The Trump Administration's effect on the Univ.
■ Former finance Prof., Peter Petri (BIBS) and Lauren Rikleen`75 speak on the Trump Administration's enforced tariffs and threats to higher education
On Feb. 1, the Trump Administration imposed a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on goods from China. Since then, President Donald Trump has continued to increase tariffs, having recently imposed a 145% tax on all Chinese imports. In retaliation to the administration's actions, China, the European Union and Canada have enacted their own tariffs: China began taxing American goods by 84% on April 10, Canada has matched the 25% tax on automobiles and the EU continues to develop plans on retaliation levies on $23 billion worth of U.S. goods. Fear surrounding tariffs and their effects on the U.S. economy have circulated the news and have many Americans worried. Prof. Peter Petri (BIBS), a recently retired Carl Shapiro Professor of International Finance, said in an April 25 interview with The Justice that “no part of the U.S. will be spared, not Waltham, not Brandeis.” He speculated that the tariffs, put into action on Liberation Day, could raise prices of goods, “suck out” hundreds of billions from the spending flow and contribute to higher unemployment rates. The price increase from tariffs occurs because there are fewer goods available on the market, yet demand is the same;
BRIEF
hence, the prices for consumer goods are driven up, and the economy is hurt overall since there are fewer choices at a higher price. Petri took into account the needs of students, pointing out that those enrolled in the University are consumers of services, such as transportation and education, above material goods. Petri worries about how these commodities will be affected and predicts that uncertainty surrounding the viability of services will be students' greatest problem surrounding tariffs.
While tariffs have been fear-inducing for the country, Petri said that “tariffs will hurt but they are an economic problem that will go away.” He emphasized that trade will continue and that the U.S. has the “world's biggest and most successful economy.” Furthermore, Petri views Trump’s “muscleing” of other countries as the president “trying to be a very important person.”
Petri worries far more about the Trump administration's attacks on higher education institutions, such as Brandeis. Trump has threatened and cut many universities’ federal funding due to claims of antisemitism and promised that "all federal funding will STOP for any College, School or University that allows illegal protests."
The Trump administration has since frozen $2.2 billion in grants for Harvard University along with other withholdings of previous federal support for a number of universities. Over 250 university leaders condemned Trump's attacks on high education by signing a joint statement. No Brandeis official was among them.
On April 24, 2025, Lauren Rikleen ’75 spoke at the event "Unraveling Justice:
See POLITICS, 5 ☛
A local Waltham organization works to uphold democracy
Indivisible Waltham, a social justice group designed to uphold democracy, is dedicated to holding protests against the Trump Administration throughout the Waltham area. The community was formed as a part of the Indivisible movement, which is a network of thousands of local groups across all 50 states. The Indivisible movement sprouted a few months ago as a means to push back against perceived infringes on democracy by “big money in our government,” as stated on their website. The Waltham group coordinates its protests with 50510 gatherings. The 50510 movement was also formed to uphold a democratic society after Trump took office. Indivisible Waltham’s specific mission is “to fight in defense of American democracy, currently under attack by the executive branch of government." Indivisible Waltham has historically held its protests on the Waltham Common. 50 to 60 community members, mostly Waltham residents, gather on the sidewalk beside the intersection of Moody Street and Main
Street. Their previous protests were titled Stand Up for Free Speech, Stand Out For Democracy, Hands Off! and Patriot's Day. The first protest was on March 14 and they have since held a gathering at least every other week. Supporters of previous protests have held hand-painted or printed signs. They read things like “RESIST,” “Abolish [Immigration and Customs Enforcement],” “Women’s Rights = Human Rights,” “My Body My Choice,” “Science is Real,” “When one voice speaks for all, no one is heard,” “Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere,” “Diversity Makes Us Stronger” and various other phrases that captured similar sentiments. Indivisible Waltham will be holding two events in their upcoming May Day Rally. The protests will take place on May 1 at 5:30 p.m. and May 3 at 11 a.m. They will also be held on the Waltham Common.
— Lucia Thomas
West End
The historic West End neighborhood of Boston may have been destroyed, but its community is strong. By
BRIANNA EARLE
NEW PRESIDENT SWORN IN
Student Union swears in Presidient and Vice President at State of the Union
■ The Student Union reflected on its accomplishments and swore in President Ria Escamilla-Gil ’27
By SOPHIA DE LISI AND LIN LIN HUTCHINSON JUSTICE EDITOR IN CHIEF AND JUSTICE NEWS EDITOR
On April 24, the Student Union held its annual State of the Union event in the Mandel Atrium. After delivering opening remarks, the former Student Union President Rani Balakrishna ’25 reviewed the Student Union’s accomplishments over the academic year. Before swearing in President-Elect Ria Escamilla Gil ’27 and Vice President-Elect Daniel Shin ’27, Balakrishna reviewed events the Student Union hosted, projects it sponsored, meetings held with faculty members and funding results from the Community Emergency Enhancement Fund and the Campus Sustainability Fund.
The Student Union also recognized accomplishments and successes of its 12 graduating seniors. Continuing the celebration and recognitions, Balakrishna and her successor, EscamillaGil, presented internal awards. Of the four committees within the Student Union, Balakrishna announced that the Senate Internal Committee received the Committee of the Year Award. Additionally, the union also recognized the best new club of the year that was chartered during the year. This year, Girls Who Code was awarded best new club.
According to the club's CampusGroups home page, the club’s mission is “to bridge the gender gap in technology by empowering women and nonbinary students at Brandeis University to develop coding skills, foster confidence and pursue careers in tech.” Escamilla-Gil presented two “Innovator of the Year” awards to Senator-atLarge Luke Faberman ’27 and Balakrishna. Faberman also received the “President’s Choice”
award. Balakrishna explained that he is “always willing to help out.” “I've sent so many Slack [messages] this year, I feel like I'm shouting into the void with all of my messages and even after all these messages, Luke's always somehow available to help out.”
In addition to the “Innovator of the Year” award, Balakrishna was also recognized for her four years of service in the Student Union. Xan Maddock-Mark ’25, Zachary Miller ’25 and Rachel Gao ’25 were all recognized for their three years contribution to the union. Gao was also the recipient of the Vice President award presented by Escamilla-Gil. This year’s Senate legislator of the year was presented to Lukas Gordon ’26. Gordon was recognized for what Balakrishna described as an “instrumental” role during bylaw review.
The union also recognized individuals who contributed to its work meaningfully. Balakrishna expressed gratitude to Assistant Director for Operations, Matthew DeCarlo and Associate Director for Budget and Operations in the Department of Student Engagement, Deepa Khatri. The two administrative staff were presented the “Friends of the Union” award. Director of the Department of Student Engagement, Michelle Polt and Director of Orientation and First Year Experience Laura Flynn were awarded the “Dedicated Service to Student Union” awards. Balakrishna shared that the advisors were “instrumental” in decision making and helping the union get through challenging times.
After all awards were handed out, Balakrishna swore President-Elect Escamilla-Gil and Vice President Elect Daniel Shin ’27 into their respective positions.
During her first speech as president, Escamilla-Gil shared her Student Union origin story, as a first-year seeking the First-year Senator role in the Union. Having never participated in student government in highschool, Escamilla-Gil, to her surprise, received an email notifying her
HANNAH SHAPIRO
NEMMA KALRA
Waltham,
BRYAN WOLFE/The
UNION : The Student Union celebrates new Student Union leaders.
By LUCIA THOMAS AND ARIANA AGARWAL JUSTICE NEWS EDITOR AND JUSTICE STAFF WRITER
JAMES LI /The Justice
POLICE LOG
Medical Emergency
April 19 – There was a medical emergency for a cut finger. The patient was treated and transported to a local hospital.
April 20 – There was a medical emergency for a person having fallen down stairs. The patient was treated and transported to a local hospital.
April 21 – There was a medical emergency for a possible seizure.
The patient refused treatment.
April 22 – There was a medical emergency for an allergic reaction. The patient was treated and transported to a local hospital.
April 22 – There was a medical emergency for a crushed finger. The patient was treated and transported to a local hospital.
April 22 – There was a medical emergency. The patient was treated and transported to a local hospital.
April 22 – There was a medical emergency for an allergic reaction. The patient was treated and transported to a local hospital.
April 22
– There was a medical emergency for a seizure. The patient was treated and transported to a local hospital.
April 23 – There was a medical emergency for a party not feeling well. The patient was treated and transported to a local hospital.
April 23 – There was a medical emergency for a seizure. The patient was treated and transported to a local hospital.
April 23 – There was a medical emergency for a possible allergic reaction. The patient refused treatment.
April 24 – There was a medical emergency for a party short of breath. The patient was treated and refused further treatment.
April 24 – There was a medical emergency for a party with lacerations to the hand. The patient was treated and transported to a local hospital.
April 24 – There was a medical emergency for a party with abdominal pain. The patient was treated and transported to a local hospital.
Motor Vehicle April 15 – A parked vehicle with a suspended operator status was located. There will be an investigation to follow.
April 17 – There was a report of a cyclist hit by a motor vehicle. The cyclist refused medical transport. There will be an investigation to follow
April 20 – There was a report of a suspicious vehicle. All appeared in order. The situation was cleared.
April 21 – There was a report of a stolen electric scooter. There will be an investigation to follow.
April 22 – There was a minor motor vehicle accident. There will be an investigation to follow.
April 23 – A vehicle registered to a suspended driver was found parked. The situation was cleared.
Miscellaneous
April 11 – There was a report of suspicious activity.
April 11 – Harassing posts on a social media account were identified. There will be an investigation to follow.
April 11 – There was a suspicious person. They were identified. The situation was cleared.
April 13 – There was a report of a suspicious person. The person was gone upon arrival.
April 14 – There was a report of graffiti found in a bathroom. There will be an investigation to follow.
April 14 – A couch was found tipped over with one leg unattached. closed circut television was used, clearing the situation.
April 14 – There was a report of racist graffiti. There will be an investigation to follow.
April 16 – There was a report of an offensive decoration visible in a window. The situation was cleared.
April 19 – There was a report of poured bleach. There will be an investigation to follow.
April 20 – There was a report of a violation to an outstanding order. The situation was cleared.
April 21 – There was a report of a possible firearm. The firearm was located and determined to be an airsoft pistol. The situation was cleared.
April 22 – There was a report of a possible assault. There will be an investigation to follow.
April 23 – There was a warrant arrest for outstanding warrants. The party was arrested and brought to Waltham Police Department.
April 23 – There was a report of a past harassment. There will be an investigation to follow.
April 24 – There was a complaint of loud music. Community Living was notified to respond.
April 24 – There was a second complaint of loud music. Community Living was notified to respond.
April 24 – By mail a party requested to speak with a detective. The situation was cleared.
Soundproof call booths coming to library and student center
■ The Community Enhancement and Emergency Fund Board has allocated about $65,000 to the project.
By SOPHIA DE LISI JUSTICE EDITOR IN CHIEF
Throughout the week of May 14, the University will be installing seven soundproof booths on campus, located between the Goldfarb Library and the Shapiro Campus Center. These soundproof booths will allow students to take private calls, interviews and meetings on a first-come, first-served basis, offering a convenient alternative to reserving rooms in advance.
“There are only so many rooms where you can take a quiet call on campus,” Gerald Deng ’25 shared in an April 26 interview with The Justice, explaining inconveniences his friends had previously experienced with finding private rooms without time to reserve them in advance. More specifically, one of Deng’s friends had to take an interview between classes in a public area.
