Members of the Brandeis Reform and Conservative Jewish communities have recently questioned the policies of the Brandeis Orthodox Organization (BOO). They were seeking to have non-Orthodox books included in BOO's Beit Midrash, or textual study room, located in the basement of the Shapiro residence hall. Their request was denied.While this was initially an internal BOO issue, the subject was opened to the entire Jewish community to allow a more thorough examination. The nine-member BOO board reviewed more than 130 written surveys, held an open forum on Nov. 4 and spent over 12 hours in board meetings and speaking individually with students.

On Nov. 13, the BOO board decided these books, due to their non-Orthodox nature, could not be included in the official Beit Midrash collection. A statement from the BOO board was sent to students on all Hillel e-mail lists. "This decision is not meant to legitimize or delegitimize any of the books proposed," the board wrote. "They are simply not Orthodox books."

The board added, however, that the Beit Midrash room contains a set of "personal shelves," where students can leave any books that they please, thus providing an alternative location for the disputed texts. Though this detail was not outlined in the board's official e-mail statement, several BOO members stressed this verbally.

Rabbi Allan Lehmann, Brandeis' Jewish chaplain and director of Hillel, discussed the purpose of a Beit Midrash room. "The word 'Beit Midrash' may be unfamiliar to many," he said. "It's usually rendered as 'house of study,' but properly means something more like 'house of inquiry.'"

The Brandeis Beit Midrash, located in the basement of the Shapiro residence hall, is currently in its 11th year of existence. The 1991-1992 and 1992-1993 BOO boards also faced concerns from the Reform and Conservative communities as they strove to create a comfortable learning environment with appropriate books.

The issue resurged this year when Reuben Posner '05, education coordinator of the Hillel Student Executive Board, and Steven Exler '03, Beit Midrash coordinator, sought ways to welcome more students to the Beit Midrash. They hung a poster at the entrance, made a map of the room and organized a "starting point shelf" to direct new visitors. They also hoped to introduce Conservative and Reform Jewish texts onto the shelves.

The books in question were the Conservative chumash, or bible and commentary, "Etz Chaim," the Reform chumash "Plaut" and the "Sim Shalom" and "Gates of Prayer" siddurim, or prayer books.

Part of the BOO board's unease in allowing the Reform and Conservative books onto the main shelves of the Beit Midrash lies in the Hebrew to English translations. "You can't really have a translation that isn't a commentary," BOO President Devora Loike '04 said.

Additionally, Loike said, the siddurim omit some parts of a traditional Orthodox service, and also add new elements. The chumashim contain commentary that challenges certain tenets of Orthodoxy, mainly the belief that the Torah is the direct word of God. The introduction to the Plaut chumash, which was cited by an Orthodox student during the forum, reads, "This commentary proceeds from the assumption that the Torah is a book which has its origins in the hearts and minds of the Jewish people."

Many Reform and Conservative Jews said they were offended by the BOO board's decision. They said they felt the rejection of the books from the Beit Midrash was questioning the legitimacy of non-Orthodox beliefs.

The BOO board said this was not their intention. "The decision is certainly not a judgment on beliefs, and definitely not a statement of aversion towards individuals," the BOO e-mail statement read. "This decision maintains what has been known all along: These texts are simply not Orthodox texts."

While the final decision is still disputed by many, Associate Director of Hillel Ora Gladstone said she "is very proud of the whole process," adding she feels the issue was handled fairly and responsibly.

At the open forum, Loike called upon students one at a time, giving each three minutes to speak. No one group dominated the discussion. Leah Berkowitz '03, coordinator of the Brandeis Reform Chavura (BaRuCH) said, "There were only individual standpoints, not an Orthodox standpoint, or a Reform, or a Conservative." "No one felt excluded from speaking," she added.

Scott Selinger '03, a BOO member, said the board "really made sure to take into account everyone's opinion. It wasn't a rash decision in any way."

In accordance with BOO policy, however, the ultimate decision was made by the board and not by students at the forum. BOO member Shoshana Cohen '03 said she would prefer to see "a more participatory democracy instead of the representative democracy" that is presently used in voting on such matters.

The main argument in favor of including the new books emphasized the need for cohesion among all Brandeis Jews and the danger of alienating non-Orthodox students. Aron Klein '05, BaRuCH education coordinator, said he felt the introduction of more liberal texts would have helped provide "a space for everyone to feel comfortable engaging in Jewish learning."

Seth Sclair '03, a member of BOO, originally felt that the books did not belong, but since attending the forum, said he has assigned priority to "keeping a good rapport with all the groups and keeping everything peaceful."

"It was a touchy subject," he said. "I'd be more comfortable knowing that no one was turned off or turned the wrong way because of this decision."

Cohen said the most important goal is to maintain a welcoming atmosphere in the Brandeis Jewish community. "I think it's sort of silly to have such strong divisions in the first place. I do believe in unity at most costs." She said she is nervous the BOO decision will be misinterpreted as a move to cut off Brandeis' less fundamentalist Jewish students. She added she also worries that the decision will be regarded as the stance of all Orthodox students, saying that is not the case.

"People shouldn't be afraid of books. It's important to challenge yourself a little bit and not be threatened," Cohen said. "See what you think. Does it make your beliefs stronger? Does it make you question things?"

Those opposed to the book's inclusion said an Orthodox-run and Orthodox-funded organization must first adhere to its Orthodox roots. They said they felt it improper to formally endorse texts that infringe upon halacha, or Orthodox Jewish law.

"In a more perfect world everyone would have their own Beit Midrash, or there would be a Hillel Beit Midrash," Selinger said. "But, this is an Orthodox Beit Midrash. Decisions made by an Orthodox organization must be in line with halacha."

"I wouldn't expect the Reform community to take the guitar out of their Friday night service or use a mehitza (barrier between men and women). This would alienate their own community," Selinger added. "Within the same regard, in our community, our philosophy, and our halacha, there are certain actions that are very borderline and can really alter the definition of our community and in the process, alienate people within our own community."

Rabbi Todd Berman, an educator with the Jewish Learning Initiative and the BOO adviser, said the issue is "multi-faceted," and cannot be boiled down to two distinct sides. He added he hopes students can be tolerant of all the viewpoints expressed during the debate.

The issue extended beyond the question of four books, stirring intense reflection throughout Brandeis' Jewish community. In a message to Reform Jews, Klein said "the discussions sparked amongst all Jews were truly for the best." Berkowitz described the forum as "one of the most amazing learning experiences" in her time at Brandeis.

Loike said BOO now has a renewed focus on welcoming others into the Beit Midrash and the Orthodox community. Students on the BOO board have already met with leaders of the other Hillel religious groups. Alienation of non-Orthodox Jews, Loike said, "is the opposite of our goal."