The Justice, October 29,2024

CONTRACT ENDED

Music professor Taylor Ackley’s contract to end in 2025

■ Prof. Ackley, a specialist in American folk and ethnomusicology, will be the next to leave the University amidst budget cuts to the music department.

By ZOE ZACHARY JUSTICE EDITOR

Prof. Taylor Ackley (MUS) has been teaching at Brandeis since 2022. A doctor of ethnomusicology and specialist in American Roots music, Ackley runs the Roots Music Ensemble and teaches several classes for the music department. According to his website, Ackley research aims to “understand and analyze the American Folk and Roots music as art grounded in the experiences of poor and working class people.”

In an Oct. 28 email to members of the music department from Lance Rothchild ’26, a member of Roots Ensemble, it was revealed that his contract would not be renewed for the 2025-2026 school year, a decision which they described as “short-sighted and wrong.”

In an interview with The Justice

Make

on Oct. 23, director Ted Gilman emphasized Ackley’s importance to the Brandeis Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, which provides learning opportunities for intellectually curious adults. As Gilman put it, “[Ackley’s] courses are wildly popular, they routinely fill up to the registration capacity … His reviews are extraordinarily good.”

At this point, around one quarter of BOLLI’s participants have taken a course with Ackley. Gilman described how Ackley brings a youthful and spirited energy to BOLLI’s courses, a welcome presence in a community that consists mostly of retired individuals.

Recently, Gilman said Ackley has been teaching courses at the University of Massachusetts Boston and the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Mount Ida Campus. According to Gilman, they have been well-attended and well-liked courses. “Taylor does a magnificent job of creating community,” Gilman explained. "[Ackley’s] classes are mostly discussion-oriented, and everyone who attends is 'riveted.'”

Before the official decision on Oct. 28, Ackley had told Gilman personally that his contract might

Brandeis Osher Lifelong Learning Institute's "Make A Difference" group encourages community members to vote.

ANNA MARTIN

not be renewed. Gillman described to The Justice the impact Ackley’s departure would have on BOLLI: “[Ackley] is irreplaceable because of the interesting combination of performer, ethnomusicologist and extraordinary teacher” he described. “We hope it’s not too late to reverse that decision … He is well-loved.”

Pia Daliana ’27, a member of Roots Ensemble, described the experience of learning under Ackley in an Oct. 25 interview with The Justice. Historically, Roots Ensemble has been offered as a course in the Spring semester.

“[One thing] I really liked about Professor Ackley is that he was so encouraging, wanting people to put themselves out there, but not too pushy,” Daliana stated. She recalled that Ackley had encouraged a quieter member of the ensemble to lead a song, and it had ended up being a memorable experience. “If Professor Ackley hadn’t provided the emotional support … we might not have had such a special moment with that specific song.”

She went on to express appreciation towards Ackley for his enthusiasm and ability to convey his

■ A recent lawsuit names Brandeis as one of 40 universities alleged to have conspired together to increase tuition costs, stifling competition among top universities.

By LIN LIN HUTCHINSON JUSTICE EDITOR

On Oct. 7, Brandeis University was named in a class action lawsuit, accused of conspiring with 39 other top universities and the College Board in price-fixing. The suit was filed with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and alleges the dependants’ “concerted action” has caused the price of tuition to increase for students with noncustodial parents — a parent who does not have primary custody of their child after a divorce or separation.

The plaintiffs, Maxwell Hansen, a current student at Boston University and Eileen Chang, an alumnus of Cornell University, assert that since 2006, the College Board — responsible for developing and administering standardized procedures related to college admissions — collaborated with the 40 university defendants to implement the Non-Custodial Parent Agreed Pricing Strategy. According to the plaintiffs, this “collectively agreed” method to assess how much financial aid a student qualified for — based on financial information that includes noncustodial parents — increases tuition costs for students from divorced or separated parents.

The NCP Agreed Pricing Strategy differs from the Federal Methodology, which is used by the federal government. This method uses information submitted by applicants on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and only considers a student's income and assets, as well as the household size, income and assets of the custodial parent. However, the College Scholarship Service Profile, administered by the College Board, has “more stringent requirements” that lead to less favorable financial packages for students with divorced or separated parents, the lawsuit says.

The filing states that the consideration of non-custodial parents resulted in students having to pay about $6,200 more for college compared to students whose schools used just the FAFSA — adding to the increasing burden of tuition and student debt.

“Paying for college is one of

MARINA ROSENTHAL AND BRYAN WOLFE

the landmark financial burdens millions of students and parents face,” the lawsuit states. “The Defendants’ conduct at issue here has only made matters worse.”

The plaintiffs claim the NCP Agreed Pricing Strategy violates the Sherman Antitrust Act, which prohibits practices that restrain trade and competition in the marketplace. In part, the act states:

“Every contract, combination in the form of trust or other-wise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, is hereby declared to be illegal.”

The College Board, along with the 40 universities, established an “agreement between horizontal competitors,” dampening the “competitive process where colleges took differing approaches to the consideration of noncustodial parent assets,” according to the court filings.

“Absent this agreement the University Defendants would have competed in offering financial aid in order to enroll their top candidates,” the lawsuit states.

Hasen, one of the plaintiffs and a current BU student, was required to submit a CSS Profile, according to the lawsuit, and received $15,000 a year in financial aid from American University. He attended American University from the fall of 2021 through the fall of 2023, before transferring to BU. He received $20,000 a year in financial aid from BU, despite receiving no financial support from his non-custodial parent. According to BU’s website, tuition is approximately $90,207.

Chang, the other named plaintiff, graduated from Cornell University in 2021. She also submitted a CSS Profile. The lawsuit adds that Chang’s non-custodial parent is on disability and has an income higher than her custodial parent. She received need-based federal and non-federal financial aid. However, since Chang’s noncustodial parent was on disability and could not contribute, she requested Cornell to not consider that parent’s financial information. The request was denied, the lawsuit states, and “she was told that non-custodial parents are expected to help pay tuition.” During her time at Cornell, the tuition was around $70,000 a year, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit asserts that, in addition to the “antitrust injury,” the extra burden may result in decreased academic performance. “It can be difficult for students to allocate sufficient time and ener -

BRYAN WOLFE/The Justice

MUSIC : Prof. Taylor Ackley (MUS) preforming in Sherman Function Hall.

Photo courtesy of BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY

POLICE LOG

MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Oct. 18—Medical emergency for a party having difficulty breathing. Patient refused medical treatment.

Oct. 19—Medical emergency for a party experiencing shortness of breath due to seasonal allergies.

Oct. 20—A caller reported having issues with their heart and had possibly fainted. Patient was transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment.

Oct. 20—Medical emergency for a party who injured their neck. Patient refused medical treatment.

Oct. 21—Medical call for a party having difficulty breathing. Patient was seen by BEMCo and refused further medical treatment.

Oct. 22—Medical emergency for a party who had passed out. Patient was seen and refused further medical treatment.

Oct. 22—Medical emergency for an elderly female in distress. Patient was treated and transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment.

Oct. 22—Medical call for a party who had rolled their ankle. Patient was seen and refused further medical treatment.

Oct. 23—Medical emergency for a cut finger. Patient was treated by BEMCo and refused further care.

Oct. 23—Medical emergency for a party with a cut on their arm. Injury was treated by BEMco, and the party signed a patient refusal.

Oct. 23—Medical emergency for a party who passed out. They were treated by BEMCo and refused further medical treatment.

Oct. 23—Medical emergency for a kitchen staff member who cut their finger. They were treated by BEMCo and refused further medical treatment.

Oct. 23—A party was transported to a nearby hospital for a psychological evaluation.

Oct. 24—Medical emergency for a party with something in their eye. Patient refused further medical treatment.

Oct. 24—Medical report for a party with a potentially sprained ankle. Patient refused further medical treatment.

MISCELLANEOUS

Oct. 19—The Waltham Police Department reported a noise complaint from residents outside campus. Situation was cleared.

Oct. 19—A party reported a prior motor vehicle accident that had occurred off-campus.

Oct. 20—A male suspect was causing a disturbance at Berlin Chapel. Verbal trespass was issued.

Oct. 21—A motor vehicle was parked on Loop Road with a driver sleeping within. The driver had no affiliation with the University and was sent on his way.

Oct. 21—A reporting party believed that their bike had been stolen.

Oct. 22—A hit and run was reported by a community member.

Oct. 23—A minor motor vehicle accident was reported. Officer in charge was notified.

Oct. 23—Dispatch sent to two suspicious males in the Shapiro Campus Center. The parties were identified and escorted off campus.

Oct. 24—Caller reported that their roommate left at 12:00 a.m. and was concerned they hadn’t returned yet.

Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps address more

Executive Director wrote in an Oct. 23 email to The Justice. “I feel like there are many common misconceptions about BEMCo and I hope to clear some of those up.”

By LIN LIN HUTCHINSON JUSTICE EDITOR

On Oct 23, the Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps shared data on Instagram pertaining to calls made from Aug 25 and through the month of Sept, The post aims to provide insights of the service’s community impact.

“Our dedicated team is committed to providing top-notch emergency care, and we believe transparency is key to building trust and awareness,” part of the caption for the post states.

BEMCo is a student-run volunteer emergency medical service that was founded in 1983. Currently there are about 50 active members that are Massachusetts-state certified emergency medical technicians. According to its website, the medical service is equipped with two Class V ambulances that are inspected and certified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. During the academic year, BEMCo is a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week service and operates under the guidance of Public Safety and the University Health Center and in collaboration with Armstrong Ambulance Service, who assisted with the 23 transports.

During the specified dates, BEMCo received a total of 65 calls. Of those total calls, 28 of them, or 43.1% of them, were trauma related, 28 were medical, while seven of them were categorized as intoxication. Only two calls were categorized as “other.” Of the 44 days that BEMCo has released data for, the busiest days of the week were Saturdays with 19 calls, Mondays and Thursdays tied with 12 calls each and Sundays with 10 calls. Almost 60 percent of the calls were night calls, between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. and 23 of the 65 calls required transport to a nearby hospital.

This new BEMCo initiative aims to keep the Brandeis community informed and engaged.

“Our goal is to have more people know what we are up to, so they feel more comfortable calling for help or asking us questions!” Julia Kole, the

Kole explained in an Oct. 27 email that some of the most common misconceptions surround the services that BEMCo provides. Often, Kole says, she hears students referring to the volunteer group separate from the general 911 emergency line.

“BEMCo is 911 on the Brandeis University campus,” said Kole. “If you call 911 instead of BEMCo…a response will still be initiated, but it will be much more delayed.” She goes on to add that there is a misunderstanding among the student body that BEMCo only responds to intoxication calls. “However, this is not the case,” Kole wrote. She goes on to point to the released statistics that show 56 of the 65 calls were categorized as trauma or medical.

In addition to the monthly release of call statistics, Kole shared that she and the rest of the team are participating in more community engagement to combat misconceptions and spread more awareness of the calls that are being addressed. This effort includes tabling at events and collaborating with Community Advisors, as well as having “Trivia Thursdays” on their Instagram page.

As the Executive Director, Kole hopes to stress upon the student body the importance of having an on campus student run Emergency Medical Service and the level of training and expectation required to be an Emergency Medical Technician, should be trusted.

“All members must attend Continuing Education trainings throughout the semester and we test members on skills often through mock calls,” Kole said. “Overall, I want the community to feel comfortable calling us when they experience any severity of medical emergency as our team is ready for anything.”

BEMCo notes that it will share data “in a way that protects patient privacy and complies with [Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act] regulations” and adheres to all federal and state statutes concerning patient confidentiality in relation to treatment. Should a student need on campus emergency medical assistance, they are advised to call (781) 736-3333.

BEMCo

online@thejustice.org

■ The author’s name of the Arts & Culture teaser was incorrectly spelled as “Dayla Koller.” It was corrected to “Dalya Koller.” (Oct. 22, Page 1).