“It really came to my mind because of the fact you got an interview, you got referred, you networked super hard — all of it is just wasted because you couldn’t find the space to take the interview,” Deng said. He explained that interviewers who notice others in the background may perceive a student’s lack of privacy as a lack of professionalism, which could hurt their chances at securing the position.
Deng secured funding for this project through the University’s Community Enhancement and Emergency Fund. Awards from the CEEF “[provide] funding for longer term student-led initiatives that enhance the Brandeis community” as well as “short term emergency funding for student life on campus.”
CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS
■ A news article incorrectly spelled an author’s first name as “Hewey.” It was corrected to “Huey.” (April 8, Page 5)
■ A news article unclearly stated that “the group of demonstrators” at a protest amounted to “at least 100 students” over time. It was clarified to read, “Over the course of the demonstration, around 100 individuals gathered outside the University’s entrance, and onlookers ranged from administrative staff and faculty to eventual counter-protesters.” (April 8, Page 1)
■ A news article unclearly stated that protesters “marched through campus” during their demonstration. It was clarified to “marched along Loop Road.” (April 8, Page 1)
■ A news article inaccurately designated “5:40” as the time protesters began to march. It was corrected to “5:50 p.m.” (April 8, Page 5)
■ A news article incorrectly spelled a student’s last name as “Young.” It was corrected to “Yung.” (April 8, Page 2)
■ A news article incorrectly spelled a government organization as the “Department of Goverment Effciency.” It was corrected to the “Department of Government Efficiency.”
■ A news article incorrectly used the phrase “myriad topics.” It was corrected to “a myriad of topics.” (April 8, Page 2)
The CEEF Subcommittee of the Student Union’s Allocations Board oversees the fund, and each project must have faculty or staff assert its viability.
A mutual friend connected Deng with Joshua Feld ’22, who worked with Mo Re Kim ’24 to renovate the Village B/C Gym using a CEEF award, the project inspiring him to pursue CEEF support as well.
Once Deng decided the SCC and the library would be the most beneficial locations for the soundproof booths, he contacted the Director of Student Engagement, Matthew DeCarlo; the Director of Campus Planning, Sarah Houlton; University Librarian, Matthew Sheehy and the Associate Director for Budget and Operations in the Department of Student Engagement, Deepa Khatri for approval. Khatri also serves as the CEEF Board’s faculty advisor.
“Because it was the end of the spring semester, I just wanted to gauge their interest and see if it was even possible to lay the ground foundation,” Deng explained. He later stressed the importance of these faculty members’ input to the project’s success, given that he had to collaborate with them to adhere to fire safety protocols among other preparatory work.
Following the faculty members’ approval, Deng proposed several price points to the CEEF Board — the highest being $110,000 — since he had no means of estimating how much funding the board would allocate to the project. That being said, Deng felt confident that his initiative was strong enough to generate support. “I think everyone [has] experienced in some way where they had to find a quiet place,” Deng shared, highlighting how the universal experience among community members validated the need for the project to the CEEF Board alongside the positive responses to his survey.
The CEEF Board ultimately allocated $65,039.38 for Deng’s project. The fund is enough to cover the aforementioned seven soundproof booths from KI furniture, the same vendor that
the University worked with to install the SCC Game Room’s new furniture. This initiative was given the highest amount of allocations out of all projects the CEEF funded in the 202425 application cycle.
“If I got zero dollars, I would’ve fundraised through alumni just to buy one of these booths,” Deng said. To Deng, the need for accessible, quiet spaces at Brandeis would have made the added labor of appealing to alumni worth accomplishing. Although these soundproof booths are most common in offices, they are on the rise in university settings. By installing these pods, Brandeis will be joining institutions such as Northeastern University, which refers to its soundproof booths as “Buzzy Booths.”
It was corrected to “Association regulations.” (April 8, Page 2)
The Justice is the independent student newspaper of Brandeis University. The Justice is published every Tuesday of the academic year with the exception of examination and vacation periods.
■ A news article incorrectly stated, “he broke the record for longest marathon speech.” It was corrected to, “he broke the record for the longest marathon speech.” (April 8, Page 2)
■ A news article incorrectly capitalized “Senator.” It was corrected to “senator.” (April 8, Page 2)
■ A news article incorrectly capitalized “Senators.” It was corrected to “senators.” (April 8, Page 2)
■ A news article incorrectly stated that the Brandeis delegation included “Dr. Cynthia Scharfenberg Shampel (Heller).” It was corrected to “Dr. Cynthia A. Tschampl (Heller).” (April 8, Page 1)
■ A photo credit incorrectly read, “Photo courtesy of BRYAN WOLFE/The Justice.” It was corrected to “BRYAN WOLFE/The Justice.” (April 8, Page 3)
■ A photo credit incorrectly read, “Photo courtesy of Eliza Bier/ The Justice.” It was corrected to “Eliza Bier/The Justice.” (April 8, Page 14)
■ A photo credit incorrectly attributed photos from a photostory to “CREATIVE COMMONS.” It was corrected to “The Justice/Isa Boroquez.”
■ A news article missed a space between “Associationregulations.”
BRIEF
Maintaining campus safety
On April 17 Stewart Uretsky, executive vice president for finance and administration, Carol Fierke, executive vice president and provost and Andrea Dine, vice president of student affairs sent an email reminding students of the Campus Use of Space Policy. The message explicitly aligned itself with Interim President Levine’s remarks on April 7 which stated disapproval of the Brandeis Jewish Bund’s April 4 demonstration. The email reinforces that all demonstrations, protests and rallies, affiliated or not with the University,
■ A forum article incorrectly formatted an online header as “Klein: Unrelated; Bloc Cafe.” It was corrected to “Klein, unrelated: Bloc Cafe.” (April 8, Page 9)
■ An editor’s note incorrectly stated that Amanda Chen ’25 is an “Associate Editor” at The Justice. The position was corrected to “Section Editor.” (April 8, Page 15)
■ A features article inaccurately described the contents of a book to be about “modern and historical climate” initatives. It was corrected to “environmental” initatives. (April 1, Page 7)
■ A features article inaccurately stated that an author received backlash from critics who “did not agree with his theory of environmental racism.” It was corrected to “disagreed with his arguments about the institutional manifestations of American environmentalism.” (April 1, Page 7)
The Justice welcomes submissions for errors that warrant correction or clarification. Send an email to editor@thejustice.org.
must be registered with the Dean of Students Office including a meeting
“with the Dean of Students Office [DOSO] and Public Safety prior to the event taking place.” Additionally, “Brandeis Community Members are not permitted to invite third parties” and disciplinary actions can be taken against those that do. Another reminder highlights that if a University official requests a Brandeis community member’s identification at a demonstration, protest, or rally the member must provide it. Lastly, no full-face coverings, besides those
for medical or religious purposes, may be worn under the assumption that they are meant to conceal one’s identity. However if being worn for medical or religious purposes members are required to provide identification. The email concluded by expressing that each update and reminder of the Campus Use of Space Policy will be enforced alongside other applicable policies and disciplinary actions.
–Compiled by Iyla Lichtenfeld
—Iyla Lichtenfeld
Photo courtesy of GERALD DENG
Brandeis’ own Zac Gondelman is chosen to be this year’s Truman Scholar
■ Gondelman becomes the 12th Brandeis student to receive the prestigious leadership award.
By HANNAH SHAPIRO JUSTICE STAFF WRITER
On March 28 Zac Gondelman ’26, was named a 2025 Truman Scholar. From a pool of 743 candidates, Gondelman was selected through a rigorous application process that involved recommendations from distinguished leaders to join the cohort of 54 students selected nationwide. He will be the 12th Brandeis student to receive this fellowship, and the second chosen in a row. Gondelman is pursuing a major in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, with minors in Politics and Religious Studies. He is currently studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Gondelman discussed his journey towards receiving this prestigious honor as well as his hopes and dreams for the future in a virtual interview on April 25. He began by remarking that his “passion for leadership has been something that’s very core to [his] being. It stems from a deep … sense of love for community and a deep belief that when people come together with commonality of purpose, there is very little we can’t do.” He expressed gratitude for those who have helped him along the way, remarking that “I am really really lucky that throughout my life, I have had incredible mentors that have taken time to take a chance on me as a young person and to have really spent time teaching me what it means to be a leader and a public servant.”
Gondelman commented on the origins of his passion for leadership and his drive to do good, “It’s always been in me. I think it comes from being a queer person, who knows what it’s like to be othered, but also wants to move the ball forward and wants to help create some new magic in our world, and some new light.”
Gondelman reflected on pivotal moments in his life, including his six years interning
for Temple Beth Elohim, that have led him to this point. As a clergy intern, he got to “see the beauty of the life cycle and got to really be a part of a meaningful Jewish community for the first time,” elaborating that during his time as a student at the academy, he “was really believed in and allowed the … space to create change.”
Gondelman served as an advance-associate to the president during his time interning for the White House. He worked in presidential correspondence, handling incoming and outgoing messages. He coordinated the president’s travels and interacted with constituents. He acknowledged “the absolute chance that was taken by the Biden-Harris Administration, having an 18-year-old come and serve as an intern.” One thing that he learned from both of these experiences was that “at the end of the day, everyone just wants to be heard. Through the noise of our world, everyone wants to have … someone tell them ‘I see you, I hear you, you matter to me.’”
Gondelman shared his philosophy towards leadership and cultivating a diverse, inclusive world, saying “At the end of the day, I see my job as a leader … to help create systems for more people to experience belonging, for more people to be included in our discussions, and for more people to have a seat at the table.” He reflected on the impact of reading letters from constituents during his internship for the Biden-Harris Administration and how he was touched by “seeing that, again, people just wanna be heard, seeing the real impact that public policy can make.” He mentioned reading letters from people who initially hated former President Biden and shifted their views due to policies and actions taken by the government. This taught him “how impactful government can be on a one-on-one level.”
Gondelman sees the Truman Scholarship as “a mandate to keep doing what I’m doing, not a medal to be celebrated … I don’t see it as a stopping point, but I see it as a launching pad into what’s to come.” He mentioned how he had the privilege to coordinate over 20 different trips for Biden, domestically and internationally, during his time interning
at the White House. In supporting the president’s travel, he “learned…these leadership skills in action.” These responsibilities allowed him to meet people and constituents who he never would have had a chance to meet otherwise, people who shared with him “the humanity of government… At the end of the day, we’re dealing with people, and God willing, what President Biden charged us to do in so many ways is to work to improve the lives of every-day Americans.”
When Gondelmen reflects on his experiences in Jewish leadership, both at Brandeis, where he served as a member of the Hillel Board in addition to other positions in the Jewish community, he thinks that “it’s a lot of different moments, that looking back, have led to this one great achievement that [he’s] really grateful for.”
He expressed his gratitude for the mentors that brought him to this point thanking Meredith Monaghan, the director of the Brandeis academic fellowships office, for her “brilliance, kindness and grace,” without which this accomplishment would have been impossible. He additionally acknowledged Rabbi Miriam Hoffman from Brandeis Hillel, the clergy team at Temple Beth Elohim and the people who work in scheduling in advance at the White House, “who believed in [him], and who gave [him] space to grow and lead.”
Regarding the Truman Award, and how he hopes to utilize the funding, Gondelman mentioned, “I’m thinking about a lot of different programs from public policy programs to social policy programs.” He shared his excitement “to plug into the community of Truman Scholars and to really explore the different facets of life that [his] new peers will have. [He feels] really lucky to be a part of that.”
Gondelman hopes to work in the Jewish community long-term in the future and sees himself working at “the intersection of civic engagement and faith engagement and public service.” He is interested in “the ways people interact with their government and how we can get more people a seat at the table.”
