Harvard Professors Describe Jews’ ‘Existential Crisis’ and DEI Concerns during Israel Visit
Harvard Professors’ Eye-Opening Solidarity Visit to Israel
TEL AVIV—In a remarkable display of wartime empathy, a group of Harvard University professors embarked on a solidarity mission to Israel this week. However, what transpired during their visit painted a stark picture of their own vulnerabilities and the need for mutual support.
A Profound Revelation
During intense sessions at Tel Aviv University, Harvard faculty, alongside counterparts from MIT, Stanford, Dartmouth, Yale, and other prestigious institutions, opened up about their feelings of abandonment and fear festering on their home turfs. The organizer of the mission, Professor Gabriel Kreiman from Harvard Medical School, shed light on their awakening to the dark side of the prevailing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) narrative.
**Kreiman shared**, “The current version of DEI is fraught with double standards and, in many instances, veers into overt anti-Semitism.”
One faculty member pointed out the hypocrisy, stating, “It’s as if suffering is validated, unless you’re Jewish.” The international response post the Oct. 7 turmoil and subsequent Gaza conflict left many disillusioned.
A Quest for Community
For Miri Bar-Halpern Hobin, an Israeli-American psychologist aiding distressed Harvard faculty, the pursuit of roots and communal solace in Israel became imperative post Oct. 7. The surge of anti-Semitism in Boston caught her off guard, with universities becoming hotbeds for hatred.
**Bar-Halpern Hobin remarked**, “Justifying our pain shouldn’t be a prerequisite. Trauma care and safety promised by DEI now feel like hollow words for Jews.”
The solidarity mission, culminating on Thursday, came amidst increasing censure against prominent U.S. universities for their feeble response to anti-Semitic incidents. Symbolizing a critical juncture for global Jewry, the visit underscored the existential crisis facing Israel and its people.
An Uphill Battle
Despite their support for Israel, many faculty members hesitated to join the mission, fearing backlash in their professional spheres. Yair Jablinowitz, from Israel Destination, recognized the sacrifices made by attendees, especially those lacking job security.
**Jablinowitz highlighted**, “Bringing representatives from prominent universities to stand against anti-Semitism showcases a profound shift in solidarity.”
Susan Hess, a progressive activist, expressed her disillusionment with DEI post Oct. 7, recognizing the exclusion of Jews in the pursuit of justice.
**Hess emphasized**, “The unsettling reality of feeling safer in war-torn Israel than in the U.S. speaks volumes about the current climate.”
At Tel Aviv University, faculty echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of support from their American counterparts in combating anti-Israel bias.
**Maureen Adiri Meyer stated**, “Loneliness and fear loom large; standing together is crucial for our future.”
As Harvard and USC reiterate their condemnation of anti-Semitism, the aftermath of the solidarity visit resonates deeply, reflecting a critical juncture in the fight against bigotry and injustice.
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