■ A news editors note was incorrectly missing a class year. It was corrected to “Miles Goldstein ’ 25”. (Oct. 22, Page 6).

■ A news editors note was incorrectly missing a class year. It was corrected to “Marina Rosenthal ’ 25”. (Oct. 22, Page 7).

■ A forum title incorrectly spelled “Granaham”. It was corrected to “Granahan”. (Oct. 22, Page 11).

The Justice welcomes submissions for errors that warrant correction or clarification. Send an email to editor@thejustice.org

— Compiled by Zoe Zachary

STATS : A review of Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps statistics from August to September.

■ The student volunteer emergency service has started a new initiative to engage, educate and address misconceptions.

Graphics courtesy of JULIA KOLE, GAYA MALKA AND CAITLIN SAMSON

LACROSSE : A sunset dapples the sky over an evening lacrosse game.

ANNA MARTIN/The Justice

A 2024 voter’s guide to the five Massachusetts ballot questions

■ This year includes legislation on psychedelics, state testing and more.

By LIN LIN HUTCHINSON JUSTICE EDITOR

Election Day is officially one week away — Nov. 5 — and it’s important to know about what’s on your state’s ballot beyond just the presidential candidates. Massachusetts voters are tasked to vote on five ballot questions, all of which received a “No” vote by the State Senate or the House of Representatives before May 1, 2024. This time, the fate of the questions are up to MA voters. Text for the proposed laws for all the ballot can be found in its entirety on the Secretary of the Commonwealth Massachusetts website Question 1 asks voters whether or not the State Auditor can audit the General Court Initiative. Currently, the state auditor needs the consent of the state legislator to audit it. A “Yes” vote would specify that the State Auditor wouldn’t need permission to inspect the accounts, programs, activities and functions of the entities within the state legislature. A “No” vote would make no change in the law.

Those endorsing a “Yes” vote for Question 1 claim that there is a need for more transparency and it’s necessary in holding state legislators accountable. The Committee for Transparent Democracy is leading the campaign in getting this initiative passed. Neil Morrison a proponent and member of the committee, stated in the the voter’s guide that “The State Legislature is the only state entity refusing to be audited by the State Auditor’s office” and says “Legislative leaders claim it is sufficient for the Legislature to conduct audits of itself through a procured private vendor.” However, the Massachusetts legislature consistently ranks among the least effective and least transparent in the nation and is one of only four legislatures that exempt themselves from public records laws, Morrison says. The voter’s guide says passing Question 1 would “shine a bright light” on how taxpayer dollars are spent to “increase transparency, accountability and accessibility.” The initiative is endorsed by current State Auditor Diana DiZoglio (D) and the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.

Those opposing Question 1 expressed concerns that it would violate the separation of powers as stated in the Massachusetts Constitution. Jerold Duquette, professor of political science at Central Connecticut State University, authored the opposition argument in the voter’s guide. Duquette argues, if Question 1 passes, it would position the State Auditor as a “political actor” and influence the legislative process, “compromise the State Auditor’s ability to carry out her fundamental constitutional duty to conduct credible, independent, objective and non-partisan audits of state government departments and programs.” This initiative is also opposed by former State Auditor Suzanne Bump (D).

Question 1 would not have “discernible

material fiscal consequences for state and municipal government finances,” according to the voter’s guide published by William Francis Galvin, the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Question 2 seeks to eliminate the requirement that a student pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests to receive a high school diploma. While standardized testing is still required nationally, the MCAS would become used for diagnostic purposes, not as a requirement for high school graduation. Instead of MCAS tests, the proposed law would require students to complete coursework that meets state standards.

Shelley Scruggs, a Lexington parent who filed the first petition regarding the MCAS graduation requirement, wrote the arguments for a ”Yes” vote on Question 2. She argues that the MCAS is a “one-size-fits-all exam that fails to measure other student achievement measures such as Grade Point Average, coursework and teacher assessments in determining if a student is allowed to graduate.” She adds that this initiative would encourage teachers to stop teaching to a test and lessen the burden students experience from standardized tests. Committee for High Standards Not High Stakes is leading the campaign, with the endorsements from unions Massachusetts American Federation of Labor–Congress of Industrial Organizations and Massachusetts Teachers Association, as well as U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D) and other U.S. and State representatives.

Opponents of Question 2 worry that approving the initiative could lead to lower graduation standards in some districts. They argue that it would “abandon” students who are struggling to pass basic assessments in math, English or science. Critics describe the proposed changes as “radical and untested,” insisting that they should be “carefully studied, designed and implemented by experts.” Current Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey (D) and Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler oppose the proposal, along with organizations such as the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, and the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education.

The proposed law is said to have no discernible material fiscal consequences for state and municipal government finances.

Question 3 places the fate of car share drivers in the hands of Massachusetts voters. Currently, car share drivers are legally not considered employees, rather as independent contractors and therefore can not form unions. The ballot question asks voters whether or not transportation network drivers should be granted the right to form unions for collective bargaining with transportation network companies, like Uber and Lyft. If passed, the proposal would allow companies form multi-company associations to represent them when negotiating with unions, with the state overseeing the negoti -

ation and approving or disapproving negoti -

ated recommendations. The initiative would also establish the Employment Relations Board, where a company or driver organization is alleged with an unfair work practice.

Roxana Rivera, Assistant to the President of Service Employees International Union 32BJ, wrote in support of the argument, stating that rideshare drivers in Massachusetts will be afforded the option to join a union and maintain “driver flexibility and independence.”

Officials supporting the initiative includes U.S. Representative Jim McGovern (D) and U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D), as well Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell (D). Service Employees International Union and Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ have also endorsed the proposal.

Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, opposing the measure, says the proposal would “raise the prices for all riders, funding union pockets not drivers’ pockets.” The conservative leaning group adds “This law gives politicians the right to set rules with no accountability and creates a new radical labor category that is inconsistent with federal labor law.”

There is no official campaign opposing Question 3.

Question 4 proposes a law that would allow individuals the age of 21 or over, to grow, possess and use certain natural psychedelics under certain circumstances. The substances allowed to be purchased at an approved location for use under the supervision of a licensed facilitator, under the proposed law can be found in mushrooms (psilocybin and psilocin) and in plants (dimethyltryptamine, mescaline and ibogaine). Any other retail sale of natural psychedelic substances would be prohibited. Proceeds of psychedelic substances at licensed facilities would be subject to state sales tax and an additional 15% excise tax. Towns and cities would also be permitted to impose separate tax of up to two percent. Any revenue revived from the additional state excise tax, license application fees and penalties for violations of this proposed law would be allocated in a Natural Psychedelic Substances Regulation Fund.

Proponents of Question 4 say the proposed law provides “safe, regulated access to promising natural psychedelic medicines for treatment-resistant [Post-traumatic stress disorder], anxiety and depression.” Emily Oneschuk, Massachusetts for Mental Health Options’ grassroots outreach director, U.S. Navy veteran and the author of the argument in the voters’ guide, adds “Natural psychedelic medicine can also offer patients with a terminal diagnosis relief from end-of-life anxiety and help them find peace.”

Opponents of the measure argue that the initiative would “decriminalize psychedelics, open for-profit centers, allow for growth in a 12-foot by 12-foot area in homes and distribution statewide.” Dr. Anahita Dua, a surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical

School and the author for the opposing side says “A black market is inevitable with this amount of home growth.” Dua also raises concerns that passing Question 4 could increase incidents of driving under the influence of psychedelics, its potential for life-threatening cardiotoxicity and issues surrounding the staffing and care that centers should be responsible for.

Question 5 is the last question that voters will be asked to weigh in, posing the question of whether or not to gradually increase the minimum hourly wage an employer must pay a tipped worker. The increase would take place over a five year span. Currently, the Massachusetts minimum wage for tipped workers is $6.75 an hour. Under this proposed law, employers would be required to continue to pay tipped workers the difference between the state minimum wage and the total amount a tipped worker receives in hourly wages through 2028. If an employer pays its workers an hourly wage that is at least the state minimum wage, under the proposed law, that employer would be allowed to establish a “tip pool,” where all of the gratuities given to tipped workers would be distributed among all the workers, including non-tipped workers.

Proponents of the questions say “tipped workers deserve the full minimum wage with tips on top [and] would create greater financial stability and predictability, acknowledging workers’ skills and professionalism.” Estefania Galvis of One Fair Wage Plus Tips MA that is leading the campaign in support of this initiative, adds that the question is fair for employers, saying it would “reduce employee turnover and improve service quality.” She says that it’s “forcing consumers to cover their employees’ wages through tips. Tips should be a reward for good service, not a subsidy for low wages paid by large corporations.” Notably, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has endorsed the initiative. Committee to Protect Tips is leading the campaign opposing the initiative. Doug Bacon, part of the opposition effort, a former server and bartender and restaurant owner, cites that “State and Federal law guarantee [servers] the $15 hourly minimum wage with many earning over $40/hr and 90% reporting at least $20/hr.” He adds that attempts at similar proposed laws have had “catastrophic results.” Question 5 has been opposed by the Massachusetts Restaurant Association. It is now up to Massachusetts voters whether or not these questions should be approved. Election day is Nov. 5 and voting stations and the text for the proposed laws for the ballot can be found in its entirety on the Secretary of the Commonwealth Massachusetts website.

— The Justice contributing writer Rebekeh Marvel contirbuted to the reporting of this article.

Jewish Bund at Brandeis holds vigil for lives lost since Oct. 7

■ The organization, dedicated to Jewish Bundist history, held a vigil for lives lost in Palestine and Lebanon since Oct. 7, 2023.

By ZOE ZACHARY and SOPHIA DE LISI JUSTICE EDITOR AND JUSTICE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

On Oct. 21 at 7:00 p.m., the new student organization Jewish Bund at Brandeis held a vigil in the Shapiro Campus Center atrium for the lives lost in Palestine and Lebanon over the past year. A post on their Instagram page asked attendees to “come in the spirit of respect, love, and community.”

Jewish Bund at Brandeis is dedicated to the Bundist history and cause, with a focus on anti-fascism. The Bund, formed in Lithuania in the late 19th century, is traditionally a socialist party focused on combating antisemitism and promoting Jewish national unity. Though its mission was to protect Jewish interests in Eastern Europe, the movement was also secular and universalist, leading it to reject collaboration with religiously-motivated Jewish movements such as Zionism.

Instead of advocating for a Jewish state, the Jewish Bund supports national and cultural autonomy of Jews within several states rather than in a single homeland. A post on Jewish Bund at Brandeis’ Instagram summarizes the movement using the Bundist slogan: “Wherever we go, that is our homeland.”

“We wanted to create a space for non-Zionist, anti-Zionist Jews on campus to get involved in organizing, charity work, education — all of that stuff,” an organizer from the Jewish Bund at Brandeis shared in an interview with The Justice following the vigil. Another organizer added that the organization intends to educate people about the history of Jewish anti-Zionism, anti-imperialism and antifascism.

Bundist history also dictates that Jewish liberation must go hand-in-hand with liberation of other groups — in this case, Palestinians.

The vigil started shortly after 7:00 p.m. Around 75 people gathered in the Shapiro Campus Center atrium to listen to the speakers. Behind the speakers, a Palestinian flag was displayed with the words “Down with Colonialism.”

Before the first speaker, a Jewish Bund member welcomed attendees and thanked them for being there in solidarity of those killed in Gaza and Lebanon. The member pointed out bathrooms, exits and water fountains and reminded the attendees to leave with a buddy for safety. They also asked that nobody film the event and not to engage with any forces that might be hateful toward the vigil.

The first speaker led attendees in the Mourner’s Kaddish, a Jewish prayer used to remember those who have passed away. In the words of the speaker, “We offer this mourner’s kaddish for [the people killed in Palestine and Lebanon], and for all the innocent souls which have been forgotten.” A sheet was also passed around, on which the participants could write names of people they were thinking of during the prayer.

