More than 1,600 people who once went to Harvard Alumni are saying something loud: they won’t give money until Harvard does something about antisemitism. This big move comes as people across the country are telling colleges to deal with hate speech, especially after the Israel-Hamas situation.
Big People and Friends Together
Some big Harvard friends, like billionaires Bill Ackman and Leslie Wexner, already said they might stop giving if Harvard doesn’t fix things. Now, a big group of regular Harvard friends is joining in. They formed the Harvard College Jewish Alumni Association (HCJAA) just last month, and they wrote a letter to President Claudine Gay and Dean Rakesh Khurana, saying they need to fix this fast.
Special HCJAA: Making History
The HCJAA is the first group of Jewish friends from Harvard ever. They’re asking Harvard to treat them like an official group, make solid plans to protect Jewish students, and agree to the antisemitism definition from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.
Friends’ Worries: Talking About Terrorism and Being Human
In their letter, the HCJAA friends talked about having to argue against terrorism and asking Harvard to see their humanity. Now, more than 1,600 friends are part of this movement, asking for real changes to keep every student safe.
What Harvard Says: Fighting Antisemitism
President Claudine Gay answered the worries, saying Harvard doesn’t like hate and will work on fixing it. She said they’re looking into how antisemitism shows up at Harvard, planning to teach everyone about it, and trying to work with others to make Harvard better.
Money Matters: Friends’ Impact
If these friends really stop giving money, it could be a big deal for Harvard because a lot of the school’s money comes from people giving. It’s not just about money; it shows friends aren’t happy.
Friends Together: Speaking Out the Same
Rebecca Claire Brooks, who helps lead HCJAA, said this is a movement where all friends, no matter how much money they usually give, can show they don’t like what’s happening on campus.
Friends Everywhere: More People Speaking Up
Harvard is not the only place where friends are saying they’re not happy. Over 300 friends from Cooper Union said they might stop giving because they think the school didn’t do enough during anti-Israel protests. This is part of a bigger talk across the country about making campuses better for everyone.
In the end, what these Harvard friends are doing tells us that more and more people want schools to really fight antisemitism and listen to what their friends are saying. It’s not just about money; it’s about making sure everyone feels safe and respected.
