Religious Groups
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.
Campus Faith Groups Celebrate Passover and Easter with Zoom Seders and Livestreamed Services
As Jewish and Christian communities around the world celebrate Passover and Easter, campus faith leaders have likewise been tasked with finding innovative ways to bring worshippers together.
Cambridge Religious Centers Rethink Daily Practices in the Wake of Coronavirus Pandemic
Harvard-affiliated religious leaders and Cambridge religious centers are rethinking how they will approach their services and day-to-day conduct in the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic.
HCFA Continues to Receive Funding From Parent Group Despite 2018 Requirement to Disaffiliate
Christian Union’s tax filings show that the organization gave HCFA a sum of $796,180 between July 2017 and June 2018.
Amid Criticism, Jewish Harvard Students Create Pro-Palestinian Rights Group
The coalition bills itself as an “anti-Zionist Jewish organization” focused on countering anti-Semitism through solidarity with marginalized groups, and creating spaces and events for Jewish students outside of Harvard Hillel, according to a public statement on the organization’s Facebook page.
Paulsell Announces ‘Pilgrimage’ Theme for Memorial Church
Paulsell said in an interview that the concept of pilgrimage seemed well suited in characterizing the church’s leadership transition. She said that she considers pilgrimages to be “transformative” since they enable people to think about themselves and their relationships.
Paulsell to Serve as Interim Minister at Memorial Church
Harvard Divinity School Professor Stephanie A. Paulsell will serve as interim minister of Memorial Church, University President Lawrence S. Bacow announced in an email Tuesday.
Harvard Chabad Holds Vigil for Shooting at California Synagogue
Roughly 60 Harvard affiliates gathered at the Harvard Chabad house Sunday evening in solidarity with the Chabad of Poway, Calif., where a deadly shooting took place Saturday.