ALUMNI EMAIL PETITION
Waltham Boys and Girls Club; funding for improvements
■ Last week, Waltham City Council granted $6 million to the community center to address issues related to The Americans with Disabilities Act.
By LIN LIN HUTCHINSON JUSTICE EDITOR
On Nov. 12, 2024, the Waltham City Council voted in favor of allocating $6 million from the City’s Community Preservation Act fund to help the Waltham Boys and Girls Club with a building improvement. The funding from the city is a fraction of the $25,310,000 total cost of the proposed project.
The property, which stands at 20 Exchange Street, opened its doors to the community in November of 1952, 14 years after when the clubs first opened at, what was at the time, Asbury Temple Building at 686 Main Street. According to application filing with the city, WBGC creates programs for over 1,200 children and teens that emphasize character and leadership development, education and career support, health and life skills, cultural arts, sports and recreation.
However, the 501(c)(3) corporation, sees the building's historical condition as a step back to its ability to work towards its mission of “inspir[ing] and enabl[ing] all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.” According to the CPA funding application, the “aging building” does not meet modern safety and accessibility standards.
In a Long Term Debt & Capital Planning Committee meeting on Monday, Nov. 4, the Executive Director of the Waltham Boys and Girls Club, Erica Young, said the building does not meet the Americans with Disabilities Act and fire safety standards. Additionally, as mentioned in the club’s finding application, the original window glass is “cracking and shedding glass” in the build-
BRIEF
ing, creating a safety hazard. Young shared instances of club attendees having trouble accessing different rooms and then not being able to access other rooms without assistance, due to the lack of an elevator in a multi-level building.
“Our entire mission is to serve all young people who need us and right now we are not able to do that,” Young said, adding "It's absolutely heartbreaking to watch and that should not happen in this day and age in our community.”
The renovation plan for the building includes a set of improvements designed to restore original building features while enhancing accessibility, energy efficiency and safety. According to the CPA funding application, the main entrance facing Exchange Street was last modified in 1982, with changes to the interior lobby and the addition of an exterior ramp. The proposed project aims to restore some of the original design elements of the entrance while providing “significantly easier universal access to the building” by introducing an elevator in the lobby. The improvements would also involve removing previous alterations and installing a new triple-glazed aluminum curtain wall, as well as recoating the existing cast-in-place concrete landings.
The original brick walls will be repainted where necessary using appropriate and compatible new mortar to preserve their historic integrity. Additionally, the renovation plan calls for replacing the existing non-historic fiberglass windows with new aluminum-clad, double-glazed windows. These new windows will replicate the design and configuration of the original windows as closely as possible, restoring the building’s aesthetic while improving energy efficiency.
The roof, which currently features nonhistoric rubber membrane materials dating from 2002, 2006 and 2020, will be replaced with new insulated polyvinyl chloride roofing in a lighter color, creating a "cool roof" to reduce heat transfer into the building.
Student Union continues collaboration with Waltham Kung Fu Tea
On Nov. 17, Brandeis Student Union announced on its Instagram page that it is continuing its partnership with Waltham Kung Fu Tea, a boba shop on Moody Street. The partnership originally began in September of 2023 and has been renewed, providing Brandeis students 10% off purchases when a student identification card is presented. Last year, SU partnered not only with Waltham’s Kung Fu Tea, but with the historic Waltham Embassy Theater — located at 16 Pine Street in Waltham — which was also converted into a rhythmic gymnastic dance stu-
dio in Feb. 2023. The collaboration was an effort to bring back the Waltham landmark that had closed in Sept. 2022, after nearly a century of operation. The discount is only available at the 246 Moody Street location. Students can take a 15-minute ride on the Brandeis Waltham shuttle into town and be dropped off at a shuttle stop directly in front of the shop for a sweet treat.
Alumni
■ After it was announced that Brandeis emails would be discontinued for alunni effective Jan. 2025, a petition has circulated to keep them.
By LIN LIN HUTCHINSON and HANNAH SHAPIRO JUSTICE EDITOR AND JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
On April 18, 2024 Brandeis alumni received emails from Brandeis Alumni Relations, notifying recipients that the University will be eliminating former students’ official Brandeis emails, effective Jan. 7, 2025. This news was paired with the announcement of the University's launch of My Brandeis Gateway, an online platform designed to help alumni to stay connected to the Brandeis community. In response to the University’s decision, alumni have been circulating a petition to keep their official Brandeis emails.
According to the Brandeis Alumni Community Support website, “the university did not make this decision lightly,” and had considered alternative steps. The University cites that the decision to end lifetime emails for alumni was to better align with “industry best practices and improve email security.”
According to the University, Over 75% or 33,000 of existing Alumni accounts are “not regularly used” and “represent the primary source of recent security breaches.” The inactive emails, according to the University, are “especially vulnerable to cyber threats and increase the risk to the integrity and
privacy of all Brandeis systems and data.”
The elimination of official Brandeis email would impact all services that use Brandeis credentials including Google Suite — email, calendar, contacts, and drive — as well as Box. Any social media or other accounts that utilize the emails will also be disabled. Alumni have been advised to connect such accounts to their personal emails.
Following the April 18 email, alumni received an email on July 10 Chief Information Officer, Jim La Creta and Vice President of Alumni Relations, Patricia Fisher. Their email detailed the steps alumni needed to address regarding their Gmail, Google Drive and Box.com data. During the“grace period,” recipients of the email were recommended to establish an alternative nonBrandeis personal email account, notify contacts of the new personal email, update all counts with brandeis.edu email to nonrandeis emails and to download any needed files before the accounts are deactivated. They were also advised to refer to support website that the university has created to aid alumni during the transition.
The University’s decision to discontinue all alumni emails has been met with pushback. On Oct. 11, Jeremy Koob '17, MS '17 sent a petition on behalf of co-signed alumni and future alumni, to University President Emaritus, Ronald D. Liebowitz, Provost Carol Fierke and Meredith Ainbinder.
The petition advocates for alumni to be able to maintain their Brandeis email addresses for six core reasons: Brandeis pride, utility, Brandeis memories, status quo, to
JONAS KAPLIN/The Justice
EMAIL: a student checks his email.
Photo courtesy of BROOKE LOBER
Daria Pugachova, artist and activist from Rivne, Ukraine discusses her work and experiences through the war.
By NEMMA KALRA
See PETITION, 7 ☛
Lin Lin Hutchinson
POLICE LOG
Medical Emergency
Nov. 8—A reporting party stated that their friend had twisted their ankle and requested BEMCo. The patient refused further medical treatment.
Nov. 9—A reporting party stated their friend had made statements intending to harm themself. The patient was transported to a local hospital for further treatment.
Nov. 11—There was a medical emergency for a party with a nosebleed.
Nov. 12—A patient was transported to a local hospital.
Nov. 14—Medical emergency for a party who was not feeling well. The Waltham Fire Department was dispatched. The patient refused medical treatment.
Nov. 14—Medical emergency for a party who fell off
their bike. The Waltham Fire Department responded and the patient was transported to a local hospital for further care.
Nov. 14—A caller reported having a throat ache and pain in their upper shoulder. The patient refused medical treatment.
Miscellaneous
Nov. 8—A party reported that their clothes were stolen from the laundry room. Investigation to follow.
Nov. 8—There was a report of harassment from the Gosman Sports and Convention Center front desk.
Nov. 8—There was a report of a male pushing players on the Athletic Fields. Investigation to follow.
Nov. 11—There was a medical call for a party who was not feeling well. The patient was treated by BEMCo and transported to a local hospital for further care.
Nov. 11—A party reported receiving a racist text message.
Nov. 12—A passerby reported a small bush fire. The claim was found to be unfounded.
Nov. 12—There was an investigation into a report of harassment.
Nov. 12—A party reported a lost Master Key. Investigation to follow.
Nov. 13—The Director of Administration reported receiving harassing emails. Investigation to follow.
— Compiled by Zoe Zachary
■ A news article incorrectly stated “Levine explained that he is in support of student protests as long as they do not cause harm to anyone.” This sentence was removed. (Nov. 12, Page 1).
■ A news article was missing the end of a sentence. It was corrected to “the thing he is most nervous about is speaking at his upcoming class reunion” (Nov. 12, Page 1).
■ A sports photo was incorrectly captioned “JAMES LI/The Justice”. It was corrected to “ELLE YUNG/The Justice.” (Nov. 12, Page 12).
■ The Senate Log incorrectly stated the clubs mentioned in the article were classified as “provisional” clubs. It was corrected to “probationary” (Nov. 12, Page 2).
HISTORIC : The Old Watch fatory peaking throught the leaves and branches.
GRACE DOH/The JUSTICE
How did the City of Waltham vote in the 2024 Presidential Election?
■ As Americans hit the polls on Election Day, most Waltham voters cast their ballots in support of democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
By BRIANNA EARLE JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
On Nov. 5, Americans all across the country cast ballots for the next President of the United States. The following day, Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the election and the Associated Press announced Donald Trump to be the winner of the 2024 election. Nationally, Former President, now President-Elect Donald J. Trump captured all seven swing states and won both the electoral and popular votes — winning 312 electoral votes and 50% of the popular vote.
Among these voters were the residents of Waltham. The Watch City is reported having a lower voter turnout than the 2020 presidential race.
According to the unofficial election results provided by the City of Waltham, 26,947 people voted in the city — nearly 3000 less than what was reported in the previous election. Of these voters, Harris received 17,869 votes and Trump tallied 7,742 votes. In other words, Harris received about 66% of the votes and Trump around 22%; the
other remaining percentages were received by various third party candidates and write-in votes.
Massachusetts is a historically blue state. The last time the Commonwealth voted for a Republican candidate in the presidential election was Ronald Reagan in 1984. In 2016, the City of Waltham recorded that 25,918 votes were received and Hillary Clinton won 17,103 of them; Trump had 7,494 votes.
At the state level, incumbent Fifth District Representative Katherine M. Clark and incumbent Senator Elizabeth Warren. Clark’s contest was unchallenged and received 19,814 votes from Waltham. Warren beat Republican challenger, trial attorney and U.S. Marine veteran John Deaton, winning with 17,249 votes from Waltham voters while 8,432 voters were in support of Deaton. At the state level, 1,989,268 votes voted to re-elected Warren while Deaton won 40% of the state votes with 1,348,466 votes.
Along with the national and state office level seats, Massachusetts voters also voted on five questions.
Question 1, which would allow audit of the state senator, passed. The majority of Waltham residents voted in favor — 17,538 voted “Yes” and 6,942 voted in opposition.
Question 2, which would drop the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test requirement for students to graduate, passed. Waltham voters were divided over this question, but ultimately voted in favor of getting rid of the requirement with 14,944 Waltham residents voting in favor while 10,628 voted in opposition. The MCAS will continue to be implemented for curriculum development purposes and assessing areas of improvement.
Question 3, which would allow rideshare drivers to unionize, passed. 14,158 Waltham voters were in favor of allowing rideshare drivers to unionize, while 10,505 voted “No.”
Question 4, which would provide limited legalization of the use of certain psychedelic substances, was overall defeated. With a margin of just 1,068 votes, Waltham residents voted against the legalization of the growth, possession and use of a personal amount of psychedelic substances.
Question 5, which would raise the minimum wage for tipped employees, was defeated with 14827 Waltham residents voting “no.”
