A newly expanded area for Judaic study in the basement of the Shapiro Residence Hall in Massell Quad re-opened this fall and was dedicated at a ceremony attended by nearly 200 people Saturday evening.The space, called a Beit Midrash, was expanded over the summer from a one-room study area by removing the wall separating the original space from a previously unused room adjacent to it, said Brandeis Orthodox Organization President Daniel Glass '07, who hosted the dedication ceremony and worked with BOO to organize the expansion.

Glass said the renovation is big news for students familiar with the study space.

"Most of the Brandeis community has no idea that this place even exists, but for other people, it is the most important place on campus," he said.

The dedication ceremony featured a speech by Glass and singing by members of the audience, who spilled out from the two rooms into the hallway.

The Beit Midrash, first opened in 1992 by BOO members interested in studying Torah, was expanded in response to the increasing amount of people interested in using the space, Glass said.

Glass said he and BOO began to organize the expansion project last September after a visit from his grandmother, Shirley Kotler, a philanthropist dedicated to Jewish causes.

Glass met with Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Jean Eddy and Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer last fall to request use of the unused room adjacent to the Beit Midrash.

The total project cost around $17,000, Glass said. His grandmother donated much of that amount, and the Student Union Finance Board gave nearly $4,000.

Glass said the dedication ceremony was "one of the most emotional times of my four years" because it brought together Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Jews-three distinct divisions of Judaism.

"The fact that we had different people from different strains all together singing and celebrating was really beautiful," he said.

The new room in the Beit Midrash is decorated with artwork created by Studio Art major Tanya Fredman '08, as well as a plaque dedicating the room to Glass' grandfather, Aaron L. Cotler.

The expansion provides a more comfortable study space for Jewish students interested in studying Torah who lack a strong background in the subject, Glass said. He said the additional room will allow students of different learning levels to study in separate spaces.

Sara Ronis '07, who studies in the Beit Midrash, said the additional room will make it easier for those who attend religious classes being taught there.

The Beit Midrash is also meaningful for many new students because it provides a familiar setting for them to study and discuss their religious interests, she said.

"For people who leave their communities and find this place, it's a little taste of home," Ronis said.