Religion
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.
Interim Harvard President Alan Garber ’76 Grilled by Students at Iftar Event
Interim President Alan M. Garber ’76 planned to briefly address Harvard Muslim affiliates during a Friday iftar event. Instead, he faced a grilling.
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.
Task Forces on Antisemitism, Islamophobia Announce Listening Sessions for Harvard Undergraduates
Harvard’s dual presidential task forces to combat antisemitism and anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bias will hold a series of listening sessions for undergraduate students over the next two weeks, according to a Friday morning email from the Dean of Students Office.
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.
Lowell House Deans, Safra Center Denounce Panel on Antisemitism and Islamophobia Following Backlash
The Lowell House Faculty Deans and the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Ethics removed themselves as co-sponsors of an upcoming Thursday panel on Islamophobia and antisemitism, following student complaints and public criticism that the event failed to include Jewish and Zionist voices.
X Suspends Account Belonging to Harvard Islamic Studies Program
The X account belonging to the Harvard Islamic Studies Program was suspended on Feb. 22 for “violating rules against platform manipulation and spam,” according to Harry Bastermajian, the program’s executive director.
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.
Harvard Peabody Museum Removes Nearly 40 Native American Objects From Display
The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology removed nearly 40 Native American and Indigenous cultural objects from their displays to comply with new regulations from the Department of the Interior.
Catholic Chaplain Patrick Fiorillo To Step Down After Nearly 6 Years in Role
Patrick J. Fiorillo, the Undergraduate Catholic Chaplain, will step down from his role on May 31, he announced in a statement released on the Harvard Catholic Center website on Jan. 22.
Amid Pressure and Ardent Support, Penslar Mulled Stepping Down from Harvard Antisemitism Task Force
History professor Derek J. Penslar considered stepping down as co-chair of the presidential task force on antisemitism following backlash from high-profile critics as faculty and students rallied to his defense.
Chaplains Discuss Being a ‘Good Neighbor’ at Harvard Dialogues Panel
Five Harvard chaplains discussed the importance of dialogue and listening to opposing viewpoints amid ongoing tensions on campus in the wake of violence in the Middle East at a Tuesday panel.
Harvard Affiliates Grieve Deaths in Israel-Hamas War at Interfaith Vigil
Dozens congregated at the steps of Memorial Church to grieve at a vigil organized by the Harvard Chaplains on Friday afternoon.
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.
Harvard Dharma Hosts Annual Diwali Celebration in Mather House
Students packed the Mather Faculty Deans’ residence Sunday evening, waiting in line for freshly cooked traditional Indian food in celebration of Diwali — also known as the festival of lights.
Harvard President Gay Forms Advisory Group to Combat Antisemitism on Campus
After Harvard faced fierce criticism over its response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, top administrators will work with a newly established advisory group to combat antisemitism on campus, University President Claudine Gay announced at a Harvard Hillel Shabbat dinner Friday.
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.
Harvard Affiliates Gather at Hillel to Show Support and Grieve Amid Invasion of Israel
More than 100 University affiliates attended a Harvard Hillel gathering Saturday afternoon to mourn the lives lost to a deadly invasion of Israel by the Islamist militant group Hamas and to offer support to those affected by the attacks.
‘Celebrations Come to Life’ for Harvard Students Celebrating Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur
Students sporting suits, ties, and dresses gathered in the lofty Wasserstein Hall at Harvard Law School on Yom Kippur Monday night to break their fast with bagels and lox.
Bishop Barron Talks Catholic Faith, Reason, and Tradition at Harvard Memorial Church Lecture
Harvard affiliates and Greater Boston area residents filled Memorial Church on Sunday for a lecture by Bishop Robert E. Barron on the fundamental claims of the Catholic church.
Oprah Winfrey, Harvard Business School Professor Discuss New Book on ‘Happierness’
Television host and producer Oprah Winfrey and Harvard Business School professor Arthur C. Brooks discussed their new book “Build the Life You Want” at the Business School, reflecting on their past experiences and journeys to “happierness.”
After Ramadan’s Conclusion, Harvard Muslim Students Criticize Religious Accommodations Policy
After Ramadan came to a close Friday, many of Harvard’s Muslim students criticized the College’s religious accommodations policy, citing challenges including a lack of adequate prayer facilities, poor accessibility, and insufficient dining options.