Additionally, Waltham voters encountered a Question 6 on their ballots aimed at legislation to create a single-payer system of publicly administered universal healthcare, which received an overwhelming majority of “Yes” votes in the city. The question only appears on 11 state representative district ballots, including the 10th Middlesex district which covers Waltham. The non-binding question received support with 4,255 “Yes” votes, and only 1,789 votes cast in opposition. The vote was more symbolic, demonstrating how voters would like their representative vote on the issue of Medicare for All.
The 2020 presidential election was recorded to have the highest voter turnout in American history. It is unclear why voter turnout decreased in Waltham this most recent election. Although Harris performed well in Waltham, President-elect Donald Trump will take office on Jan. 20, 2025 alongside running mate J.D. Vance.
Community receives message titled “Social Justice and Free Expression”
■ Members of the Brandeis administration sent an email to the community regarding social justice and free expression on campus.
By ANNA MARTIN JUSTICE EDITOR IN CHIEF
On Nov. 8, members of the Brandeis community received an email from Vice President of Student Affairs Andrea Dine and Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging LeManuel Bitsoi titled “Social Justice and Free Expression.”
The email began by discussing an idea that was central to the University’s founding: “a commitment to social justice and the respectful exchange of ideas.” It continued on by explaining that due to these founding values, the University supports free expression as well as the opportunity for students to “express their viewpoints while simultaneously adhering to our campus community standards.”
The Brandeis principles of free speech and free expression are broken into six parts, starting with “Maximizing Free Speech in a Diverse Community.” This section details that every member of the Brandeis community is able to “put forth ideas for consideration, engagement, and criticism by others, as such exchanges are core to the mission of institutions of higher learning.” It also links free speech with the ultimate goal of creating a “diverse and inclusive community.” This section of the principles also details that free expression encompasses all artistic expression and extends to the exchange of ideas in terms of both talking and listening. Additionally, the University endorses as a principle for action, a remark from the school’s namesake supreme court judge Louis Brandeis: “If there be a time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the processes of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence.” The first principle concludes by explaining that it is the responsibility of the University to encourage the presentation of a wide range of both scholarly and political opinions, and to “prevent attempts to shut down conversations, no matter what their topic.”
The second of these six principles is titled “Developing Skills to Engage in Difficult Conversations” and explains that Brandeis holds pride in “debating difficult issues vigorously.” The principle goes on to illustrate that if university administration attempted to “define realms of prohibited speech,” it would “produce a chilling effect upon speech and exchange of views on campus.” The principle then details a plan for the University to reach its full potential in this regard, that consists of “a curriculum that exposes students and the entire community to various viewpoints, and a long institutional memory about how free expression operates and has operated at Brandeis.” The second principle concludes by acknowledging that in order to achieve greater understanding, “intellectual courage to risk discomfort” is required.
“Sharing Responsibility” was the third principle and details that every member of the University community is morally responsible for both their own decisions and how their actions impact the greater Brandeis community. It explains that “open-minded disagreement” can show respect for one another, and is the kind of thing that Brandeis strives for. The principle states “we should embrace civility, but in the larger sense: an issue can be engaged with emotion, and even a raised voice, if the humanity of all involved is respected.” It continues by explaining that Brandeis works towards a community
that promotes “expression of a diverse set of intellectual, political, cultural, and social outlooks.” The principle cites the University’s commitment to free expression as “an essential part of the ethical and intellectual imperative to strive for diversity and inclusion on campus.” It then concludes by explaining that it is necessary for the entire community to be engaged in a manner that is just and inclusive, “so that all can participate fully in the intellectual and social life of the University.”
The fourth of the six principles is titled “Rejecting Physical Violence” and explains that while peaceful protest is “fully appropriate to an environment of vigorous discussion and debate,” both physical violence and the prevention of speech are unacceptable. The principle concluded with the idea that “[o]nce violence is normalized as an ingredient of free expression, it sets the pattern, ending rather than supporting free expression.”
The fifth principle is titled “Distinguishing between Invited Speakers and University Honorees,” explaining that while the University promotes all viewpoints being shared and the invitation of guest speakers onto campus, this does not mean that the University endorses the opinions of all who have the opportunity to speak. However, “there are certain circumstances, especially the granting of honorary degrees, in which an invitation issued by the university does constitute an endorsement of some major aspect of their life or work.” The principle concludes by explaining that protests against the choices of individuals that are chosen to be honored do not count as attacks on free speech.
The final principle titled “Institutional Restrictions” begins by stating, “The freedom to debate and discuss ideas does not mean that individuals may say whatever they wish, wherever they wish, or however they wish.” It explains that the University is able to restrict free expression in certain circumstances, such as speech that “violates the law, that falsely defames a specific individual, that constitutes a genuine threat or harassment, that unjustifiably invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests, or that is otherwise directly incompatible with the functioning of the university.”
After stating support for free expression, the Nov. 8 email continued on to explain that the Brandeis campus “embodies both diversity of identity and opinion.” It explains that diversity at Brandeis means many different things, including “ability/disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status, age, language, et. al.” The email states that Brandeis holds a wide variety of thoughts and opinions that are “inherent in, and within, the various cultures our community embodies” and that they are all respected. It explains that this diversity in thought contributes to a “richer and more robust educational experience.”
The email then continues on by defining the community standards relevant to free expression on campus, explaining that the Campus Use of Space Policy applies to free expression as well as the Student Rights and Responsibilities’ policies on campus protests and demonstrations. These policies are detailed under section seven of rights and responsibilities under the Department of Student Rights and Community Standards. This section explains that while the University has the responsibility to “promote a lively and fearless freedom of debate and deliberation,” it also has the responsibility to “protect that freedom when others attempt to restrict it.” It outlines that members of the community are allowed to “protest, rally or demonstrate,” as long as they are not interfering with University operations or obstruct any movement to or from any property owned by Brandeis.
Additionally, the University “may limit the time, place, and manner of demonstrations.” Students are encouraged to reach out to the Dean of Students Office and alert them to any protest activities in advance. The section states that this suggestion is not to restrict
free speech or expression, but “so that the DOSO may help students navigate the guidelines for demonstration and give the University the opportunity to provide space that accommodates the reasonable needs of both the University community and those engaged in acts of speech or protest.” Section seven continues on to emphasize that all community members are entitled to free speech and free expression, meaning that students must “allow other community members freedom of movement on campus, along with the freedom to engage in the performance of their duties and the pursuit of their educational activities.” The section emphasizes that Brandeis Public Safety is allowed to “review and address any safety concerns occurring during a protest or demonstration.”
The section linked in the email also explains that the principles of academic freedom extend to all learning at Brandeis, meaning that any topic can be taught. The section details that an “activity that is neither disruptive nor obstructive” is allowed to take place inside of a University building as long as it is happening when the building is scheduled to be open. It continues on to explain that activities that are “neither disruptive nor obstructive are generally permitted in the outdoor area of campus,” however the University is allowed to restrict these activities to certain areas and permission has to be granted from DOSO for placement of things such as “tents and individual shelters.” Additionally, the Waltham deputy chief of fire protection is in charge of determining the number of people a space can safely accommodate in any area where demonstrations occur. Additionally, section 7.4 titled “Official Order to Vacate” explains that when directed by an authorized official of the University, “Students are expected and required to vacate an area or facility.” Section 7.5 explains that while “Brandeis maintains a high tolerance for protests, disruptions that prevent a planned event from continuing are not permissible.” It explains that students who interfere with the ability of the event to run as planned will be warned and then asked to leave. This section also details that if disruptions are not ceased then students “who do not comply with requests to leave face disciplinary consequences.”
Following the mention of this policy, the email from Dine and Bitsoi links Brandeis’ policy regarding discrimination and harassment, reminding community members that the University does “not condone hate, violence, threats, or harassment, of any kind- towards any community or individual.” In addition to stating it complies with all “Protected Categories” under federal and state law, the policy emphasizes that “Brandeis prohibits discrimination and on the basis of race; color; national origin; ethnicity; share ancestry or ethnic characteristics; caste; sex, including pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, including transgender identity; religion; disability; age; genetics [and] active military or veteran status” as well as sexual violence against students which includes “sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence, and domestic violence.”
The email then calls on students who have either witnessed or experienced “behavior that may have violated our community standards” to report it, providing a link to the Reporting at Brandeis webpage. According to the Brandeis policy, “the [Office of Equal Opportunity] Formal Complaint Process and/or Title IX Grievance Process may be available to address that conduct,” when referring to students who have “engaged in discrimination, harassment, or sexual violence.” The website also explains that “The Formal Complaint Process contains informal and formal resolution options.”
To close out their email, Dine and Bitsoi stated, “During these times of uncertainty and uneasiness, we ask everyone to respect each and every member of our community, while we engage in robust discussions.”
Graphics courtesy of ADAGIO DANCE COMPANY
Graphics courtesy of DEISHACKS
Brandeis Kindness Days
From Nov. 10 to Nov. 15 the Brandeis University Department of Student Engagement hosted their 15th annual Kindness Days. The main goal of the Brandeis Kindness Days is to promote and celebrate the “kindness that exists in the Brandeis community” according to the Kindness Day initiative website
According to the Brandeis Kindness Days platform, the Kindness Day Initiative was first started 15 years ago by a “faculty member with a vision to further connect Brandeis by promoting morale, building community, and encouraging more small acts of thanks and kindness on campus.” The initiative has continued to grow since its inaugural year to span almost an entire week.
This year, there were 11 Kindness Day related events on campus. These events included volunteer chalking, a sustainability fair, bouquets of kindness, the service fair, open mike night at the Stein, a Trivia Night collaboration and various other events taking place in Brandeis residential areas.
The Kindness Day initiative also offered all Brandeis students, past and present, faculty, staff and friends of Brandeis the opportunity to participate in making virtual kindness cards. Participants fill out the virtual form to send a “virtual postcard” to the recipient of their choosing.
— Eliza Bier
BRIEF 2025 Commencement student speaker selection process set
On Wednesday, Nov. 13, Provost Carol Fierke sent out an email to students about the selection process for this year’s student Commencement speakers.
Beginning Monday, Nov. 25, students will have the opportunity to nominate themselves and their peers for the Richard Kaufman ’58 Memorial Prize for Leadership and Academic Excellence. Nominated undergraduate students will be evaluated by the undergraduate selection committee, chaired by Executive Director of English Language Programs Vinodini Murugesan, while graduate students will be evaluated by the graduate selection committee, chaired by university librarian Matthew Sheehy. By the end of the process, one undergraduate student and one graduate student will have been selected to speak at the University’s 74th annual Commencement ceremony on May 18, 2025.
According to Fierke, “Selected students will reflect the distinctive qualities of the
Brandeis I Am Global Weekselect districts
On Nov. 18, Brandeis University kicked off its annual I Am Global Week in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium. At this event, members of the Brandeis community were able to learn about the full schedule of IAGW, pick up an IAGW T-shirt and sample international candy from different areas of the world.
