Shabbos Kestenbaum, a former Harvard Divinity School student, is embroiled in a lawsuit against Harvard for discrimination in violation of the Civil Rights Act. The specific allegations are related to the campus turmoil that took place in the aftermath of the October 7th attack in Israel. Jewish students around the country reported feeling intimidated and harassed. Universities were charged with not protecting them. 

In response, the Trump administration has been freezing billions of dollars in federal funding. Harvard has filed a lawsuit to preserve their academic freedom, objecting to the White House’s demands for campus safety, greater viewpoint diversity, and institutional oversight.

FOLCS’ Headline Series will feature Shabbos Kestenbaum and his experience on campus as a Jewish student and avowed Zionist on an Ivy League campus where Israel is roundly condemned.