Coalition for Jewish Values (CJV), representing over 2,500 traditional, Orthodox rabbis in American public policy, today applauded the formal Notice of Violation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) against Harvard University. The OCR concluded that Harvard permitted a hostile environment to persist on campus marked by antisemitic threats, intimidation, and violence, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The finding follows a 19-month investigation and underscores the university’s failure to protect Jewish students from discrimination and harassment.

“This is a long overdue moment of accountability,” said CJV Mid-Atlantic Regional Vice President Rabbi Yonah Gross. “For too long, elite institutions have tolerated — and in some cases enabled — open hostility toward Jewish students under the guise of political expression. The federal government’s recognition of this reality is a critical step toward restoring equal protection and moral clarity on our campuses.”

CJV commended the administration’s resolve in confronting antisemitism and reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for Jewish students’ safety and dignity nationwide.

“We urge Harvard and all institutions of higher learning to take this finding seriously,” added CJV President Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld, “and consider, as well, the people they hire and the curricula they publish. Along with the simple principle that no student should be forced to choose between their education and their identity, we must also state that no university should permit indoctrination of students with antisemitic propaganda or any other form of bigotry.”

The Coalition for Jewish Values will continue to monitor developments and support efforts to ensure that civil rights protections are fully enforced for Jewish students across the country.