IAGW is a week-long Brandeis celebration that takes place every November during the “U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education - sponsored International Education Week.” The campus-wide celebration focuses on highlighting “global efforts and achievements across campus” and “promotes integration between domestic and international students,” showcasing
to begin
Brandeis’ global community. Events throughout the week are hosted by a mix of student groups, campus partners, Brandeis faculty and the International Students and Scholars Office. The signature event of the week is the Global Bazaar. At the Global Bazaar, students are “invited to host tables and represent their culture, club, or country in a creative and interactive way” according to the IAGW website. This year the Global Bazaar will take place on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the SCC.
graduating class, and demonstrate academic excellence, leadership in their activities, and a commitment to improving the world around them.” In addition to having the opportunity to speak at Commencement, the undergraduate student and graduate student who are selected will also receive a cash prize in recognition of their accomplishments. The link to the nomination form will be sent out to students at a later date. Students, faculty and staff will be able to nominate potential student speakers from Monday, Nov. 25 at 9 a.m. until Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.
Madison Sirolis
— Eliza Bier
TREE: Clear evening at the Mount Feake Cemetery, in Waltham, Massachusetts
Nov. 6 Waltham School Committee Meeting highlights
■ District literacy successes, student concerns and advancement in Diversity Equity Inclusion initiatives.
By LIN LIN HUTCHINSON JUSTICE EDITOR
On Nov. 6, the Waltham School Committee met for its bi-weekly meeting, discussing a range of topics including district-wide successes and challenges in English Language Arts, the formation of an equity audit team and a decision to modify a key program at Waltham High School.
During the student council and student input portion of the Nov. 6 meeting, Alexander Tapia, a student representative of Waltham High School, shared students’ disconnect with recent changes to Hawk Block, a period during the school day designated for students to focus on activities including academic support, study time and reassessment.
“Some students are upset about the recent changes that have removed Hawk Block,” Tapia said, adding that “it is more difficult for students to make up missed work and quizzes.” Tapia recognizes that while “some students could have used Hawk Block correctly but they chose not to,” others would like to keep it as it was, citing that it has been “beneficial for the students who actually use it to get help with class content.”
According to The Waltham Times, Waltham High School Principal Darrell Braggs first announced the pause of Hawk Block in a Nov. 6 email to the school community and instead implemented a “Wednesday Advisory” period starting Nov. 20, where students will pursue “goal setting, academic counseling, exploring, and reflecting on themselves as learners,” with the school staff. Two days later, the school announced that Hawk Block was not being eliminated, rather “restructured” to ensure that “every student is thoughtfully scheduled into a space and connected to an educator who will work with them to create an academic plan for how to use this time.”
The biggest concern expressed in the Nov. 8 email was the unaccounted for students who were “roaming hallways or entering classrooms they were not signed into,” classifying it as “not safe.” Currently, there is a petition to reinstate Hawk Block back as it was, which has garnered 859 signatures as of press time. The pe -
tition, which has support from students and parents, depicts issues with being “confined to our homerooms, unable to seek educational aid from our curriculum teachers” and feeling “treated like prisoners in lockdown.”
The petition calls for the reinstatement of Hawk Block, while the high school has said it will “work to rectify these concerns and establish a new procedure for the way in which students are assigned as well as identifying tiered support interventions for students who need it.”
The school committee then discussed a $9,030 book donation made by Cambridge Public Schools, which included over 3,600 student work books and over 70 sets of teacher guides for elementary schools to use for math field tests. According to Waltham Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Sarah Kent, Cambridge originally reviewed the resources through a grant for field tests and decided they no longer needed it. The school committee approved the acceptance of the donation.
During the committee meeting, Director of Elementary Humanities Anne Curry and Director of Grades 6-12 English Language Arts Daphne Fay both provided updates on their respective departments.
Curry reported on the work of the district’s eight reading specialists and seven literacy coaches across its six elementary schools. These specialists, according to Curry “provide small group interventions and are detected coaches, while also serving as interventionist, provide coaching and support to educators through collaborating coaching cycles and facilitation of monthly professional development and biweekly grade level team meetings.” Together, the team serves 2,600 elementary students.
Curry also highlighted the success of the district’s completion of the Growing, Literacy, Equity Across Massachusetts, a grant program which focuses on literacy instruction for Grades kindergarten through three. She points to the success of the grant program highlighting a decrease in kindergarten through second students in need of decoding support, with kindergarten dropping from 52% to 23%, first graders from 38% to 20% and second from 34% to 21%. She also highlighted the increased reading accuracy between third and-fifth grade. For the last academic year, third graders saw an increase in accuracy from 32% to 82%, fourth grade from 16% to 74.8% and fifth grade up from 23% to 88%.
Despite success from last year, Curry rec -
ognized areas in need of improvement, including addressing concerns of “disjointed” days as a result of students receiving support from multiple providers in short windows of time.
“We want to make sure the students are getting what they need in all areas of their education and we are committed to working with the multilingual department and the special education department to make sure that we are aligned in the instruction we are providing,” Curry said.
She concluded her presentation by addressing one other concern — remaining constant with implementing “Tier 1” literacy instruction.
“To do so, we are working with educators to elevate curricular components, increase student discourse and allow them to express their learning through writing.” Students in grades kindergarten through second received their own sets of decodable readers with the aim to “empower our youngest readers and help them develop confidence as they practice and apply the skills they have been taught,” Curry notes.
Fay shared that similar to Curry’s department, her goal is to apply science of reading reason to secondary English Language Arts instruction. For middle school students, the curriculum focuses on oral reading fluency and vocabulary development while students in high school focus on stamina and standards aligned questions on text sets.
Success within the middle and high schools includes improvement of Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System scores for Kennedy Middle School, who exceeded targets in ELA for their lowest performing 25% of students.
She also spoke about two new class offerings at Waltham High school — English Literacy Acceleration, a class for sophomore students who were identified as “at risk” of not reaching grade level reading. Another new class offering is the ESL 2B-ELA Bridge, which offers students set to enter “a mainstream English course [that] they will be taking for the first time at the high school, with “extra push and acceleration in their literacy skills to better prepare them for success,” Fay explained.
One challenge that Fay noticed, which she said “[wouldn’t] be surprising to hear,” is the district’s “historically low performance on MCAS reading standards across all grade levels.” She adds that all of the work put in getting students to become better readers is “really driven by what we see from their per -
formance on the MCAS over the years.” Earlier in the meeting, the committee took a moment to recognize over 30 members of the National Honor Society at Waltham High School, who volunteered their time by giving tours of the new highschool that opened this August to the greater Waltham community. Superintendent Marisa Mendonsa shared that much of the positive feedback describes the students as “patient and kind and thoughtful,” and “ how amazing the students were … and knowledgeable already of all of the different spaces in such a short amount of time.” Mendonsa adds, before the rest of the school committee handed out certificates recognizing their efforts, “I want to really, on behalf of the school district and the School Committee, thank all of you for committing your time. It was invaluable for us as a greater city.”
Mendonsa also shared briefly that an equity audit team has been selected and an audit set to begin this month. More information about the timeline and implementation would be provided in the next committee meeting, Mendonsa said, following the team’s first meeting. The idea of having an equity audit was first raised by Mendonsa during a July 10 school committee meeting, where she noted that there was an audit before the COVID-19 Pandemic that is now “outdated.”
“I believe that the Waltham Public Schools would benefit from having an audit for us to really understand where we are in terms of [Diversity Equity Inclusion] and a sense of belonging in our district,” Mendonsa suggested, adding that staff, students, community members and caregivers would be included in focus groups.
“It would look at curriculum instructions. It would look at teaching and learning. It would look at professional development, our staffing structures and really develop a foundation of where we currently are as a district in terms of our DEI work.” In the July meeting, Mendonsa said the audit could be conducted and completed “this year,” in time for the district to discuss it in relation to what the Fiscal Year 26 budget could bring.
Concluding the Nov. 6 committee meeting, committee member Elizabeth Aljammal requested that Waltham High School Principal Braggs attend the next school committee meeting to discuss the Hawk Block change. The school committee is set to reconvene Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.
BRIAN LUCY/The Justice
SQUIRRELS : A pair of squirrels perch up on a tree on Chapels Field
FUNDING: Waltham grants $6 million to the Boys & Girls Club of America
For the indoor pool, only minimal alterations are proposed, primarily the replacement of existing glass block windows, missing or deteriorated tile and any original architectural elements will be restored, but according to the filings with the city, the space remains “exceptionally well-preserved.”
If funding permits, the application proposes an addition to the southwest corner of the existing building that would include an access ramp. This ramp will provide additional accessible entry points and an easy evacuation route for the lower classrooms in case of an emergency. “In a recent safety inspection conducted by an external safety assessor, this was flagged as a significant safety concern that must be addressed,” the application listed.
The effort has received significant support including current Ward 6 city councilor Sean T. Durkee, who in a letter of support to Geoffrey Staton a WBGC Board member, writes
“You are more than a non-profit seeking assistance — you are a bedrock of support in our community.”
Mort Isaacson, the chair of the Waltham Historical Commission, also shared words of support for the project, writing in a Feb. 14 letter to Justin Barrett, chair of the Waltham Community Preservation Committee, that the Waltham Historical Commission voted on Feb. 12, 2024 to give its support to the WBGC. “This building is an important historic resource of the City of Waltham as it has been the home since 1952 of an organization that has played an important part in the history and culture of the Cities since 1937,” the letter states. “Its significance to the youth of this community cannot be overstated.”
Waltham Public Schools also expressed support. Leanne Wilcinski, the then-acting superintendent of schools for the Waltham school district writes to the members of the CPC, highlighting the partnership throughout the school year and the important role
that WBGC played during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WBGC “has also been an active and consistent partner in providing prevention programming in out-of-school time,” the letter states, adding that the club's commitment to remaining open and providing meals to thousands of students who would otherwise lose access to the free breakfast and lunch and the distribution of Chromebooks and other essential school supplies as school became a learning center for virtual learning.
“There is no question that the Waltham Boys & Girls Club is an instrumental partner to the Waltham Public Schools,” Wilcinski writes. “I see them as a very worthy candidate for CPA funding. I fully endorse this grant proposal and I Am confident that the Club will be able to provide additional support that aligns with our district priorities when their new building opens.”
During the Nov. 4 Long Term Debt & Capital Planning Committee meeting, Young noted that the project would need 80% of the to -
tal project cost in order to break ground. She says that the aim is to begin renovation no later than June 2026 and according to the application, the construction would conclude Oct. 2026.
Massachusetts Congresswoman Katrine Clark included WBGC in her Appropriation Fund which allocated $1,046,000 to the project.
The construction is projected to take between 12-18 months according to Young, and “the whole building will be closed.”
“We are in conversations with several people throughout the city, to figure out where we will be located while we are closed down,” said Young. “But we have gotten commitments that there will be spaces for us,” the executive director added in reassuring Councillor at Large, Carlos Vidal who questioned what will happen to the kids during construction.
The city’s funding will be supplied in $2 million a year increments for the next three years.
PETITION: Brandeis alumni petition against decision to remove official emails
avoid blindsiding alumni and faithfulness to one of the core tenets of the university: “Truth, even unto its innermost parts.”
“We use our Brandeis email because we are proud to be Brandeis alumni” the petition states, adding that it's worth the investment to keep such emails active, as it is “spreading the Brandeis brand.” Alumni feel they were “blinded-sided” by the decision as they were not given a say and expressed that neither the Alumni Association nor Student Union were consulted. As of press time, The Justice can not confirm the claim.
The petition asserts that the Brandeis email address has proven to be beneficial with many alumni using their “Brandeis Google Workspace continually for decades,” mostly to access academic and research tools which allows alumni to “pursue new projects with the help of Brandeis institutions.”
