On Nov. 7, the Brandeis Jewish Bund hosted a Study-in For Palestine from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A promotional poster for the event encouraged students to “Join the Jewish Bund as we sit and study in honor of Palestine.” The event, which was attended by a small crowd of students, took place on the first floor of Farber library, around the corner from Starbucks. Organizers offered pro-Palestine reading material for attendees, though most chose to silently do their own work.  

Brandeis Jewish Bund is an antifascist Jewish organization dedicated to Bundist history and cause. Their study-in follows an Oct. 21 vigil held for lives lost in Palestine and Lebanon since Oct. 7, 2023. 

The organizers of the study-in displayed small posters on the desks depicting statistics from the war between Israel and Palestine. They contained messages such as “The equivalent of two nuclear bombs have been dropped on Gaza,” “186,000 murdered in Gaza,” and “Every day more than 10 children lose a limb in Gaza.” 

At around 11:30 a.m., the event aroused attention from students who believed the study-in was antisemitic. According to a Nov. 7 interview with The Justice, with two Jewish members of the Bund, explained there were a few “agitators” who had attempted to take their signs down. Additionally, according to the organizers, a group of students were attempting to “dox and record” the event, which the Bund members pointed out was not permitted in the library. 

At around 1:00 p.m., Brandeis Police Officer Rose and Sergeant Beltz arrived at the sit-in after a student reported it on the day of the event. After observing the event and speaking with the organizers, they decided to allow it to continue. According to the interview, the officers only asked the  Bund members to take down posters which had been taped to the wall, as they could have damaged the paint. The group complied, and the event was deemed peaceful and non-antisemitic. 

Though the exact details of why the event was reported to the police are unknown as of press time, the Brandeis Jewish Bund believe they were wrongfully accused of antisemitism. In the interview with The Justice, the organizers emphasized that they wanted to host a peaceful and non-confrontational event meant to raise awareness of the casualties of the war. 

The event sparked discussion on the Brandeis page of the anonymous chat forum, Sidechat. Anonymous members of the Brandeis community called the sit-in “disgusting” and “obnoxious.” Another user wrote sarcastically, “Good job, protestors, you totally ‘freed’ Palestine.” Other Sidechat users praised members of The Bund for being respectful and non-disruptive, arguing against more inflammatory comments directed toward the sit-in. 

Though the majority of the Jewish Bund’s sit-in was uneventful, the controversy it managed to spark is emblematic of the broad range of student opinions regarding the war. As these perspectives prove, the war continues to be a highly discussed and often sensitive topic on campus.