Dr Tal Ben-Zvi, a professor of information systems and technology at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey, has filed a significant lawsuit against the university, alleging widespread discrimination based on his Orthodox Jewish faith and physical disability.The lawsuit details a series of alleged incidents involving harassment, public humiliation, and retaliation following his complaints about what he describes as anti-Jewish hostility within the institution.
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ynetnews.comIn his lawsuit, Dr Ben-Zvi claims he faced ridicule and punitive treatment when seeking basic accommodations, such as time off for Jewish holidays and access to kosher meals at university events.
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ynetnews.comHe alleges that after he filed complaints regarding these issues, his treatment by university administration deteriorated significantly, particularly from Gregory Prastacos, the dean of the School of Business.
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ynetnews.comOne notable incident involved Dr Ben-Zvi being required to attend a meeting during Passover, a major Jewish holiday, and being invited to events on Yom Kippur, despite his explicit objections.
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ynetnews.comHe also reported a lack of kosher food at a professional meeting, where other dietary needs were accommodated, which he claims was met with indifference by the administration.
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ynetnews.comDr Ben-Zvi, who has a permanent leg disability that occasionally requires him to use a cane, alleges that Stevens failed to protect his medical privacy.He claims a faculty member publicly disclosed his health information without consent, an issue that he says was ignored by the administration.
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ynetnews.comThe lawsuit also touches on gender bias, as Dr Ben-Zvi alleges that his vote against granting tenure to a colleague was mischaracterized as gender discrimination stemming from his religious beliefs.He contends this was a tactic to divert attention from his own complaints about religious discrimination.
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ynetnews.comThe broader implications of his lawsuit highlight a troubling pattern of disregard for Jewish individuals on the Stevens campus.Affidavits from both faculty and students suggest a culture that may not only be indifferent to antisemitism but could actively foster it.
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ynetnews.comProfessor Deborah Sinnreich-Levi provided testimony indicating that one faculty member suggested scheduling meetings on Jewish holidays to "weed out the Jews," a remark that was reportedly ignored by the administration.
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ynetnews.comStudents have echoed these sentiments, with Dennis Vink, president of the campus Hillel chapter, stating that Jewish students frequently face dilemmas between holiday observance and academic obligations.Following the recent Hamas attack on Israel, many Jewish students reported feeling unsafe on campus, yet university leadership, including President Nariman Farvardin, allegedly refused to meet with them to discuss their concerns.
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ynetnews.comThe lawsuit encompasses claims of religious and disability discrimination, failure to provide reasonable accommodations, retaliation, wage violations, and document destruction.
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ynetnews.comDr Ben-Zvi asserts that his situation worsened after he filed a complaint with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding antisemitism, resulting in denied promotions and withheld salary.
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ynetnews.comHe is seeking compensation for the damages he has incurred, both financially and emotionally, along with a court ruling that acknowledges what he describes as a pervasive "culture of silence, discrimination and immorality-masked as progress" at Stevens Institute of Technology.
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ynetnews.comIn response to these allegations, a spokesperson for Stevens stated that Dr Ben-Zvi's complaints have been thoroughly investigated over the years and found to lack evidence of discrimination.The university emphasizes its commitment to maintaining an inclusive and diverse community, asserting that it has clear policies in place for accommodating religious observances.
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ynetnews.comThis case raises important questions about the treatment of religious minorities in academic settings and the responsibilities of institutions to foster an environment free from discrimination.
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ynetnews.comAs the lawsuit progresses, it may shed light on the broader issues of religious accommodation in workplaces and educational institutions across the country.