Following the Kaddish, a second speaker elaborated on the purpose of mourning. They explained that in the Jewish tradition, there are three deaths: when the body ceases to function, when a person is buried and when their name is spoken for the last time. They advocated that “even one death should motivate praxis,” and called Israel’s participation in the conflict a “crime of incurable proportions.”

The second speaker explained the common Jewish experience of being told that Israel is perfect and necessary, was a communal experience growing up. They advocated for standing up against this “system,” stating that survival hinges on one’s ability to raise their voice.

At this point in the vigil, there was an open mic for anybody wishing to speak on the past year or 75 years of Israel’s “occupation.”

A third speaker came up to the microphone, and briefly said to the audience that they were present because their best friend lost one of their cousins in Lebanon due to bombing.

A student who identifies as Lebanese and Palestinian addressed the audience. They started by expressing that this conflict has been going on for longer than many think, stating: “Some of you might have heard about it first on Oct. 7. It did not start on Oct. 7.”

To demonstrate their point, they spoke about their grandmother, who was born in northern Palestine. She was forced to flee to Lebanon and then Kansas. “She doesn’t want anything else but to be in her house again, to see the rest of her family,” the student said. They also encouraged the audience to learn about the beautiful parts of Palestinian and Lebanese culture, highlighting their cuisine and music. “I don’t want the name[s] of my countries to be associated with violence,” they stated.

The next speaker focused on the effect of the conflict on Brandeis’ campus, expressing that 2023, prior to the events of Oct. 7, was already the deadliest year for chil-

dren in the West Bank. Emulating the messages of the second speaker, they spoke on disconnecting with lessons about Israel which many Jewish children are taught in Hebrew schools and Jewish summer camps. For instance, the speaker highlighted a past event called “Israeli Commando Night” where students put on outfits and painted their faces and spoke about how authority figures influenced children with a desire to marry within the religion. The student questioned the motivations behind these lessons, saying “if that’s not trying to indoctrinate children into an ethnostate, I don’t really know what is.”

With these lessons in mind, the speaker narrated the difficulties of having to hold their tongue about the mass killings going on while at the University, as they do not feel comfortable expressing their opinions on campus. They feel that in order to fit in among Jewish life, they have to “sacrifice what [they] think are the most important values to [them] as a Jew” in conforming to the beliefs they feel are more widely held by their community. However, they stressed that even if Jewish vigil attendees do not feel welcome in other spaces on campus, “we have each other, and that’s going to be enough.”

This student’s experience with Jewish life on campus was also reflected in a Jewish Bund member’s sentiments to The Justice. “Anti-Zionist Jews know each other on this campus because anti-Zionist Jews are excluded from Jewish life on this campus. We all know one another, we all know what we look like … we’re a community and we hope to solidify that.”

Afterwards, a Jewish Bund member took a moment to point attendees toward a table with Quick Response codes, small Palestinian flags and donation opportunities for people affected by the conflict. They encouraged attendees to donate, stating “visibility is really important for Palestine but so is donating” as it is “one of the most influential ways we can make change.”

A seventh speaker, a member of Boston Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions, highlighted opportunities outside of Brandeis to advocate Palestinian rights, particularly in BDS Boston.

The eighth speaker was a Lebanese-American student who had studied in Lebanon over the summer. They aimed to shine a light on the everyday struggles of those living in Lebanon during the conflict, explaining how while in the U.S. they have unlimited access to drinking water, reliable electricity and Global Positioning System, some in Lebanon do not have access to these resources or these resources are limited.

The same student also discussed their feelings about Americans being advised to leave Lebanon. For them, it was frustrating, because “while American citizens are being forced to leave, Lebanese citizens are being taunted with the fact that they are being left for dead.” They elaborated on the privileged lives of Americans. In their eyes, “The West has forgotten that children, women and men deserve a full life … My people deserve to live … Fully and without fear.” They finished their speech by reciting the poem On Your Lebanon and Mine by Gibran Kahlil Gibran.

The next speaker briefly touched on the connections between America’s history and the cruelty toward Palestinans, claiming that “all these systems of oppression are closely linked.” More specifically, they said that the officers who were responsible for killing George Floyd were “personally trained by the [Israeli Defense Forces].”

In this claim, the student touched on U.S.-Israel police partnerships. Deadly Exchange is a political movement that promotes police in the United States’ brutality towards Black Americans is comparable to the Israel Defense Force’s treatment of Palestinians, suggesting that these programs allow law enforcement to share their “worst practices” to “promote and exchange discriminatory and repressive policing in both countries.”

“If you support Black Lives Matter, you support Palestine,” the speaker concluded.

The next speaker described the experience of being a cisgender, white and straight individual in a blue state, being Jewish with no close linkages to Israel and being told that they are a “bad Jew” for supporting Palestine. The speaker believes that it is a Jewish concept to support human rights: humanitarian aid and access to food and water, for example. They encouraged the audience to consider that Brandeis is “voted as one of one of the safest campuses for Jews, but not one of the safest campuses for Palestinians or Lebanese [students] or any other groups who face prejudice.”

Continuing on points from previous speakers, the eleventh speaker pointed out that the war in the Middle East is dangerous for everyone involved. “We forget that the longer war continues in the Middle East, the longer Jews in the Middle East continue to be at risk of losing their lives,” they stated. “We should be opposed to this war.” They also continued on the idea that Israel has been presented as the only possible solution for Jewish safety, an idea which they called “dangerous and not true.”

The twelfth speaker was born and raised Palestinian, and grew up in Jerusalem. They came to the U.S. three

years ago. The speaker, having been diagnosed with Complex post-traumatic stress disorder, detailed their experience growing up in the Middle East. They said they were only three years old when they experienced their first missile. By second grade, they knew to run to shelters when they heard missiles. By fourth grade, they were trained to lift people from rubble. “Imagine fourth grade me trying to lift people from the rubble: impossible,” they narrated. By seventh grade, they were trained for rubble, missile alarms and emergency electricity work. By twelfth grade, they were a fully equipped Emergency Medical Technician on school training alone “just in case of war.” The speaker said they had learned how to distinguish types of missiles based on their sounds, knowing how dangerous they are, what they’re made of and how much destruction they could cause.

The same student expressed concern for their family, who currently remain in Palestine. They have two brothers: one has not received his tenth grade grades and the other, a student in medical school “has not gone to school the whole year.” They explained that housing and food are currently not affordable in Palestine. “Believe it or not, housing is more affordable here,” the speaker stated. They finished by narrating the effect the war has had on their emotions. “I genuinely cannot process what is happening anymore … Part of me feels like I’ve gotten so cold,” the speaker explained.

A thirteenth speaker introduced themself as from Kurdistan. They explained that even a privileged lifestyle in Kurdistan is plagued by the war, mentioning that missiles in the sky are common in the center of the Middle East. Further, they remembered visiting Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant refugee camps at nine years old. Having been enrolled in a private school, they were surprised how much they resembled some of the refugees. “They look exactly like you. They have two arms, two legs — well some of them don’t — they have the same color hair, the same color skin, they’re human beings,” the speaker said. They also spoke about friends in Lebanon and in the West Bank who had to stop their studies. “These are privileged people who do not know when their next class is,” the students explained.

The next speaker gave a brief message for Jewish students who are indifferent to or supportive of a Palestinian genocide: “if you are white and Jewish, the administration on this campus values your voice over others. … Use it to support your fellow students and your neighbors, and those in Palestine and Lebanon ….”

“We come to this institution and get this propaganda of social justice,” a student from Brazil said, “what I’ve realized in the past year is that’s all bullshit, honestly.” They claimed that social justice does not happen at any institution — or any government, either. Since governments are unreliable for social justice pursuits, they said that it can feel hopeless to make any real change.

They talked about the struggles and revolutions for independence throughout Latin America, highlighting that the most change comes from the average person. Addressing the vigil, the speaker concluded, “I’m not even asking for hope, that might be too much, but this community is the best [possibility] we have to change anything, to bring some good to this world, having something to rely on.”

The vigil organizers’ closing remarks consisted of thanking the attendees and explaining the significance of the imagery they set up, specifically talking about Handala, a political cartoon character by Naji-al-Ali, a political cartoonist in the 1960s. They established that Handala is a widespread image in Palestine, a symbol of resistance and resilience, having appeared throughout newspapers and magazines all over the world.

An organizer explained, “Hanalda is depicted as a barefoot, ragged, refugee child with his back turned to the viewer, symbolizes the Palestine struggle for independence. His face is never shown, representing the anonymity and solidarity of the Palestinian struggle.” According to the organizers, the vigil will not be the last of the Jewish Bund at Brandeis. “We’re planning on doing a bunch of education events in the future, and I think that’s going to be our big focus at least right now.” They mentioned potentially holding Shabbat dinners and Jewish holidays, their main objective being following the needs of the Jewish population on campus.

Graphics

ELIZA BIER/The Justice

VIGIL: A sign reads “Stop Supporting Genocide”

Vanessa Ochs: Navigating new Jewish rituals in response to war

■ Ochs, a professor from the University of Virginia, talked about ritual as a symbol of resilience against violence.

By BRACHA GARMAISE JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

On Tuesday, Oct. 22, the Hadassah Brandeis Institute and Brandeis Hillel co-hosted Prof. Vanessa Ochs, a professor of religious studies at the University of Virginia. The talk, taking place in the Usdan International Lounge, centered on Och’s research on new Jewish rituals in Israel and the diaspora in response to ongoing war. “These new rituals do not answer Jewish theological questions, and Jewish ritual never does,” Professor Ochs explained. “Rituals provide answers to [the questions]: Who are my people? Are there others who know how I feel? How do I go on? Who knows what I’ve been through? How can I tell this story?”

Ochs, who was ordained as a Rabbi at Beit Cocheman, is a leading feminist scholar and author. Her 2007 book “In-

BRIEF

venting Jewish Ritual” was the recipient of the National Jewish Book Award. She also serves as a long-standing member of the HBI academic advising committee.

“My whole career, I’ve studied Jewish rituals that have been innovated over the past fifty years,” she said. “Despite the tendency to imagine that rituals ordained by God are practiced perfectly, all Jewish rituals have changed in form.”

Ochs referenced Passover as an example: the first Passover was celebrated in Egypt, followed by Passovers in Israel, and then in exile. Only many centuries later did Jews use the Haggadah.

As an ethnographer who primarily studies Jewish communities but also a practicing Jew, Ochs describes herself as “both in and out of the Jewish community.” Conducting research on one’s own community “takes training and practice, but it’s also like keeping a journal, or watching a play when you work in theater,” she said.

Before Oct. 7, Ochs studied Jewish ritual responses to the 2020 pandemic, such as Zoom shivas, or Jewish mourning ceremony. “The first Zoom shiva I went to was very odd,” Ochs said. “Rarely does a ritual done for the first time ever feel right.” Like anything else, however, new ri-

Brandeis celebration of Voting, Featuring the Vote Goat.

On Oct. 22, Brandeis VoteDeis Campus Coalition and the Student Union hosted an social and educational event called “Celebration of Voting.” The occasion included a visit by Weston,the “Vote Goat,” in Fellows Garden. Students received information on how to register to vote and had the opportunity to take a photo with the baby goat. They were encouraged to share the images with friends and family, as well as to check in and remind their loved ones to make a plan to vote.

Midyear Senator, Luke Farberman ’27, a History and Politics major, and the orchestrator behind the initiative explained his motivation in an interview with The Justice on the scene. “I actually went to a confe -

rence at Harvard [University] … a conference of local schools in the Boston area, and we were all trying to figure out what was the best way to engage student voters and try to get them interested in voting,” Farberman shared. He explained that one of the strategies he saw was a vote goat and thought to himself “That’s so funny! That needs to happen at Brandeis!”