Gondelman further mused that “this award has been the culmination of a three-year tenure at the White House, six years working in synagogues and Jewish spaces, six years at
Temple Beth Elohim, almost ten now working in Jewish spaces, since I was 12 [or] 13 years old. To me, this award is somewhat of a recognition of those years of service, but it’s also an exciting boost to keep doing work.”
Gondelman imparts some advice to students pursuing similar fields, “Keep up the work! Keep doing what you’re doing, and keep making change, and keep reaching for the stars, because, just at Brandeis, you have everything you need to create the kind of change you want to see in this world. You have all the skills you need, you have all the resources you need, so go do it!” He also cautions students against feeling scared to be in spaces and pursuing opportunities. “Too often we see young folks and diverse folks getting scared off by imposter syndrome, so reach out and do the thing!”
He said that he is “abundantly, abundantly, abundantly grateful to the Brandeis community for supporting [him], to [his] friends, who have been so gracious, and to the fellowships office, who really supported [him] ... To be named the University’s 12th Truman is an incredible honor and I am humbled and grateful, I am energized and excited and I look forward to all that comes.”
Brandeis medical volunteers and staff at the 129th Boston Marathon
■ The Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps volunteered at the marathon as Track and Field coach Michael Schmidt ran at a blazing pace.
By IYLA LICHTENFELD JUSTICE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
The Boston Marathon is a cultural event which draws hundreds of thousands from across the world into the city and surrounding areas to cheer on runners in a grueling 26.2 mile course. On April 21, the 129th celebration took place with more than 31,000 participants entering the race including Brandeis Track and Field coach Michael Schmidt. This being his third marathon of the year, Schmidt ran at an impressive 5:53 minutes a mile pace, placing within the top 350 finishers. His final time of 2:33:53 was 29
minutes behind overall winner John Korir of Kenya who finished after 2:04:45 hours of running.
Other Brandeis athletic staff who have run the marathon in the past include Fitness Coordinator Kat Page, Intramural Sport and Department Administrator Julie Mizraji and men’s soccer Head Coach Gabe Margolis. Schmidt spoke of the three in an interview with Brandeis Athletics stating, “It feels it’s cool to be part of an athletic department that has people who are motivated to continue to challenge themselves … they’re all excited about having the communal experience of doing something that they’ve done before, racing marathons, especially Boston.”
In the female division of the marathon, Sharon Lokedi of Kenya ran for 2:17:22 hours, breaking an 11 year record for fastest time for a woman to complete the marathon. Runner up Hellen Obiri and third place Yalemzerf Yehualaw also finished before the previous record. Meanwhile, wheelchair racing celebrated its 50th anniversary of partici -
pation in the marathon with Marcel Hug of Switzerland taking the win at 1:21:34 hours for his eighth first place finish in the men’s division. Additionally this year, the nonbinary division welcomed 76 participants after its addition in 2023 making this the highest registration rate for the category.
Throughout the day the Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps assisted at medical tents across the 26.2 mile long course. While most of their duties included treating runners for dehydration and cramps, the Corps have a history of extraordinary care at the event. When the Boston Marathon Bombings took place, Yedidya Ben-Avie ’15 witnessed the explosion firsthand. Using his knowledge and experience from working with BEMCo he directed bystanders away from the blast zone and, with no instruction to stay back, began to help the direly injured. At this year’s marathon, BEMCo volunteers continued their efforts to protect and treat all those participating in and observing the race.
Also on that tragic day in 2013, former
Brandeis Club Sports Coordinator Matthew Callahan’s cousin Marc Fucarile lost his right leg in the explosion. Since then, he and his family, including Callahan, have run the marathon raising funds to support the mobility impaired and their caretakers. In 2023 The Remarcable Foundation was founded, forming annual teams to run, or wheel, the marathon honoring those killed or injured 12 years ago. Thankfully, clear skies dominated the 129th marathon and made for a particularly cheerful event. At the finish line, celebrating last week’s 250th anniversary of the battle of Lexington and Concord, a Paul Revere impersonator christened the course. With similarly fun intentions, viewers and runners took the chance to wear bold colors, costumes, and hold encouraging and comedic signs. Many represented their nation, universities, or running clubs in the process including Brandeis whose presence remains on the course and the sidelines through our amazing staff and volunteers.
JET SET : Gondelman stands in front of Air Force One.
Photo courtesy of BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
SKYE ENTWOOD/The Justice JAIME TROPE/The Justice
GOBBLE GOBBLE : Two turkeys trot alongside a building.
SAYING HELLO : A bird sits on a statue of Louis Brandeis’ head.
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POLITICS: Effects of tariffs and funding cuts of higher education
CONTINUED FROM 1
Responding to Our Democracy and the Rule of Law in Crisis." Rikleen is currently an executive director for a group of lawyers who are defending American democracy. Additionally, she has authored several books on inequality and strategies for workplace success. Rikleen emphasized how Trump’s actions have led to democratic backsliding because he promotes loyalty to himself over the country and weaponizes the media to fulfill his goals and appeal to his base. She argues that he engages in propaganda, or misleading information, to sway people’s opinions. Moreover, Rikleen stated how Trump is not open to having his opinions challenged and responds to critique by firing individuals. She further noted that he stated outright lies, such as "China is paying for the tariffs. It's really great. We're getting billions of dollars from China." Instead, while the U.S. has gained revenue from these tariffs, it was primarily American businesses and consumers who absorbed the costs of the tariffs.
Donald Trump's war on tariffs has continued since congressional officials failed to uphold ethical principles such as their responsibility to their constituents, due to fear of losing their jobs given that Trump has a large base in the Republican Party. Consequently, Rikleen argued that younger generations have become disillusioned with democracy since they believe that changes are occurring too slowly and individuals are not adhering to constituents' wishes, as seen with Donald Trump, who has imposed tariffs despite dissenting opinions. Rikleen added how if Trump continues to enforce tariff hikes, the youth will have permanent distrust
in American democracy.
Petri pointed out that Brandeis benefits from many federally funded research grants. The National Institute of Health awarded Brandeis $37 million last year and with its proposed budget cuts, Brandeis will be losing $7.5 million each year. This deficit will force Brandeis to either fill the gaps for research with its own budget or cut back on projects. Brandeis has joined a lawsuit to fight against these cuts with other universities, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Cornell University.
Petri stated that “people who have higher education and who are for it are a minority.” He fears that there is a resentment of elites in the U.S. and that universities and higher education as a whole are not sufficiently proving their importance. A study done by Gallup found that 32% of U.S. adults have little to no trust in higher education while 36% had a great deal of confidence. Just ten years ago, the same study had found that 56% of Americans had confidence in high education and just 10% held mistrust. Petri stated, “we as universities have to do a better job at selling the idea that this [higher education] is ultimately in everyone's interest.”
While tariffs and attacks on universities are leaving many Americans feeling uncertain about the future, Petri ended the interview with a sentiment of hope. He stated, “America, we bounce, we rebound.”
STUDENT UNION: State of the Union celebrates
that she had been elected by the Brandeis student body.
As a sophomore, Escamilla-Gil served as Vice President to Balakrishna. She recalled there being “a lot of ups and downs” with changes in the Student Union’s Constitution bylaws and additional challenges. “Good thing that I'm a quick learner,” Escamilla-Gil reflected. She added that she had a “wonderful team” supporting her, which included the Student Union Senate, Treasury and Allocations Board.
Escamilla-Gil acknowledged that she is taking over in leadership during “really unprecedented times” and said that while some may be “nervous, scared [or have] a lot of questions,” she will “work tirelessly to improve Brandeis, hear student voices and [is] always here to help.”
Following Escamilla-Gil’s remarks, Shin shared that his motivation to join the Student Union was the desire to be a part of a broader community, while improving the student experience. Shin began his tenure in the Student Union as the North Quadrangle Senator during
new and old leadership
his first year. This year Shin has taken on multiple roles, including being elected as a Senator-at-Large, Executive Senator and Club Support Chair. The now Vice President thanked the members of the union who have helped him develop leadership skills and support him in his different position leading up to being vice president. In his conclusion, Shin expressed excitement to “continue [his] journey as a Vice President,” and added that the Union is “a team that just wants to make Brandeis better and wants to hear student voices.”
Closing out the State of the Union, Riley Miner ’25, shared remarks in her capacity as an administrative representative to the Board of Trustees Undergraduate Curriculum Committees and Alumni Association. Miner expressed her appreciation for Balakrishna for her leadership in a “thankless role.” She noted that Balakrishna's work during the 2024-25 academic year ensured the Student Union had “people actually knew [knowing] that we did things” and “have [has] a face and presence in student life.”
TARIFFS : A scrabble depiction of U.S. tariffs.
James Li /The Justice
Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS
James Li /The
UNION : Former Student Union President Rani Balakrishna '25 smiles at camera.
UNION : Matt DeCarlo recives award from Student Union.
No man, or body of men have claim upon your liberty, but yourselves.
ON THIS DAY…
Wrecking cranes began tearing down the Berlin Wall in 1990.
FUN FACT
Boston Common is the first public park in the United States, established in 1634.
Boston’s West end: the spirit of a neighBorhood destroyed
How the once lively West End neighborhood of Boston was erased but its community remained strong.
The West End neighborhood of Boston can be categorized today by Massachusetts General Hospital, TD Garden and its towering highrises. The streets are busy and the buildings are shiny and new. A now popular neighborhood for young professionals, the West End was once far different. The Historic West End was home to Boston elites, immigrants with diverse backgrounds and the catalyst of abolition in the Commonwealth.
The once bustling borough was demolished by the city in the 1960s as part of an Urban Renewal initiative, displacing thousands of community members. Some believe the project skyrocketed Boston’s metropolitan success while others were left homeless as a result. How could an initiative aimed at neighborhood improvement fail so catastrophically? The answer is complicated.
The historical West End
The origins of the West End neighborhood date back to the arrival of the Puritans in the 15th century. A couple of years after the English settled in Plymouth and the Greater Boston Area, William Blaxton settled on a plot of land that would later be recognized as Beacon Hill and the West End. Others quickly followed suit.
The land was originally a swampy peninsula best suited for farm land, but Boston’s quickly growing population pushed the city to grant permission for the marshland to be filled.
The newly created landmass in the West End proved to be useful for the British during the American Revolution, acting as a vantage point against the Continental Army
By BRIANNA EARLE JUSTICE EDITOR
in conflicts such as the Battle of Bunker Hill.
After George Washington allowed Black soldiers into the Continental Army in 1775, Boston became known for its growing population of free Black Americans. The West End saw the highest settlement of this population, and the populous Black neighborhood became an elite community. Fostering the success of abolitionists such as William Cooper Nell and Lewis Hayden, the roots of the abolitionist movement run deep throughout the city of Boston. West Boston’s Black population was a major part of the Massachusetts Infantry during the Civil War.
In the decades following, the railroad became a major industrial advantage. A train depot was erected on Causeway Street as part of the Boston and Lowell Railroad, connecting the West End to the greater Northeast and beyond. The original train station is now North Station.
The city’s demand for workers grew alongside its rapid industrialization and the city attracted immigrants from all over the world.
Most notably, the Irish flocked to the South End and the Italians were drawn to the North End. As these communities began to quickly populate in the 1800s, the overflow population settled in the West End. In the 100 years following the Civil War, the West End fostered a prospering multi-ethnic community until the demolition of the neighborhood in 1959.
Tom Hynes, the nephew of Mayor Hynes, worked with construction crews during the demolition as his summer job while enrolled at Boston College during June of 1959. He told Boston Magazine in 2018, “I had no real good frame of reference for [the demolition].
