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Letter to the Editor: Alumni letter to President Liebowitz

To the Editor:

If you want to prevent genocide, protest China’s

On Oct 7, Hamas terrorists launched a progrom against Israelis, intentionally killing over 1,200 civilians, mutilating bodies, raping women, and taking over 200 civilians hostage. Hamas’ atrocities represented the most heinous and murderous attack on Jews since the Holocaust. Israel, as any other nation in similar circumstances would and should, has responded with an invasion into Gaza with the goal of rescuing its hostages and destroying Hamas. In recent weeks, anti-Israel  activists, politician, and some Brandeis students have claimed that Israel is waging a genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. Such claims are false, and they demonstrate one of two things: an ignorance about the meaning of genocide or an intentional desire to spread blood libels about the Jewish State. Or perhaps both — of course, it is a profound tragedy that innocent Palestinians in Gaza are being injured and killed as a result of Israel’s just war against Hamas, who controls the Gaza Strip. I say this not as an afterthought but as someone religiously dedicated to the protection, to the best extent possible, of every innocent life. It is my belief, as an Orthodox Jew, that all humans are created in the image of God regardless of their nationality. The first response to any such tragedies ought to be sympathy and pain. However, because Israel’s detractors seek to exploit that pain to level Israel with accusations of genocide, it has become necessary to show how incorrect, backwards, and offensive that accusation is. 

I’m an Israeli-American who attended Brandeis: The censorship of Palestinian students betrays everything I was taught

As an alumnus of Brandeis, I am heartbroken over the recent announcement that the school will be the first private university in America to ban its Students for Justice in Palestine chapter. And I say this as an Israeli-American descendant of Holocaust survivors. 

David Anthony Durham discusses writing process and root of inspiration

On Nov. 2, author David Anthony Durham led a writing workshop and discussed his oeuvre. This event was part of the Creative Writing Reading Series and was co-sponsored by the Mandel Center for the Humanities.

The Student Union Senate gives probationary status to two clubs, keeps Branda’s secured status

Taylor Swift's '1989 (Taylor's Version)' will never go out of style

Taylor Swift just released her re-record of her album “1989,”  and as a major Taylor Swift fan, I was so excited to listen to 1989’s “From the Vault” tracks, which are brand new songs added to the original “1989” album. The first release of “1989” was released on Oct. 27, 2014 and the re-recorded version was released on Oct. 27, 2023. As many “Swifties” know, Swift started re-recording her songs so she would own her own work, meaning she would own the masters of the re-recorded songs. She has six albums that were originally owned by the recording company Big Machine. Swift has re-recorded “Fearless,” “Red,” “Speak Now,” and most recently “1989.” These re-recordings were a huge power move on Swift’s part, and I have a lot of respect for her as she continues to build her brand. She’s an incredible business woman, even though some people hate her — “haters gonna hate, hate, hate,” I suppose. With each re-recorded album, Swift adds brand new songs — From the Vault tracks — that she didn’t include in the original album. As the re-release of “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” approached, I couldn’t wait to hear the From the Vault tracks and they did not disappoint! As a disclaimer, I am not the type of Swiftie who obsessively scrolls through Twitter trying to find the most up to date conspiracy theories or updates. With that in mind I’m so excited to share my opinions and commentaries on the From the Vault tracks. 

Brandeis professors win National Medal of Science

President Joe Biden awarded Brandeis Profs. Eve Marder (BIOL) and Gregory Petsko (BCHM) with the National Medal of Science on Oct. 24. The National Science Foundation recognizes this achievement as the most prestigious national honor for scientists in the U.S.

Students for Justice in Palestine hold a gathering after derecognition

For the past month, tensions on campus have been steadily rising as a result of the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This conflict is not a new debate at the University, but it has been exacerbated by the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and Israel’s subsequent declaration of war against Hamas. While President Ron Liebowitz has released various statements condemning Hamas’ attacks and expressing support for the community, the University had not taken decisive actions concerning the conflict. However, on Nov. 6, the administration derecognized the Brandeis chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, eliciting strong reactions from the community on multiple sides of the issue. 

Japanese baseball: a pipeline of pitchers for the MLB

Since Hideo Nomo came over to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995, there has been a steady pipeline between the Nippon Professional Baseball League, Japan’s highest level of baseball, and Major League Baseball. Almost every year since 1995, NPB players have exercised their foreign free agency rights or have been posted by their teams in Japan in order to play in the pinnacle of baseball in the MLB, and this year is no exception. 

How “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” Feeds The Heart And Soul Of Its Predecessor

Note: This review contains spoilers for “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.”

From Passion to Performance: Marco Ferral Hernandez's Journey with Olas de Surya

After having spent the day driving to Rhode Island from Waltham, Massachusetts, setting up their instruments and mics, and prepping for the show,  the members of Olas de Surya sit in the greenroom of Fete Music Hall and scramble to complete their homework before their set begins at 7 p.m. Though this night’s performance is a huge step for the band, they can’t forget to study for their upcoming midterm exams. Despite their academic commitments, the members of the band make the time to play together.

The devil’s advocate: Debating the death penalty

Context: Rather than focusing on a specific political proposal from the news, necessitating thorough background, we will focus on the broader, more existential argument over the retention of capital punishment.

The Jury needs to rest: Looking at Brandeis and its “breaks”

There is a familiar feeling of anticipation leading up to winter and spring school vacations. However, Brandeis seems to disregard the notion that its hard-working students should actually be able to enjoy their well-deserved time off. 

Mayoral candidates go head-to-head in Thursday debate

A packed audience of Waltham residents came out to the Clark Government Center in downtown Waltham on Thursday, Oct. 26 to hear Waltham’s mayoral candidates share their visions for the future of Waltham and see their leadership styles clash. Jeannette A. McCarthy, the incumbent who is running for her sixth consecutive term, is facing off against Jonathan Paz, a second-term city councilor from Ward 9; the election is non-partisan. At issue was the future of the city's transportation system, the management of the 190 acres of land that previously housed the Walter E. Fernald Developmental Center, and the rise in housing prices. 

Chief justice of India gives a talk, emphasizing various ideas of freedom and equality

"Mr.Parent": A play on education, race and intersectionality

A theatre student take — Triona 

The DPF rally at Brandeis calls into question Dr. Kolodny's role in the opioid epidemic

The Doctor Patient Forum, an organization that raises awareness for chronic pain patients who cannot access pain medication, hosted a protest in front of the University on Oct. 25 to call for the immediate dismissal of Dr. Andrew Kolodny, the co-director of opioid policy research at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. The protestors presented three major claims:  that Kolodny is profiting from his advocacy to limit opioid prescriptions, that chronic pain patients who cannot access painkillers are increasingly taking their own lives, and that opioid overdoses increased because of Kolodny’s advocacy to limit opioid prescriptions.

Overturned: Affirmative Action and University policies

When thinking about the topic of Affirmative Action, buzzwords such as reverse racism; privilege; and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion often come to mind, and it’s not always so clear what the actual definition is. 

What DeSantis’s Newton pit stop — and ensuing protests — tell us about the Massachusetts Family Institute’s growing influence

On the evening of Oct. 13, crowds of protestors gathered outside the Newton Marriott to demonstrate against the Massachusetts Family Institute, a conservative nonprofit holding their annual fundraising banquet inside the hotel. Partway through, they were met with a surprise: Florida Governor and 2024 presidential hopeful for the GOP nomination Ron DeSantis was there on the scene to speak at the event. 

Silberman series: "Jewish Girls and Women in Forced Labor"

Content warning: The following article contains mentions of sexual assault and brutal events from the Holocaust.