The initiative was no easy feat. Farberman elaborated on the process of obtaining insurance and permission from the University to host an event of this nature. “So that launched a whole very long bureaucratic process, leading to, right behind you we have someone holding a goat” Although it was a process, Farberman

tuals can begin to feel authentic over time, she said. Ochs’s pre-war research was systematic, if not conventional: she combed through Hallmark cards and went into Jewish people’s homes, looking through their refrigerators for clues of new traditions. After Oct. 7, Ochs collected whatever she could get her hands on: books, prints and articles about Jewish responses to the attack.

She cited the yellow hostage ribbon, saving empty seats for hostages and wearing dog tags as examples of new rituals. “There is a three-compartment Jewish toolbox for making a new ritual: Jewish cultural texts, a rich vocabulary of Jewish ritual objects and actions and core Jewish understandings.”

These elements allow new Jewish rituals to feel somewhat familiar. Ochs suggested that the empty seats reserved for hostages may be inspired in part by the tradition to reserve a seat at the Passover table for Elijah, a Jewish prophet. While rituals may not answer age-old existential questions, studying them — and participating in them — have served as ways for Ochs and many Jews to process their collective grief, fear and worry over the past year.

expressed excitement: “But we’re here now, and I’m very happy. It seems like a lot of people are interested.” With, at the time, 14 days until the upcoming election, students were heavily encouraged to vote through this unique incentive. Politics major Rowan Hepler ’28, who met the Vote Goat, stated in an interview on the following day that “The goat is so cute and reminds me that I’m glad to be participating in American democracy.”

Goat : A student poses with the vote goat.

Hannah Shapiro Photo

LAWSUIT: Plantiffs seeking $5 million in monetary damages from top universities

gy to their coursework when they are preoccupied with financial concerns,” the filing explains. The suit also points out that high levels of debt can diminish self-confidence, increase stress and negatively impact financial well-being. As college costs rise, students are often seeking ways to save money, which frequently leads them to cut back on essentials like food and housing.

The 49-page complaint seeks a jury trial for all claims, $5 million in monetary damages and an order to stop the alleged price-fixing conspiracy.

“The university is not commenting on this pending litigation,” a spokesperson for the University said when The Justice requested comment.

Hasen and Chang are represented by attorneys from Hagens Berman Socol Shapiro LLP.

On Oct. 18, Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman, who was assigned to the case, requested for the case to be reassigned, citing “Self and family members are involved with one or more of the university defendants.”

Other top universities named as defendants in the complaint include Brown University, Columbia University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University and Stanford University.

MUSIC: Another music professor faces reality of the University's budget cuts

CONTINUED FROM 1

knowledge of folk music. “He just wanted us to explore,” she described. “He would go into small mini-lessons to give us context about the pieces that we were singing … He’s got a very comprehensive view of what traditional American music is, in addition to the great impact that it has on modern popular music.” Faithful to his mission statement, Ackley was careful to emphasize the beauty and complexity of roots music despite it being commonly downplayed in the music industry due to elitism.

The music in Roots Ensemble was learned by rote, meaning that the music was learned by ear rather than the more traditional style using sheet music. This type of learning is typically done in a group setting. “When you learn by rote, you’re forced to collaborate with the people next to you,” she said. Though Daliana has learned by rote before, she explained that she has never had an experience doing so quite like the one in Roots Ensemble. Because Ackley grew up doing Roots Music, he was able to bring an even more authentic experience to the classroom.

Ackley made sure that community was central to the experience of being in Roots Ensemble. “I still say hi to everyone I saw [in Roots Ensemble],” Daliana mentioned. The members of her ensemble all agreed: “If we have time, we’re going to try to do it again [next] spring.” Though Daliana acknowledged that the ensemble would be unique each year and that a dif -

ferent professor would likely teach it well, Ackley had brought himself to the ensemble that was especially effective.

Though Gillman and the BOLLI community were not able to directly influence whether Ackley’s contract was renewed, they had started a letter-writing campaign to Jeffery Shoulson, Dean of Arts and Sciences before the official decision was made.

The email from Rothchild announcing Ackley’s departure also encouraged those who would be affected to email Shoulson and advocate for Ackley.

Besides the pressures of budget cuts, Gillman suspects that Ackley’s potential departure is due to him being on a shorter-term contract. “Junior faculty should not bear the brunt of financial problems in the institution,” Gillman asserted. “Letting faculty go or not renewing their contracts impacts the students and impacts their ability to take courses and have advisors and all kinds of activities that are essential to their success.”

Ackley’s departure exists in the context of major budget cuts, which have fallen disproportionately on Brandeis’s fine arts departments. These changes have included the cutting of the musicology and composition Ph.D. programs, and most recently a 25% faculty reduction to the music department and the elimination of the Lydian String Quartet. Both of these changes have sparked worry about Brandeis’ reputation among faculty and students, a concern which will likely grow with Ackley’s departure.

ELIZABETH LIU/the Justice

SUNSET: Brandeis students participating in athletic activites on Gordon Field, under a peachy sunset.

By the pricking of my thumb, something wicked this way comes.

ON THIS DAY…

The stock market crashed on the New York Stock Exchange on 1929’s ‘Black Tuesday.’

FACT Pumpkins are technically fruits.

The Make a Difference group allows members of BOLLI to have an effect on the upcoming presidential election

Once a month, members of the Brandeis community meet and write postcards encouraging those in swing states to vote.

Brandeis community members of all ages have been making a difference in the upcoming election.

Brandeis Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is a community for individuals over the age of 50 who would like to continue their learning and community involvement surrounded by like-minded people. This program offers many different types of educational opportunities such as a “lunchand-learn” speaker series during the fall and spring semesters. The summer and winter semesters consist of lectures and seminars offered by members of the Brandeis faculty. In addition to the main programming, any member of BOLLI can create a special interest group that centers around a shared interest with the community and is open to all members. The Make a Difference Special Interest Group “transforms

By ANNA MARTIN JUSTICE EDITOR IN CHIEF

political knowledge and passion into meaningful action.” Make a Difference works to improve the treatment of immigrant families, both in Massachusetts and at the Mexican border, and influence local, state and national policies.” The group currently has over 100 members, with a consistent core that attend most meetings. Much of their organized programming consists of action items such as phone banking and postcard writing.

Rosalie Fink was a founding member of the Make a Difference group in 2017, a response to the election of former president Donald Trump. In an interview with The Justice on Oct. 25, she shared that the group was founded approximately a week following the 2017 Women’s March that took place in Washington D.C. Since May of 2024, this group has been working in anticipation of the Nov. 5 presidential election, doing all that they can to set the world up for what they believe to be the best future possible. Their main project has been writing postcards and letters to individuals in swing states who are sporadic voters, not voting in every election. Their letters do not share information about any political candidate, party or policy, but encourage all who are able to go to the polls on election day, vote early or vote by mail. According to Fink, “[their] decision to focus on [sporadic voters] is based on research that receiving a handwritten postcard or letter increases voter turnout 3.9%.”

“In these large elections,” she added, “that makes the difference between who wins and who loses.” Members are very involved with the Make a Difference efforts, glad to have resumed in-person meetings this May following years of Zoom

programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if they are unable to make specific meeting times, members connect with Fink and will ask her to send blank postcards to them or come to her home and pick some up. In addition to writing during meetings, members are welcome to write at home and often include other members of their personal communities. These efforts have allowed the Make a Difference organization to expand beyond just BOLLI members, as friends and family have started getting involved. Their monthly in-person meetings consist of a mix of working on projects such as election postcards and listening to one another speak, inspiring and connecting with each other. Fink explained that these meetings typically involve answering various questions and sharing homemade snacks while working.

LUNCH-AND-LEARN: BOLLI hosts lectures and seminars taught by Brandeis faculty.

SHARED INTERESTS: Make a Difference is one of BOLLI’s special interest groups.

She told The Justice, “One of our members is a very good baker. She always bakes things like delicious strudel and homemade brownies … we’re dealing with very serious issues, and basically we try to encourage each other.” The group provides a community for those looking to be involved in activism. “We motivate

ing election. Fink explained that she often writes about her family in these letters, reading an example stating, “I vote because I want a better life for my two kids and four grandkids, and every vote matters. Please vote early or vote on Tuesday, November 5th. Sincerely, Rosalie.”

In addition to helping the greater

each other. At least, I find that the group motivates me,” Fink said. In addition to this current election, Make a Difference has played a role in a large number of action projects. Fink told The Justice, “We supported Joe Biden’s election in 2020, and we are also very proud that we supported the election of the very first Jewish American Senator … and the very first African American senator from Georgia.” The group has also worked with climate change action, and has supported immigrant families in Massachusetts as they worked against the family separation policy, otherwise known as “zero tolerance,” during the Trump administration.

Voter registration has been a priority for Make a Difference. Fink and group co-leader Steve Ostrow hosted a fundraiser with the Civic Center, raising $85,000 to support the registration of four million high school students who live in swing states across the United States.

Fink was inspired to speak out for what she believes in by her mother, who was an activist for the Labor Movement in the 1930s and 1940s. She grew up involved in all types of activism, joining her mother on marches against the Vietnam War. Fink also explained that this love for activism is something that she passed down to her daughters, sharing, “I remember this Women’s March for peace at the Pentagon, with my mother and my little girl, and my baby in my arms.”

Fink shared some different formats that Make a Difference members have been using when writing letters and postcards for the upcom -

world through these efforts, Fink shared that the program is also helpful to its members. Fink elaborated on the ageism felt and internalized by many older people. She stated, “They feel that their life is over. Their worth is over if they’ve retired.” Fink believes that all members of Make a Difference have retired. She explained that “we’re not valued by society in the same way we were when we were professionals.”

Fink elaborated, sharing that since “kids and grandkids have grown up, [this work] gives us a sense of self worth.”

In an Oct. 25 interview with The Justice, Ostrow agreed with Fink, explaining that the group both enhances self worth and allows members to look at themselves in the mir -

fingers actually active over the letters or postcards, and the words we share with each other and the facial expressions make us feel good about ourselves.” Ostrow emphasized the importance of self-esteem, “especially for people of a certain age and life experience.”

Both of the group leaders expressed that the group has been an overwhelmingly positive experience for all members involved. Ostrow stated, “The knowledge, the hope and the belief that we are truly making a difference, in our case in a progressive direction, makes the group extraordinary, and for me personally, a memorable ongoing life experience.”

Fink agreed with this statement, following up with The Justice on Oct. 26 to emphasize that “leading Make A Difference offers the opportunity for [her] as a retired person to continue to contribute to society.”

When discussing the overall impact of their programming, Fink shared that the group’s “postcards will have added over 130,000 votes by November 5th, which is three times the number of votes that decided the 2020 election in favor of Joe Biden.”

She estimated the group to have written well over 3,000 letters and postcards for the upcoming election.

The members of Make a Difference are sitting on the edge of their seats as Election Day approaches, hoping that all of their hard work over the past seven months will pay off. Following the election, the group will continue to work on activism projects every month, returning to subjects such as climate change action. This program not only supports the

ror regardless of the outcome of the election: “I’ve never given so much time, even with even feeble handwriting skills left to me, I’ve never given so much time and effort and found as much mutual encouragement as I found in this very group.”

Ostrow explained that the last time he was active to this level was the Vietnam War. He expressed his love for the meetings, stating “Between the baked goods, seeing our

projects that the members are working on, but encourages members of the BOLLI community to become engaged beyond classroom learning and gives them a community of likeminded individuals to connect with.

— The Justice Associate Editor Madison Sirois ’25 is a marketing specialist for the Rabb School of Continuing Studies and did not contribute to or edit this article.

ACTIVISM: After the election, Make a Difference will return to implementing other activist endeavors like climate change action.

CONNECTION: Members meet over baked goods and work- on projects together.

COMMUNITY: BOLLI gives people over the age of 50 the chance to get involved.

ELECTION: Make a Difference members write postcards encouraging people to vote.

