Israeli Professor Sues New Jersey University Over Anti-Jewish Discrimination and Disability Bias

Dr. Tal Ben-Tzvi, a veteran Israeli faculty member teaching for over 20 years at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey, has filed a lawsuit alleging years of discrimination based on his Jewish identity and physical disability.

According to the complaint, Ben-Tzvi was subjected to a “deep pattern of hostility toward Jews”, which included public humiliation, delayed salary payments, and acts of retaliation after he spoke out about mistreatment.

Requests for Jewish Holiday Accommodation Rejected

Throughout his career, Ben-Tzvi asked the administration for simple accommodations in accordance with the Jewish calendar, such as time off for Jewish holidays and kosher food at faculty events.
However, he claims that the university consistently ignored or mocked these requests.

In one case, he says he was required to attend a university event held on Yom Kippur, despite his clear objections. At another event, while guests with dietary needs received special meals, his request for kosher food was denied. When his academic assistant tried to order a kosher meal, his supervisor, Professor Gregory Prastacos, allegedly scoffed, asking, “Why bother?”

Ben-Tzvi adds that the same dean questioned the very existence of Jewish holidays and refused to look at a Jewish calendar presented to him.

Allegations of Disrespect Toward His Disability

Beyond the religious discrimination, the lawsuit also details disregard and insensitivity toward Ben-Tzvi’s disability. He suffers from a physical limitation and often uses a cane.

He describes being called to meetings in non-accessible locations and denied permission to join remotely. When he was forced to attend in person and became physically unwell, the administration allegedly accused him of being “unreliable.”

In another incident, a female professor publicly disclosed his medical condition without his consent — a serious breach of privacy.

Retaliation and Institutional Hostility

After raising complaints, Ben-Tzvi says he was labeled a troublemaker, denied promotions, had his pay withheld, and was made to feel isolated and humiliated.

He stresses that this behavior reflects not only personal mistreatment but a broader institutional culture of intolerance toward Jews. The lawsuit includes statements from faculty and students who corroborate his claims.

• Professor Deborah Sinnreich-Levi testified that a colleague once suggested holding meetings on Jewish holidays “to get rid of the Jews.” When she reported the incident, the administration took no action.

• Professor Dov Kruger, a former lecturer, said he was repeatedly scheduled to teach on Friday evenings, interfering with his observance of Shabbat, which ultimately led him to resign.

Jewish Students Reported Similar Experiences

According to Dennis Winck, former president of the Jewish Student Association at Stevens, the same lack of consideration extended to students: “There’s no respect for Jewish holidays, no kosher food, and no willingness to listen to Jewish students’ concerns. After Hamas’s attack in October 2023, we asked to meet with the administration, but the president refused, saying he didn’t have time to meet with every group, including us.”

Claims and Legal Demands

As reported by Ynet, Ben-Tzvi is suing Stevens Institute for:

• Religious discrimination

• Disability discrimination

• Violation of privacy

• Workplace harassment

• Failure to provide reasonable accommodations

• Destruction of documents

He claims these actions caused significant harm to his mental and physical health, and he is now seeking substantial financial compensation as well as formal acknowledgment of the university’s responsibility.

University’s Response

In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Stevens Institute of Technology told Ynet: “All complaints submitted were reviewed and investigated. No evidence was found to support any claims of discrimination against Dr. Ben-Tzvi.”