Columbia University

Jewish woman once held up by Nazis as ideal Aryan baby dead at 91

Born in Berlin in 1934 to Latvian Jewish parents Jacob and Polin Levinson, Taft was photographed when she was 6 months old by a German photographer, Hans Ballin.

HESSY TAFT poses holding a photograph of herself taken in 1935 by well-known German photographer Hans Ballin during an interview with Reuters July 9, 2014.
New York City Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani  (2nd R) celebrates alongside his wife Rama Duwaji (2nd L), his parents Mahmood Mamdani (L) and Mira Nair during an election night event at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater in Brooklyn, New York on November 4, 2025.

How Mira Nair and Mahmood Mamdani’s politics shaped New York City’s new mayor

Students walk on campus at Columbia University during the first day of the fall semester in New York City, US, September 2, 2025

Antisemitism task force: Columbia must add Middle East faculty who are not explicitly anti-Zionist

Ibrahim Bharmal and Elom Tettey-Tamaklo surrounded a Jewish student named Yoav Segev and covered him with keffiyehs while shouting “Shame! Shame! Shame!” as he tried to free himself and said "don't touch me." October 2023.

Harvard, Columbia quietly promote individuals involved in antisemitic incidents


Palestinian restaurant Ayat names location ‘Hind’s Hall’ to honor pro-Palestinian campus protestors

In an Instagram post, the restaurant Ayat NYC announced that its new storefront in Morningside Heights would be renamed in solidarity with pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia.

A pro-Palestinian student protester leans out a window of Hamilton Hall on the campus of Columbia University, April 30, 2024, in New York.

Despite Gaza ceasefire, war against Israel on college campuses rages on - opinion

The ceasefire may have silenced the rockets, but on American campuses, and beyond the US – and now, even in Toronto – the war continues.

STUDENTS ATTEND a pro-Palestinian protest outside Columbia University in New York City on the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel last month.

Columbia University denies campus access to activist Mahmoud Khalil over safety concerns

"They’re censoring anything connected to Palestine, anything that exposes their repression, their retaliation, and their complicity in genocide," said Mahmoud Khalil

Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil attends a pro-Palestinian protest outside Columbia University, in Manhattan in New York City, US, October 7, 2025

Columbia University rejects three Israel divestment proposals

The three December 2024 proposals by Columbia students, faculty, and staff accused the Israeli government and military of human rights violations, war crimes, and apartheid.

A student puts on their pro-Palestine graduation cap reading "From the river to the sea" at the People's Graduation, hosted for Mahmoud Khalil and other students unable to participate in Columbia and New York University's commencement ceremony, May 18, 2025.

'Antisemitism not only normal, but popular': Michael Oren warns after Mamdani's win - interview

Mamdani’s defenders argue that he has consistently denounced hate crimes and that critics are conflating disagreement with bigotry.

Former ambassador of Israel to the United States Michael B. Oren speaks during an event to commemorate Holocaust victims and survivors in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington April 19, 2012

Mamdani's progressive vision for New York shaped by childhood in Uganda, mentors say

The son of a Ugandan academic of Indian origins and an Indian-American filmmaker, Mamdani was born and spent several years as a child in Uganda's capital Kampala.

New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani holds a press conference at the Unisphere in the Queens borough of New York City, US, November 5, 2025.

Former Columbia professor claims campus antisemitism focus fosters ‘Jewish victimization’

Professor Marianne Hirsch also argued the Holocaust must be taught alongside Gaza and the "Nakba," warning against “exceptionalism” in Holocaust memory.

Columbia University professor emerita Marianne Hirsch.

With ceasefire in place, activists shift to long term objective, Israel's destruction - analysis

Following the Gaza ceasefire, anti-Israel activists ramp up calls to dismantle Zionism, demanding arms embargoes, Palestinian sovereignty, and the right of return.

Protesters wave flags as students take part in an inter-university march in support of Palestinians, on the second anniversary of the deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas from Gaza, at King's College London campus, Britain, October 7, 2025.

Trump gov't ensures 'accountability' for campus antisemitism - DOJ civil rights chief Dhillon

"For the first time you are actually finally starting to see accountability for the bad behavior of a lot of people,” Dhillon said.

US Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet K. Dhillon (left), in conversation with IAC Board Member and Chairman Emeritus Shawn Evenhaim, at the Israeli-American Council (IAC) ‘United Against Hate’ gala in Los Angeles Sunday.

Immigration judge orders Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil deported to Algeria or Syria

Louisiana immigration Judge Jamee Comans orders Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil’s deportation to Algeria or Syria, citing activism ties. His legal team appeals the decision in a civil rights case.

 Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil stands next to U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a day after he was released from immigration custody, at Newark airport in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., June 21, 2025.

Columbia hires prof. who supported Palestinian 'indigenous resistance' to lead cultural programs

Kahn is meant to “build and lead initiatives that cultivate curiosity, civic purpose, and meaningful dialogue - facilitating student engagement with faculty outside the classroom.”

 Columbia student demonstrators show support as others chain themselves to the gates of St. Paul’s Chapel at Columbia University to denounce the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil in New York City, US, April 2, 2025.