On the Alumni Community Support website, the University says the decision to dis-
continue alumni emails aligns with other colleges who “have decided to end lifetime email within a few months of graduation,” including Boston College, Middlebury College and the University of Massachusetts. However, the petition questions this comparison from the University, saying “it is not accurate to say that they ‘ended life-time email,’” since “the three institutions cited by Brandeis either never offered long-term email access or had limited forwarding services that were discontinued.” . Instead the petitioners pointed to over a dozen universities and colleges that, according to them, allow students to keep their email address including Babson College, Cornell University, Columbia University, Boston College and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
In response to Koob, the Interim Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Nile Sorensen, said the “decision is final and will not be revisited.” Sorensen claims that when the University initially began using
Google Suite for education, “the associated costs of including alumni accounts were reasonable.” However Sorensen says the cost is “no longer the case” and that the Information Technology Services team “warns us that the exponentially increased sophistication of hackers and other bad actors over the past decade makes Brandeis vulnerable to attack.”
In a Sept. 17 Letter to the Editor to The Justice, an organizer of the petition stated that “We hope that the university leadership will reconsider this decision, which will be a blow to Brandeis's reputation and relationship with its alumni.”
Another point of grievance for alumni is that many former students have used their Brandeis email addresses to create various accounts and throughout their professional lives. Alum Gary Wasserman ’78 remarked in a Facebook post on Nov. 7 that “I think there is a kind of insurmountable stupidity at work… I may never forgive the school for making so many hours of frustrating wasted
time chasing down the endless places I’ve used that email.”
Alumni further expressed in the Letter to the Editor that “the university explicitly promised that alumni email addresses would be available for life. The university is now breaking that promise.” The erasure of alumni student accounts has left many former students disappointed.
As of Nov. 19, 2024 the petition has received over 300 signatures. The alumni are demanding that Brandeis reinstate their Google Suites access for life. In addition to alumni, faculty have expressed concern. During the Nov. 8 faculty meeting, Prof. William Flesch (ENG) utilized the question and answer session with new Interim President Aurthur Levine ’70 to bring the concern up to new leadership. He explained that there is the potential for increased security, and also options regarding potential forwarding systems. Levine said that he would consider these solutions moving forward.
features
The cinema should offer new images, create new memories.
ON THIS DAY…
Charlie Kaufman was born in 1958. FUN FACT In the winter, shadows are longer because the Earth is tilted away from the sun.
Producer Yeeshai Gross on giving back to his community
Yeeshai Gross discusses his career in the entertainment industry and producing “The Witness Project,” “Paper Clips” and more.
Yeeshai Gross, founder of two production companies — Multipleoutlet and Ergo Entertainment — is a 58-year-old New York native who produces Broadway shows, short films and documentaries. As an Orthodox Jewish person himself, Gross gravitates towards projects that speak to his community, such as Holocaust education productions like “The Witness Project” and the Emmy-nominated documentary “Paper Clips.” On Nov. 17, Gross shared with The Justice what it means to give back, discussing his previous projects and the Public Service Announcements he produced for the Jewish crisis organization “Amudim.”
What first lit your spark to start your journey in entertainment?
GROSS: I would go to camp and I would watch shows being put on. I was more fascinated by the backstage goings-on than I was with what was going on onstage. What really sparked my interest was … the chaos backstage of getting everything ready, and then crossing that line of what the audience sees, [which is] a completely polished, beautiful, shiny, thing that is not what’s necessarily happening behind that
wall. That was unbelievable.
By LAUREN GOODMAN JUSTICE STAFF WRITER
Now I want to ask you about your Orthodox Jewish background. You make PSAs for Amudim that focus on sensitive topics like sexual abuse, addiction and mental illness. What about your community inspires you to give back in this way?
GROSS: A number of years ago, as I started getting older, I came to the conclusion that I would like to do work on projects that are more important to me and my community. I started getting involved in Jewish nonprofits, and trying to use whatever skills or talents I had in order to help them. And a lot of these Jewish nonprofits were dealing with very difficult topics, topics that have been taboo over the years. And I started saying, “How can we work on this from a theatrical point of view, instead of just using statistics? How can I use what I know in order to help these organizations?” I wanted to leave things behind that were important to me, to my children, to my grandchildren. And that became something that was quite important to me.
How long did it take for you to see
the impact of these films in the community?
GROSS: Early on, I started seeing a tremendous impact within the Jewish community. We started seeing people get help as a direct result of the videos we put out … A tremendous measure for us was how it was being shared in the non-Jewish world. They were sharing the PSAs [for] the same reason that we were putting them out, saying this kind of stuff is in every single community. When we started seeing thousands of shares by churches and mosques and things like that, we realized that this was a good thing that we were doing for the world and for the communities at large.
These PSAs, such as “This Is Not Us,” “A Life Worth Living” and “Happy Birthday Dad,” tackle difficult topics all from an Orthodox Jewish lens, yet your outreach wasn’t hindered by that. What about these films do you think appeal to other communities?
GROSS: The first instinct on any of these topics is for the community to say, “This is not us. It doesn’t happen here.” So that’s why it’s being shown, that these were made through the lens of Orthodox Judaism saying, “Yes. It does happen here.” And I think that’s what was picked up by, you know, other religions. It was like, “It happens everywhere.” A lot of these pieces are designed for people who think they’re the only ones in their community going through something like this, who feel tremendously alone. We want to show them that not only are there other people to help them, but there are tons of other people going through it. There is a comfort in that, in knowing “It’s not just me, there is a place for help, and there is hope.”
Are these PSAs based on true stories?
GROSS: They’re all based on a mix of things … I made a PSA called “This Is Not Us” because I kept hearing from psychologists and professionals that the number one thing that people say is, “This is just not us.” We don’t actually say it, but it’s pretty clear that it’s
[about] sexual abuse. And the words on that, they’re basically all excuses: half excuses of why not to deal with it, and half denials. It was designed to show that these people in high positions are not necessarily evil, but it’s what they believe. They believe that it can’t be, that you can’t have a teacher who everybody loves and yet is abusing students. And the answer is, unfortunately, it can be.
It seems like you’re drawn to difficult topics, especially with your work in Holocaust education. Are you related to survivors?
GROSS: My grandparents were both Holocaust survivors, and were both big talkers on that experience … it became something that was instilled in me, this concept of educating people.
“Paper Clips” followed students in Whitwell, Tennessee as they gathered six million paper clips to honor the Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust. “The Witness Project” features students working with Holocaust survivors to share their stories. What attracted you to these productions?
GROSS: One thing about “Paper Clips” that attracted me was where it was taking place and who it was taking place with. The fact that it was in Middle America, Whitwell, Tennessee, with Christian Fundamentalists teaching students about the Holocaust … that to me was worth 1,000 times what it is to teach grandchildren of survivors about the Holocaust. “The Witness Project” is Holocaust survivors working with teenage students, telling their stories to them, developing really nice close relationships with them. Elie Wiesel, his famous quote is, “When you hear a story from a survivor, you become a witness yourself.” That’s where this whole concept comes from. It’s mixed with Jewish kids and non-Jewish students. Many of the Jewish students only know a little about the Holocaust. That same thing that attracted me to “Paper Clips” attracted me to this. To understand what could potentially come of [hate] is ridiculously important. I think it’s even more important now than ever.
Design: GRACE DOH/The Justice. Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS.
SEATS: Yeeshai Gross produces works that are important to him and his community.
Student filmmakers: Behind the scenes and on the screen
The Justice spotlights three student filmmakers and their most important projects thus far.
By GRACE DOH JUSTICE EDITOR
Many student filmmakers at Brandeis are studying Film, Television and Interactive Media alongside other subjects, balancing exams and extracurriculars with the lengthy process of screenwriting, equipment rentals, directing makeshift crews and more. Nevertheless, these creators are hard at work orchestrating all the moving parts to producing their video projects, from far-out fictional stories to incisive documentaries. The Justice heard from three dedicated student filmmakers who are working on realizing their creative visions through audiovisual mediums.
Leah Goldstein ’25 is majoring in FTIM, Psychology and Health, Science, Society, and Policy. During her time at Brandeis, she has been actively involved in the production of multiple film projects. Currently enrolled in the course FILM 110A: Film Production, she is now able to utilize the skills she’s accumulated over the years to the fullest extent. “After exploring media studies in previous semesters, I was excited to get hands-on experience with filmmaking again,” she told The Justice on Nov. 18.
Since enrolling in Brandeis’ FTIM program, Goldstein has produced several short films, and is currently working on her final project for her Film Production course. In this process, Goldstein and her group members — Nick Altman ’25 and Varun Challa ’26 — have been experimenting with different shots and lighting tech-
niques. With this assignment, she’s able to play a hands-on role in the scriptwriting, producing and acting.
The process has been longer and more complex than anything else she’s done for the class, but Goldstein noted that this project has been the most significant one she’s been involved in over the course of her time at Brandeis.
Entitled “Those Final Moments,” the project is a mockumentary following two students who graduated from Brandeis two months ago and through a series of comedic events, reflect on how they embraced rebellion in their final year. In her final year at Brandeis herself, the project is meaningful to Goldstein on a personal level. “It’s both a humorous and poignant way for me to engage with the experience of nearing graduation and reminds me to savor my last year at Brandeis,” she explained.
The group filmed over four days, and Goldstein stated that she found the experience incredibly enjoyable. She recalled one of her favorite moments during shooting, “Sneakily filming in a Walgreens to capture some of our more spontaneous scenes.”
Goldstein shared that, through her film work at Brandeis, she’s learned the importance of maintaining the hobbies and passions that define who you are. She acknowledged how the hectic nature of college
routines can make it difficult to keep consistent with childhood passions, and emphasized that, despite this, the film course has reignited her passion for filmmaking.
“It’s been an incredibly fulfilling experience, and I know that my love for film will stay with me long after I leave Brandeis,” she stated. The creative process, the collaboration with fellow students and the opportunity to contribute to the film scene at Brandeis have all been invaluable to her.
Brooke Lober ’26 is an FTIM major and Journalism minor and has worked on various film projects in their classes at Brandeis, namely FILM 120A: Cinematography. In this class, Lober made a mockumentary about a vampire who tries to fit in at college. Another short exercise for the class took them to different spots around campus as they scouted out locations and composed scenic shots.
In a Nov. 17 interview with The Justice, Lober reflected on the collaborative nature of the medium. They spoke about how they’ve helped friends with their projects and vice versa. They once worked with a friend on a short film about a boy who was obsessing over a dancer — so much so that he ended up killing her. Lober explained that that friend extended the cut into a fullfledged short film that was eventually submitted to a contest later that year.
After taking time to brainstorm ideas for the film, the two were able to innovate a unique approach to the cinematography.
They noted that because it was such a lowstakes scenario, they felt free to experiment with a variety of different techniques.
“One of the coolest things I came up with during that project was filming the shadows of our actors dancing instead of just them dancing,” Lober explained. The decision to use shadows was made to create a mysterious atmosphere that accommodates the storyline. Most of the scenes were shot in a straightforward way, until the final dancing scene when the boy finally approaches the dancer. Through these filmic techniques, it is implied that the dancing scene didn’t really happen. The grim reality is that he ends up murdering the dancer in her studio.