Urban renewal was new. It was the hope of the future for cities in the country.” He con-
tinued, “Today you have much more mitigation and much more sensitivity to the whole process.”
Hynes didn’t necessarily know what he was signing up for. Over the past couple of decades, his frame of reference has changed. In his Boston Magazine reflection he explained, “I have no reason to feel remorse. I didn’t start the project. I didn’t die.” He said, “Looking at it from a different perspective, could it have been done differently? Sure. Sixty years later and there are still very, very strong feelings from the residents. It was bad. It took their homes. How could they have positive feelings about that?”
The
impact of city planning and urban renewal
At the turn of the 20th century, the population of the West End was mainly Jewish and Eastern European. In the latter half of the 19th century, outsiders began calling the neighborhood a “slum” for its aging architecture, large working class population and concerns over its hazardous, dense infrastructure. The “slum” status of the community led to the city of Boston taking over the neighborhood as part of eminent domain.
According to the city of Boston, the West End was deemed unlivable by a series of studies which ruled that “63 percent of dwelling units were substandard quality” and that “many of these dwelling units had poor lighting and air quality, which could make people sick, and were unsafe in emergency situations, such as fires.” The only solution:
a complete demolition.
The West End quickly became the major target of Boston’s Urban Renewal initiative beginning in 1951, when the city announced their intention to level most of the community. The decision was controversial. The project would offer opportunities for modernized infrastructure, but would displace Boston’s fastest growing community.
John Hynes, the mayor at the time, found the West End to be prime real estate with its access to the Charles River and proximity to the growing commercial industries. Following through with the renewal plan, Mayor Hynes displaced the entire community that inhabited the West End over the course of eight years.
According to the West End Museum Archives, “More than 12,000 West Enders are forced to move out of their homes and community. Supplied with inadequate relocation support, most see their future rents more than double.”
Residents received eviction notices in 1958 as the Boston Development Authority began their renewal project soon after. The demolition would take nearly 15 years to complete. To replace the leveled homes, the city constructed a series of six luxury apartments, all of which would have been unaffordable to original residents.
Despite the city’s promise to move West Enders back into the new-and-improved community, the plan never came into fruition and the thousands of individuals made homeless by the city were forced to relocate themselves.
Design: BRIANNA EARLE/The Justice. Photos courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS.
THE MUSEUM: The front door of West End Museum.
HISTORIC BOSTON: Aerial footage of West End Renewal Project.
Living to tell the tale
On a November evening in 2004, the weekend after Thanksgiving, Bruce Gaurino attended a movie at what is now the AMC Theater on Tremont Street in Downtown Boston. That night when he left the show, a voice would tell him to take a stroll through his old stomping grounds. Gaurino hadn’t been back since 1996. When Gaurino arrived in the West End that evening, he stumbled upon the West End Museum. Since that fateful day in 2004, Gaurino has worked at the museum as a tour guide. This year, he celebrates his 21st year at WEM. Gaurino was born and raised in the North Slope of Beacon Hill and is a major advocate for remembering his neighborhood’s roots.
Gaurino’s involvement at the museum comes from a place of pride and the need to keep his story and others like it alive. Gaurino told The Justice on April 25, “I’m still embittered today by the demolition of the West End.” To him, the bulldozing of the community is the prime example of “urban renewal gone wrong.”
At the back of the museum in an area meant for staff only,
Gaurino explained a series of photos: The Jewish deli where mothers would shop for Sunday dinner, the old cigar shop and bumper to bumper traffic in the city square. “Each street corner had a bar room, a restaurant, a deli,” said Gaurino. The photostories did not only detail fond memories. At the center of the collage there was a photo of a man sitting on a crate, overlooking a house turned to rubble. Gaurino pointed at the image and shook his head. He said, “he’s looking at a house that they took down, it very well could’ve been his home that’s destroyed and gone.”
This is not an uncommon tale for the former residents of the West End. Like the man who witnessed a home being destroyed, Elizabeth Kearney Blood protested the removal of her West End home. According to archives at the West End Museum, “they attempted to block entry into their well-maintained home after movers took the front door from its hinges, and otherwise made their presence felt: Elizabeth Blood would eventually sit on the hood of her car and watch as movers carted away her possessions.” Blood was later remembered for her bravery and resistance in the lo-
cal newspaper published in 1985.
Keeping the spirit alive
The West End Museum is located across from what is now North Station. The museum was created as a way to raise awareness about the series of displacements and to honor the community that was lost in the midst. The two rooms of the museum are small, but their impact is mighty. The exhibits include timelines of the evolving population, details about legislative changes that forced community members out and pieces that memorialize the historic lively neighborhood.
Most museums in the United States are run as non-profit organizations, and WEM is no different. The museum’s executive director, Sebastian Belfanti, was a volunteer for 15 years before taking over as the organization’s first full time employee.
With the help of Belfanti, the museum has been able to ex-
pand in areas such as location, museum outreach and fundraising. In an April 25 interview he told The Justice, “There wasn’t a clear picture of exactly what it was going to be. The board had an idea and I understood that idea but there was a lot of learn-
ing to happen on both sides.”
Once Belfanti took charge, he was able to quickly gain traction for the museum’s funding. He told The Justice, “I started a big negotiation with Mass General because they were going to, and now have, torn down the two remaining of 12 original buildings
in the West End project area. There’s obviously a lot of caveats there.”
Belfanti explained that the negotiation led to WEM earning nearly 3 million dollars in compensation over a period of time. The negotiation was part of the city’s largest mitigation project in history and allowed Belfanti to hire a few more full-time staffers. As the first full-time employee, Belfanti has seen the museum through plenty of ups and downs. Not only has the museum survived a series of negotiations, but it also survived a flood in 2022 after a pipe burst and left the walls and floors water-damaged. The flood forced a museum closure for a couple of months while fixes were made.
Thanks to Belfanti’s quick thinking, many of the museum’s artifacts survived the flood. As the water seeped in, staff members were able to move gallery pieces out of harm’s way. Unfortunately, some of the photographs were lost in the process.
Belfanti told the Beacon Hill Times, “Because it’s so hot in here, some of the large images in our permanent exhibit are going to have to go. Because the exhibit is from the Bostonian Society, we don’t have the originals of those images, so if we want to reproduce them, it would be quite a bit of work.”
Despite these difficulties, Belfanti remains hopeful for the future of the museum. Belfanti explained to The Justice that there is potential for expanding the museum into a larger space.
WEM is the only urban planning focused museum in the United States and is one of two English speaking ones worldwide. He said, “we have this niche that we’re really trying to figure out. It’s grown a lot from its roots and has had this interesting journey of trying to hold onto those things while also becoming a more established organization.”
The museum’s reach goes far beyond its physical exhibit. WEM’s website details the origins of the West End, tells stories of former residents and offers links to archival pieces of the former West End Newsletter that allowed the community to stay engaged. Although the vibrant and multicultural West End that was once thriving is gone, its stories are more alive than ever.
Photos: BRIANNA EARLE/The Justice. Design: BRIANNA EARLE/The Justice.
HANDS ON: WEM features interactive exhibits. CUFFED: The museum displays artifacts from West End history.
TODAY: The West End neighborhood now.
OLD BENCH: Seats from the original North Station train depot.
SPECIAL EXHIBIT: WEM’s Fugitive Slave exhibit.
Justicethe
Established 1949
Sophia De Lisi, Editor in Chief Julia Hardy, Managing Editor
Eliza Bier, Anna Martin, Isabel Roseth, Senior Editors
Leah Breakstone, Tibria Brown, Lauryn Williams, Deputy Editors
Lily Chafe, Xilei Ceci Chen, Grace Doh, Nemma Kalra, Jonas Kaplin, Elizabeth Liu, Mina Rowland, Sara Samuel, Bryan Wolfe, Zoe Zachary Associate Editors
Lil Lin Hutchinson, Lucia Thomas, News Editors
Brianna Earle, Features Editor
Ariana Rich, Forum Editor
Remi Young, Sports Editor
Maeve Coakley, Arts & Culture Editor
Skye Entwood, Reuben Gartenbach, Photography Editors
Miriam Grodin, Rivka Resnick, Copy Editors
Marina Rosenthal, Layout Editor
Keira Shear, Advertising Editor
Amanda Chen, Niámh Mullen, Social Media Editors
EDITORIAL
The past, present and future of campus protest
Over the past 75 years, Brandeis students have exercised their right to freedom of speech by conducting protests and rallies on campus.
In 1969, on January 8, a group of AfricanAmerican students staged a takeover of Ford Hall, demanding a change for better minority representation on campus. This sparked waves across the University, as other students went on hunger strikes and conducted sitins as a way of expressing solidarity. This protest lasted eleven days, and while not all demands were met, student protestors were granted amnesty. A year later, the University administration signed an agreement with the Afro-American Organization to bring 80 additional minority students to Brandeis. This is just one example of protest demonstrations on campus. Since 1969 there have been other instances of students, faculty and facilities fighting for social change: the Pearlman Hall take-over (1970), Apartheid Protest and Divestment movements (1970), the Ford Hall protest (2015), Brandeis Employee rallies (2024), Brandeis staff, students and facilities protest against merit delays (2024). Protesting is at the core of a University that since its founding has prided itself on valuing inclusion and justice. As best demonstrated in Brandeis’ mission statement, this institution “Honors freedom of expression and civility
of discourse as fundamental educational cornerstones.”
However, on April 7 Interim President Arthur Levine ’70 in an email titled “Affirming Brandeis’ Values,” expressed that there would be new guidelines for student protests on campus such as: no face coverings (only allowed for religious and medical reasons) and disciplinary action for students who invite non-Brandeis community members. This sentiment was echoed by the Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration, Stewart Uretsky, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Carol Fierke and Vice President of Student Affairs, Andrea Dine in an email titled “Maintaining Campus Safety.” All parties conveyed that following Levine’s email, students who are protesting on campus will now have to present their student identification cards and those who wear face coverings will now be required to remove them, with exemptions for religious or medical reasons. As students, faculty and facilities continue to protest on campus, it is unclear how these new rules will be enforced and what disciplinary actions will look like. While protecting those on campus is incredibly important, it is imperative that the administration delivers concise guidelines for student protestors.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Fund cultivated-meat research to stop pandemics
I was disappointed to read United States Agricultural Secretary Brooke Rollins’ shortsighted plan to defeat bird flu, which is running rampant across the country. The strategy includes $500 million for biosecurity measures, $400 million in aid to factory farms, and $100 million for chicken vaccine research. The package amounts to a $1-billion bailout to a lucrative industry, which has proven itself to be cruel to animals, destructive to the environment, and hazardous to human health.
Dr. Crystal Heath, the executive director of veterinarian group Our Honor, argued this simply represents more of the same failed approach that got us here in the first place. “Instead of propping up antiquated methods of protein production, those that are inherently high risk and wasteful, we could support animalfree methods of protein production,” she said on social media. I completely agree. To be specific, I believe the United States should invest these funds into cultivated-meat research.
For those who don’t know, cultivated
meat is grown from animal cells, without slaughter. These aren’t plant-based options. This is real meat, identical at the cellular level to flesh taken from once living creatures. For example, if you’re allergic to seafood, you will be allergic to cultivated seafood. It may sound like science fiction, but the technology already exists. The only problem is the new protein is currently too expensive to mass produce. This can be rectified with further study.
