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Good luck and goodbye to our ’23 midyear graduates!

Now that the fall semester is coming to an end, a smaller, but just as important, portion of senior students will be graduating.

Two state solution: Using history to explore common ground for peace

Let me begin by stating that I am aware my perspective is idealistic. Solutions are not black and white and are certainly not as simple as I may make them sound. As a Jewish student, I often feel as though I am expected to either be ardently pro-Israel and blindly defend all of their actions or be on the other end of the spectrum and condemn the country’s existence altogether. 

The devil’s advocate: Debating the Hyde and Helms Amendments

Context: In 1973, following the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade — since overturned — which recognized a constitutional right to an abortion, President Nixon signed into law the Helms Amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, which bars the use of federal funding for abortions overseas for “family planning.” 

How do we heal our campus? We need safety, not security

On Friday, Nov. 10, Brandeis and Waltham Police arrested seven people, including three Brandeis students who were participating in a protest. Some doubts persist about the details of what occurred that day, and we support calls from our faculty colleagues for an independent investigation that lays out the sequence of events and institutional decision-making. 

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Does increased police presences really make us safer?

In light of the heightened state of emotions and stress, the last thing students should feel is unsafe. Historically and presently, the University represents a vulnerable community, and given the amount of media attention Brandeis has received in recent weeks, we urge the community to be thoughtful about what all students are experiencing.  

Bridging Cultures: Thanksgiving and the Mid-Autumn Festival

As the anticipation of Thanksgiving sweeps across the United States, thoughts turn to the traditional feast of roasted turkeys, delectable stuffing, and the sweet finish of pumpkin pie. While these quintessential elements define the American celebration, it is equally important to delve into the rich cultural tapestry that weaves together our global community. In this reflection, my focus turns to the vibrant and centuries-old Chinese cultural traditions encapsulated in the Mid-Autumn Festival.

A plea for support: Professors are people too

We as a board have dedicated past editorials to expressing the concerns and needs of students during this difficult time. However, it is important to acknowledge that students are not the only members of the Brandeis community who are struggling right now. Faculty and staff are also under an immense amount of pressure — and they, much like students, are not being properly supported by the University.

The Myth of Meritocracy: Understanding its meaning and impact

My eyes strained to focus as I looked at my computer screen. I became so disengaged by the rhetoric of the literature I was reading that I developed an urge to just throw the computer out of the window. Maybe that was a bit overdramatic. I actually ended up taking a break and then started studying for a different class. One look at LATTE and I was actually excited for the first time in weeks. I was excited because the topic directly critiqued meritocracy. Meritocracy is considered the foundation of the “American Dream,” but what is it exactly?   Merriam-Webster defines meritocracy as a system where success is based on demonstrated abilities.

Recognizing the one-year anniversary of the Nov. 17 shuttle crash

While October has come to a close and students should feel relieved that the end of the semester is in sight, this editorial board would like to acknowledge that many students may be struggling for a variety of reasons — daylight savings, never-ending midterms, and the fast-approaching holidays, to name a few. This is often a stressful time of year for everyone, not to mention for Brandeis students in particular.

Letter to the Editor: Faculty letter to President Liebowitz

Dear President Liebowitz,

Letter to the editor: Palestinian students on campus

Dear Editor,

Letter to the editor: Concern about the disbandment of SJP

Hello Brandeis University administration,

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. 

Letter to the Editor: The de-recognition of SJP is a blatant violation of student rights and free speech

Dear Brandeis community,

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. 

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.