“It was really awesome to be able to work with another person who loves filming as much as me because we spent a few hours making sure we could get the shadows in the right spots so they would merge into each other on the wall,” Lober reflected on the experience. They noted the value in being able to bounce ideas off of someone else in order to think more critically about your ideas.
They also emphasized the fact that making a film is simply a hard process: “It’s okay to not always know what you are doing. That’s just part of the learning process.” While it may be discouraging to have to try over and over again to get a
shot right, Lober noted the importance of not giving up in capturing a scene the way it was imagined.
Emily Ren ’25 is majoring in anthropology and psychology with a minor in studio arts. Ren has worked on experimental and ethnographic documentaries in the past, as all of the film courses she’s taken have been focused on documentary-making. Her favorite documentary she’s created is titled “I’ll be a Butterfly” The piece was a final project for ANTH 130a, a course on ethnographic documentary. As a dancer herself, Ren knew she wanted to produce a piece about dancing. Having been a fan of a Boston-based dance team called “Hush,” she decided to reach out to one of their members, Bela, who eventually became the main subject of the film.
On Nov. 18, Ren told The Justice that the entirety of the shooting process was collaborative — from audiovisual recording to interviewing. She discussed one of the most memorable moments in making the documentary with her class partner. The two documented the dance team filming a “dance in public” video at Boston Commons. “They had a cameraman film-
ing them while we were simultaneously recording them for our documentary project,” she recalled.
While observing the performance, passersby would step in and out of frame, and one of them started heckling the dancers midway through the song. “I realized the courage it takes to dance in public spaces, and the unpredictable challenges [the dancers] have to face,” Ren stated.
While filming the dance group’s practice sessions, one of her main concerns was disturbing the rehearsal process and that the members might feel nervous about the presence of the camera. “We tried to keep some distance with them, offering them some comfortable space,” she explained.
For Ren, the whole experience was a chance to learn about how to ethically approach the real-life subjects in her documentary films. She shared that following “Hush” was a lesson in treating her interlocutors with respect — “to think about how they want to be portrayed, what side of them I want to portray and how to approach it through editing.”
SHADOWS: Brooke Lober ’26 used strategically lit shadows to film a dance scene.
Photo courtesy of BROOKE LOBER
HUSH: Emily Ren ’25 made a documentary about the K-Pop dance cover team, “Hush.”
Photo courtesy of EMILY REN
BEHIND THE SCENES: Bela of “Hush” poses with dog after performing in Boston Common.
Photo courtesy of EMILY REN
FRAME: Leah Goldstein ’25 and Varun Challa ’26 take a break on set.
Photo courtesy of LEAH GOLDSTEIN VIDEO STUDIO: Leah Goldstein ’25 and her team set up their shot.
Photo courtesy of LEAH GOLDSTEIN
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
Diversifying the stage: Commencing change
On Nov. 13, the Brandeis student body received an email from the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Carol Fierke, about the student Commencement speakers and the selection process for such an honor. This editorial board believes that the voices that represent our graduating class at Commencement should truly embody the diversity, resilience and dynamism of our student body; with the launch of this year’s Richard Kaufman ’58 Memorial Prize for Leadership and Academic Excellence, the opportunity to reflect on what — and whom — our community values most in this significant moment has never been more important.
While academic excellence and leadership are undeniably key criteria for this honor, we must also prioritize speakers who bring unique perspectives to the stage. Specifically, this editorial board is advocating for the selection of a queer or Black, Indigenous and People of Color undergraduate as one of this year’s speakers. Representation matters, and we believe that commencement is the perfect opportunity to elevate voices that have been historically marginalized within academia and beyond.
The annual Commencement speeches serve as a symbolic closing chapter to our university experience. They resonate because they reflect the lived experiences of the speakers and connect those stories to the broader challenges and triumphs of our graduating class. For many students in our university community, seeing a speaker who shares their identity — whether as a queer student, a student of color or both — would serve as an inspiring reminder that their voices belong on the same platform as any other. Moreover, such representation signals our university’s commitment to inclusion and equity, showcasing our dedication to celebrating all facets of our student body.
Queer and BIPOC students often navigate additional layers of complexity and difficulty in their journeys through higher education; they face systemic barriers and
social challenges that their peers may not experience, making their successes all the more remarkable. Their voices are vital, not just because of their distinct identities, but because they bring fresh perspectives to conversations about leadership, communitybuilding and the role of education in fostering a better world.
The Richard Kaufman ’58 Memorial Prize emphasizes leadership and a commitment to improving the world. These qualities are often found in abundance among students who have had to work harder to carve out space for themselves and make their voices heard within institutions not always designed for them. By selecting a queer or BIPOC student as an undergraduate speaker, the selection committee would not only highlight individual excellence but also underscore the broader values of equity, progress and inclusion that our university aspires to uphold.
We would like to call on students, faculty and staff to actively participate in the selection process by nominating candidates who bring these perspectives to the table; this process is most meaningful when it draws from a wide and diverse pool of nominations. Those who are nominating should consider the impact that a speaker’s identity and experiences could have on the wider audience, particularly on younger students who may look to them as role models. As a reminder, as per Fierke’s email, the nomination forms open on Nov. 25 and remains open until Dec. 8; we encourage students to keep an eye on their inboxes for the follow-up email containing the requisite links to the forms.
Commencement is more than just a ceremony — it is a platform to celebrate the values that unite and strengthen our community. By championing diversity in the selection of our speakers, we can ensure that the stories shared at this milestone event inspire and resonate with everyone in attendance. Let us take this opportunity to uplift voices that have not always been heard but are essential to shaping the inclusive and dynamic future of our university.
Surviving a semester in overdrive: The final push
The period between midterms and finals is always challenging, but this semester’s compressed schedule has made it uniquely overwhelming. With Thanksgiving falling late and leaving us with just one week of classes before finals begin, it feels like we’re stuck in a time loop.
In the midst of this academic whirlwind, it’s easy to feel like you’re running out of time — or worse, that you’re already behind. You might be juggling multiple projects, trying to catch up on missed lectures or bracing for the deluge of final exams that await after the break. With so much going on, it can be hard to even know where to start.
While this may feel overwhelming, there are ways to get through this busy time and maintain some sanity. First, be realistic about what you can accomplish — and be kind to yourself. As the semester winds down and deadlines pile up, it’s easy to set unrealistic expectations. But if there’s one thing that becomes clear in these high-pressure times, it’s that no one can do everything at once. Taking a step back to prioritize what absolutely needs to be done can help reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed. And remember, it’s okay to ask
for help — whether that means talking to a professor about an extension or reaching out to friends and forming study groups. If you advocate for yourself and communicate early, most professors are more than willing to work with you.
Organization is key. The trick is to break things down into manageable chunks — don’t try to tackle everything at once. Plan study blocks, but also make time for yourself. It’s easy to slip into the habit of working nonstop, especially with the adrenaline of pressure, but that approach can lead to burnout. Whether it’s taking a walk, having a coffee break or simply stepping away from the library for a bit, small moments of rest will help reset your mind for the tasks ahead.
As hectic as this period may feel, it’s important to remember that we’re all in the same boat. Everyone is experiencing this strange, rushed schedule, so it’s not just you feeling the weight of it all. But remember that taking it one day at a time, asking for help and being kind to yourself can make all the difference in surviving this intense period. So, take a deep breath, and know that while this time is stressful, you will make it through.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor,
A few cold Denver early mornings ago, I was blown away by the rugged man shopping in front of me with his worn and tattered jacket’s back message “No Smoke.” I quickly complimented the message to the 60-year-old Hispanic man and shook his big calloused hand. He allowed me to take pictures, while I was telling him that smoking killed my father in 1964 when I was 11.
Now, it is heartbreaking that the newly nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as our secretary of Health and Human Services avoids Big Tobacco like the plague while speeding after Big Food and Big Pharma. The tar and nicotine blood of the 480k
Americans legally slain by BT annually should be used to write that caring and courageous “No Smoke” onto all RJK Jr’s attire. The hit song “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad” by the late great songwriter Jim Steinman for Meatloaf for Kennedy’s theme.
Mike Sawyer A child health advocate and activist since 1983 7787 Elmwood Pl Denver, CO 80221 205-515-1560 (texting available) msawyer911@gmail.com @FitToGive
The Devil’s Advocate by Jack Granahan and Stephen Gaughan: Debating pardons for President-elect Trump
BY JACK GRANAHAN AND STEPHEN GAUGHAN JUSTICE STAFF WRITERS
Introduction: On Nov. 5, Former President Donald Trump was re-elected to his former office to become the 47th president of the United States and the second president to serve two nonconsecutive terms. He is also the first Republican presidential candidate to win the national popular vote in 20 years.
Throughout the campaign that resulted in his political resurrection, Trump faced heavy scrutiny for his mounting legal troubles, including nearly 100 criminal charges across two states and two federal cases, as well as a variety of civil lawsuits. As of press time, a federal case in the state of Florida concerning his alleged mishandling of classified documents was dismissed
For (Granahan): Throughout the 2024 Presidential campaign, President Biden — the presumptive Democratic nominee until his July withdrawal — and Vice President Harris, the party’s official candidate, attempted to lean into the Former President’s troubles with the law. In fact, a notable portion of the Democrataligned coalition this election, particularly anti-Trump Republicans, endorsed the vice president in part due to their disapproval of the Former President’s crimes. A quintessential metric by which international non-governmental organizations and comparative political analysts judge the well-being of a free state is its adherence to the rule of law. And yet, all of this plainly on the table before them, the Former President’s likely incarceration hanging in the balance, the American electorate made itself clear.
Donald Trump will be the next president of the United States, criminal or not, incarcerated or not. His fate has been decided, no matter the consequences. When voters went to the polls, they either knew that selecting a candidate with an extensive criminal background would weaken the role of the law as a guardrail of American politics or were willfully ignorant. The law is clear. Americans have decreed that it ought not matter.
This issue is not one with which I engage with the passion of previous editions, nor does it demonstrate differences between strong opposing visions for our country. But it is one of great importance with which American legal, judicial and political leadership must now confront. I have read the charges against the president-elect, and heard the arguments for both his innocence and guilt. I am without doubt that he is guilty as charged, and without question that justice demands his adequate punishment. But right now, America demands the opposite. Former President Trump has been decisively reelected. American leaders must honor the will of their constituents. It is necessary for the health of a state that its leaders not be immune from prosecution for criminal acts, but it must be the people of the state alone who decide its future. They have voted not only for Former President Trump but for his acquittal.
When the former president is reinaugurated to the position he held from 2017 to 2021, he will stand on the indisputable mandate of American
democracy. Whereas opponents once pointed to his popular vote loss in 2016 to undermine the strength of his mandate, they can hardly do so this time around. Now, with the demands of the presidency, and the position’s vital role in the law and politics of the United States, America cannot afford to have him shuttling in and out of courtrooms, and forced to decide between his freedom and the integrity of his office, from which he can interfere in both realms.
When Trump left office, he did so against the backdrop of an insurrection he had incited to attack the U.S. Capitol and prevent the certification of his loss. If he violently rejected the will of the voters in 2021 when the only thing at stake was his power, one must imagine how he might react in 2029 when his freedom is also on the line.
