Communication from Morgan Lewis Regarding Investigation

As many of you know, Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion recently learned of reports from members of its community of past sexual harassment, gender bias, and other forms of inequitable treatment at HUC-JIR. The Board of Governors takes these allegations very seriously and is committed to gathering as much information as possible and taking appropriate action. While the Board recognizes that its efforts cannot erase the past, the Board is committed to doing everything within its power to address the past and protect the community from such unacceptable conduct.

The Board has retained Morgan Lewis to investigate allegations made by community members and to assist HUC-JIR in determining a way forward that will ensure its community members are safe, uphold its ethical values, and enable HUC-JIR to engage in the process of teshuvah.

We have done significant work in both the #MeToo and racial justice areas, helping clients address problematic conduct and better workplace culture for women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color. While most of our work (including work for educational institutions) is confidential, some of our work for nonprofit organizations in this area is public, such as an investigation that we conducted for National Public Radio in 2018, our representation of PBS in a case that sought to hold a public figure responsible for improper sexual conduct, and recent investigations that we conducted for the International Women's Health Coalition and the National Audubon Society.

The Board has asked Morgan Lewis to (1) investigate complaints of sexual misconduct, harassment, or discrimination based on sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation) or any other harassment or discrimination by HUC-JIR faculty, staff, and/or affiliates; (2) determine whether any past or current HUC-JIR faculty or staff member in a supervisory or leadership position engaged in or was aware of such behavior occurring at any location on any campus or at any off-site assignments or events related to HUC-JIR coursework; and, if so, (3) determine whether the responses to such complaints, if any, were appropriate.

We will conduct this investigation independently and will report our findings to a Special Committee of the Board of Governors. The investigation will be led by Morgan Lewis partners Grace Speights, Sharon Masling, Martha Stolley, and Jocelyn Cuttino.

We encourage anyone who believes they may have relevant information to speak with us. If you are unsure whether you have relevant information, we encourage you to reach out to us nonetheless, as any information you have may be helpful.

To contact Morgan Lewis to schedule an interview, ask any questions, or simply have a conversation, please email:
HUC-JIRInvestigation@morganlewis.com

You may also reach out by telephone at (202) 739-4878 and someone on the investigation team will return your communication as quickly as possible. This email address and telephone number are accessible only by the Morgan Lewis investigation team. No one at HUC-JIR will have access to your communications with Morgan Lewis.

Your conversations with us will be held in confidence to the fullest extent possible. In reporting our findings to the Board, we will do all that we can to preserve anonymity, if requested, and we will carefully consider what information is shared, with the goal of not identifying individuals with whom we have spoken or attributing comments to specific individuals. Please note that we may be required to share information that we believe points to a violation of the law or that we have a legal obligation to disclose to the Board. If this should occur, we will discuss it with you beforehand. Otherwise, we will only report on themes that we hear during the investigation.

Please note that any form of retaliation for participating in the investigation is strictly prohibited. If at any time you feel that you or anyone you know is being discouraged from or retaliated against for participating in the investigation, you should immediately contact the Morgan Lewis investigation team at the email address or phone number above so that the issue can be addressed. Alternatively, if you are currently a student, staff member, or faculty member at HUC-JIR, you have the option to contact Amy Goldberg, HUC-JIR Compliance Officer, at agoldberg@huc.edu.

Thank you,
Grace Speights
Sharon Masling
Martha Stolley
Jocelyn Cuttino