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To the Netherlands, from Rabb

In spring 2015, Brandeis English Prof. Dawn Skorczewski (ENG) will teach an innovative class that combines her interest in Holocaust writing and passion for collaborative learning in a course titled “The International Legacy of Anne Frank.” The course is designed to allow Brandeis students to interact directly with students and faculty in the Netherlands. Skorczewski believes that an international perspective is crucial for coming to a complete understanding of the diary. She is determined to take digital learning to a whole new level using weekly video conferences with Dutch students and professors, Skype tours of relevant Holocaust historical sites and a chance to travel to Amsterdam. 

Prof. Dawn Skorcsewski (ENG) plans for her class on Anne Frank, which will be offered this spring.

The Anne Frank House—located in Westerkerk, Amsterdam—will be the location for one of the “virtual tours” the class will partake in this spring.

Fashion Entrepreneur

Although enthusiastic about his budding career in the fashion world, Shota Adamia ’15 refuses to let it define him. “I don’t think a career is the most important part of one’s life,” he said. Adamia doesn’t like limits or labels of in any form. “I want to break out of the limits always and overflow,” he said.  He is hesitant to even talk about his dream job or plan past 2016, not wanting to limit his identity or his future to one field in one area of his life.

Last year, Shota Adamia ’15 won $5,000 and a summer sales internship with Thom Browne in New York City from the YMA Fashion Fund.

Thirsting for Peace

Last Wednesday, J Street U Brandeis hosted the event “Turn on the Tap for Gaza” to raise awareness for the current water crisis in Gaza and to campaign for the J Street U national fundraiser to support environmental groups on the ground in Gaza addressing the crisis. 

From left, J Street U Brandeis Head of Communications Shani Abramowitz ’14, and J Street U Brandeis co-presidents Yaakov Malome ’15, Talia Lepson ’16 and Zachery Anziska ’15.

Gabby Zilkha: Kindness Day Coordinator

This week, justFeatures spoke with Gabby Zilkha ’16, the coordinator for Kindness Day, which will occur on campus this Thursday. 

'Deis Discoveries: The Pump House

While walking the steep path that leads down to East Quad, you may have noticed a small, dilapidated house situated off to the side, between the path and the Usdan Student Center. Yet, it’s just as likely that you overlooked it—the structure appears ordinary and unimposing, tucked away in a small corner of upper campus and dwarfed by larger campus fixtures that are part of your daily routine like the Usen Castle and the Rabb steps. The house and a small parcel of land surrounding the house are not technically Brandeis University property but are instead owned by the city of Waltham. 

From left, Gabby Zilkha ’16, current Kindness Day coordinator, and Kira Levin ’17, former coordinator.

Halloween with Heart

A historic claim of American capitalism is that economic inequality is acceptable as long as mobility is possible.  Rose Wallace ’16 is interested in why the current economy lacks mobility and what kind of social programs can benefit low-income populations to bolster mobility. She brings this interest to her work in Waltham Group, where she is a program coordinator for Hunger and Homelessness, and the head coordinator for the special annual event put on by that group, Halloween for the Hungry.

Brandeis Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Team participated in Halloween for the Hungry, going door-to-door collecting canned goods.

Sitting down with Brian Quigley

Brian Quigley came to Brandeis as the new Waltham Group coordinator with experience as the head of the student activites program at Babson College. Quigley has a passion for community service, and a belief that involvement in community service is instrumental for student’s development. He recently talked to the Justice about his experience at Brandeis so far and his ultimate goals in his new role.

Fulfilling the promise

Prof. Dan Perlman’s (BIOL) new office has two desks and a beach ball-sized inflatable globe. Sunlight pours in from the huge windows that line the wall. Small boxes from his recent move are stacked neatly in a corner along a wall that doubles as a dry erase board. There are no cubicles or doors separating Perlman’s working space from that of his colleagues, just a see-through partition that stretches from the floor to the ceiling.

From left, Prof. Emily Westover (BIOL), Prof. Rachel Woodruff (BIO/CHEM), Prof. Hollie Harder (GRALL) and Prof. Dan Perlman (BIO) meet in the new Center for Teaching and Learning, demonstrating cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Prof. Dan Perlman (BIOL) describes the goal of the CTL as “helping teachers help students learn."

A day in Usdan

Sodexo has been quite the hot-button topic on campus as of late. Speculation as to how the company treats its workers as well as the changes to campus meal plan policies has sparked a passionate discourse regarding the company’s standing. But the people who work for Sodexo, the employees who serve and prepare meals every day in the dining halls, are often overlooked or are awkwardly caught in the middle of such discussions.