In terms of the federal charges, it is worth mentioning that Department of Justice policy has prohibited the prosecution of a sitting president for more than half a century, and that Special Counsel Jack Smith, tasked with handling the federal cases, is likely to wind down his cases. In terms of the Georgia state case, it will have to wait until after Trump’s presidency if it is to proceed. With respect to the New York charges, they lie squarely at the doorstep of Judge Juan Merchan. But for America to heal, and to allow the rule of law to save face, Former President Trump should be pardoned. In Georgia, such an act will likely strengthen the political standing of Republican Governor Brian Kemp. In New York, it could act as a death knell for the political career of Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul. And for the federal charges, it will perpetually stain the legacy of President Joe Biden within his party. But it is also the best that can be done for supporters of the charges.
After President Gerald Ford pardoned his scandal-plagued predecessor, President Richard Nixon, he reportedly carried an excerpt from the 1915 Supreme Court case Burdick v. United States in his wallet as justification. The excerpt stated, and the case held, that a pardon “carries an imputation of guilt; acceptance a confession of it.” Here the same applies. Pardoning President-elect Trump will remove barriers to his suspect ability to carry out the duties of his office without ulterior, self-preserving motives, while still enshrining his acknowledgment of guilt in the history books. It is the right
by a judge he appointed during his first term, pending appeal. Additionally, he was convicted of 34 counts of felony falsification of business records in the state of New York. A federal case in Washington, D.C., and a state case in Georgia remain active. Now, President-elect Trump’s legal fate rests in the hands of a variety of judges, prosecutors and governors, as well as, in part, President Biden.
In this edition, Gaughan will argue that the President-elect should be pardoned of all charges, while Granahan will argue for their persistence. Granahan argues his personal view, while Gaughan does not report a personal opinion.
Against (Gaughan):
No person in the United States is above the law. That includes the president. It is one of the greatest hallmarks of the American republic that every citizen, from the least fortunate worker to the highest-ranking political figure, is, at least on paper, accountable for following the same laws. It was one of the greatest legal and moral failures of the United States government in recent history when the Supreme Court determined in July 2024 that the president’s official acts are exempt from the otherwise ubiquitous rule of law. Nevertheless, even the opinion in this decision explicitly reiterates that “the President is not above the law.” To pardon President-elect Donald Trump of his crimes solely on the basis that he will soon enter the Oval Office would be to confirm that the president is fully and unmistakably above the law.
The last time a U.S. president was pardoned with the intention of uniting and moving on, it arguably did far more to anger and inflame. When President Gerald Ford issued a pardon to Richard Nixon for his involvement in the Watergate scandal a resounding majority of Americans disapproved of the decision. After years of being lied to and manipulated by their government officials, the American people wanted to see Former President Nixon face justice for the crimes he had committed. They were unable to see their president have his day in court, and what followed was a cataclysmic wave of antiestablishment fervor that almost certainly cost President Ford reelection in 1976. It accomplished virtually nothing besides stripping America of closure.
In some respects, the crimes with which President-elect Trump has been charged are far worse than those for which President Nixon was sure to be charged had he not received a pardon. Though ties between Nixon and the initial Watergate complex break-in have been alleged, the famous “Smoking Gun” White House tapes only implicated Nixon in attempting to cover up the ensuing scandal. For what it is worth, Trump has been adjudicated guilty of a cover-up of his own; that is,
falsifying business records in order to conceal an alleged extramarital affair with Stormy Daniels. And this is perhaps the most tame of the crimes he has been charged with. Although his trial for mishandling classified documents has been dismissed, he is still set to be tried for his attempts to reverse the results of the 2020 election using fraudulent electors. Even if one were to disregard his incitement of the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol on the grounds that he did not participate in the violence, Trump’s decision to knowingly solicit fake electors demonstrated a blatant disregard for the laws of the United States.
The choice of whether or not to pardon President-elect Trump comes down to a question of whether or not he and his supporters will genuinely acknowledge the rule of law. President Ford’s decision to pardon President Nixon, while flawed, was at least grounded in the knowledge that Nixon’s tacit acknowledgment of guilt under the Burdick precedent would remove the former president as a political force from America. Trump, however, is a man who has demonstrated that he lacks humility and thrives on controversy. If Trump were to be pardoned under a similar rationale to that which led to the Nixon pardon, it would be unlikely to solicit any indication of guilt, nor would it change Trump’s perception by his most fanatical supporters.
When President Nixon’s own Vice President, Spiro Agnew, was charged with tax evasion in 1973, he did not receive a pardon from the president. In light of his son Hunter’s 2024 conviction on gun charges, President Joe Biden will almost certainly not issue a pardon for his son (nor should he). And while the story may be apocryphal, the incumbent President Ulysses S. Grant was not exempt from arrest when he was reportedly pulled over twice by the same police officer for speeding on a horse and buggy. That’s because there is not one person, even the president, who is above the law in the United States of America. That includes Donald J. Trump.
ANNA MARTIN/The Justice
Random acts of kindness
By GONNY NIR JUSTICE STAFF WRITER
As the sun sets at 4 p.m. and the temperature reaches below “tank-top” weather, I tend to get cynical — more so than usual. Being a product of the summer months and a born-and-bred desert lizard, my mood and general outlook on the world trend toward a downward spiral as the short, bitterly cold winter days creep closer. If my shrink — yes, it’s a politically incorrect term; no, I, a proud old-fashioned Jew, will not stop using it — were honest with me, she’d say that I’m a victim of seasonal affective disorder. And there is simply no amount of “happy lamps” and over-the-counter Vitamin D that can cure my wintertime blues. Trust me, I’ve tried it all.
I don’t think I’m making an incorrect assessment in suggesting that many of us tend to become more jaded as the weather gets colder and the days get shorter. There’s something about the bone-chilling winds of eastern Massachusetts and the minuscule amount of daylight, which is usually obstructed by a thick layer of gray clouds anyway, that makes the winter months here the most soul-sucking four months of every year.
This is especially not ameliorated by the cultural environment we find ourselves in at the present moment. The platform formerly known as Twitter — now X — being our contemporary version of the public square can only be likened to a flaming dumpster fire of humanity’s worst takes. Instagram, which is perhaps most adjacent to old-timey magazines, is actively making young, impressionable users question their worth on the most arbitrary of bases. And TikTok, whose offline predecessors are likely the freak shows and circuses of the nineteenth century, is rotting our brains.
And this, ladies and gentlemen, doesn’t even begin to cover the material catastrophes currently transpiring across the globe. Two offshore wars, hurricanes rampaging Florida, the rehashing of Cold War politics, extremism in Europe and famines in Sudan. Oh! And how could I neglect to mention the nomination of an alleged sex offender to be the U.S.’ top law enforcement officer? Two thumbs up and a gold star for humanity’s capacity to make
something worthwhile out of itself!
But you all already know all of this, so why am I doing the work of bringing it to the forefront of your consciousness? I’m doing so because, despite the objectively shitty state of affairs we are living through, among this community of scholars, wannabe scholars and the people who resent them both (God bless you by the way — sincerely, a wannabe scholar), I think we’ve found it in ourselves to be kind to each other. And I appreciate this.
I’ve been, shall we say, opinionated about the culture on this campus in the pages of this paper. Some of you have taken those opinions well, while others have voiced their perceptions of these takes as inaccurate, hopelessly detached and reeking of a holierthan-thou point of view. To both groups, I’m grateful — appreciative, even — that you take the time out of your busy days to read what I, an overly opinionated kid, have to say about a place that I’m very privileged to spend time at. Nevertheless, despite my strong opinions about this place, I’ve found myself smiling at the little things lately.
What do I mean by “the little things”? I mean the holding doors for strangers, the smiles elicited from brief eye contact, the cordial waves from old acquaintances, the giving away of leftovers from events to passersby, the complimenting of arguments made in the classroom, the sharing of notes from lectures missed and the lighting of another’s cigarette (smokers of the campuses unite, you have nothing to lose but the stigma assigned to your nicotine-induced debauchery!). These small gestures of kindness have brought many smiles to my face lately.
I see these random acts of kindness being practiced all over campus, and it makes me very glad to know that despite the natural gloom perpetuated by the weather and the sociocultural firestorm we’re navigating, we’ve found it in ourselves to be kind to each other. And not just among friend circles; we’ve been kind to strangers and acquaintances, and that’s really cool of us. Keep it up — being good isn’t easy, but it’s made easier when others are good too.
ARIANA RICH/The Justice
FUNGI: Local mushrooms in Mt. Feake Cemetary.
Graphics courtesy of CANVA and ELIZABETH LIU/The Justice
Photo courtesy of ALICIA TSAO
CITYSCAPE: Autumn leaves on a street in Boston.
Brandeis volleyball ends season with three losses
■ The Judges fell to Case Western Reserve University, New York University and the University of Rochester during the University Athletics Association
By DIANE MEYER JUSTICE EDITOR
The Judges traveled to the University of Rochester this past weekend to finish their season at the University Athletics Association Tournament. The Judges headed into the tournament seeded seventh out of eight teams. Despite touting an overall winning record heading into the tournament (16-11), the Judges had gone 1-5 against UAA teams during the regular season.
Aiming to go nowhere but up, the women opened their first match on Saturday, Nov. 15 versus Case Western Reserve University with a win, capturing the first set with 25 points to the Spartans’ 23. Unfortunately, this was one of only three sets they managed to claim all weekend.
It was Lara Verstovsek ’25 who led the charge, ending the first set with a kill. The second set saw CWRU and Brandeis battle for control, each team going on impressive scoring streaks until the set came down to a 21-18 climax that favored Brandeis. However, the Spartans capitalized on errors and after a series of nail-biting back and forth two-point advantages, CWRU won the set 27-25.
The third set saw the Spartans claim a solid 25-19 victory, but the Judges fought back in the game-deciding fourth set, opening with a 6-2 lead. But ultimately Case Western took 10 of the next 12 points. Similar to the second set, it was a back and forth battle for control of the end of the set. After a chance to tie the score from Verstovsek went long, the Spartans claimed their 25-23 set victory and ended the game 3-1.
The game was still celebratory for Tatiana Wainer ’25, who made just two errors in 15 attacks, securing a .400 hitting percentage — a team high this season.
Brandeis moved on to their second match of the day against New York University with their heads held high, replicating the momentum they created in the first set versus Case Western and hoping for more. Winning the first set 25-20, the Judges achieved a .367 hitting percentage, but their offense careened in the following sets as they only managed to hit, at best, a .105 hitting percentage for the rest of the game.
NYU won the next two sets 25-16 and 25-19, but Brandeis found an opportunity in the fourth set when the Violets racked up 13 errors.
The Judges tied the game with a 25-20 set victory, but NYU claimed the fifth set 15-4, sending them to the seventh place match.
In their final match of the tournament and of their season, the Judges faced the University of Rochester Yellowjackets. Ranked eighth in the UAA, the tournament hosts were visibly gunning for a victory on their home court.
In three straight sets, the Yellowjackets beat the Judges 25-19, 28-25 and 25-21. Despite a few scoring streaks here and there that tied the second set at 15 and the third set at 20, the Judges’ valiant attempts to get in the game fell short. The third and final set was decided by the Yellowjackets as they scored five of the final six points with kills.
