Harvard Hillel suspends its Orthodox rabbi and educator, Ethan S.H. Fried ’16, and his wife Bella Fried, on administrative leave while an investigation proceeds. The move, which surfaced through messages obtained by The Crimson, surprised many Orthodox Jewish students and leaves Harvard Hillel without a designated Orthodox rabbi.
The announcement came less than four hours before Shabbat, in a Hillel WhatsApp group for Orthodox students, and there was no prior notice. Hillel leadership did not disclose the reasons for the leave, which took effect immediately.
Jason B. Rubenstein ’04, Harvard Hillel’s executive director, confirmed that both individuals were placed on leave and said law enforcement was not involved “at present,” but offered no further details due to the nature of personnel matters.
In an emailed statement, Rubenstein pledged that Harvard Hillel remains firmly committed to supporting Orthodox students and the broader Orthodox community at Harvard. He added that his top priority is to support students through this challenging moment, including taking steps to arrange Orthodox rabbinic leadership at Harvard Hillel for the upcoming semester and beyond.
The leave leaves the Orthodox student community at Hillel without a current rabbinic leader, though other staff members, including an Orthodox woman educator, remain available.
The Frieds were hired in August to fill a vacancy created when the previous Orthodox rabbi, Noah Marlowe, left for another role. Ethan Fried served as a teacher, worship leader, and advisor to Orthodox students, while Bella Fried served in a part-time capacity advising students.
Although the couple was placed on administrative leave together, they held separate roles within Hillel.
Requests for comment from Ethan and Bella Fried were not answered. According to two unnamed sources familiar with confidential proceedings, Ethan Fried may consider pursuing legal action against Hillel, though no lawsuit had been filed as of Monday morning.
Several students expressed surprise at the decision.
Abraham N. “Abe” Kohl ’28, the Hillel social chair, voiced frustration that students were not consulted in advance. “When he sent the text in our chat, my immediate reaction was, ‘Why weren't the students notified about this?’” he said, referencing Rubenstein.
Rubenstein stated that he had informed a small group of students on Friday night that he was juggling several priorities—continuity of staff, transparency, student involvement, and aligning staff transitions with the academic calendar—and that Hillel would only sacrifice one or more of those priorities if there was an urgent, pressing situation requiring immediate action. He did not elaborate on the rationale behind the decision.
In the weeks leading up to the leave, tensions reportedly emerged between the Frieds and Hillel leadership. Three sources said Rubenstein reviewed and revised Ethan Fried’s sermons for Orthodox Shabbat services, including removing references to Israel. A Hillel affiliate noted ongoing disagreements over Bella Fried’s time commitment and compensation. It remains unclear whether these issues directly prompted the surprise action.
When asked whether Zionism played a role, Rubenstein told a student in the group chat that it did not, according to The Crimson’s accessed messages.
Students described the Frieds as deeply integrated into Orthodox student life at Hillel. Kohl observed that Ethan Fried frequently reached out to students to offer spiritual and emotional guidance.
Following the Frieds’ absence, Kohl and others decided to observe Shabbat at Harvard Chabad, an Orthodox-leaning Jewish student organization, until leadership was restored.
Samuel Colchamiro ’28, a student who regularly visits Hillel, said the Frieds helped shape the Orthodox experience there, adding, “He’s the reason I go to Hillel these days.”
Rubenstein emphasized his personal connection to Harvard’s Orthodox community, noting that Hillel’s Orthodox minyan was a meaningful part of his own undergraduate experience. He acknowledged that students would likely feel frustration over the abrupt announcement.
He also indicated that Hillel would continue to operate through the end of the fall semester and the winter break to ensure Orthodox students have rabbinic leadership in place next semester, including facilities for regular prayer, gatherings, and study.
Sarah F. Silverman ’28, the Hillel Shabbat chair and former Crimson News Editor, said she felt supported by Hillel staff both before and after the Frieds’ leave. She conceded that the absence of an Orthodox rabbi was less than ideal but expressed confidence that Hillel was moving quickly to secure rabbinic support.
“I genuinely don’t know what happened,” she said. “But I do feel supported by Hillel.”
