Religious Groups
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.
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 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.
Boston Approves Harvard Chabad Plans for Longwood Jewish Center
Boston recently approved Harvard Chabad’s building plans for the Longwood Center for Jewish Life, a satellite center in Longwood.
Harvard Police Investigating After Mezuzah Briefly Goes Missing From Student’s Door
The Harvard University Police Department is investigating after a mezuzah went missing from the doorway of a Jewish freshman’s dorm in Thayer Hall early Tuesday morning.
‘A Big Win’: Harvard Expands Kosher Options in Undergraduate Dining Halls
Harvard University Dining Services will expand its kosher food options after a decades-long effort to introduce hot kosher lunches in undergraduate dining halls covered by the College’s undergraduate meal plan.
Jewish Leaders at Harvard Diverge Widely in Responses to Ongoing Pro-Palestine Encampment
As the pro-Palestine encampment enters its sixth day, the leadership of the University’s two Jewish centers varied widely in their responses to the ongoing occupation.
‘We Can Do Better’: Harvard Chaplains Raise Concerns about Equity and Interfaith Spaces
The Memorial Church, Harvard Hillel, and the University Chaplains Office are Harvard’s three official religious entities. But what’s noticeably absent is an interfaith space to unite them.
Nathaniel Sanders To Serve As Next Undergraduate Catholic Chaplain
Nathaniel Sanders, a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, will become the next Undergraduate Catholic Chaplain at the Harvard Catholic Center beginning Sunday, according to affiliates of the Center.
Econ 10 Professors Debate, Juggle Latkes and Hamantaschen at Comical Harvard Hillel Event
A debate between the two professors leading Harvard’s introductory Economics course descended into a circus as they weighed whether hamantaschen or latkes are the superior Jewish holiday food.
Harvard Contract Worker Ordered to Leave Campus After Videotaped Tearing Down Israeli Hostage Posters
A man who was contracted by Harvard to do groundskeeping work was ordered to leave campus and was banned from returning to work for the University after he was videotaped tearing down posters of Israeli hostages from a posting area in Harvard Yard.
Jason Rubenstein ’04 to Serve as Harvard Hillel Executive Director
Rabbi Jason B. Rubenstein ’04 will serve as the next executive director of Harvard Hillel, the organization announced in a press release on Monday.
Students Express Disappointment to Shortened Ramadan Meal Programming
Harvard’s decision to shorten the College’s Ramadan meal programming from one month to one week this spring was met with disappointment by many undergraduate students.
Bernie Steinberg, Former Harvard Hillel Director, Remembered As ‘Tremendous’ Teacher, Listener
Late last year, Bernie Steinberg had been watching a crisis at Harvard unfold from his home in Chicago. As outrage over then-President Claudine Gay’s leadership and accusations of antisemitism on campus sparked national headlines, Steinberg — the director of Harvard Hillel from 1993 to 2010 — decided to take action.