Still, there are moments to celebrate — Verstovsek and Anna Ertischek ’26 were named to the All-UAA Volleyball team. Verstovsek led the UAA conference in kills and points per set during the regular season and kept this distinction even in UAA-only matches. This award was Eritschek’s first time being honored by the UAA, which was an exciting feat for the junior who recorded the second highest number of kills on the team. Most notably, Ertischek set a new single-match hitting percentage school record at .750 during the team’sL win against Skidmore College on Sept. 6. Verstovsek was also recently named the Division III player of the week by the American Volleyball Coaches Association on Nov. 12.
This season’s 16-14 record is the second-best finish for the Judges’ coach of 10 years, Alesia Bennett.
Reviewing Week 11 of the National Footbal League season
■ A look back on the exciting action from Week 11 of the NFL season.
By EZEKIEL BLOOM JUSTICE STAFF WRITER
Week 11 of the NFL season furthered the excitement and high-octane play that has captured the attention of fans so far this year. This week featured a battle between two NFL titans, as well as the vanquishing of a former favorite’s playoff hopes.
Firstly, we will discuss the premature conclusion of the season for a team that was supposed to threaten a deep playoff run before this year’s action began. The Cincinnati Bengals agonizingly fell 34-27 to the Los Angeles Chargers, worsening their record to 4-7 and all but eliminating their playoff hopes. In their star-studded American Football Conference North division, the Bengals sit in a distant third out of four teams, lagging greatly behind the surging Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. This all but ensures that they will not be playing post-season football this year, which is a massive fall from grace for a squad that was expected to be a major contender — in one prediction an analyst predicted that they would finish with a record of 11-6.
The game itself was emblematic of the Bengals’ struggles this season. Quarterback Joe Burrow continued to shine, putting up gaudy statistics of 356 yards passing to accompany his three passing touchdowns. Burrow has had a career year statistically. He is leading the NFL with 27 touchdowns thrown, and has only made a mere four interceptions. However, Burrow’s star power has not been enough for the Bengals to secure much needed victories. Particularly against the Chargers, they faced a 27-6 deficit in the third quarter before furiously countering with touchdowns on three straight drives to even the score at 27 apiece. Unfortunately, they then gave up a 29-yard touchdown to Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins in the game’s closing seconds. Burrow’s Hail Mary throw did not find a receiver and the Bengals are now left to ponder what could have been. This showcases the precarious nature of the NFL. Even teams with ample talent who are expected to succeed like the Bengals can be easily shut out of
contention when a few games do not go in their favor.
Now, we have to discuss the most highly anticipated matchup of the NFL season thus far. Featuring the 9-0 Kansas City Chiefs and the 8-1 Buffalo Bills, this showdown was a potential preview of the American Football Conference championship game in January, which essentially serves as a semi-final in the NFL playoffs. The Nov. 17 game culminated in a 30-21 Bills victory. The matchup was filled with many lead changes throughout and it was hotly contested until the final minutes. Bills quarterback Josh Allen was brilliant, leading a game-winning drive that saw him sprint 26 yards into the end zone to ensure their victory. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw two interceptions in the defeat and the Chiefs exhibited many of the weaknesses that have plagued them thus far during the season, albeit their previously perfect record. The Bills’ triumph means that the Chiefs’ aim to finish their season undefeated will end after nine consecutive victories. However, a perfect record is something essentially unsurmountable, as the 2007 New England Patriots have been the sole team in the modern era to finish a regular season with an unblemished record. Additionally, despite the Patriots’ early success that season, that squad lost the Super Bowl to the New York Giants. It may be more likely that the Chiefs are free to play under a bit less pressure now that their perfect record is tarnished. While the pressure nonetheless remains on them to repeat their Superbowl Championship victory, there are no longer unreasonable expectations that they will achieve the impossible.
The season will further ramp up in Week 12 as we inch closer and closer towards the highly anticipated post-season. Soon, fans will get to enjoy classic Thanksgiving matchups that have great historical significance — in fact, the Detroit Lions have hosted a game on Thanksgiving for the past 90 years! Stay tuned for the matchups below as we continue this NFL season!
Brandeis men's basketball starts off strong with 3-0 record
■ With three victories claimed in the first week of the 2024-2025 season, the Judges have begun an impressive winning streak.
By MADISON SIROIS JUSTICE ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The Brandeis men’s basketball team kicked off their 2024-25 season last Tuesday, Nov. 12 — and since then, there’s been nothing but positive news and strong performances to report.
The Judges opened the season with a matchup against Western New England University. The stakes were high: not only was it the first game for the 2024-2025 squad but senior Toby Harris ’25 made his long-awaited return after missing all but three games last season. Back from his injury, he did not disappoint, scoring eight points in the first half of the game and 13 in the second.
Junior Ethan Edwards ’26 and graduate student Sam Adusei MA’25 also recorded points in the double digits, with 14 for Edwards and 11 for Adusei. The Golden Bears certainly put up a fight — they shattered the Judges’ 18-point lead, bringing the game back to a difference of just six points near the end of the second half. However, the Judges ultimately emerged victorious with a final score of 85-79.
On Nov. 15, the Judges continued their winning streak with a historic game against Lesley University, scoring 118 points. Just one point shy of the current school record, this was the first time since 1984 that the Judges have recorded 118 points. The school record of 119 dates back to two games played in 1971 and 1975 under former Hall of Fame head coach and former Boston Celtics player Bob Brannum.
Prior to Nov. 15, the Judges hadn’t scored more
than 110 points in a game since 2013. This was the first time head coach Jean Bain has led the team to put up triple digits in regulation. All 15 Judges on the court contributed to the 118-65 victory, which also marked the secondlargest margin of victory in Brandeis history. Graduate transfer student Jai Deshpande MSBA ’26 scored the most points amongst the Judges with a total of 17, with Adusei following closely behind with 13. First-years Elias Rodl ’28 and Alex Zakheim ’28 also scored in the double digits; each added 12 points in just the second game of their collegiate careers. Although Lesley’s Malachi Howards scored the game-high of 22 points, the Lynx were no match for the Judges, especially once sophomore Kyle Walters ’27 hit a 3-pointer to put Brandeis ahead by 61, with six minutes left in the game. Hungry for more, the Judges tasted victory once again in their Nov. 16 match against Colby-Sawyer College, throwing down a score of 91-75. While Colby-Sawyer took the lead in the first seven minutes of the game, the Judges soon regained control and continued to gain a steady lead throughout the first half. ColbySawyer fought back in the second half, but the Brandeis offense continued to outperform the Chargers, taking a 20-point lead thanks to Jake Bender ’26, who scored a 3-pointer with 10 minutes left in the game. Earning his first double-double of the season with 23 points and a game-high of 11 rebounds, Harris once again distinguished himself as a leader on the team. First-year Rodl continued to prove his powerful presence on the court as well against the Chargers as he scored 20 points for the first time in his collegiate career. With a confidence-boosting three victories in the bag to mark an impressive start to the season, the Judges hope to extend their winning streak on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at home against Rhode Island College.
Photo courtesy of BRANDEIS ATHLETICS
KILL: Lara Verstovsek 25 led the Brnadeis women's vlleyball team thsi year with 355 kills.
Judges travel to the Division III East Region Championships
The Brandeis cross country team fought hard at the Division III East Region Championships. The women placed ninth out of 30 teams overall, improving one place from last year’s competition, and the men placed 11th out of 33 teams. Senior Captains Zada Forde ’25 and Lucas Dia ’25 led the Judges, placing 41st and 49th respectively in the women’s and men’s competitions.
By DIANE MEYER JUSTICE EDITOR
Photos: ELLE YUNG/The Justice. Design: MARINA ROSENTHAL/The Justice
VOLLEYBALL
Getting to know the Brandeis fencing team continued
on Fridays. In lifts, the team focuses on power and mobility for fencing specific purposes.
Along with the transition to having a younger team, Coach Sachs has led the team for a short period of time. The shift in coaching staff during the 2022-2023 season did result in some changes, including equipment renovations, fundraising and gaining invites to fencing tournaments.
“Coach Elif was thrown into such a difficult position entering the role halfway through the season. She did such an incredible job of handling everything and simultaneously getting to know the team,” Escueta said.
In conversation, Brandeis fencers said that they value a coach who is understanding, passionate and communicative in helping them understand how they can improve and respond well to opponents in bouts.
Escueta expanded further regarding the team’s leadership, “our Coach
[Matt Zich] ... is really good at tailoring his coaching to the different needs of each of us on his team.” Especially regarding balancing different fencers’ schedules with both the national and collegiate seasons, Escueta went on to say that the fencing coaches “really want you to succeed not just as an athlete, but as a person overall.”
Invested in their athletes’ fencing careers and lives in general, the coaches secure invitations to tournaments by connecting with other coaches around the country. Coach Sachs’ ability to communicate well with other coaches and enter Brandeis into competitive competitions is a positive aspect of this current season. Recently, the team traveled and competed in California at the Western Invitational hosted by the University of California at San Diego.
Shealy has a unique position as a student athlete turned coach and she understands that prioritizing team
culture lends itself to supporting athletes' confidence and success. “Getting back up after things have knocked you down is always a really big challenge, because I feel like that's what makes or breaks champions,” Shealy said. “It's not easy to get back up after something stands in your way; [just setting] the pace and setting the attitude to get back up and ... [realizing] who you are and [getting] back out on the field is not easy and I really do think that that's something that teams and all athletes struggle with as well,” Shealy reflected.
The Brandeis fencing team’s ability to adapt quickly in the past two to three years has defined it as a positive and warm environment. Coaches and team members work together to facilitate this environment and create a space for fencers to reach their goals.
“Sounds cliche, but we are kinda like a family,” Vine said. And of their coaches, Escueta joked that “if they
Women's basketball continued
coach that was committed to the team long-term and who had experience winning. Going forward and looking to build momentum, she also wants the story surrounding the University’s women’s basketball team to be more positive.
Ohm remembered that when coming into the job this summer, Prichett asked her players how they would prefer to deal with the situation and what they needed from her in terms of support. Prichett was willing to listen and help the team process, but also offered an opportunity to “not necessarily forget about it, but move on.” Ohm said that the team responded “unanimously… we want to play basketball again.”
She knows that as a senior, “it’s crazy that [her career at Brandeis] is … coming to an end.” Ohm said that this year she wants to “just treat every single day as one of [her] last days playing basketball … and just play with as much joy as [she] can” and “as much confidence as [she] can” too, she added. Her confidence has improved this past fall, partly thanks to her par-
ticipation in a men’s league in her free time. It is “mostly … 40 year olds and up,” Ohm laughed.
“But I joined their league… and they gave me a ton of confidence in how I'm shooting and stuff like that,” she said.
“I think that's why I’ve been shooting really well, because I played against those guys.” They have encouraged her to drive through the hoop more, which isn’t usually her game. Against Framingham, Ohm’s new courage to drive and make daring plays definitely shone through.
Having fun and connecting the dots — wisened by her experience — Ohm steadies what has been a rocky four years. Important to supporting her team is prioritizing “positive reinforcement,” and treating teammates like her second family, Ohm said. She knows that basketball “is such a sport where people can have good games and bad games and you can have a good play and then turn the ball over. It's just so fast.” Ohm also noted that establishing “constant communication and constant reinforcement” is
crucial to keeping their heads up. Ohm’s favorite thing about her sport is how team-oriented it is. She believes that “you cannot win a basketball game with one person scoring a lot of points.” Celebrating individual successes are always part of the story, but in Ohm’s words, “it has to be a team effort every single game no matter what.”
