On Wednesday, Sept. 11 in the Shapiro Atrium Lounge, Brandeis students performed the play, "Bystander," written by another Brandeis student, Meron Langsner. The one-act play chronicles his personal experiences in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. Unlike many of the commemorative events that went on at Brandeis on the anniversary of Sept. 11, this theatrical production had touches of comedy, which to many was a welcome change. Langsner explained, "people have to laugh in order to truly feel the sadness of the situation." The production describes the events of the day from the point of view of Langsner as he commuted to work. The play brings to light the confusion and the uncertainty of what was to come, as well as the support strangers gave to one another on that day.

Members of the audience alternately cried or laughed at different moments in the play. The play was previously performed in May in Buffalo, N.Y. at the Ensemble Theatre. It was also performed on this Sept. 11 in New York City at the Episcopal Actors Guild, and will be performed soon in Los Angeles under the direction of Glenn Ettman '99.

"The students planned a menu of events that met the needs of the community," Alwina Bennett, Associate Dean of Student Life, said. "There were opportunities for people to express what they were feeling; there was space for people to have a 'normal' day."

Many students participated in the various events, such as the moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the reading of the names of victims, signing the condolence books, making the commemorative tiles in the Shapiro Center, and lighting memorial candles.

One of the most interactive events of the day was an interfaith dialogue held in Sherman Function Hall in the afternoon of Sept. 11.

The trialogue, as it was called, posed the question: Does religion equal intolerance? The discussion was moderated by Professor Joyce Collins (HS), Protestant Chaplain Reverend Nathaniel Mays, Jewish Chaplain Rabbi Alan Lehmann, Catholic Chaplain Father David Michael and Professor Khaleel Mohammed (IMES).

Michael opened the forum by reminding all in attendance that memorializing those who died on Sept. 11 was too narrow a means of dealing with the event. This is a time to comfort and support those who were left behind to grieve. He told students to find the common core values they share with their neighbors and to join in solidarity as beacons of hope. Michael was the first to address the argument that religions themselves may be the problems.

Mohammed said the true martyrs of Sept. 11 were those who were killed. "Terrorism is directed at a perceived enemy to make it self-destruct," he said. He explained how tired he was of the misconceptions that Islam was what fomented terrorism. "No religion inculcates terrorism and hatred," he said. "People do."

"No religion tolerates terrorism, even though terrorism may fight in the name of religion," he said.

Lehman spoke last. He reminded everyone that, "this is a time for intense introspection. We must think of what actions have we made that were right or wrong." In the case of Sept. 11, he asked students to keep in mind that, "by one person's wrongdoing, the whole society should not be held accountable.