Religious Groups
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 Chabad President Rabbi Zarchi Calls on University to De-Recognize Palestine Solidarity Committee
Harvard Chabad President Rabbi Hirschy Zarchi called on the University to de-recognize the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee Wednesday afternoon after the group criticized him in a Tuesday night post on the social media platform X.
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.
‘A Very Communal Time’: Muslim Harvard Students Gather for Ramadan Celebrations Across Campus
At Harvard, Muslim students, faculty, and other affiliates are coming together to break the fast at school-sponsored meals at the Student Organization Center at Hilles and student-planned events at undergraduate houses around campus.
Harvard College Palestine Solidarity Committee Hosts Annual Israeli Apartheid Week
The Harvard College Palestine Solidarity Committee kicked off its annual Israeli Apartheid Week on Sunday, which includes a slate of events around Palestine and an art installation that received criticism from some Jewish campus organizations.
Harvard Hillel Executive Director Jonah Steinberg to Step Down After 12 Years
Rabbi Jonah C. Steinberg will step down as executive director of Harvard Hillel, the University’s Jewish center, at the end of this academic year after 12 years in the role.
‘Spiritually Stimulating’: Harvard Students Embark on First Umrah Trip in Four Years
Thirty-two Muslim Harvard undergraduates embarked on the University’s second Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, over winter break — one of two religious pilgrimages within the Muslim faith.
Dean of Students Office Reaffirms Independence of Harvard Undergraduate Association
Representatives from the DSO reaffirmed the independence of the Harvard Undergraduate Association amid controversies surrounding the student government’s early months.
Queer Students Hold ‘Dissenting’ Display During Harvard College Faith and Action Event
Donning rainbow colors, a group of LGBTQ+ undergraduates attended a Friday evening Harvard College Faith and Action event to counter a message portrayed by the speaker that many of them deemed homophobic.
Faith and Life Forum Returns at Harvard’s Memorial Church
At Memorial Church’s first Faith and Life Forum of the semester on Sunday, Minister Matthew I. Potts commemorated the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Harvard Student Body President Draws Criticism for Defending Previously Sanctioned Campus Christian Group
Harvard Undergraduate Association co-president LyLena D. Estabine ’24 has drawn criticism from some students for her public defense of Harvard College Faith and Action, a Christian campus group that was previously sanctioned for pushing out a leader who was in a same-sex relationship.
Pusey Minister Matthew Potts Reflects on Past Year and Looks Forward to New Initiatives
As his first year as Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church draws to a close, Matthew Ichihashi Potts — who also serves as the Plummer Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard Divinity School — reflected on his time as minister in an interview with The Crimson last week.
‘A Great Time to Reflect’: Back In Person, Students Observe Lent at Harvard
Lent observances are underway on campus, and students are making the most of being back in person.
Campus Faith Groups Adapt Programming Amid Another Pandemic-Era Semester
Student leaders of campus faith groups said they have faced difficulty adapting to the whims of a pandemic over the past two years, but expressed hope for the prospects of a return to normalcy.
HUDS Pilots Hot Kosher Lunch Options in Quincy House
Harvard University Dining Services will offer a hot kosher lunch option upon request in Quincy House, starting Wednesday.
Humanist Chaplain Greg Epstein Elected President of University Chaplains’ Organization
Humanist Chaplain Greg M. Epstein will serve as the president of the Organization of Harvard University Chaplains after being selected by more than 30 other chaplains of different faiths.
Harvard Chaplains Reflect On A Year of Religious Life in the Pandemic
Before the pandemic struck, Harvard’s religious groups would physically gather to worship, study scripture, perform service work, and enjoy food in each other’s company.
Sikhs and Companions Hold Vigil for Sikhs Killed in Indianapolis Shooting
Sikhs and Companions of Harvard hosted a vigil Sunday night to honor the victims of the recent mass shooting at a FedEx warehouse in Indianapolis, in which four of the eight victims of the attack were Sikh.
Religious Groups Keep Faith During Pandemic, Remote Academic Year
As the College approaches the first anniversary of sending students home due to the pandemic, students said they have adopted new ways to practice their faith in the Covid-19 era, including attending reduced-capacity services, convening for religious conversations over Zoom, and seeking support from Harvard chaplains.
Breach at Software Company May Have Compromised Harvard Affiliates' Demographic Data
A data breach at Blackbaud — the maker of a software the University uses for fundraising and donor engagement — may have put Harvard affiliates’ demographic data at risk.
Supreme Court Justice Breyer Discusses Landmark BGLTQ Case, Remote Oral Arguments at Harvard Hillel Talk
Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer spoke to nearly 1,000 attendees at a virtual Harvard Hillel event Monday evening where he discussed the Court’s recent move to virtual oral arguments and a landmark decision earlier that same day that protects BGLTQ workers from workplace discrimination.