The Jew Project: Shabbos Kestenbaum, A Groundbreaking Lawsuit Against Harvard University

The Jew Project, created by photographer Yisroel Teitelbaum aims to unify the Jewish people through documenting the lives of individuals. To read more on The Jew Project Click Here.

Alexander Israel X Yisroel Yekusiel Yakir Shabbos Kestenbaum is a first generation American, in a family of Jewish Polish and German descent. His father Daniel founded the first American Auction House specializing in rare antique Judaica and Hebrew Books, which instilled a passionate love for history and Jewish Identity in Shabbos from a young age.

Particularly interested in Hasidic Philosophy and European Jewish History, Shabbos has taken nearly 25 trips to Poland, and described the printing of a Tanya in Auschwitz, as one of the most meaningful moments of his young adult life.

After studying in Aish HaTorah, Shabbos began working in Jewish Education, both in his former High School SAR, and NCSY.

Driven by a desire to understand the academic aspect of Jewish Education, he pursued a Masters Degree of Theological Studies at Harvard University, and was granted a full scholarship.

In his first month of study at Harvard, on Oct 7, 2023, Shabbos saw how 34 Student Groups, including over 1,000 students, gathered to cheer for the massacre that occurred that day in Israel.

In response to blatant discrimination that Harvard displayed in allowing and elevating Anti-Jewish sentiment on campus, 24 year old Shabbos filed a groundbreaking lawsuit on grounds of Unconstitutional Discrimination committed by Harvard against it’s Jewish students.

Shabbos thereby became a crucial voice for Jewish Students across America, speaking in two Congressional Testimonies, a rally for President Trump, the 2024 RNC, the 2025 RJC, and countless Media and TV appearances.

Shabbos recently moved to Los Angeles where he continues his work in advancing Judeo-Christian values, Freedom of Religion, and Political Literacy as the host of a new show at PragerU.