Harvard antisemitism official abruptly resigns from new task force

The co-chair of a newly formed task force fighting antisemitism at Harvard University has abruptly stepped down after barely a month at the helm.

The co-chair of a newly formed task force fighting antisemitism at Harvard University has abruptly stepped down after barely a month at the helm. The sudden resignation by Harvard Business School professor Raffaella Sadun, disclosed Sunday evening, is a setback for the Ivy League school’s efforts to combat antisemitism. Alan Garber, Harvard’s interim president, announced Sunday the full slate of members to the antisemitism presidential task force and explained Sadun has been replaced as co-chair because she “decided to refocus her efforts on her research, teaching and administrative responsibilities” at Harvard Business School. Sadun’s “insights and passion for this work have helped shape the mandate for the task force and how it can best productively advance the important work ahead,” Garber said in a separate statement to CNN. “She has advanced our efforts to be a stronger, more inclusive Harvard and for that we owe her our deep thanks.” It’s not clear whether other factors may have played a role in Sadun’s decision to step down so quickly after the task force was first formed just last month. Harvard remains under enormous scrutiny from politicians, regulators, alumni and others.