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In her 71 years, Emily Szczypek has lived in many places. England, Australia and plenty of cities in Massachusetts have been home bases for her, but one spot eventually became home. Szczypek has lived in Waltham for 29 years, almost half her life, and she’s not hesitant to share her deep concern for the development — or lack thereof — that she’s witnessed here.
On Jan. 22, the Brandeis community received an email from Provost Carol Fierke containing the news that Prof. Arthur Holmberg (THA) had passed away at the age of 80. Holmberg was a part of the Brandeis community for 30 years, having joined the Theater Department in 1994 and teaching up until fall 2024.
Hello — Our names are Max Klein and Aaron Klein, and we are writing a column on restaurants around town. While the column may be satirical, our reviews are absolutely not. Please enjoy.
As the political climate in this country shifts, the futures of many feel uncertain. In moments of socio-political unrest, college campuses have served as both a place of refuge and a reflection of national turmoil, offering a space to seek security while simultaneously echoing the political struggles of the time.
Animal advocates should oppose RFK Jr.
June 2025 will mark three years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a decision that set reproductive rights in America back decades. The exhibit “Wrongs & RIGHTS,” curated by Laura Dvorkin and Maynard Monrow, is framed as an intergenerational discussion about the fight for reproductive rights. “Wrongs & RIGHTS” can be found on display in the Kniznick Gallery in the Women’s Studies Research Center at Brandeis. On display in the exhibit are over 20 pieces of various media. Although the exhibit contains pieces that date as far back as 1968 the collection of works are meant to invoke a sense of urgency as a reaction to the 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Featuring 22 artists each piece in the exhibit touches on the topic of reproductive rights differently.
Sergei Parajanov’s film, “The Color of Pomegranates” is truly groundbreaking with its interesting filming techniques, storytelling choices and iconic overall aesthetics. Parajanov’s ability to mesh the story of Sayat Nova, a famous Armenian artist and poet, with historical aspects of his culture made the movie a staple in filmmaking and in the Armenian diaspora. His images and film style appealed to the many surrealist filmmakers at the time and yet his visions for the film didn’t align with the beliefs of the Soviet government, resulting in the ban of the film for over 50 years. Despite this, filmmakers all over the world today refer to the movie as one of the most influential of its time. No matter if you watch the first or second version of the restored films, Parajanov’s vision remains clear. The unconventional narrative techniques of Parajanov’s “The Color of Pomegranates” accentuate the weirdness and experimental nature of the film by adding depth and meaning that is only discernible by the audience themselves.
Porsha Olayiwola grew up spending her weekends at her downtown Chicago Library. Every day after school she and her friends would go to Barnes & Noble and read. Her love of literature ignited an interest in writing, so it is no surprise that she became a poet and educator. The current Boston Poet laureate has been navigating the literary world as a consumer, creative and writer for years. Now, she is writing a new chapter as the co-owner of a new bookstore.
Prof. Ellen Wright (PSYC) has had a meaningful impact on the education of many students through her role as the Undergraduate Advising Head for the Psychology department at Brandeis. Wright’s personal expertise lies in the area of the “intersection between clinical psychology, depression, gender, development, and emotional regulation.” Throughout her time at Brandeis, Wright has played a pivotal role in supporting a variety of honors and masters students, as well as teaching and guiding undergraduate students through the process of declaring and completing psychology majors, which is listed as one of the most popular at the University according to the U.S. News and World Report.
Maia Lefferman ’25, a senior at Brandeis University, recalls her first time voting four years ago; it was a “life changing” moment.
Reem Kseibati is a real estate strategist who spent over ten years working in Dubai and is now a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Kseibati — who has lived in London, Beirut and Dubai — came to Brandeis to discuss her passion for real estate, her thoughts on development in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and lessons learned from working in the region as a guest and as a woman.
Content warning — This article contains mention of suicide.
Everyone seems to have a teen romantic comedy that holds a special place in their heart. For most, these films evoke a strong level of nostalgia, like the fond memories of watching “Mean Girls” for the first time at a middle school sleepover. Upon rewatching, however, these films tend to be a mixed bag. While some — like “Ten Things I Hate About You” — are able to remain on their pedestal, others fall flat when examined with a scrutinizing, grown-up eye — as seen with “The Kissing Booth.” For me, Amy Heckerling’s “Clueless” is perhaps the most nostalgic teen rom-com of all time. I first watched the film at 14 years old, and it’s been imprinted on my mind ever since. But, as time passes and our once juvenile tastes grow more sophisticated, does this film still hold up? For the most part, yes. With privileged, yet unconventionally wise female characters, eternally quotable dialogue and an escapist setting that borders on fantasy, “Clueless” is the quintessential teen rom-com to be enjoyed by viewers of any age.
As winter break approaches, it’s time to finally take a much-needed break from life as a university student. After a rough and restless semester of daunting deadlines and what feels like endless projects and exams, winter break gives us a rare opportunity to relax, reflect and recharge on all the things life may throw at us. Spend quality time with friends and family and participate in activities that you truly enjoy. Opening Moodle and anxiously checking whether that one professor posted a grade you’ve been anticipating can wait.
I am writing in support of Gonny Nir’s thoughtful and well-founded (if somewhat protracted) columns in The Justice regarding the current state of academic life here at Brandeis. Like Gonny, I’ve often felt that the best features of campus life involve what she calls “meaningful experiences” that arise naturally between inquisitive students and caring faculty and staff. I also agree with her that these experiences cannot be forced. But I also believe, with the help of the Department of Student Affairs, that the essence of these experiences can be made a part of what Gonny refers to as the “infrastructure” of our university.
The early history of fencing as a combat method can be traced back to ancient Egypt in the year 1190 Before Christ, as well as Greek fencing schools, which were located in Ancient Athens. In Germany and Italy, fencing as a technique evolved into a sport by the 14th or 15th century.
Many student filmmakers at Brandeis are studying Film, Television and Interactive Media alongside other subjects, balancing exams and extracurriculars with the lengthy process of screenwriting, equipment rentals, directing makeshift crews and more. Nevertheless, these creators are hard at work orchestrating all the moving parts to producing their video projects, from far-out fictional stories to incisive documentaries. The Justice heard from three dedicated student filmmakers who are working on realizing their creative visions through audiovisual mediums.
How do we create in moments of extreme suffering? What role does art play to placate or heal emotional pain? These are questions multidisciplinary artist and activist Daria Pugachova explores with her dynamic and interactive creations. Born in Rivne, Ukraine, Pugachova was always a creative. She studied architecture at Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, and for years played the drums with her band, Panivalkova. However, in 2019, when her band ended, Pugachova pivoted towards just as engaging and interactive works, exploring concepts of grief, dreams and community.
Yeeshai Gross, founder of two production companies — Multipleoutlet and Ergo Entertainment — is a 58-year-old New York native who produces Broadway shows, short films and documentaries. As an Orthodox Jewish person himself, Gross gravitates towards projects that speak to his community, such as Holocaust education productions like “The Witness Project” and the Emmy-nominated documentary “Paper Clips.” On Nov. 17, Gross shared with The Justice what it means to give back, discussing his previous projects and the Public Service Announcements he produced for the Jewish crisis organization “Amudim.”
On Nov. 8, faculty gathered for their monthly meeting, eagerly anticipating the introduction of new University Interim President Arthur Levine ’70. The meeting began with comments from Chair of the Faculty Senate Jeffery Lenowitz (POL), who introduced a speech and moment of silence for the passing of Professor Emeritus Graham Campbell (FA). Following this remembrance, Wellington Prize winner Prof. Emilie Connolly (HIST) gave a presentation on her trip to Lisbon.