Among other things, experts are concerned bird flu might lead to a devastating human pandemic, reminiscent of COVID-19. Such an outcome is by no means outside the realm of possibility. While the number of humans infected with bird flu has remained low, that could change quickly. Viruses are constantly adapting. Scientists are discovering bird flu cases amongst an increasingly wide variety of mammals, including mink, cows and cats. The situation is perilous. Back in March 2020, Liz Specht wrote an article for Wired about COVID-19, which might as well have been discussing bird flu. “Both farmed and caged wild animals create the perfect breeding
ground for zoonotic diseases,” she said.
“Extraordinarily high population densities, prolonged heightened stress levels, poor sanitation, and unnatural diets create a veritable speed-dating event for viruses to rendezvous with a weakened human host and transcend the species barrier.”
Deadly pandemics can frequently be traced back to animal agriculture. Since livestock are removed from the production process of cultivated meat, widespread adoption of the protein would dramatically reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases making the jump to humans. That’s why our political leaders should do everything possible to accelerate development of this nascent technology. Cellular agriculture is better for human health, in addition to animal welfare and the environment.
Instead of propping up the factory-farm industry — which endangers us all, and is a moral and ecological blight — Rollins should redirect the $1 billion she set aside toward cultivated-meat research. We can overcome the existing technological hurdles. Let’s create institutions like the Tufts University Center for Cellular Agriculture all across the country, including at every agricultural college in America. Such a transformative investment would go a long way toward building a better food system. Jon Hochschartner lives in Connecticut. He is the author of a number of books, including The Animals’ Freedom Fighter: A Biography of Ronnie Lee, Founder of the Animal Liberation Front. Visit his blog at SlaughterFreeAmerica. Substack.com.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
To the Editor:
I am writing to address several inaccuracies in your April 8 article covering the recent protest at Brandeis University. Firstly, the report significantly overstated the number of initial student protesters. The demonstration on the Great Lawn began with approximately 6-8 students at 4PM, growing to a few dozen before moving to the area adjacent to the entrance. While on the Great Lawn, the protest did not come close to 100 students as stated. Although numbers increased later, this early figure misrepresents the initial size and character of the event.
Secondly, the depiction of the protesters’ route as entirely through campus is incorrect. The protest briefly entered campus along Loop Road for about 10 minutes before moving back to an area adjacent to campus, where it largely remained.
Thirdly, the account regarding the incident involving flags is misleading. The article suggests uncertainty about police intentions. In fact, a Brandeis Student Support Team member intervened to dissuade individuals from igniting flags in the middle of the protest group. Campus Public Safety then exited their vehicles to clear the area out of concern for safety with regard to the burning flag, with no intent to arrest protesters. No arrests occurred, nor were any attempted. Notably, the Campus use of Space Policy is clear that such a fire violates university policy, “No Fires or Fireworks: Fires, fireworks,
or any other incendiary devices are not permitted on University property, without the approval of the University, and approval and presence of the Waltham Fire Department.”
Furthermore, the claim attributed to Interim President Arthur Levine—that “most of the masked protesters were not members of the Brandeis community”— is consistent with the university’s understanding. University staff members observed a significant presence of individuals coming from offsite and who appeared to be unaffiliated with Brandeis who joined the protest when it moved adjacent to campus.
Lastly, there was no disruption to campus activities. Shabbat services and other activities continued as planned.
The smoke that triggered the fire alarm in Sherman - which automatically notifies the Waltham Fire Department to respond - was addressed without incident. This occurrence was unrelated to the protest activity.
Brandeis University respects and upholds the rights to free expression and peaceful assembly, and remains committed to accurately representing events affecting our campus community.
We appreciate your attention to these corrections and your commitment to accurate journalism.
Sincerely,
Matthew Rushton AVP Public Safety
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
To the Editors:
The following letter, organized by the new Brandeis chapter of the American Association of University Professors, was delivered to President Levine and the Brandeis Board of Trustees on April 17.
A complete list of those who signed it can be found here. They include professors from more than 35 departments and programs, among them recipients of the Nobel Prize, MacArthur “genius” grant, Guggenheim fellowship, etc. Together they make up more than a quarter of the faculty—more than one of them has probably taught you.
Dear President Levine and Members of the Brandeis Board of Trustees: Ongoing attacks on American universities threaten bedrock principles of a democratic society, including rights of free expression, association, and inquiry. In light of this unprecedented assault, we urge Brandeis’s leadership to do four things:
1. Legally contest and refuse to comply with unlawful demands that threaten academic freedom and university self-gov-
ernance. Freedom from political interference has allowed American universities to lead the world in scientific and medical innovation, from which our entire country benefits.
2. Work with other universities and Brandeis’ own alumni networks to mount a coordinated opposition to these antidemocratic attacks.
3. Protect science and other research at Brandeis from funding cutoffs by providing legal and financial support to affected scholars and research units, mobilizing extraordinary resources as necessary.
4. Defend the rights to free speech on campus recognized in the Principles of Free Speech and Free Expression, including by assisting community members at risk of government infringement on this right, whether through immigration action or other means. Protect students by developing a clear “anti-Doxxing” policy based on our Handbook prohibitions on bullying, intimidation and harassment.
Signed, (128 faculty as of 4/17/25, with others adding their names later)
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
In my chat about house paint with the 3-year home & garden corporate America store employee, I discovered that he was a 32-year-retired high school music teacher. He was proud of his former students in professional musician and band director careers. He never had much bad behavior because the students wanted to be in his elective class. “What do you miss the most from teaching?” No hesitation, with a smile, he replied, “Nothing yet.”
A former teacher was excited to share his/her response to the above with: “Ha!!
I miss nothing of teaching too. An absolutely broken system with no hope in sight, if you ask me.
The schism between “white” or “priv-
ileged” schools and “Title I” or “colored” schools will never close.
The administrative teams are more interested in their retirement and weekly tokens.
I’ve lost all hope in education, and I wish I had picked a different career from the start. What a waste.
Sorry to be a Debbie Downer. I miss nothing about teaching. I regret most of it.”
Mike Sawyer, Voted “The Humanitarian of 2023-24” at my high-needs middle school (over 90% Hispanic) Denver, CO 205-515-1560 (texting available) msawyer911@gmail.com
Jewish students are not a monolith. Brandeis must stop treating us like
one.
By PENELOPE DICK JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
As a prospective student, I was told Brandeis would be a place to explore my Jewish identity. Quickly, I learned I was a lesser member of the community than the legitimate Jewish students — the ones who grew up going to Jewish day schools and went to Israel during their gap years. I was an aberration, a Jew who felt no connection to Israel and wasn’t particularly interested in making one. I came into Brandeis not understanding why Israel is so important to so many Jews. I am so grateful to the leadership of J Street U at Brandeis for providing a safe space for me to listen and learn about that aspect of Jewish culture. Yet it still held no interest for me. My parents, grandparents and great-grandparents never set foot in Israel. Why would I go? Why should I have a “birthright” to do so? In the midst of all this internal conflict, I met with Rabbi Seth Winberg for guidance. Rabbi Winberg is the executive director of Hillel at Brandeis, the director of the Center for Spiritual Life and the Senior Jewish Chaplain. During our first meeting in November 2023, Rabbi Winberg told me his job was to make sure Jewish life at Brandeis is a big enough tent that everyone can feel welcome. As you read this, can you honestly tell yourself that said tent is extended equally in each direction?
When the Hillel Shabbat dinners take place in the Sherman Function Hall with catered food, but the Brandeis Jewish Bund must gather in the atrium of the Shapiro Campus Center with a potluck? When Israeli flags have been on display multiple times in the Kosher section of Sherman Dining Hall, making it clear that on this campus, to be Jewish comes with the attached, inseparable identity of being Israeli?
When Professor Jonathan Sarna ’75 (NEJS) is chosen as our graduation speaker, so that a day meant to celebrate the achievements of my classmates is instead turned into a chance to virtue signal to Zionist donors upset by the lack of police violence at the latest protests?
If you’re not familiar with Professor Sarna’s work, I encourage you to read his piece “The Surge” in The Jerusalem Report, published on Aug. 12, 2024. It’s a shockingly racist and
Islamophobic rant which, among other things, accuses international students of being paid agents of their governments sent to sow antisemitism on campuses. It claims, without any sources, that “the overwhelming majority of young American Jews, 65-80%, feel deeply connected to Israel,” and concludes that “one may be critical of Israel as a young person, but the older you get, the smarter and better Israel gets,” effectively dismissing young Jews’ concerns with Israel as a passing phase. Is this the face of Brandeis? If so, it is one I am ashamed to be affiliated with.
Is it any wonder that my experience at Brandeis turned out how it did, when the system is designed this way? Hillel is considered to be the place for Jewish student life on campus. And yet, its first allegiance is not to Brandeis students but to its parent organization and to Israel. This is a fundamental conflict of interest.
Brandeis prides itself on its social justice reputation. Its fatal blind spot is Israel. Without allowing legitimate criticism of Israel, Brandeis has no business pretending to be on a moral high ground. Allowing the Israeli government broad freedom from scrutiny for actions that, if committed by any other country, surely would have been condemned, exposes a lack of true conviction behind the University’s motto, “truth unto its innermost parts.”
Without acknowledging the large percentage of Jews who do not feel an affiliation with Israel, or are actively anti-Zionist, Brandeis can never truly be a safe space for Jewish students. Brandeis’ administration is perpetuating the myth that all Jewish students feel the same way and, in doing so, commits violence against us. They are trying to homogenize us and put their words in our mouths to manufacture consent for the Israeli government’s actions. They tell us that it can only be this way — that for Jews to be safe, Palestinians must suffer. This is the same rhetoric used to justify the persecution of immigrants everywhere and the deaths of millions during the war on terror post 9/11. I do not want my safety to come at the expense of others’ suffering, and I reject any claim that
to criticize Israel is to hate Jews. I believe that to criticize something is to love it, because you believe it can be better and you want to fight for it. I criticize the U.S. government every day, but I don’t want to live anywhere else. Israel is not, and should never be, synonymous with Judaism. Otherwise, any criticism of its actions can be dismissed as antisemitic, instead of reasonable critiques of an imperfect human organization. Governments are just the people running them, and those people are as liable as anyone else to make mistakes or act maliciously. No government should go unscrutinized. It is our imperative to hold our leaders to the highest standards. Why should Israel be any different?
Brandeis’ role must be as a space for Jewish students to form their own opinions and develop their identities, not an authority on how to fit into one definition of Judaism. The University cannot hold both Israel and its students in equal measure and the administration has made its top priority very clear. Despite feeling unwelcome, I decided not to transfer out of Brandeis. If I did, I would be admitting that there is no place for nonZionist Jewish students. I love my Jewish family, Jewish traditions, foods and values. I love being Jewish. I can’t wait to continue learning more about this part of me outside of the Brandeis administration’s narrow view of what Judaism can be.
Doxxing has no place at Brandeis
By
In this time of crackdowns and fear, we are responsible for keeping each other safe. Safety does not mean protection from ideas we do not like, but rather, freedom from persecution for these ideas. The freedom to explore and express our ideas is foundational to our mission: “By being a nonsectarian university that welcomes students, teachers and staff of every nationality, religion and orientation, Brandeis renews the American heritage of cultural diversity, equal access to opportunity and freedom of expression.”
This political moment — one of repression, antagonism and cruelty at the hands of the federal government and its agencies — demands clear-eyed defenses of our students, our work as faculty and researchers and the value of higher education. The Trump Administration’s relentless attack on colleges and universities is a sign that they continue to matter.
