Shabbos Kestenbaum

@shabbosk · Twitter · 2025-01-21 22:34 UTC

OUR STATEMENT ON HARVARD’S SETTLEMENT TODAY. PLEASE READ AND SHARE. A year ago, I decided to sue Harvard over their blatant Civil Rights violations and normalization of antisemitism on campus. Although certain Jewish nonprofits discouraged us, we charted a new path forward for young American Jewry, and I’m delighted that there are now more than a dozen such cases filed by heroic Jewish students across the country. I am deeply grateful for the 4 other plaintiffs at Harvard who decided to join me. Although I wish they weren’t anonymous, their bravery is commendable. Harvard, rather than apologize or recognize antisemitism on our campus, filed two separate motions to dismiss our case with prejudice. They lost. We are the first case of its kind to go to trial. I am happy that many of my demands, like the implementation of the IHRA definition and a partnership with an Israeli University, were met during the settlement negotiations. It’s pathetic, however, that Harvard needed a lawsuit for this to happen. That being said, our country is suffering from a crisis of accountability. The only way to defeat lawlessness is through punishment and discipline. Harvard must never even think about treating another student like the way the treated me. As such, we will depose Claudine Gay, Alan Garber, Marla Frederick, Penny Pritzker, and DEI admin under oath so they can explain to a jury why they allowed antisemitism to fester on campus and why they ignored my cries for help. I look forward to discovery where we will uncover through emails, texts, meetings, and private correspondence just how much Qatar is funding Harvard, why antisemitic Professors are promoted, and why students who harass Jews are never disciplined. Lastly, we will be working closely with the Trump administration to ensure Harvard’s endowment is taxed, its funds are withheld, and its faculty are properly disciplined.  Harvard created this settlement to look like a PR win; so they can go to the Trump admin and say they fixed the problem. Nothing can be further from the truth. In fact, we will be working with Trump’s DOJ, Ed Department, and Office of Civil Rights on this lawsuit to hold Harvard accountable. The fight has just begun. Stay tuned…