In this eye-opening episode of IsraelCast, host Steven Shalowitz welcomes Shabbos Kestenbaum—student activist, writer, and lead plaintiff in a landmark lawsuit against Harvard University over pervasive antisemitism. Raised in an Orthodox Jewish family and having studied at Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem, Shabbos entered Harvard Divinity School expecting intellectual exchange but instead encountered systemic bias against Jews and Israel. From professors who excluded Israeli voices in the classroom to student groups blaming Israel after October 7th, his experiences exposed a troubling double standard in higher education.
Shabbos recounts how the October 7th attacks marked a generational shift, transforming many unaffiliated young Jews into what he calls “October 8th Jews”—proudly embracing their identity and rallying behind Israel. He emphasizes the crucial role of organizations like Jewish National Fund-USA, which provides opportunities for Jewish students to connect with Israel through experiential programs and community-building. In this candid conversation, Shabbos also outlines his three-part strategy to combat antisemitism: holding institutions legally accountable, applying political pressure through federal oversight, and doubling down on Jewish education and identity.
Shabbos Kestenbaum is a student activist and lead plaintiff in a landmark lawsuit against Harvard University, alleging pervasive and systemic antisemitism. He is a regular contributor on national media, has testified multiple times in front of the United States Congress as well as the Israeli Knesset, and is the newest PragerU Personality.