Religion
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 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.
Police Investigating Antisemitic Stickers Discovered Near Harvard Hillel
The Cambridge Police Department and the Harvard University Police Department are jointly investigating an apparent act of “religiously threatening” vandalism after multiple antisemitic stickers were discovered around Harvard Square.
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 Memorial Church Temporarily Closed for Emergency Steeple Repairs
Harvard’s Memorial Church has been temporarily closed for emergency work on the steeple, according to a University spokesperson.
Hate Crimes Reported to Harvard Police Doubled From 2022 to 2023
The number of hate crimes reported to the Harvard University Police Department doubled from 2022 to 2023, and included hate crimes on the basis of religion for the first time in at least two years.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Israeli UFC Fighter Natan Levy Teaches Harvard Chabad Self-Defense
Israeli UFC fighter Natan Levy taught a self-defense class at Harvard Chabad on Wednesday evening — an effort by the Jewish campus organization to equip students and affiliates with self-defense techniques amid rising concerns about antisemitism at the University.