Anna Martin, Editor in Chief

Eliza Bier, Managing Editor

Isabel Roseth, Senior Editor

Leah Breakstone, Tibria Brown, Lauryn Williams, Deputy Editors

Owen Chan, Sophia De Lisi, Julia Hardy, Dalya Koller, Mina Rowland, Madison Sirois, Associate Editors

Lil Lin Hutchinson, Zoe Zachary, News Editors

Grace Doh, Features Editor

Ariana Rich, Forum Editor

Diane Meyer, Sports Editor

Nemma Kalra, Arts & Culture Editor

Jonas Kaplin, Bryan Wolfe, Photography Editors

Lily Chafe, Sara Samuel, Copy Editors

Marina Rosenthal, Layout Editor

Elizabeth Liu, Advertising Editor

Amanda Chen, Niámh Mullen, Social Media Editors

EDITORIAL

Losing the Lydian String Quartet: Administration’s disregard for Brandeis arts

The cutting of the Lydian String Quartet came as a surprise to the Brandeis community as it marked the end of its 40-year tradition. The quartet has been a prominent feature in the University’s artistic endeavors since its inception in 1980, having studied with Robert Koff, a member of Julliard’s string quartet.

The quartet has since performed across the United States including but not limited to: Jordan Hall in Boston, the Kennedy Center and Library of Congress in Washington D.C., Lincoln Center in New York City and the Pacific Rim Festival at the University of California. The quartet has also performed abroad in Europe and Taiwan, garnering incredibly positive reviews from the press along the way.

The quartet includes Prof. Mark Berger (MUS) as its violist; Prof. Julia Glenn (MUS) and Prof. Clara Lyon (MUS) as its violinists; and Prof. Joshua Gordon (MUS) on cello. Quartet members are also esteemed faculty members at the University, teaching students and holding performances at Slosberg Music Hall. The group enriches the Brandeis community, and losing it is another extensive blow to the music department and a betrayal of the University’s history.

One of the most notable aspects of the administration terminating this quartet is the lack of care and respect that was extended to its members. The Justice learned that the members were given 24 hours’ notice for a Zoom meeting with Provost Carol Fierke and Senior Assistant Provost Joel Christensen. During this meeting, Fierke and Christensen informed them that their contracts with Brandeis would not be renewed for the next academic year.

Losing the quartet is another instance of the University cutting its funding for the arts in order to stay afloat. Administration also discontinued the Brandeis Arts Engagement department and some of the programming running under it. For instance, the Black and Indigenous and People of Color grant will be on hiatus for an unknown period of time. Last year, the University also started to phase out its Musicology and Music Composition doctoral programs.

In an Aug. 28 statement, the Department of Music questioned, “Why should we aim to be a second-rate MIT when the world so desperately needs a first-rate Brandeis?” This question is more relevant than ever as budget cuts grow more severe.

Now, the loss of the Lydian String Quartet further marks the slow death of arts at Brandeis, a feature that the University has long prided itself on.

One of the things that distinguishes the University is the diversity in interests of its students. The editors of The Justice represent many different departments, and we believe this diversity is what makes our paper, and our campus unique. Eliminating liberal arts programming will decrease the experience of both academic learning and extracurricular organizations at Brandeis.

As admissions has recently expressed concerns regarding enrollment deficits, this board shares concerns regarding how these challenges are being addressed moving forward. In order to resolve our financial deficit, the University has begun implementing budget cuts that have removed aspects of Brandeis that make it unique.

Members of this board chose to attend Brandeis due to programs such as the quartet, offering unique experiences to students that would not be available at other comparable institutions. While we recognize the importance of academic administrators — the positions that the quartet was eliminated to save — eliminating what makes Brandeis unique removes incentives for potential future applicants. Is the $275,000 saved by eliminating the quartet worth the loss of this timeless program?

On Oct. 22 The Justice published an article detailing the removal of the quartet , which received many comments from community members expressing their concern. One commenter stated “Prospective parent here. Our son was excited to apply to Brandeis this year. But... yikes.” The sentiment of these removals being detrimental to future enrollments of the University was echoed by many of our users, garnering comments such as “They are discarding the very aspects of the college experience that are irreplaceable by AI, virtual school etc. I say this as a university admin at another school that is admittedly in a better position, and know that higher ed is at a crossroads in many ways,” and “How could dissolving the Lydian quartet possibly increase interest in enrollment? This is not the right move.”

In addition to prospective parents, alumni have expressed their dissatisfaction with this decision. The deep love for Brandeis comes from the pattern of hope that past students have shared as they have continued to watch Brandeis grow over its 76 years of existence. As we are now watching the structures of the University crumble, this hope is dissolving. We call on Brandeis to save the programs that make us remarkable and preserve the hope that the community members held.

As a new leader steps into this position we ask that you look into all areas on campus and support all students and programs, especially those in need. As we prepare to welcome Dr. Arthur E. Levine ’70 onto campus on Nov. 1, we must also urge him to re-examine the financial state of the University to more evenly distribute losses, as well as respond to community members’ concerns.

This is also a call for alumni who benefited from the diversity of Brandeis’ arts program to help us fight. We understand that many of you have benefited from the arts during your time on campus, and we ask you to help us now to ensure its longevity. We deserve the same positive experience that you received, and hope that you stand by us as we fight for the future of this university.

Graphics courtesy of CANVA and ELIZABETH LIU/The Justice Photo courtesy of DOWN STAGE IMAGES

MUSICIANS: The Lydian String Quartet poses with instruments.

Reading and other injustices

By GONNY NIR JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Vine, the ultra-short form video-sharing platform launched in 2013, produced many unlikely cultural fixations among its mostly Generation Z and late-millennial user base. Among these was the video created by user Josh Kennedy, who, for reasons still mysterious to many, uploaded a video in which he uttered “waddup, I’m Jared, I’m 19, and I never fucking learned how to read.” The rest is internet history, and many of us still drop the phrase on occasions we deem appropriate.

While a deep dive into how Kennedy came up with the phrase and why it became so popular would indeed be a vexing topic for an article, I wish to discuss a much more mundane one: the fact that it is not just “Jared” who can’t “fucking read” — it’s most of us and it ought to be concerning to us all.

It’s neither revolutionary nor original to blame this generation of students’ many shortcomings on standardized testing. We’ve heard all the arguments before: tests reduce a student’s profile to a set of numbers that don’t capture all they have to offer, make teachers miserable and produce inequity in classrooms. Yes, trés tragique. But we’ve heard it all before, and the College Board still has influence on par with Xi Jinping at a G20 summit in college admissions — so let’s get real.

In the next 1,000 words, I want to discuss a negative outcome of the standardized testing regime that we don’t often hear about, yet is nonetheless among the regime’s most prolonged, destructive consequences: reading. Students don’t know how to read anymore and universities — with their sorry excuses for firstyear writing seminars — do little to nothing to get them to a place where they can.

Now what do I mean by the theatrical phrase, “students don’t know how to read?” I’m going to take the liberty to assume that you, dear reader, are most likely a student, because I doubt that faculty or the administration are concerned with what a presumably degenerate undergraduate has to say about this matter. So, let’s get personal: when was the last time you read word-by-word, line-by-line, a text that was, let’s say, 30 or 40 pages? I assume this is where the crickets start chirping. I’m going to take more liberty to assume that it was not anytime in the recallable past.

I’m a humanities and a joke of a social sciences student, so I can only really speak for this crowd, but it’s no secret that many to (Hashem, I hope not) most undergraduates don’t do their assigned readings. Contingent on their discipline and their faculty’s pedagogical methods, students who are assigned scholarly articles can expect these texts to be between 20-40 pages in length, buttressed by intricate arguments and filled with discipline-specific jargon. Some students don’t have the time to do this reading; others simply don’t care to do it. Nonetheless, even the ones that do likely don’t have the tools required for understanding this kind of text. This is not to even mention longer texts, such as novels or long-form historical accounts.

Students learn to test. We know that much, but what we don’t often talk about is that students also read to test. What this looks like in the real world is students reading short paragraphs or “selections” from a text, analyzing it with what could only be likened to a literary microscope, and abandoning the text once they’ve struck thematic gold. While this pedagogy trains a student to be a literary archeologist of sorts, it does little to train them in the art of longevity.

Long sessions of active reading accompanied by passive analysis, allowing one to understand the text in its entirety and not simply in its “digest” version, has become an archaic virtue.

We often talk about how TikTok and the attention economy is rotting our brains’ capacity to focus on one task for an extended period, yet we don’t realize that the area in which our ever-decreasing attention spans perform worst is in the activity we, as students, should find ourselves doing most — reading. And yet, we don’t do it.

In response to this crisis in students’ competence, some faculty have resorted to assigning shorter readings: news articles, excerpts, etc. In my view, this is disgraceful. I appreciate that it is not a university professor’s job to be a high school English teacher, but deliberately assigning less challenging work in the hopes that students will do it sends the worst possible message to young, impressionable youth with underdeveloped frontal cortices. We do not need to be told, “Reading Plato’s Republic is too difficult, so read this 750-word summary by some half-rate writer whose book you’ve never heard of instead.” There are better ways to spend $70,000 in nine months, folks.

I can anticipate the response from the faculty I just depicted, “Motek, I have tenure and a book to write; have the UWS people teach these imbeciles to read.” And while I do agree with this ventriloquized faculty member, if this crisis is anyone’s responsibility to ameliorate, it is the people whose only job is to ensure students are prepared for college-level writing and reading. But if anyone on this campus has faith in UWS’s capacity to teach first-years an effective lesson about the English language and how to use it, please send them my way. I would like to ascertain where exactly their belief system has gone awry to the extent that they seem to have lost touch with reality.

I say all of this with genuine sadness for my comrades. Unlike most, much of my first year of university was spent with my nose in a book or glued to a laptop screen. I say this not to brag — it’s not exactly cool to be so dedicated to your studies that you become antisocial. I mention this because despite being more dedicated than most to doing the work I was assigned, I did not truly understand most of what I read. Part of this was due to a genuine lack of exposure to the high-level of scholarship I am now confronted with regularly, but a bigger part of it was attributable to the lack of analytical tools that I had at the time. I did not attend private schools prior to college, and the public education I did receive left much to be desired. I understand the absolute terror one experiences when trying to decipher what on earth is going on when trying to read Hobbes for the first time. It’s not the nicest of feelings, and although I do not think this challenge can (nor should it) be entirely eradicated, it can be ameliorated when one approaches text with proper tools of analysis.

Equipping students with helpful tools is about half the battle; the rest truly is up to students.

I think we’ve been lulled into the belief that reading long, hard texts is not something we’re capable of doing and so we should just stick to selections and whatever BookTok has recommended us for the hour. Fellas, no. You are capable of reading Plato, Hobbes and all the other dead white European men who had something half-important to say 300 years ago. But it takes work, it’s not a simple affair and will take more than a single skim.

Graphics courtesy of CANVA and MARINA ROSENTHAL/The Justice

Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

READING: A group of students read on the grass.

ARIANA RICH/The Justice

AUTUMN: Light shines through a tree in Mandel Humanities Quad.

Brandeis volleyball defeats Wentworth Institute of Technology

In a thrilling two hour and 26 minute long match, the Judges outlasted the Leopards to win 3-2. The Brandeis women won the first two sets, 25-21 and 3220, before giving up the third and fourth sets in narrow losses. Coming to the rescue in the fifth set, Olivia Nirode ’27 scored six straight points while serving to lead the Judges to a 15-10 set victory. Lara Verstovsek ’25 also made a career high 26 kills, moving into fifth place on the Judges’ career kill list.

By DIANE MEYER JUSTICE EDITOR

Photos: GIANNA MORALES/The

Recap of weeks seven and eight of the National Football League season

■ A discussion on league parity, the disappointing New York Jets and a miraculous week eight Hail Mary play.

