Embattled Harvard President Claudine Gay attended a menorah lighting ceremony at the university on Wednesday as she continues to defy calls for her resignation over anti-Semitism on campus.
Gay was one of about 100 people who attended the daily lighting ceremony in Harvard Park organized by Harvard Chabad.
Her appearance came the day after the Harvard Corporation, which governs the university, announced that she would remain as president despite her testimony before Congress on December 5.
Gay was one of three university presidents called before the House Education Committee to discuss anti-Semitism on campus. When asked whether the call for genocide against Jews was considered hate speech, all three were ambiguous: One of the three, University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill, has since had to resign.
However, Gay was told that the university administration continued to support her despite calls for her resignation.
Harvard President Claudine Gay is seen lighting the menorah on campus Wednesday evening
Gay is seen testifying before Congress on December 5, alongside UPenn President Liz Magill. Magill was forced to resign four days after appearing before the committee
On Tuesday, the 11-member board sent out a university-wide email announcing that they “unanimously stand behind President Gay.”
They said their decision was made after “extensive consideration.”
Over the weekend, hundreds of faculty members rallied in Gay's support, insisting she retained their full trust and condemning outside pressure to get her to resign.
Elise Stefanik, the New York Republican who led the questioning of Gay and the two others, tweeted after Magill's resignation: “One down, two left” – comments that left many feeling like the presidents had become political pawns .
Gay made a statement to The Harvard Crimson on Tuesday saying she believes there is still much to be done to address anti-Semitism and vowing to review all policies.
“The work before us is vast but clear – to rid our community of hate, to ensure our students feel and feel safe, and to preserve free expression on our campus,” Gay wrote. “I am confident that we can be successful.”
Gay can be seen at the Jewish celebration on campus Wednesday evening
Gay was one of about 100 people who attended Wednesday night's ceremony
A person wrapped in the Israeli flag is seen at the Harvard ceremony on Wednesday
The menorah lighting will take place Wednesday evening in Harvard Yard
Gay said she wants to work with her critics to eradicate anti-Semitism on campus.
“I know that there are people with good will and deep love for Harvard who are ambivalent or even disappointed about where we are right now,” Gay wrote.
“I will need their help and their ideas to build the community we all deserve.” And I ask for it.
“I hope that through my actions and the continued progress of our community in the weeks, months and years to come, Harvard will remain a source of pride and inspiration for all of our lives,” she added.