Here at Brandeis, our shared trust in core academic values is inspiring. We are buoyed by the over 125 faculty members from across the University who signed a letter calling for national unity among universities against threats to democracy and free expression. As part of the April 17 National Day of Action for Higher Education, the University’s new chapter of the American Association of University Professors circulated a letter in which faculty laid out their clear support for the University to fight back against “unlawful demands that threaten academic freedom and university self-governance.” Interim President Arthur Levine ’70 seems to be listening: a few days after receiving our letter, he signed onto a letter from the American Council of Colleges and Universities resolving to “speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education” and to “oppose undue government intrusion … [and] reject the coercive use of public research funding.”
While solidarity across universities in the face of the federal government’s actions is important, we also need to address cultures of intimidation and harassment within Brandeis. The faculty’s letter called on the Brandeis administration to “defend the rights to free speech on campus … by assisting community members at risk of government infringement on this right …. [and to] protect students by developing a clear ‘anti-Doxxing’ policy based on our Handbook prohibitions on bullying, intimidation and harassment.” We are hopeful that the administration will act in this way, which also means rolling back the hastily and ill-considered mask ban that went out recently. This ban, perhaps unintentionally and certainly unnecessarily, instills fear in many students without a U.S. passport who fear being surveilled on campus and losing their right to express themselves freely.
We are deeply disturbed by reports that some Brandeis students have been doxxed, allegedly by their peers. Doxxing is the “intentional revelation of a person’s private information online without their consent, often with malicious intent.” Whatever one feels about the political viewpoints being expressed by
community members on campus, all of us can agree on the need to protect others’ rights to express their thoughts and sentiments. Free inquiry and exchange are the bedrock of higher education.
Doxxing, however, is not just a challenge to our shared intellectual enterprise. It is a vicious act with terrible consequences, as recent events at other Boston-area universities remind us. The whole world watched in horror when Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University P.h.D student and Fulbright scholar, was abducted off the streets of Somerville by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. In ICE detention, she has suffered asthma attacks without proper treatment and had her hijab removed without her permission. All of that happened because somebody doxxed her in response to an op-ed she wrote in her own student newspaper — just as we are writing here today.
Perspectives about the war in Gaza vary on campus, but that is not a reason for us to abandon our usual Brandeisian standard: to treat one another with respect and to value the perspectives of others so that we can all learn from one another. In this light, it should be clear that doxxing is targeted harassment and has no place at Brandeis. Taking a picture of a classmate with the express purpose of harassing and intimidating them is against the code of conduct.
We know that all situations may not be so black and white — for example, what if you take a picture that someone else posts online? But it is precisely because of these uncertainties and their deleterious consequences that we implore members of our community to exercise restraint. We live in an era where taking pictures and videos of strangers for online commentary has, unfortunately, become normal. We all need to be better informed about the potential harm of circulating someone’s picture or identity on a variety of platforms, including email and messaging apps.
Doxxing, which, horrifically, has led to ICE detention, cannot be an activity that our University tolerates. We call on the senior administration to include explicit anti-doxxing language in the Student Code of Conduct, as well as communicating clearly to students that doxxing, including reporting community members’ views to retaliatory outsiders, is a violation under the Rights and Responsibilities section 2.10 bans on bullying, intimidation and harassment. We also call on senior administration to make sure that community members outside of Brandeis are not allowed to come to campus to record our students, as occurred at the most recent Brandeis Jewish Bund action. But ultimately, this is a call for us all to show we know what community means. We all know when we are intending to harm someone. Whether our actions meet the definition of harassment in a code of conduct is too low a bar.
In this moment of authoritarianism, we must go above and beyond to protect what is sacred. That includes our founding mission and, most importantly, our community members, whether we have shared viewpoints or not. Without that, Brandeis ceases to be Brandeis.
SARAH MAYORGA, JOHN PLOTZ, ULKA ANJARIA, ALBION LAWRENCE, AIDA YUEN WONG JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
JUDGES BY THE NUMBERS
Paige Bueckers: A special talent
By JEFFREY WANG JUSTICE STAFF WRITER
On April 15, 2025, the Dallas Wings of the Women’s National Basketball Association selected Paige Bueckers with the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft. The Wings were locked onto selecting Bueckers since winning the draft lottery earlier in November 2024.
"Very early on, it was Paige and Paige only. She's such a special player," said Dallas Wings general manager Curt Miller, according to ESPN.
The six-foot guard from the University of Connecticut had been a special player ever since her youth. Bueckers' basketball journey began in Edine, Minnesota. While her father, Bob Bueckers, was a full-time software developer and consultant, he had been a point guard in high school. It was only natural that Bob was Bueckers’ first basketball coach. Through his coaching and Bueckers’ passion for the sport, she was able to compete at levels beyond her age. When Bueckers was in eighth grade, she was already playing on the varsity team of Hopkins High School. At that age, Bueckers had caught the attention of scouts and even received scholarship offers from the University of Minnesota, Iowa State University and University of Illinois.
“Nobody I’ve had or nobody that we’ve played against was this kind of special at this age,” Bueckers’ high school coach Brian Cosgriff said at the time. He also did note that “there’s a lot of growing up left to do,” according to Star Tribune.
Bueckers continued to blossom at Hopkins High School. As a senior in high school, Bueckers averaged 21 points, 9.2 assists, 5.2 steals and 5.1 rebounds per game, leading her team to a perfect 30-0 record. Entertainment and Sports Programming Network rated Bueckers as a five star recruit and the number one player in the 2020 class, with comments praising her strengths as a “poised combo-guard” that “manufactures shots,” “a facilitator with court awareness,” “[someone who] knocks downs mid-range jumpers to the arc” and “a difference maker.”
During her first year at UConn in 2020-21, Bueckers immediately became the focal point of the team, averaging 20 points, 5.7 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. Bueckers also earned many accolades and made history, becoming the first freshman to be awarded the Associated Press Player of the Year, Naismith College Player of the Year, United States Basketball Writers Association Women's National Player of the Year and the John R. Wooden Award. However, UConn’s run in the March Madness came to an end during the Final Four as the lower-seeded University of Arizona knocked them out. The following year, Bueckers missed most of
her sophomore season due to injuries. On December 5, 2021, Bueckers appeared to injure her left knee during a game against the University of Notre Dame. Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography scans later revealed that Bueckers had a tibial plateau fracture and meniscus tear, which sidelined her for 10 weeks. Playing in limited minutes, Bueckers returned just in time for the March Madness tournament. UConn made a deep run in the 2022 March Madness tournament, but they were ultimately eliminated by the University of South Carolina in the championship game. Bueckers was the only team member on UConn’s roster who recorded double-digit points. Right before the start of her junior season, Bueckers had injured her Anterior Cruciate Ligament during a pickup game. As a result, she missed the entire 2022-2023 season. While Bueckers was eligible to declare for the 2023 WNBA, she decided to redshirt her junior season, thus maintaining her college eligibility for two more years. For the 2023-2024 season, a fully healthy Bueckers picked up where she left off in her freshman season as she averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. However, UConn was knocked out by the University of Iowa, a team that featured Caitlin Clark, in the 2024 National Collegiate Athletic Association March Madness tournament.
Bueckers did not disappoint in her last season at UConn. For the 2024-25 season, Bueckers averaged 19.4 points, 4.8 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. She was even better in the 2025 March Madness tournament, where she averaged 24.8 points per game. An iconic moment of the tournament occurred in the Sweet Sixteen, when Bueckers erupted for a career-high 40 points to beat the University of Oklahoma. More importantly, Bueckers had finally led UConn to the ultimate victory during her time as a UConn Husky: a national trophy.
On April 6, 2025, in what seemed to be a rematch of the 2022 March Madness tournament, Bueckers had 17 points, three assists and six rebounds to secure UConn’s victory over the University of South Carolina. Adding to her list of remarkable accolades, Bueckers had also won the 2025 Wade Trophy, an award that is “presented annually to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division I Player of the Year.”
Many mock drafts had projected Bueckers to be the first overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft. Now a member of the Dallas Wings, Bueckers revealed that she is excited and ready to get to work, saying that “there is a lot of new in this organization, so to be a part of something where we can build with each other and create a new sisterhood, we're really excited," according to ESPN. The Wings, who finished eleventh in the Western Conference with a record of 9-31 during the 202425 season, look to turn things around with their franchise player.
In a WNBA energized by rising stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, Bueckers enters the league poised to make her own impact. Given her impressive track record and proven ability to rise to the occasion, there is reasonable optimism that Bueckers will quickly establish herself as one of the league’s next great talents — and help usher in a new era for women’s basketball.
Sunday April 27 vs. Rochester University W, 4-0
■ Paige Bueckers is selected by the Dallas Wings with the number one pick in the 2025 Women's National Basketball Association draft.
Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS
BASKETBALL: Paige Bueckers dribbles a basketball down the court.
Intramural Softball
Brandeis students enjoy the warm weather on the turf as IM playoffs are in full swing!
Photos: JONAS KAPLIN/The Justice. Design: MARINA ROSENTHAL/The Justice
Sports just Paige Bueckers WNBA
Page 12
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Big changes made to Major League Baseball in recent years
■ New MLB rules increase the speed of gameplay and create a different experience for both players and fans alike.
By REMI YOUNG JUSTICE EDITOR
Major League Baseball has constantly been evolving, from mound distances to the introduction of designated hitters. Now, the MLB’s rule changes have reshaped the way baseball is played, watched, and even understood.
The pitch clock:
The most talked-about change has been the introduction of the pitch clock in 2023. Now, a timer visible to the pitcher regulates how long the pitcher has to deliver the ball. As of 2023, pitchers had 15 seconds to throw with the bases empty and 20 seconds with runners on base. Batters must be ready in the box with at least eight seconds remaining on the clock. Baseball is often thought of as a slow sport and is sometimes called boring because of how long the games are and the amount of time spent on the mound. The average game length crept above three hours and 10 minutes by the early 2020s, with endless mound visits from coaches, pitching changes and batters stepping out repeatedly to take just one more second before being ready to hit the ball. With this change, the average game length was already 25 to 30 minutes shorter. In 2023, following the implementation of the change, the average nine-inning MLB game took around two hours and 38 minutes to be completed, which was the fastest pace since 1985. Due to this decrease in time, fans stay engaged throughout the action. While the change was hard at first for pitchers, it has now become part of their training, with a greater emphasis on stamina and rhythm.
Larger bases:
Another change that occurred was increasing the size of the bases from 15 inches square to 18 inches square in 2022. The slightly larger surface area may seem insignificant, but it reduces the distances between first and second base and between second and third base. While a small change, most plays come down to a split second, and batters are now focused on aggressive baserunning. In addition, the increased bases are thought to prevent collisions and injuries between baserunners and fielders. With more room, fielders can have
their foot on the base without standing in the runner's way. In recent years, there has been a reduction in severe ankle, foot and collision-related injuries at first base, which is a crucial step toward player safety, a prominent issue in all sports.
Limits on pickoffs:
In tandem with larger bases, MLB added restrictions on pickoff attempts to promote the stealing of bases further. Pitchers are now limited to two disengagements (pickoff throws or step-offs) per plate appearance. A third unsuccessful attempt results in a balk, which moves the runner up a base. Before, pitchers could have kept “checking” the runner, which slowed gameplay and even gave the pitcher a chance to regain stamina. Now, base runners know they have an advantage because after two pickoff attempts, runners cannot be checked again, which often results in a larger lead, increasing their chances of a successful stolen base.
Defensive shift restrictions:
Infield shifts, a strategy used in the infield to overload one side, have become so prevalent that they prevent players, particularly left-handed players, from getting on base. To ensure smooth gameplay and to prevent it from completely stunting batting averages for left-handed players, the MLB now requires two infielders to be on each side of second base, and all infielders must have both feet within the infield when the pitch is delivered. Traditionally, hits through the infield, particularly ground balls, would naturally find holes, but with shifts and anticipated placement, the game was changing. This rule allows for a balance of defense and offense, leveling the playing field. Now, more singles, more rallies and more excitement have benefited the fan experience, but also have increased the batting averages for left-handed hitters.
