On Feb. 26, Rabbi Seth Winberg, the executive director of Hillel at Brandeis, announced that Dorit Cohen and Rav Ariel Cohen will not return as Brandeis’ Orthodox Union Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus couple. The two have served since 2021 and will finish their term at the end of this semester. The OU-JLIC couple serves as a resource to support Jewish life for Orthodox students on campus. They host Shabbat and holiday meals, offer learning opportunities and support the religious wellbeing of Orthodox students at Brandeis. The Rabbi announced that the community will conduct a search in the coming months for the next OU-JLIC couple, stating that “students will have opportunities to meet candidates and share feedback.”

In his email, Winberg thanked the Cohens for their service to the Orthodox community at the University over the past four years. He wrote that “they have also been unwavering supporters and defenders of Israel, and we are grateful for the strength and perspective they have brought to our organizations.” Winberg promised, “we will have an opportunity to come together as a community to thank them properly.” 

Minutes after Winberg’s email was sent, Dorit Cohen sent out a message in the JLIC WhatsApp group. She reflected on memories built over their time with the school, “seeing our wonderful students grow over the years has been so rewarding… It has truly been a special time in our lives!” She further stated, “we want you to know, we would have loved to continue at Brandeis, unfortunately Brandeis Hillel has made our work here challenging and we were informed today by Brandeis Hillel that we are not welcome back in the fall.” She ended with an affectionate farewell to the students, urging them to “please keep in touch and know you always have a place at our [Shabbat] table.”

This decision took many students by surprise, dividing the Orthodox community on campus. The Brandeis Orthodox Organization president, Koby Gottlieb ’26, sent out an immediate email to the Brandeis Orthodox Organization community in response to the decision. He thanked the Cohens for their work and shared his feelings on their departure, saying that “they have served as the backbone of our community these past four years…I know that our community won’t be whole in their absence.” He wished them “much [luck] on their move back to Israel.”

Brandeis Organization of Sephardic Students president, Joseph Heaney ’26, also sent out an email on Feb. 26 expressing his disappointment and spoke on the couple’s role in solidifying BOSS’ presence on campus as a Hillel group. He said that “BOSS would not exist without the support of Rav Ariel and Dorit… With Rav Ariel’s guidance, we were able to hold the first-ever Sephardic Minyan for Yom Kippur in Brandeis history.” He ended by stating that “on behalf of the entire Sephardic community, I would like to sincerely thank the Cohens for everything they have done for Sephardic life at Brandeis” and encouraged students to express their gratitude to the couple. 

Throughout the past month, Brandeis Hillel and OU-JLIC have begun the search process for the next OU-JLIC couple. Winberg wrote in an email update on Mar. 1, “I recognize that any staffing change can bring uncertainty. Before sharing rumors and misinformation, please speak to me first.” He continued, “if you have concerns, I encourage you to speak with me directly. Hearing from you helps me understand your perspective, and I can also provide important context about the bigger picture.”

He invited students to participate in the decision process, though OU-JLIC and Hillel will have the final say. Additionally, Winberg encouraged students to join Zoom interviews with potential OU-JLIC couple candidates. He then explained that they are hoping to find a couple dedicated to “supporting Torah education for Orthodox students, strengthening Orthodox life while fostering mutual respect among all Jewish students and communities, [and] providing meaningful spiritual engagement for Jewish students from all backgrounds.” As of press time, three candidates have been interviewed and the community has yet to receive any further updates or information.

—Editor’s note: Staff Writer Hannah Shapiro is on Shira Chadasha’s executive board and contributed to this article