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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. 

Just keep swimming: Review of my freshman experience

What can be said about the first year experience? Perhaps there is little of the topic I can touch upon. I can’t talk about everyone’s experience — only my own. In my experience, it’s been a wild ride to say the least. The transition from high school, to college is significant, especially since I never went to a boarding school and it’s my first time being away from home. I feel as though I have been at Brandeis for both a couple of months and only a couple of days. Each day is busier than the last, making it feel as though I have been here forever, when in reality it’s only been a handful of weeks.

Does the University actually care about Waltham?

As students, we get a number of emails from President Liebowitz about the pertinence of world news to the greater campus community, affirmations that higher-ups at the University know and understand how the events going on in places around the world might affect the student body. From a hyper-sensitivity to U.S. News Rankings to a declaration of going to the White House to meticulously surveilling the national media coverage on Brandeis’ response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, we are at times perhaps over-aware of what exactly the University thinks of events occurring outside the so-called “Brandeis bubble.” 

Not in my name: A loss of humanity in discussing Hamas and Israel

In the spirit of transparency — something that has been far too difficult to come across these past few weeks — I feel as though it is important to emphasize that this is a quasi-response to a piece published in Forum last week.  

Letter to the editor: Student Union resignation

Dear readers of the Justice,

A cry for humanity: Examining civilian casualties during the Israel-Hamas conflict

Picture this: It’s Sept. 11, 2001. Planes just crashed into the twin towers. In the following months, Congress authorizes President George W. Bush to use any force he deems appropriate and retaliate against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. The “War on Terror” is announced and the U.S. begins airstrikes against targets in Afghanistan before invading. 

What’s going on with midterm “season” at Brandeis

“Midterm season” at Brandeis always seems to span an obscure time period starting as early as the end of September and ending with Thanksgiving break. Across many departments, midterms are scheduled at random points, and there is no set deadline or time period for midterms. Since midterms come in the form of exams, presentations, essays, assignments, and more, this period is a trying and stressful time of the semester for everyone, including students and professors.

Students need safer housing, both on and off campus

Since last semester’s tumultuous housing selection process, the issue of student housing has been at the forefront of our minds. Though worries remain regarding the potential of a housing shortage in the future, it is also important to acknowledge the housing problems that Brandeis students are facing in the present.

Candlelight Vigil for Israel (small)-2.jpg

Candlelight Vigil for Israel (small).jpg

The Devil’s Advocate Special Edition: Debating the Ouster of Speaker McCarthy

Context: On Sept 30, with no time to spare, Congress passed an appropriations bill in bipartisan fashion, averting a government shutdown for at least 45 days that would have seen an estimated 3.5 million federal workers either furloughed or working without pay. In response to the bill’s passage with Democratic votes, among other disagreements, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) initiated a motion to vacate the chair of (oust) the House Speaker. The motion passed passage on Oct 3 with eight Republican and all present Democratic votes , ousting Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). This marked the first of such removals in US history. In this special edition, Gaughan will argue in favor of the decision to oust McCarthy, while Granahan will argue against. 

​​Media mavens: Let’s talk about “female journalism”

As a humanities student, I tend to be in classes that are mostly female students, particularly in my journalism courses. On one hand, I feel a sense of empowerment in that there are individuals like myself who are interested in and want to be involved in the journalism sphere. However, it also makes me wonder about the newsroom dynamics in our contemporary society. How are women being represented in the journalism sphere? How does the media capture this perspective? 

When it comes to Israel, remaining partial is no longer an option

As a daughter of immigrants, attending a top American university was a lifelong dream. I longed for the chance to participate in what I imagined were the highest levels of intellectual discourse.