By EZEKIEL BLOOM JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

Weeks seven and eight in the National Football League continued to showcase the league’s parity, reinvigorating the notion that no win is an easy one. As of week eight, the Kansas City Chiefs are the league’s only undefeated squad, boasting a 7-0 record. Additionally, every single team has won a game this season and the only teams that have not reached multiple victories are the Tennessee Titans and lowly Carolina Panthers. The road to playoff contention in the NFL is notoriously fierce and difficult, so it will be incredibly exciting to tune in for the remaining weeks of the regular season as teams jostle for playoff position.

However, one squad that does not look primed for a playoff push is the New York Jets. The Jets began this season with heightened expectations, as quarterback Aaron Rodgers proclaimed that qualifying for the playoffs was not an exceptionally lofty goal for the team. This year was supposed to be a pivotal one for Rodgers, who only appeared in a few snaps during last season’s opener before tearing his Achilles tendon. At age 40, Rodgers is now the NFL’s oldest player, but his age and injury history did not dampen the Jets’ hope for the season. Anchored by a strong defense and competent offensive attack, things appeared hopeful. Unfortunately, the season has been an absolute disaster. Most notably, the team fired head coach Robert Saleh after a disappointing 2-3 start, allegedly at the behest of Rodgers. Saleh’s dismissal has done nothing to turn around their forgettable season, with week seven featuring their 37-15 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers and week eight culminating in a 25-22 defeat to the abysmal New England Patriots, dropping the Jets to a horrific 2-6 record. Expect the Jets to make a major staff and roster overhaul during this upcoming offseason to address this season’s failures. Rodgers’ remaining years are extremely limited, so with his great amount

of power he will be looking for quick moves to improve the team immediately. This is evidenced by their recent trade for star Oakland Raiders wideout Davante Adams, a former teammate of Rodgers. It remains to be seen if Rodgers and Adams can replicate the success they had together with the Green Bay Packers, but if so, Jets fans may not have to panic as much as they feared.

Week eight was host to one of the most spectacular finishes the NFL has seen in years, featuring a last-second Hail Mary pass conversion during the Oct. 27 game between the Washington Commanders and the Chicago Bears. All appeared lost for the Commanders, who trailed 15-12 out of field goal range at their own 48-yard line with a mere two seconds remaining in the contest. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, still nursing a rib injury, scrambled aimlessly in the backfield before firing a 65-yard rocket into a crowd of players a couple of yards out of the end zone. In the chaos, the ball was tipped into the air, where it was then caught in the end zone by Commanders receiver Noah Brown. While the miraculous play was emblematic of the unexpected success the Commanders have experienced this year under the impressive play of Daniels, arguably the mistakes made by the Bears were more visible. In particular, video footage showed Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson gesturing towards the Commanders crowd in celebration during live play while the Hail Mary was occurring. Seconds later, Stevenson is shown standing helplessly after his squad let up a game winning throw to drop their record to 4-3. Stevenson later apologized on social media for his behavior, adamantly declaring that he would never make a mistake of that magnitude ever again. Only time will tell if the Bears can recover from such a blunder. It would be especially unfortunate due to their solid play thus far in the season thanks to rookie quarterback Caleb Williams performing well at the helm.

Hopefully week nine can provide some more thrilling moments!

Games to watch: Denver Broncos vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1p.m. eastern time on Nov. 3.

Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers, 4:25p.m. E.T. on Nov. 3.

Brandeis intramural flag football: students duke it out for bragging rights and a t-shirt

■ The annual intramural sports competitions cast a wide net in attracting Brandeis students and flag football promises (almost) all the excitement of having a varsity football team.

By DIANE MEYER JUSTICE EDITOR

Bright white lights, cheering fans, teammates sprinting along the sidelines, screaming coaches (for all intents and purposes). This is not a varsity athletics event — this is Brandeis intramural flag football.

IM flag football at Brandeis is a highlight of the fall semester for many students in lieu of having an actual varsity football team to rally behind. The rosters are stacked with amateur football talent: teams collect recruits from a wide array of club sports and varsity athletics, as well as numerous other clubs and student affiliations. Part of the fun lies in deciphering what the various team names

could possibly mean — ask people and they probably will not tell you.

On Sunday night, Oct. 27, the women’s IM flag football championship game saw Caleigh Abbe ’26, Rachel Abramovitz ’27, Hailey Crane ’25, Ellie Greene ’24, Lola Hamilton ’26, Erica Hwang ’25 and Natasha Gutierrez ’26, of team “Go Birds,” defeat team “Sigma Delta Touchdown.”

As of press time, the men’s IM flag football championship was currently taking place at 9 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28 between team “YM Hoover Tech” and team “BBC.” The co-educational IM football league playoffs also saw some action on Sunday night, with team “Basement and Co” defeating team “Balls Deeph.” The co-ed championship game will close out the Brandeis flag football season on Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. as team “El Casa Azul” will play “Basement and Co” for the ultimate show of all-around athletic prowess at Brandeis.

—Editor’s note: The Justice Editor Diane Meyer participated in intramural flag football and contributed to the reporting of this story.

CHAMPIONS: Caleigh Abbe ’26, Rachel Abramovitz ’27, Hailey Crane ’25, Ellie Greene ’24, Lola Hamilton ’26, Erica

Hwang ’25 and Natasha Gutierrez ’26 take home the women's intramural flag football championship — complete with t-shirts to prove it.

INTO THE ENDZONE: Long, late nights of enthusiastic action from flag football competitors take place on the Brandeis soccer field.

ELLE YUNG/The Justice

Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

STAR: Jayden Daniels continues to shine in his rookie season.

JUDGES BY THE NUMBERS

After a loss to Emory, the Judges rally to defeat Rochester

■ Matching the Brandeis women with their 1-0 loss to the Emory University Eagles, the victory-hungry Brandeis men’s soccer team went on to narrowly beat the University of Rochester Yellowjackets 3-2.

By DIANE MEYER JUSTICE EDITOR

Resilience is the story of the Brandeis men’s soccer team this year. Fighting back from a slow start, the Judges have kept their heads above water against opponents in the University Athletics Association conference. This past weekend they displayed their typical tendency for a tenacious and unrelenting defense of their just barely winning record. Their first match against Emory University was less than exciting for the Judges in a match that left much to be desired from both teams, but their second showing versus the University of Rochester was a thrilling showdown between two teams vying for a winning conference record.

The Judges faced the UAA’s current leading goal scorer in Emory’s Ryan Winkler on Friday, Oct. 25 at home in Waltham. True to form, Winkler nailed his eighth goal of the season in the 37th minute — a shot on goal from 20 yards out that got past Judges’ goalie Quintin Wrabley ’25. The Judges held off the Eagles for the rest of the game despite being outshot 12-7, but they were unable to convert.

After losing a game defined by one goal, the Judges sought to make a statement in their following game on Sunday Oct.

27 versus the University of Rochester. The Yellowjackets claimed an early lead after a neat throw in found the box and then the net in perfect succession in the 15th minute. But Brandeis was quick to answer with a goal in the 24th minute thanks to Maddox Yu ’27 who landed a shot, arching over 50 yards to bounce behind Rochester’s goalkeeper, Santino Lupica-Tondo. At 29:26, Elan Romo ’26 launched another far away shot from 20 yards — the ball again soaring over the head of the Yellowjackets goalie.

To close the first half, the Judges scored in the 38th minute, marking their eventual victory. Kenshin Murakawa ’27 capitalized on a corner kick opportunity and Andres Gonzalez ’25 headed the ball just inside the near goalpost. This was Gonzalez’s first goal of the season.

The second half was evenly fought, with both teams making five shots after the first half saw the Judges with the advantage, 11-7. In the 63rd minute, the Yellowjackets proved to be no easy win, converting off a penalty kick to make the score 3-2. However, the Judges squashed any momentum that Rochester was hoping for, ending the game with 16 shots to the Eagles’ 12 and 7-4 in shots on goal.

The game ended 3-2, with Rochester allowing the most goals of their season thus far. This well-earned win was rewarded: the Judges now sit tied for second with the University of Chicago in the UAA standings. Emory is ranked first with a 4-1-0 UAA record. Up next for the men are the Case Western Reserve University Spartans, which the Judges will face in Cleveland on Sunday Nov. 3. They seek to cement their current winning records, 7-5-2 overall and 3-2 in UAA action, as anticipation builds for the postseason.

Nico Beninda '26 leads the team with 4 goals.

WORLD SERIES: The Los Angeles Dodgers lead the New York Yankees 3-0.

FOCUS: Maddox Yu '27 holds off an Emory player during the Judges' Oct. 25 match.

ELLE YUNG/The Justice

Sports just

BASKETBALL

‘With change comes opportunity’: Coach Julie Pritchett discusses her vision for the upcoming basketball season

■ The Justice sat down with new women’s basketball head coach Julie Pritchett ahead of her first season with the team.

By MILES GOLDSTEIN JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

It’s 8:30 a.m. and early in the school year — the first official meeting between the Brandeis University women’s basketball team and new head coach, Julie Pritchett, has just begun. The returning players on the roster had been part of the selection process after the retirement of former head coach Carol Simon earlier this year. Some had been in contact with well-wishes and congratulations after Pritchett’s hiring as the sixth women’s basketball coach in school history was finalized. But now, bright and early, it was Pritchett’s time to outline her vision for this team.

Princhett wants her team to take things step by step as they rebuild.“We’re gonna be gritty, we’re gonna play hard, and it’s going to look the same no matter the score. We’ll be supportive, positive, and highenergy, but we’re going to have an attack mentality,” Pritchett said in an Oct. 22 interview with The Justice.

Not withstanding off-the-court issues leading up to Simon’s administrative leave in 2023 and retirement a year later, the team has been dissatisfied with their performance on the court. They went 6-19 in 2022, Simon’s final year, and 5-20 under interim head coach Jill Latanowich in 2023. The Judges are 2-26 in conference play over that same span. Pritchett will obviously look to turn these results around, but she knows full well that bringing a brand new system to a team with 11 of 15 players returning is no easy task. Pritchett credits her players for their maturity and adaptability in learning a new system and philosophy. “This group has been great, [and] there’s been very little friction,” she said, adding that “they’re very open to change, and they’re working so hard.” Pritchett’s approach to coaching and team-building comes from a long history in women’s basketball. She played at the University of Southern Maine while studying education before working with the Womens National Basketball Association and the New York Liberty for a year, shadowing legends like Becky Hammon and Teresa Weatherspoon. She worked at the University of Rhode Island for a year before taking a position at Regis College, going 128-87 in eight years. That took her to Division II St. Anselm College in 2013, where she led that program to its first National Collegiate Athletics Association Tournament berth since 1999. She was there for four years, coached at University of Massachusetts Lowell for a year, and then moved to Pine Manor College, where she worked until its dissolution and absorption by Boston University in

2020. She got back into coaching with an assistant position at Babson College in 2021, but jumped at a head coaching opportunity at Brandeis when the position opened up. Having been in the basketball world for over 20 years, Pritchett has seen the game and its coaches evolve. She concedes that the coaches of the past were often much harder on their players. Unlearning that style and adopting a caring, holistic approach was both one of her biggest professional challenges, but also a personal mark of pride. She points to coaches like University of South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors, or her own coach at the University of Southern Maine, the legendary Gary Fifeld, as influences on her style and approach. Drawing on her education background, the court is her classroom, and the first step to success will be building a culture where players are accountable and competitive, but still fiercely loyal to one another.

Pritchett hopes fans will see a gritty, high-energy team when they come to games. “It’s a chance to watch high-energy basketball,” she pitched. “Hopefully, of course, we put some points up on the board, but the ball is going to move a lot,” she said, noting that “the more exciting and uptempo we play, the more people will want to watch.” However, she’s aware of the importance winning has on fan engagement, as well. “We have to have some success, we have to win some games,” she said.

Pritchett is a realist and knows that success will take time. She has a goal to win a third of the team’s conference games this year — maybe a modest mark, but one that would be a marked improvement over a 1-13 conference record last year.