Balancing tradition with innovation
The rule changes have sparked debate across baseball as many lifelong fans argue that the game should not be altered to cater to shorter attention spans or television contracts. Others believe that innovation is essential for keeping baseball relevant to new generations of fans. But as with most things, the correct answer must lie somewhere in between. The pitch clock, larger bases, shift restrictions and pickoff rules have started to restore much of what made baseball beloved in the first place: energy, action and athleticism.
The Justice Staff Writer Jeffrey Wang '27 highlights Paige Bueckers and the number one pick of the Women's National Basketball Association draft, p. 10.
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Waltham, Mass.
Brandeis Women's and Men’s University Athletic Association tournament day one overview
TENNIS: A player serves the tennis
■ Brandeis women's tennis surges past New York University, men's team falls to Washington University in St. Louis on the first day of this weekend's UAA tournament.
At number 3 singles, Chahana Budhbhatti '27 was up 6-2, 1-0 when her NYU opponent couldn't finish the match due to injury, which gave the Judges their second point of the day. After her doubles match, Parwani continued at number 2 singles and showcased her talent and stamina, beating her opponent 6-1, 6-3 to earn her second point of the match. Fittingly, Sia, one of the team's senior leaders, sealed the team victory with a 6-1, 6-2 win at number 5 singles. After this win, Brandeis clinched the fourth point, putting an end to the other three singles matches, which appeared to have been headed toward dramatic third sets.
By REMI YOUNG JUSTICE EDITOR
This past weekend, both the men's and women's tennis teams traveled to Florida to face off against several teams in a University Athletic Association tournament. On Saturday, the first day, Brandeis University tennis had mixed results, as the women’s team earned an impressive 4-0 victory over New York University to advance to the fifth-place match in the UAA. In the men’s matches, the team fell to Washington University in St. Louis in a heartbreaking semifinal matchup.
The Brandeis women’s team win over New York University
On Saturday, for the women, the senior class’s leadership led the Judges, ranked number 33 nationally, to a dominant win over the sixth-seeded and 29th-ranked NYU at Sanlando Park in Florida. Brandeis wasted little time in setting the tone during doubles play. At the top spot, Rebecca Suarez '26 and Bhakti Parwani '25 combined for a 6-4 win, and at the number 3 doubles, Cecilia Denis ‘25 and Anastasia Sia '25 earned a 6-3 victory to clinch the doubles point, giving the Judges a 1-0 advantage heading into singles action. That early momentum carried over into singles, where Brandeis continued.
The Brandeis Men’s loss against Washington University
While the Brandeis women’s team celebrated a strong day on the courts, the men’s team faced a tougher outcome. Also seeded seventh and ranked number 33 in Division Three, the Brandeis men’s team was swept 4-0 by sixth-seeded and number 32-ranked WashU. The Judges knew they would have a tough match on their hands, and despite several hard-fought efforts, the WashU team showcased its strength.
In doubles play, WashU took early control by winning at number 3, 6-3, and number 2, 6-2, to clinch the doubles point. Brandeis’s top pairing of Dylan Walters, M.A. '25 and first-year Daniel Shemesh '28 were tied 5-5 at number 1, but when the Bears clinched the doubles point, their match was halted.
The singles competition also resulted in a WashU victory, with decisive wins at number 5 and number 6 singles, both by identical 6-1, 6-0 scores. Pierce Garbett '27 gave Brandeis fans some hope when he had a first-set tiebreak win, 7-6 (7-5), at number 3 singles, but his opponent responded with decisive 6-2, 6-2 wins in the following two sets to clinch the match for WashU. While the women’s team achieved victory over NYU, the men's team showcased their resilience against a top-seeded team like WashU.
JAMES LI/The Justice
ball onto the other side of the court.
Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS
BASEBALL: An offical game ball of the Major League Baseball League is pictured.
Photos: JAMES LI AND SKYE ENTWOOD/The Justice. Design: SKYE ENTWOOD/The Justice. Waltham, Mass.
B alancé - ing through B allet
By NEMMA KALRA JUSTICE ASSOCIATE EDITOR
On April 26, the Brandeis Ballet Club celebrated their 15th year of bringing the art of ballet to the Brandeis community through their annual Spring Showcase. Unlike “The Nutcracker,” a more defined production traditionally performed each winter, the Spring Showcase featured a myriad of original performances choreographed by different students in the club.
The night began with a light and dreamy waltz choreographed by Ballet Club’s Shapiro Campus Center Theater Coordinator Naomi Stephenson ’26. Next came Eliza Bier’s ’26 piece entitled “Passerine.” A stark departure from the more traditional feel of Stephenson’s dance, Bier’s piece was whimsical and energizing. Bier described how the dance was inspired by her relationship with her dancers and friends, and that sense of comradery shone through with each move and sequence.
The following performance “Rei I.” choreographed by Jean Wong ’27 was a classically haunting dance to the character Rei Ayanami’s theme song from the 1995 anime series “Neon Genesis Evangelion.” Wong set out to capture Rei’s essence, enigmatic and otherworldly, and through her piques and arabesques, she did just that.
Finally, closing out the first act of the show came Sydney Feld’s ’26 choreography to “Love You for a Long Time” by Maggie Rogers. Each dancer topped with flower crowns and bright smiles, the dance beautifully encapsulated the nature of Rogers’ song, brimming with love and hope.
Ballet Club Vice President Anna Martin ’26, opened the second act of the show with an exciting combination of theater and ballet. Her piece, “Sunday Morning Ballet Class,” explored the “comical contrast between the strict and precise technique of the art of ballet and the casual environment of a ballet class.” Set to a jazz medley compiled by Martin herself, the performance was a refreshing shift from some of the more traditional pieces performed that evening. Throughout the piece, each dancer rolled up to class — foam rolling, stretching, taking the cursory point 5 photo, with moments of synchronous dancing interspersed. However, the casual vibe dispersed by the end, with all the dancers in their leotards jete-ing in unison and leaving the audience in a fit of applause.
Following Martin’s performance was “Awakening of Flora,” by Lulu Tsoi ’27. Continuing with the themes of flora and spring, each dancer was adorned with flowers on their skirts and heads. The piece contained multiple dances, celebrating the rebirth of nature in all its stages.
The final two dances of the night were each choreographed by a Ballet Club senior and co-president. First, Emma Stott ’25 choreographed a jubilant waltz celebrating the onset of spring. Following her beautiful performance, Liliana Aspromonte ’25 choreographed a moving dance to “Is There Something In the Movies?” Her bittersweet and dynamic piece served as a poignant conclusion to the showcase, capturing the uncertainty and hopeful acceptance that often accompanies any heartfelt ending.
POETRY PERFORMANCE
— Editor’s Note: The Justice Senior Editor Anna Martin ’26 is the Vice President of the Ballet club and did not edit or contribute to this story.
— The Justice Senior Editor Eliza Martin ’26 is the treasuer of the Ballet club and did not edit or contribute to this story.
— Elizabeth Liu ’26 is a Justice Associate Editor and did not edit or contribute to this story.
— Keira Shear ’28 is an Ads Editor for The Justice and did not edit or contribute to this story.
— Miriam Grodin ’27 is a Copy Editor for The Justice and did not edit or contribute to this story.
A fter H ug H H A yden : A closer look
By MINA ROWLAND JUSTICE ASSOCIATE EDITOR
On April 24, 2025 at 2:30pm, The Rose Art Museum invited students to perform their poetry in conversation with Hugh Hayden’s exhibition, “Home Work.” I arrived ten minutes early, setting aside my belongings. Student poets dressed in flurries of flowery patterns and spring colors were scattered in the Museum, reciting their poems and practicing silently to themselves as I wandered through the exhibition. I made my way to the entrance to await the formal start of the tour. I found a stack of booklets titled “After Hugh Hayden” that was a chapbook collection of all the student poems
Madeleine Day Delpha, the assistant director of programs and community engagement, gathered the attendees, introducing Prof. Krysten Hill (ENG), the English Department’s current poet-in-residence, and Hill’s class. Prof. Hill expressed her gratitude to everyone including Prof. Gannit Ankori (FA), the Chief Curator, who made a guest appearance. Both Prof. Hill and Delpha led the audience members to the Lower Rose where the Hayden exhibition is located.
The entire museum was divided into sections, each one consisting of a few wooden chairs, and a podium with a small microphone centered around an important piece in the collection.
Among the attendees was a visiting class of a local elementary school consisting of children of color, which was so heartwarming to witness. They all sat silently observing students read their poems while many students and staff stood or sat close to the works and the poets.
Prof. Hill made her students feel welcome, calling audience members to show their love for students through snaps, a traditional form of applause, claps and call and response. She then welcomed Miriam Grodin ’27, as the first poet performance. Before beginning, she talked about her experience taking Prof. Hill’s class and the opportunity to write poetry about the exhibition as an “exciting opportunity that [she] was grateful to experience.” She then read the opening poem after Hugh Hayden’s “Walden.” The piece itself is a slanted wooden school chair and desk on which lies a book that is titled “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau. Grodin’s poem plays with enjambment and italicization to represent the literal and metaphorical slant of American history as it is often written in a non-objective perspective.
Following this poem, two students Haleigh Rose ’25 and Summer Abdelrehim ’28, each performed a piece in response to Hayden’s “Positives.” This art installation is a collection suspended from the ceiling and contains a series of prototypes, or unfinished works, looking at the process of cast iron cookware being melded with masks, inspired by the African Diaspora, all hanging from a layered rack. Rose’s poem entitled “if they had names” focused more literally on the work of art, while Adbelrehim’s “The War That Always Wins” took a very personal approach.
Hayden’s “Hedges” is one of the largest installation works outside of “Brier Patch.” This piece is literally a half of a constructed house made entirely of wood, with the signature branches extending out, and surrounded by the large mirrors making the piece seem like a house in a row of houses. Three students performed a poem each, including “Real Estate of Dreams” by Sofia Izurieta ’27. All three interrogate the American Dream.
The climax of the poetry tour led the audience to Hayden’s “3-Story Rapunzel,” a piece that uses a basketball hoop and creates an ethereal transformation using the net, made of synthetic hair, to represent hair as it descends more than 10 feet. G. Lomotey ’25 presented her piece titled “Hair Salon.” She wrote a narrative poem about her experience as a Black woman and her relationship with braids. Her performance balanced humor and beauty, inviting the audience to laugh with her and celebrate black hair. The lines that stood out the most were:
“You can not convince me that I am not the Queen of Queens. /After all the hours I sit, loving my braids is the least I can do.”
The elementary school girls were excited and a parent serving as a chaperone quietly told his daughter that she is the same way, especially when she gets braids. The schoolchildren had to leave at this point; an older man wearing locks and a hip-hop inspired outfit expressed his awe, saying,“Y’all are amazing!” before leading his students towards the exit. Assistant Director Delpha transitioned everyone towards the last section and performances.
I found it so interesting that multiple students wrote poetry on the same piece or collec-
tion and went in completely different directions. The last works that were featured in student poems were “The Hangers,” “The Kiss” and “Eden.” Both “Eden” and “The Hangers” feature wooden skeletons being connected in some way whereas “The Kiss” is metal helmets that are interlocked. One of the most creative poems, “I Wish I Could,” was written in a play form which required two readers, the writer Ed Azua ’27 and fellow poet Miriam Grodin. The poem was after Hayden’s “The Hangers” and captures the essence of the skeleton halves hung on a rack — a metaphor of love.
