Jewish billionaire resumes $100 million Harvard gift after campus Jew-hatred concerns

Jewish billionaire investor Stuart Zimmer has resumed funding a $100 million gift to Harvard University, which he had paused after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. Zimmer, a 1991 Harvard graduate, was “appalled” by the university’s initial response to the attacks and “troubled” by a perceived rise in antisemitism on campus, according to The Wall Street Journal. He also expressed concerns about diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and a reported decline in Jewish undergraduate enrollment.

Harvard President Alan Garber, who is Jewish, had been “courting” Zimmer for about two years when the two met during Harvard’s reunion festivities in June, the Journal reported. The meeting led to an agreement for Zimmer to resume funding the gift.

As part of the agreement, Harvard will rename its Science Center to Zimmer Hall in honor of Zimmer’s late father, expand kosher dining options, and continue recruiting at Jewish day schools. Zimmer stated that Garber and Provost John Manning “are both beautiful human beings who have worked hard to improve the safety of and protect the civil rights of Jewish students at Harvard.” This renewal is part of Harvard’s broader effort to mend relations with donors who withdrew support post-October 7.