An esteemed professor at a New Jersey research university has leveled serious allegations against the institution, claiming it unjustly hindered his career due to his Orthodox Jewish beliefs. The alleged actions are outlined in a lawsuit by Dr. Tal Ben-Zvi, an Israeli-born academic with a distinguished record at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, which received $70 million in public funding last year.
Dr. Ben-Zvi, who is tenured and has received numerous awards for his teaching, has been entangled in a dispute with Stevens Institute for over a decade. The conflict began during his tenure as vice chair of the school’s faculty senate when he faced accusations of gender bias. This controversy arose after he did not recommend a female colleague for tenure, a decision he and others on the committee maintain was based solely on her not meeting the necessary criteria.
In a peculiar twist, the school’s legal team cited a Jewish prayer they deemed misogynistic as evidence of Ben-Zvi’s alleged bias. The situation escalated after Ben-Zvi filed complaints of discrimination, with the university allegedly retaliating by fabricating “baseless charges of gender discrimination” against him. As a result, he claims his salary was delayed, he was denied a promotion, and at one point, his health account was stopped—a significant issue given his disability.
Further allegations include the school retaliating against him for his religious observances. Ben-Zvi contends that he faced backlash for not attending meetings scheduled on Yom Kippur and Passover and for raising concerns when no kosher meal options were offered at a luncheon, despite other dietary preferences being accommodated.
The legal battle between Dr. Ben-Zvi and Stevens Institute of Technology is set to be heard in court, with a trial commencing Monday in Jersey City. The case promises to shed light on the complex intersection of religious rights and academic policies.
A trial is set to begin Monday in Jersey City.
“My dad was able to survive the Holocaust,” Ben-Zvi, 48, told The Post. “Today, 80 years later, I’m sadly in a position where I not only need to stand up for my religious beliefs but also fight for my livelihood.”
Watchdogs are taking notice.
The era of “institutional immunity” for campus antisemitism is over, said Sagit Sade Attia, from the Israeli American Council.
“As the Department of Justice moves into 2026 with its Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, the focus has shifted from simple policy ‘oversight’ to the investigation of federal funding abuse.”
The school’s legal contract is clear, she said.
“Federal money requires strict compliance with Title VI and VII.”
A lawyer for Ben-Zvi, who is seeking unspecified damages, said the professor has had a distinguished career.
“During his tenure, he has been recognized as a top researcher and has consistently received high marks in student evaluations,” his attorney, Andrew Markowitz, told The Post of Ben-Zvi’s 20 years at the school.
“His performance has, on several occasions, been described by the university’s Vice Provost as ‘something to which the rest of the faculty should aspire.’”
The school denied the allegations in legal filings, and declined comment on the litigation.
“The university remains committed to the integrity of the legal process and the accurate resolution of these matters.”
