Dear HJAA friends,

Nine Billion Dollars! That’s many times more than what other Ivies are facing in potential federal funding cuts. President Garber demonstrated encouraging “resolve” to address the issues in his letter to the Harvard community, stating:

To date, the changes Harvard has implemented in addressing antisemitism have been temporary:

• Harvard did not renew an agreement between the FXB Center at the Harvard School of Public Health and Birzeit University near Ramallah after it expired recently. The program is under review and may or may not renew later this spring. More here.
• The Center For Middle Eastern Studies demoted its director, Professor Cemal Kafadar, and its associate director, Professor Rosie Bsheer, both of whom have promoted libels against Jews and Israel. They remain on as faculty and will be teaching History 58, Palestine 1000 Years next fall, a course that will fulfill an undergraduate distribution requirement. More here and here.
• Harvard suspended the Palestinian Solidarity Committee (PSC) and cancelled its on-campus events until July. Cancelled events include the annual Apartheid Week, which spreads anti-semitic propaganda and is typically scheduled to coincide with Passover. The PSC authored the October 7, 2023 letter that Harvard’s former President Lawrence Summers labelled “morally unconscionable.” PSC is the Harvard branch of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), a group with ties to Hamas. More here.

As Harvard navigates the current challenge, we must remember that the fight against antisemitism is the civil rights cause of our era. Harvard has allowed too much delay (STILL no report from Antisemitism Task Force!) but President Garber’s message of commitment is admirable, and his early steps promising.

The leaders of elite universities who have failed to stop open anti-semitic harassment and propaganda are reminiscent of Southern leaders in the 1960s, refusing to act until the federal government forces change.  Let us hope those changes come quickly and permanently, for the benefit of everyone.

We love to feature Harvard Jewish Alumni putting their creative talents to use! There are far too many to name them all but we will try to share good news when we see it. Some recent artistic output includes:

• Dara Horn’s first graphic novel, One Little Goat, is out just in time for Passover! 

• Anne Gordon published an original book of prayers for our time, including a free download of four original prayers for Passover. 

• And Sal Litvak recently previewed his latest film at Harvard Chabad.Guns and Moses a neo-western mystery thriller, is scheduled for a theatrical release this summer. 

Speaking of Chabad, MAZAL TOV to the Zarchi family on the birth of their latest grandchild, Micky, on March 12.

Shoutout to HJAA Founding Board Member Roni Brunn, who has been featured on CBS News and quoted in the Boston Globe: 

Roni Brunn, a spokesperson for the Harvard Jewish Alumni Alliance, said she supports the government’s review of Harvard. The inquiry is an effort to ensure “antisemitism isn’t created at Harvard, isn’t platformed at Harvard, isn’t elevated at Harvard,” she said.

Last week, HJAA Governance Committee sent out a letter detailing their review process and recommendations for Harvard Overseers and HAA Executive Committee elections.

Their voting recs were as follows: 

• For Overseer: Lanhee Chen, Nat Keohane, and Mike Rosenblatt
• For HAA Elected Director: Allison Pillinger Choi and Victoria “Vicky” Wai Ka Leung

Make your voice heard!

Happy Passover to all! May we celebrate our freedom, reunited with our hostages.

This newsletter is meant to be a resource for all Harvard Jewish Alumni. If you have any suggestions of content to add, please email us. We are an all-volunteer organization, so apologies in advance if responses are not immediate.

If you’d like to get more involved with HJAA efforts, fill out this simple form.

Your HJAA Newsletter Editors,

Dan Weiner

Dvora Inwood

Lori Fein

Harvard to borrow $750 million after federal funding freeze over antisemitism claims

The Jewish Chronicle – April 8, 2025

Harvard University has announced that it is planning to borrow $750 million after the Trump administration froze around $9 billion in federal grant funding.

Leading Palestinian-American businessman aided Hamas, lawsuit by Oct. 7 victims claims

Times of Israel – April 7, 2025

Families of Americans massacred or kidnapped on October 7 sue Palestinian billionaire Bashar Masri, who serves on the Dean’s Council at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Trump Administration Lays Out Demands to Harvard to Keep Federal Funding

Wall St Journal – April 4, 2025

The White House list includes changes to governance, leadership and classroom teachings.

Harvard disciplines pro-Palestine group over banned events

Jerusalem Post – April 3, 2025

Harvard sanctioned its Palestine Solidarity Committee after it held an unauthorized protest, citing violations of new antisemitism policies and federal scrutiny.

Harvard’s Hyperfixation on Israel is Academically Unserious

The Harvard Crimson – April 4, 2025

Harvard student critiques fixation on Israel while ignoring other world events. 

Judge Denies Students’ Request To Join Kestenbaum in Antisemitism Suit

The Harvard Crimson – April 7, 2025

Court rules students filed too late to join the suit.

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