As students concluded their poetry showcase, Gannit Ankori gave a few words and Prof. Hill offered a spontaneous round of questions and answers. Prof. Faith Smith (ENG), joked about being of the library world, though not entirely in it, as she does not produce creative writing; nevertheless, she inquired about form, being in awe of a sonnet read earlier in the tour.
As both an artist and a poet, I was inspired by the students’ poetry and their individual analysis of the works on which they based their poetry. The convergence between art and poetry, for me, has always been visceral and through this poetry tour, Prof. Hill’s class of poets made this accessible to the Brandeis community. While I am graduating and won’t be around for more events like this, I hope this work continues and new ideas are offered to bring crossover to various disciplines within and outside of the arts.
— Editor’s Note: Miriam Grodin ’27 is a Copy Editor for The Justice and did not contribute to this story.
MINA ROWLAND/The Justice
ROOTS WITH FRIENDS!
By NEMMA KALRA JUSTICE ASSOCIATE EDITOR
This past week, as Brandeis celebrated the 73rd year of the Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts, campus was transformed into a venue for all forms of artistic expression with a captivating array of performances and events that swept through every corner. One of the defining features of Brandeis is the incredible faculty and their work. This shines through in performances and events that celebrate the creativity and talent of Brandeis staff, one of which is Music at Mandel’s Roots Music with Taylor Ackley and Friends.
Music at Mandel is an ongoing performance series at Brandeis, operating year round outside of the Festival of the Creative Arts. A collaboration between Brandeis’ Department of Music and the Mandel Center for the Humanities, the series periodically hosts free concerts open to the public, celebrating Brandeis faculty performers across a wide range of genres — from classical and jazz to Prof. Taylor Ackley’s (MUS) specialty: blues and roots music.
For his April 23 performance, Ackley was joined by his “friends” — some of his favorite bluegrass performers from the greater Boston area — for a lively set featuring Roots, Bluegrass and American Folk songs. Academically, Ackley is focused on analyzing the history of American Folk and Roots music, specifically as it relates to the experiences of working class individuals. Thus, his academic
pursuits were interwoven with his creative ones, creating an afternoon of beautiful music and fascinating analysis. Ackley opened the afternoon with a lively yet sultry introduction on the mandolin. From there, the audience was treated to a variety of songs played on everything ranging from the banjo to the fiddle, including a bluegrass cover of the classic Beatles tune “Paperback Writer.” Over the course of the hour, each performer had the opportunity to have a solo on their respective instruments. The audience hung on every note, ending the afternoon with enthusiastic applause and heartfelt appreciation for the music shared.
It was an incredibly enjoyable event and a clear testament to the true talent within the Brandeis community. Yet even as the performance celebrated the artistry of Brandeis faculty, it also served as a poignant reminder of what may soon be lost. Despite his contributions to both the academic and creative life of the University, Ackley’s contract has not been renewed beyond 2025, and ongoing cuts to arts funding cast a shadow over the future of creative arts programs throughout the University. The contrast between the vibrancy of the afternoon and the uncertainty ahead underscores the urgency of supporting the arts at Brandeis. As the festival’s theme stated, “Art Lives On” at the University, not just in celebration, but in sus -
tained commitment.
‘SignS for Change’ exhibit: a powerful Start to Creative artS feStival
By MAEVE COAKLEY JUSTICE EDITOR
were other signs,
hours of use and stressed to the listener that this was always the cup’s destination. It was not made to last. The display encouraged people to put their disposable cups in the giant disposable cup to see how quickly it would fill up with plastic. Surrounding the giant cup
MAEVE COAKLEY/The Justice
Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS
Top 10 Types of Nature on Campus
By ESTHER BALABAN JUSTICE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
1.
2.
6.
7.
8.
9. Moss
10.
SUDOKU
By NEMMA KALRA JUSTICE ASSOCIATE EDITOR
LEONARD BERNSTEIN FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS CRAFT MARKET
Student artisan vendors presented and sold their original creations on Saturday, April 26. The collaborative market was held in Fellows Garden and organized by the Art club at Brandeis.
Photos ISA BOHORQUEZ/THE JUSTICE. Design: MAEVE COAKLEY, SKYE ENTWOOD, SOPHIA DE LISI, JULIA HARDY/The Justice.
‘C aptured M o M ents : t hrough the e yes of o ur y outh ’ o pens in s losberg l obby
By MAEVE COAKLEY JUSTICE EDITOR
On Thursday, April 24, the Slosberg Music Center lobby became home to a collaborative gallery exhibition called “Captured Moments: Through the Eyes of Our Youth.” Presented by Brandeis and the Chesterbrook Community Foundation, “Captured Moments” is the culmination of a several-weeks long after-school program led by Brandeis students Kelsey Lin ’27 and Efosa Ologbosere ’27. The program’s aim was to teach the youth photography basics so that they may use photography as a creative form of expression for themselves and their unique viewpoints. Over the course of the program, student mentors worked with youth to help explain both the technical and artistic aspects of photography.
The photographs in the gallery are displayed in pairs; the first photo is taken by a youth artist and the second is a photographic portrait of the youth artist taken by a Brandeis student photographer. Also included is a quote from the youth photographer explaining why they chose to display that individual moment. Each pair of photographs aims to tell the individual narrative of the respective youth artist. As such, the exhibition’s biography explains, “[t]hese portraits not only celebrate the individuality of each youth but also reflect the spirit of collaboration, trust, and mutual respect fostered throughout the program. This exhibition invites viewers to listen to what cannot be heard aloud, instead, to see what the eyes of our youth have captured and shared in quiet strength. Here photography becomes a voice, a bridge, and a mirror.” The emphasis on narratives in photography is echoed in the bios of Lin and Ologborese as well, who both state that they enjoy photography as a way to reveal personal perspectives and tell stories.
The youth artists whose work is on display range in age from 11 to 14 and their chosen photographs focus on moments from their day to day life. The subject of the youth artists’ photographs range from family members to nature. Photographers Sebastian Anjur and Elijah Luchamuzi, both age 11, chose to feature a dog in nature in their photos. Andujar’s photo was a dog, out on a walk, whose golden coat contrasted nicely with the muddy and rocky terrain beneath him. Andujar explained his choice with this statement: “Because I love dogs and dogs have a really special meaning to me. Dogs are just really adorable.” His portrait was taken by Jennifer Zhu ’28. Luchamuzi’s photo is of an alert dog, facing the camera while perched on a hill. The vivid green of the grass on the hill and the bright yellow of the flowered tree behind it both help frame the dog as a subject. Luchamuzi chose this photo because “It had a good graphic and it’s a dog staring at the camera. It’s laying down and it’s not barking or anything. And it looks cool.” A portrait of Luchamuzi was not included, at his request, but a small biography shared that his older brother introduced
him to photography. He “finds beauty in subtle moments,” and during the program he was happiest when his photos were able to accurately capture his vision. Each photograph is visually impressive and displays an impressive grasp of composition. Between the photograph and portrait each display offers a heartwarming glimpse into the artist’s unique perspective and what matters most to them.
T he L ydian S T ring Q uar T e T ’ S 2025 a Lfredo and d emi T ra d i L uzio C on C er T
By SOPHIA DE LISI JUSTICE EDITOR IN CHIEF
On April 26, the Lydian String Quartet performed its annual Alfredo and Demitra Diluzio Annual Concert at the Slosberg Music Hall, featuring guest artists Leah Brzyski, a coloratura soprano performer, guitarist Dieter Hennings and composer Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon. The Lydian String Quartet is composed of professors at the University: Prof. Julia Glenn (MUS) and Prof. Clara Lyon (MUS) are the quartet’s violinists, Prof. Mark Berger (MUS) is the violist and Prof. Joshua Gordon (MUS) is its cellist.
The Lydian String Quartet accompanied these guests to perform the first two acts of ZohnMuldoon’s “Barbaverde en Mineralis,” or “Greenbeard in Mineralis,” a chamber opera with a fable that originated as a bedtime story for Zohn-Muldoon’s sons. The story follows the pirate Barbaverde who adorns his long beard with assorted vegetation and flora, plundering gardens and forests for more plants to add to his beard’s collection. Barbaverde, along with his parrot, Peperico, discover the Liquid-light Orchid growing in a Timeless Cavern, a cave where time stops.
Zohn-Muldoon narrated the story to the audience and displayed accompanying illustrations to help the audience visualize the story on a screen, while the Lydian String Quartet, Brzyski and Hennings provided the musical elements to support the story. In her soaring soprano, Brzyski sang the character’s lines in Spanish while the English translations joined the onscreen illustrations. Hennings’ guitar added subtle playfulness and warmth to the Lydian String Quartet’s seamless background composition.
The story’s complete chamber opera will be first played in full at the 2025 Festival Cultural de Mayo in Guadalajara, Mexico, alongside a puppet company, La Coperacha.
As lively and entertaining as the performance of “Barbaverde en Mineralis” was, the standout piece that best encompassed the Lydian String Quartet’s mastery was the concert’s second piece, the “Lansgamer Satz” by Anton Webern. Despite only being made of four string instruments, the sound filled the performance hall with a somber score, leaving attendees stunned to silence.
The music sounded of longing, a sense of bittersweet nostalgia that brought tears to my eyes when the melody crescendoed. The sniffling from attendees seated around me told me I wasn’t alone, either. Prof. Gordon’s cello added such a rich contrast to the quartet’s shrill violins and viola, and the rising and falling triplets throughout the piece added depth and character.
The concert’s opening piece was four selections from Reena Esmail’s “This is It.” The miniature pieces, entitled leap | soar, expand | connect, billow | recede and yearn | release, challenged the quartet to sonically create these movements through their dynamics. I could hear
the first miniature’s music rise and fall, creating uncertain crescendos and decrescendos reminiscent of flight, making for an incredibly vibrant opening to the concert.
There wasn’t a single note out of place throughout the entire concert, the performance consistently perfect in spite of each piece’s tonal and dynamic variances.
LYDIAN STRING QUARTET
Springfest
By NEMMA KALRA JUSTICE ASSOCIATE EDITOR
On April 27, the Brandeis tradition of Springfest swept across campus in full force. This year, the Campus Activity Board spared no expense at making the day one to remember. Not swayed by a bit of rain, CAB staff circulated through the Brandeis residence halls at 10 a.m. with tins of breakfast sandwiches. From that moment, the festivities were nonstop. Students in the campus center lined up to get temporary tattoos, pashminas and free jewelry at different stands set up all over the atrium. The morning was filled with treats and celebration, lighting spirits on campus and preparing everyone for the music.
By 3 p.m. people were lining up outside Chapels Field, eagerly awaiting entry to the concert. Three Brandeis student artists — disk jockey Jaga ’26, singer and songwriter Hazel Drew ’28 and Mix Match — kicked off the afternoon, each in their own unique way. Baby Tate took the stage next, hyping up the audience and leaving everyone in the crowd dancing. The headliner for the evening, Daya, came on at 6 p.m. She played newer songs as well as her nostalgic classics “Hide Away,” and “Don’t Let Me Down.” All in all, from the festivities, to the food to the music, it was a day to remember.
Photos: SKYE ENTWOOD/The Justice. Design: JOAN COGLIANO/The Justice
CULTURE X: CONNECTING HORIZONS
Culture X, one of the most popular and powerful shows at the university, features dozens of student performers that aim to educate and entertain through all forms of artistic expression.
Photos: ISA BOHORQUEZ/The Justice. Design: JOAN COGLIANO/The Justice