Rabbi David Wolpe, a visiting scholar at Harvard and former member of the university’s antisemitism task force, explained his abrupt resignation on Thursday’s “Robb Schmitt Tonight” on Newsmax. His frustration stemmed from a dearth of concrete progress against rising antisemitic incidents on campus.
“The problem,” Wolpe stated, “was simply a lack of meaningful change. I didn’t see the kind of decisive action we desperately needed.” He expressed disappointment with the task force’s response to the growing trend of antisemitic sentiment, arguing for a more forceful and immediate approach. “I resigned because I saw no evidence of the swift and resolute action I know is required to restore Harvard to its former standing,” he declared.
The task force’s formation in October followed a surge in antisemitic incidents at Harvard. Wolpe, however, emphasized that such incidents are not isolated, highlighting longstanding issues at prestigious institutions like Penn, Columbia, Berkeley, and Stanford. The October 7th incident of individuals “celebrating Hamas” on Harvard Yard served as a tipping point, underlining the urgency of addressing the problem.
Despite his concerns, Wolpe offered a glimmer of hope. “It’s important to remember that the vast majority of Harvard students simply want to learn, grow, and build their careers,” he noted. While acknowledging a “vocal minority of agitators” spurred by certain faculty and administrators, he stressed that most students value a traditional academic path.
The situation at Harvard, Wolpe acknowledged, is “nuanced.” He underscored the need to confront ideological issues head-on, especially “at a place like Harvard, where one would expect a greater understanding of the dangers of such simplistic and harmful ideologies.”
Wolpe then elaborated on his views on achieving equality. “True equality can only be achieved through individual initiative and responsibility, not through top-down government intervention,” he explained, dismissing such approaches as “corrupt and misguided.”