Building success for this team depends on the new traditions Pritchett hopes to start. Pritchett feels success will come from creating a competitive environment and a willingness to be uncomfortable. “Being uncomfortable creates growth,” she emphasized. “We’re gonna win some games, and we’re gonna lose some games,” but Princhett wants her players to be able to ask themselves every day: “can we be proud of our effort? Our focus? Are we getting better?”

The women’s basketball team will begin their season with the Brandeis Invitational against Framingham State University Friday, Nov. 8 and will start conference play next year, Jan. 11, at New York University.

If Pritchett is to be believed, Brandeis fans will be seeing a different team than they’re used to after that first opening tip-off. Listening to her conviction and competitive spirit, it is hard not to believe her. She has big visions for the student experience, packing the gym with cheering fans and holding half-court shots for prizes at halftime, but all of that will come with success. But as the women’s basketball team builds that success — from games, to film sessions, to practices, to ropes courses — their pitch to the fans, as Pritchett put it, is simple: “With change comes opportunity. It’s the chance to watch the transformation of a team.”

BRANDEIS INTRAMURAL FOOTBALL

The Justice Editor Diane Meyer '26 highlights a favorite fall pastime for Brandeis students seeking to fill the football void, p. 14.

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

THE POSTSEASON APPROACHES

Brandeis women’s soccer team struggles against Emory and Rochester

■ The women lost a pair of games this weekend, both 1-0 as they slipped out of the top 25 standings.

By DIANE MEYER JUSTICE EDITOR

Instead of what could have been a pair of confidence boosting wins, it was a frustrating weekend for the Brandeis women’s soccer team. The double defeat came down to just two unlucky goals making the difference, as the Emory University Eagles and the University of Rochester Yellowjackets have established themselves as ascending powers in the National Collegiate Athletics Association Division III soccer scene late in the season.

The Judges’ goalie, Rachel Ross MA ’25, played another career best game statistically on Friday, but the once redhot and rising Judges have cooled off as the postseason approaches.

The game versus Emory on Friday, Oct. 25 came after the weekly United Soccer Coaches Top 25 NCAA Division III rankings left Brandeis off the list for the first time this season since early September. Just last week, the Judges had climbed to No. 20 before losing to the unranked University of Chicago. To add salt to the wound, Emory University now occupies the No. 23 spot, which Brandeis held last week. But rankings are not everything, as shown by the Judges’ narrow loss by only one goal to the No. 1 ranked Washington University Bears on Oct. 11. By no means did this omission from the national rankings have to mark the beginning of the end of their season.

After a string of losses last weekend, relinquishing their top 25 status was appropriate, yet hard to stomach.

The Judges’ panicked scramble to salvage their current 0-4 conference play record was exposed by an offensive

unit that saw none of its top three goal scorers, Rachel Watler ’25, Tanvi Raju ’27 and Peterly Leroy ’28, near the net this weekend.

At home against Emory, the Judges did not initially seem destined for defeat, putting up three shots in the first five minutes. The Eagles began to assert themselves, however, and in the 19th minute, after Ross saved the initial shot on goal, Emory’s Mikayla Camp fought for the rebound and found the back of the net.

The Judges denied the Eagles any subsequent attempts to gain more momentum. However, while Brandeis outshot Emory 7-5 in the second half, they themselves were unable to convert in the second half either. The game was truly a battle of the goalies, as Emory’s Sophia Garcia played an outstanding game, saving Brandeis’ best shot on goal from Dominique Paglia ’25 in the 85th minute. Ross’ high caliber of play should not be ignored either, as she made 11 saves, which was a career best for the graduate student, who has been a recent star of the Judges’ last few matches.

Their defeat by Emory should have been more of a motivator than a mood-dampener, yet the Judges suffered again two days later at home versus Rochester on Sun. Oct. 27. Even more agonizing for the Judges, they outshot the pesky Yellowjackets 21-8, yet could not convert their efforts to points on the board.

Rochester’s only goal was the team’s only shot on goal as well, making for a just plain unlucky result for Ross after going the entire game without any action. The game’s singular point came at 87:14 after a well-placed corner kick was guided to the back of the net by Rochester’s Claire Grover.

As hard as it is to lose four matches in a row, perhaps it is even harder to lose every single one of those matches 1-0. Results and rankings are to be taken relatively, but a pattern of discontented and disheartened play begs to be broken before the postseason.

The Judges face Case Western Reserve University for the teams’ first meeting this season on Sunday, Nov. 3. The Judges’ fate hangs in the balance as they fight to rejoin the top 25 rankings and prove that the past two weekends have just been unhappy flukes sullying their otherwise impressive season so far.

KICK: Rachel Ross MA clears the ball during the recent match between Brandeis and Emory Univerisity.

JAMES LI/The Justice

Photo courtesy of BRANDEIS ATHLETICS

justArts & Culture

Photo: BRIAN LUCY/The Justice. Design: JONAS KAPLIN/The Justice. Waltham, Mass.

T he beau T y of silen T cinema , as seen T hrough T he lens of ‘T he c ameraman ’

In 1928, silent film titan Buster Keaton and Edward Sedgwick co-directed the film “The Cameraman,” which was also Keaton’s first film after signing to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The movie follows a young man named Buster — played by Keaton — as he attempts to secure a job at a newsreel agency in order to get closer to a girl who works there. It is considered by many to be among Keaton’s finest films and is most certainly one that encapsulates not only the zeitgeist of the 1920s, but the beauty of the era’s silent film. In its one hour and nine minutes, audiences get a glimpse into the world of the 20s and some of the wittiest displays of comedy that Keaton has to offer.

The film is interesting not only as a work of art but also as a snapshot into American life during the 1920s. Keaton plays a young photographer who specializes in a form of street photography known as a “tintype,” where for a small fee he will take a person’s picture — with a very large and bulky camera — and imprint the image onto a small tin plate. This is one of many details of the film that help encapsulate the era and allow us to appreciate the technology and culture of the past. Today’s viewers, who can store thousands of photos on a phone, are likely totally foreign to something like a tintype and might appreciate this snapshot into the past.

Another key aspect of cinema in the “Roaring Twenties” is the shift in onscreen portrayal of female sexuality, which in turn represented a change in what was acceptable for women to do on and off-screen. The main love interest of “The Cameraman,” Sally, is very forward with the protagonist — she is the one to ask him out on their first date and is very flirtatious, unashamed to express romantic interest. This may seem relatively tame, but compared with the typical Victorianstyle women portrayed in earlier cinema, this is quite profound. Earlier films wrote women to be demure and withdrawn, neither desiring others nor to be desired herself. This is exactly the opposite of Sally and another reason why “The Camera -

CURATOR CONVERSATIONS

On Friday, Oct. 25 at 2:30 p.m. in Goldman-Schwartz Art Studios, writer and curator Leah Triplett Harrington gave a presentation sponsored by the Department of Fine Arts Post-Baccalaureate Studio Art Program. The talk was inspired by her most recent co-curated exhibit “Artists as Cultivators.” The exhibit is currently hosted at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and will be on display until July 7, 2024.

Harrington is currently working as PAFA’s Director of Exhibitions and Contemporary Curatorial Initiatives. PAFA was founded in 1805 and was the “first school and museum of fine arts” in the United States. Its mission is to tell the diverse story of America through art, “expanding who has been included in the canon of art

By LUCAS THOMPSON JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

man” is such an interesting film from a historical and cultural point of view.

“The Cameraman” further establishes a flourishing consumer economy and vibrant way of life associated with the 20s; the main couple is able to spend money on buses and purchase tickets to a public pool, people on the street have spare change for tintypes and the news agency where Keaton attempts to secure a job is thriving. Of course, a year later would bring the worst economic recession in U.S. history; within the world of “The Cameraman,” however, a hopeful era of exponential growth and productivity is captured.

Aside from the film’s historical and cultural relevance, it is also simply an example of truly excellent silent cinema. Even for someone with no experience in the realm of silent film, Keaton’s brilliant use of comedy and stunt work draws in the viewer’s attention and retains it. One interesting example of this is a several minutes-long shot, undisturbed by anything save for the caption cards, in which Buster and another man struggle to get changed in the same cramped dressing room. In modern cinema, it would be difficult to find a long scene such as this with no editing, camera movement or dialogue. Keaton makes it work, though; his knack for physical comedy removes the need for anything more complex than what is going on between these men in the tiny box within the camera’s frame. Throughout the film, Keaton’s forever-iconic stunts, bits and gags — riding on the wheel of a bus, repeatedly breaking windows with his camera or blundering his way through a gang war — demonstrate the genius of silent comedy.

Good camerawork also plays a strong role in this art form. For instance, one shot towards the beginning of the film starts as a closeup of the two main characters, Sally and Buster, standing side by side, only to zoom out revealing the comic disarray of the street around them following a raucous parade. Or, take the segment where Buster continues to run up and down the stairs in order to receive a phone call from

Sally; the camera expertly moves up and down next to him as he frantically ascends and descends. While humorous camerawork is still well and alive today, the camera was an especially important character in many silent gags which needed to retain attention through solely visual means.

Written dialogue is used where necessary, but not heavily relied upon. Silent stars like Keaton were forced to entertain an audience without using our most common mode of communication: speech.

“The Cameraman” is a prime example of how what may be viewed as a weakness of silent film becomes a great strength — the lack of sound gives way to an utterly unique and timeless form of comedy that cannot be replicated in the age of sound. It is easy to assume that as film technology improves, so does the quality of the movies made with it. This is far from accurate, of course. It is true that fantas -

tic things can be done now with more advanced methods of filming and editing, but do not let this detract from the accomplishments of early cinema. Living in an era of sound cinema, it is in a way even easier to appreciate the genius that went into the great silent films, and the stories they so vividly tell with far simpler, though still impressive, machinery. The lack of sound and color does not make silent movies inferior; rather, it lends them a special quality and charm that sound movies cannot capture. On top of this, these silent films give us an important portal through which we can analyze shifting norms, mindsets and cultures. Sedgwick and Keaton’s “The Cameraman” perfectly exemplifies these attributes, creating a totally distinct viewing experience — especially for someone who has grown up in the age of sound cinema.

By ELIZA BIER JUSTICE MANAGING EDITOR

history through its collection, exhibitions, and public program.” Harrington is vital in this mission as a curator of contemporary art whose focus is on rethinking who is included in American contemporary art.

In previous roles Harrington was the curator at Now + There, Boston’s “first and only public art organization dedicated to supporting artists and communities.” As creator of Now + There, Harrington “facilitated the Public Art Accelerator and organized large scale public art commissions in Boston” including Justin Favela’s “¡Provecho!” In addition to curating “¡Provecho!” Harrington wrote an article exploring the ideas that inspired the installation.

During her presentation, Harrington set

out to explore the idea that artists also exist as curators. In the art world, art historians look to the past and artists toward the future, while curators “look forward and backward at the same time.” As a curator, her job is to metaphorically sit between the two in efforts to make meaningful and compelling exhibits. In a world that is highly digitized, she asks the questions: “How do you make a space memorable [that is otherwise unmemorable]? How do you make people stop or just look up from their phones?” She said that artists, and moreover curators, have the “hardest jobs of all,” creating new things from nothing, especially in a world that often does not support them. Harrington also touched on how the art world is changing as museums and artists’

spaces are reconceptualized. Having a separate studio space has always been a challenge for artists according to Harrington. She said, “We keep trying to solve this same problem of being an artist.” There is no one right answer to this problem, but Harrington shared some of the current research she is doing on artists’ residencies. These residencies serve as a space to “provide artists, scholars, educators and other creative professionals the time, space and resources to work, individually or collectively, on the research and development of their practice.”

The presentation ended with a question and answer session with Harrington and those in attendance focused on providing advice to those looking to enter into the art world.

