matthew Ichihashi Potts, creating a “space of belonging” in Memorial Church has remained a priority during his time as minister.
‘A Busy Season of Searching’: Beginning of Gay’s Tenure Marked by Dean Searches
Claudine Gay had not started her first day as president of Harvard when she selected Hopi E. Hoekstra to serve as the next Faculty of Arts and Sciences dean, the first in a series of consequential appointments that will allow Gay to shape the future of the University for years to come.