SPOOKAPELLA:

A DEATHLY GOOD A CAPELLA SHOW IN PREPERATION FOR HALLOWEEN

By IYLA LICHTENFELD

Spookapella made its debut on Sundy Oct. 27 with spooky performances of Halloweeninspired songs. The event was hosted by Zac Gondelmen ’26 and Esther Rubin ’26, who welcomed the audience on a whimsically haunted tour of Brandeis’ a cappella clubs. However, their chipper attitude was quickly substituted by Rather Be Giraffes’ stunning performance which sent shivers running down spines. It all began as they led the way with their version of “Creep” by Radiohead. The song captured the essence of Halloween while remaining expertly sung.

With that, the bar was set high right out of the gate. To follow, Company B led us back in time with their performances of Billy Joel’s “For the Longest Time” and “Mr. Sandman” by the Chordettes. As the longest running a capella club on campus, their tunes harkened to classic songs and styles. However, their true trademark, as pointed out by the hosts, is that Company B performs music more than 25 years old. Knowing this made it disappointing to hear the small range of musical stylings sung. In the future, hearing ’80s synth or ’90s hip hop rendered in Company B’s classic a cappella style would be interesting.

Next up was VoiceMale who, adorned in onesie costumes, took the stage. Per their seemingly romantic aesthetic, they performed “As the World Caves In” and an original song, “Permanent.” What truly stood out was, despite having one soloist per song, the voices of many members were beautifully highlighted with accompanying high notes and riffs. The best costumes also came from this group, with President Loki and Gru from “Despicable Me” stealing the show.

Up the Octave continued Spookapella with Little Mix’s “The Cure” and an amazing rendition of “Vampire” by Olivia Rodrigo. The song was thematically on point and gave the audience a chance to listen to something culturally relevant with Rodrigo releasing her “Guts” world tour film on Oct. 29. After this contemporary display, Too Cheap For Instruments whisked us to the 16th century with “Green Sleeves,” a song written during the rule of Henry VIII. The ethereal energy of the group was only helped by wearing angel costumes and folksy musicality. Finally, the group brought us back to the present with the Appalachian-inspired “You Can’t Catch Me Now” from “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” A portion toward the end of the song where all members sang the chorus together was particularly powerful. Manginah then performed a mashup between “Celestial” and “Castle On a Hill.” The arrangement was exciting and lively, though the group currently has fewer members than most and is especially lacking with lower vocal parts.

Nonetheless, they held their own and got the audience engaged.

Brandeis’ Starving Artists continued the show mimicking “Pitch Perfect’s” Barden Bellas. This reference carried through their performance with a pitch pipe joke and misstating their name. Their version of Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River” was extraordinary as their soloist showcased his falsetto talents while backed by a symphony of incredible beatboxing and harmonizing. Lastly, Proscenium, a musical theater and Disney-centered group, sang “Why Are All the D’Ysquiths Dying” from “A Gentleman’s Guide to Murder.” Their piece de resistance was a classic song known to an entire generation: “Take a Hint” from the hit television series “Victorious.” Even the audience could not resist singing along to close out a spectacular evening. With that, Spookapella came to a close as groups mingled and sang their way out of Sherman Function Hall, likely already thinking of what to perform next year. Though until then, you can still support each club at their semester shows later this fall!

By

Is anyone else tired of sad girl pop? In recent years, the pop landscape has been flooded with Phoebe Bridgers and Lana Del Rey lookalikes, bringing us ballads that, while beautifully emotional, just wear the listener down after a while. The state of the world is depressing enough — we need escapist pop anthems to make us get up from our existential crises and dance. That’s why people latched onto Sabrina Carpenter’s lead single, “Espresso,” so strongly. From the track’s beachy, disco-pop sound to Carpenter declaring, “My give-a-fucks are on vacation,” “Espresso” filled the gap in the genre of feel-good music. Social media soon became addicted to “that me espresso” — whatever that truly means. With the subsequent release of Carpenter’s sixth studio album “Short n’ Sweet,” fans are confident that the five-foot-tall pop princess has brewed up a masterpiece.

Dipping into genres like country, hip-hop, folk-pop and indie-rock, Carpenter gives “Short n’ Sweet” a sense of variety while still maintaining its cohesion. She achieves this by including at least two songs on the album with similar influences. The otherwise experimental southern twang of “Slim Pickins” feels right at home when preceded by the subtle country essence of “Please Please Please.” “Good Graces” shares the same throwback rhythm and blues elements as “Don’t Smile.” As a stripped-down breakup ballad, “Dumb & Poetic” resembles “Lie to Girls.” Carpenter also makes sure to anchor the influ -

ences of most tracks in pop so they don’t stick out. For example, the brash electric guitar of “Taste” gives the song a certain edge without straying too far from its home in pop. Only “Coincidence” feels out of place in this regard. As fun as it is with its campfire-song charm, the folksy flare isn’t grounded enough in pop and therefore doesn’t fit as well in the album as a whole.

The star of the show is Carpenter’s lyricism. Her wit knows no bounds, turning her album into a pseudo comedy routine at times. She often weaponizes her humor against the idiotic and disloyal actions of certain men. In “Slim Pickins,” Carpenter rolls her eyes at men who “don’t know the difference between there, their and they are.” She confronts a cheating ex in “Coincidence,” exposing that he “drove [his] car from [Los Angeles]to her thighs.” Mixing humor with sexuality is a key part of Carpenter’s brand. Over the sensual groove of “Bed Chem,” she’s not afraid to crank up the goofy innuendos. Carpenter gives listeners no time to recover from one absurdly risqué line — “Come right on me, I mean camaraderie” — before she hits them with another — “Where art thou? Why not uponeth me?” Because of its strong focus on lyrics, however, the track falls short sonically. The same can be said for “Please Please Please” — the single’s cheeky, viral lyrics eclipse its rather forgettable synth-pop melody. On the other hand, “Juno” strikes the perfect balance between fun lyrics and hard-hitting sonics. Carpenter combines her never-ending double entendres with a

sunny, pure-pop sound that, like “Short n’ Sweet” itself, leaves the listener floating on a cloud of optimism.

ALBUM ANALYSIS

LAUREN GOODMAN JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

RATHER BE GIRAFFE’S: The a capella group kicks off the night with an eerie composition of “Creep” by Radiohead.

VOICEMALE: The masculine-centered a capella group dazzles the audience with their fantastic tunes and swanky costumes.

UP THE OCTAVE: The treble-voice a capella group cranks “up” the heat with their rendition of popular songs such as “Vampire” by Olivia Rodrigo.

Top Ten STAFF’S

Top 10 ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Dances

By ANNA MARTIN JUSTICE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Fall is my favorite season because of “Dancing With The Stars.” As a huge fan, I have ranked the best DWTS pro/celebrity dances that have ever been seen on screen.

1. Alfonso Ribeiro and Witney Carson Season 19 Week 4 (Jazz)

2. Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagach Season 30 Week 6 (Contemporary)

3. Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas Season 31 Week 5 (Contemporary)

4. Milo Manheim and Witney Carson Season 27 Week 2 (Charleston)

5. Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy Season 18 Week 10 (Argentine Tango)

6. Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas Season 25 Week 6 (Argentine Tango)

7. Milo Manheim and Witney Carson Season 27 Week 10 (Freestyle)

8. Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd Season 22 Week 10 (Freestyle)

9. Riker Lynch and Allison Holker Season 20 Week 5 (Paso Doble)

10. Sadie Robertson and Mark Ballas Season 19 Week 11 (Freestyle)

This list wouldn’t be complete without two honorable mentions, the first being “Most Memorable Year,” a tribute to Len Goodman. Finally, the best performance to have ever been seen on the DWTS stage is the Horror Night dance performed by Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert in episode 6 of season 30.

By DAHLIA RAMIREZ JUSTICE STAFF ARTIST

Uncovering ‘cLUe: A WALking Mystery’

By MARINA ROSENTHAL AND BRYAN WOLFE JUSTICE EDITORS

After opening its doors in Chicago, “CLUE: A Walking Mystery” has arrived in Boston, transforming the city’s historic streets into an immersive detective adventure. Inspired by the classic board game, the experience invites participants to solve a thrilling murder mystery, piecing together bits of evidence as they explore some of Boston’s most iconic landmarks. The story begins at Quincy Market, a site full of local history, and takes participants to places like the Freedom Trail and the Old South Meeting House — familiar backdrops that add authenticity and local flavor to the unfolding mystery.

The experience is designed to be universally adaptable, but Boston’s unique history makes it stand out. While the storyline does not lean heavily into folklore, the historical settings add a layer of depth and atmosphere that connects the experience to the city. Each puzzle and clue gains new meaning against the backdrop of Boston’s storied past, making the game feel tailor-made for the vibrant location.

Participants often come with pre-formed groups, ranging from families to teams of friends or coworkers. According to Arwyn Jackson, the company manager, the dynamics within these groups are a highlight of the experience. Those with strong teamwork find their bonds strengthened, while groups with existing tensions may see them come to light. The appeal of “CLUE: A Walking Mystery” spans generations; participants as young as six and as old as 80 have taken part, and success often comes down to creativity and curiosity rather than age. Jackson fondly recalls a six-year-old who cracked a particularly tough case while their family struggled — a testament to how the game invites all ages to engage in its challenges.

As “CLUE: A Walking Mystery” continues to evolve, its creative team makes updates to keep the experience fresh. Adjustments are made to the storyline, and seasonal elements — like Halloween decorations — are added to enhance the atmosphere. This dynamic approach, combined with the familiar yet fresh adaptation of the classic Clue game, ensures that the experience remains a favorite for both locals and tourists seeking a new way to explore Boston’s history and solve a captivating mystery.

From an entertainment standpoint, “CLUE: A Walking Mystery” has thrived in the realm of popular tourist attractions and sightseeing destinations. The experience gives participants a goal outside of merely observing landmarks, encouraging them to interact with their surroundings in a more meaningful way while trying to solve an entire mystery plot. The

game structure encourages groups to explore different paths and make their own choices, which may affect how a group pieces together the puzzle and reaches a final verdict on who committed the murder. Each landmark becomes a piece of the overall puzzle, layered with hints that participants must decode to make sense of the storyline and progress forward.

Determining the difficulty level of each city is an innovative and collaborative process that aims to balance accessibility with a certain degree of challenge. The creative team behind the experience aims to create a layered experience that tests a wide range of problem-solving skills; each location has puzzles ranging in difficulty, which keeps the game inclusive for participants old and young. Upon opening a new location, the creative team will test-run the latest iteration of the mystery, which includes new puzzles, to ensure the experience is fair and interactive. Participant feedback is essential in this process, and as Jackson notes, the creative team behind the experience is always willing to listen to player feedback regarding the difficulty of puzzles and the amount of time it takes to complete them.

Jackson also emphasizes that the most rewarding part of watching participants engage with the puzzles is seeing the joy amongst groups who successfully decoded the mystery and walked away feeling happy. The experience is more likely to resonate with participants who truly engaged with every puzzle and communicated with their team effectively. The thrill of placing a final verdict on the mystery often brings about cheers, high fives and fist bumps among friends and family who completed the experience in the allotted two hours.

The interactive nature of the experience is also enhanced by the interplay between characters in the Clue board game and their real life adaptations. Upon investigating each location’s object of interest to search for hints, a statement from each character can be read in order to connect clues given at different locations and keep track of continuity. The inclusion of these statements gives players an idea of the personalities of each character, which adds an integrative layer of narrative to the evolving storyline of the experience. Scarlett, Professor Plum and Mrs. White all go beyond just a character description, guiding participants through the experience and making it more approachable.

Upon completion of the experience, participants are encouraged to keep the storyline a mystery and motivate others they know to go through the experience themselves without prior knowledge. By keeping the mystery untold, new participants can experience the same thrill as those who have already gone through the experience themselves. This sense of secrecy preserves the intrigue that continues to draw participants to “Clue: A Walking Mystery,” old and new alike. “Clue: A Walking Mystery” is entering its final week in Boston, with Nov. 3 being your last chance to experience the mystique within the city’s historic streets!