The Judges are throwing themselves into the opportunity for hope and hard work that a new season and a new coach offers as they look to improve from last year's 5-20 record. And despite suffering a 61-67 loss against Tufts University in their most recent game on Nov. 16, the Judges can celebrate their Nov. 13 game at the University of Massachusetts Boston as their best defensive outing since 2016. Currently sitting at 2-2, Ohm and the Brandeis women’s basketball team aim to improve their record against the Rivier College Raiders tonight, Tuesday, Nov. 19, at home.
SHOOT: Katherine Vaughn '25 puts up a shot during the Judges' season opener versus Framingham University.
Highlights: Tony Escueta '25 went 2-1 against all three opponents in saber with an overall 6-3 record.
Lev BenAvram '26 went 5-1 in two matches.
Highlights: Saber squad earned 11 of the 28 wins.
16
BASKETBALL
Moving forward: Lulu Ohm ’25 welcomes a new era of Brandeis women’s basketball
■ In the first game of the 202425 basketball season versus Framingham University, Lulu Ohm ’25 scored 37 points to break the single-game scoring school record.
By DIANE MEYER JUSTICE EDITOR
“Playing with joy and playing to win:" these are the goals of senior captain of the Brandeis University women’s basketball team Lulu Ohm ’25 as she heads into her final year playing collegiate basketball.
Ohm has certainly made the case for her vision. A spirited and competitive Brandeis team began their 2024-25 season with a rousing 74-58 victory versus Framingham State University on Nov. 8.
Ohm was the star of the night, putting up 37 points to break the old school record of 36, which was set by current Brandeis Director of Athletics Jessica Chapin ’10. Her record-breaking point-scoring mark also included going 7-8 in 3-point range.
Opening the season at home with a win and a school record is Ohm’s proudest moment at Brandeis. Reflecting on this success, she said that she “finally felt like a lot of [her] work has paid off.” Waltham has been lucky enough to witness Ohm’s hard work over the years — she began her 17 years playing basketball in the city’s local youth programs and graduated from Waltham High School in 2021.
Ohm enjoys being homegrown and she says that with more playing time this year, “more people from Waltham, … a lot of friends from high school, their families and old teachers” have come to her games.
As a senior who, in self-deprecating fashion, recalls always scoring “on the lower side,” Ohm said that she’s “not usually [the] type of person who's going to drop that many points.” It was “kind of crazy,” she admits. “My mom was like, ‘What? What? What happened?’”
In a Nov. 18 interview with The Justice, Ohm spoke about the positive difference that bringing in new coaching staff has
The Justice Editor Diane Meyer '26 recaps the final weekend of the Brandeis Volleyball season, p. 14.
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
INTRODUCTION TO FENCING
Waltham, Mass.
made for her and her teammates. As a part of the selection committee, Ohm appreciated being able to use her voice alongside fellow teammate Brooke Reed ’24 as they navigated the process of replacing former head coach Carol Simon.
“It was a very unique experience and [it was] really interesting to see the hiring process and stuff like that,” Ohm remembered. “And, you know, I'm reading people's resumes and cover letters, and I'm like, ‘I'm also doing my resume and cover letter!’”
All in all, Ohm and her teammates are looking ahead to new success instead of back on a painful past few seasons. Ohm has observed that the atmosphere on the team this season is “definitely way more positive than it has been … with the news around our team and the whole coaching change and stuff like that.”
She said that coaching turnover is “definitely a big change,” as the “new coaching staff come[s] in and basically disrupt[s] everything that we've been taught.” Ohm added that this is a good thing and that even with “a lot of adjusting, a lot of figuring out the new coach, … it's been very positive.” The team is “working harder than ever before,” she affirmed.
Ohm praised new Head Coach Julie Prichett,“she’s awesome”, as well as new Assistant Coach Jessica Nichols-LaRosa and Assistant Coach Jill Lantanowich, who served as the interim head coach last season.
“Julie’s very passionate,” Ohm said. “She’s very intense, … [which is] so good, because you know that your coach cares so much.” In Ohm’s assessment, Prichett has the passion that “has been lacking in years past.”
The team benefits from having somebody at the helm who “really wants to win and is definitely doing everything she can” to lead their team to a winning record, Ohm stated. “She wants to change the program.”
After turmoil with coaching staff took the focus away from individuals and any positive success that the team has had the past few years, Ohm said that during the selection process she was looking for a
Getting to know the Brandeis Fencing Team
■ As an uncommon sport, the details of the unique and historically-rich competition are not
By SOPHIA STEWART JUSTICE STAFF WRITER
The early history of fencing as a combat method can be traced back to ancient Egypt in the year 1190 Before Christ, as well as Greek fencing schools, which were located in Ancient Athens. In Germany and Italy, fencing as a technique evolved into a sport by the 14th or 15th century.
“It’s kinda like physical chess because there’s always a counter to a specific move and there’s specific patterns to them,” Ross Vine '27 said of the nuanced technique.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, fencing became more popular, especially with the invention of the foil, which is similar to the previously used rapier, a thrusting sword, but without a blade or point. Vine said that most people start on foil and then choose between foil, saber and epee throughout their fencing careers. Generally, fencers stick to one preferred weapon when competing. With foil, the objective is to strike an opponent’s torso with the tip of the blade. Fencers who compete in epee competitions aim to strike opponents’ bodies anywhere with the tip of the blade. With saber, the fastest of the three weapons, fencers aim to touch or slash their opponent in the head, torso or upper body parts.
Kayla Turnof ’25, a member of the Brandeis fencing team, elaborated on the logistics of fencing during an interview with The Justice. “There’s a lot of technical aspects of it, so you get to combine your athleticism and technique,” Turnoff said.
Hand-eye coordination is essential for fencers so they know where to hit opponents. In a fencing bout, the goal is to either score 15 points total or five points before one’s opponent does so. Each touch of the weapon within the target areas counts as a point. Individually, fencers set goals for the season based on rankings, physical metrics and specific moves to make in a bout. The full body sport requires agility, a strong core and powerful legs.
Graduate assistant student coach, Maggie Shealy MA ’25 offers up her assessment of the sport: “I just think that it's a sport that really anyone can do, because open use skill, where you develop your own game, you develop something that you are good at.” She thinks the individuality that the sport cultivates is “really what makes this sport unique.” She explains that “we're all learning the same basic understanding of the game, and truly, when it's a one-on-one sport, that is the time for you to shine.”
Similar to sports such as track and field and swimming, fencing is individually structured during meets. Vine fenced on his high school’s team, but in conversation, acknowledged that most people do not compete on a team until college.
“When you get to college it becomes more of a team [sport], but you are fencing individually against your opponent,” Turnof said.
Brandeis fencers compete on a national level as well as in the National Collegiate Athletics Association. At Brandeis, the fencing team is Division III, but competes with Division I and II teams on the NCAA level. The team’s season lasts from November to March, when the NCAA Fencing Championships are held.
The Judges boast some impressive feats on the national level: Lev BenAvram ’26 placed second in the Division I Men’s Sabre event in January 2024, held by U.S.A. Fencing. Shealy, who graduated from Brandeis as an undergraduate in 2023 won the 2024 NCAA Fencing Championships for saber. Shealy is currently pursuing a graduate degree at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, while also helping out as a graduate assistant coach for Brandeis and competing as part of the Boston Fencing Club in U.S.A. Fencing competitions. Focusing heavily on making a senior team for the United States, Shealy aims to attend more international competitions this upcoming year as she has transitioned to a professional athlete lifestyle. More specifically, she aims to break into the top of the professional rankings, gunning for fifth or sixth place in the nation this season.
Looking back on her five years of eligibility, Shealy shared that her favorite aspect of being a fencer is the social community. “I think I've met a very lovely group of people here, not just at Brandeis, but through my entire career up to date. You know, some of these girls are my best friends, and some of these people are also people that I could see myself having … a professional relationship with [when] working in public policy.”
Shealy described her new role as a coach to be a refreshing opportunity to see where the team moves next, despite the team going through coaching and culture changes. “I really just want to see them formulate and find their own identity …, with new team captains, as well as learning what it's like to be a new team.” Shealy noted that this will be Coach Elif Soyer Sachs’ second or third official year, so “it's going to be a very interesting period, just to see how … they stand up and continue to strive forward. So I really just want to see them kind of come together as a team, bottom line,” she said. Vine also noted that the team is going through changes with the addition of new members. With the classes of 2023 and 2024 graduating, and first years beginning their time at Brandeis, the fencing team has experienced bumps in the road. But, Turnof, Vine and Shealy all expressed confidence in the new team’s abilities to adapt and work well together.
A team member talked about the first years’ experiences at the start of the season. “We kinda had to throw them into the fire at our first two meets this season, which are really tough. They were really good at handling the pressure and I think they are just really good at supporting each other as first years. I’m really proud of them,” Tony Escueta ’ 25 said.
In recruiting fencers for Brandeis, the coaches prioritize a different weapon squad every year. There were nine men’s fencing recruits and four women’s fencing recruits that began attending Brandeis in August 2024. Epee has the largest number of first years this season. Each weapon squad practices three times a week and team lift is scheduled
STRIKE: Brandeis fencers compete in three different disciplines: epee, saber and foil.
Photo courtesy of BRANDEIS ATHLETICS
Photo courtesy of BRANDEIS ATHLETICS
See WOMEN'S BASKETBALL pg. 15 ☛
RECORD BREAKER: Lulu Ohm '25 set a new single-game scoring school record with 37 points.
justArts & Culture
>> Pg. 19
Photos: Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS and GIANNA MORALES/The Justice. Design: BRYAN WOLFE/The Justice. Waltham, Mass.
M argaret O liphant ’ s ‘ t he D O ct O r ’ s F a M ily ’
Throughout my life, I have been immersed in the idea that women, particularly mothers, are held to an impossibly high standard. Watching my mother balance her career as a lawyer and raise myself and my brothers introduced me to the term “supermom.” Supermoms are commonly defined as moms who work full time jobs while still performing “traditional” female roles in the home. I grew up in my mother’s office. There were always toys laying around amidst all her clients’ files. To me, growing up in my mom’s office is the epitome of a working mother’s life, as they are expected to juggle their role as both a caregiver and an employee.
The high expectations placed on mothers is one of the tensions in Margaret Oliphant’s “The Doctor’s Family.” Oliphant wrote “The Doctor’s Family” in 1861, indicating that the positions women have in life have not changed as much as some may believe. The story follows Dr. Edward Rider as he moves to a new town and attempts to establish his own medical practice. This plan gets complicated when his lazy problematic brother, Fred, moves into his house. Dr. Rider is also required to take in Fred’s wife — Susan — and his sister-in-law — Nettie. The story follows Dr. Rider’s challenges with adjusting to his family’s proximity.
Albeit through the specific reality of a white, middle class woman, Oliphant’s novel explores themes and commentary surrounding women’s role as both a caregiver and worker, particularly with the character of the protagonist, Nettie Underwood, who assumes the positions of both caregiver and head of the household for her sister’s family. Nettie is a strong, independent individual. She is described by her sister Susan as very “self-willed,” and that their family “could not get on without her.”
The strong willed, determined depiction of Nettie is revealed early on in the novel. This comes along with the fact that Susan and her husband, Fred, prove to be largely idle and lack the ability to support their family in any
By JULIA HARDY JUSTICE ASSOCIATE EDITOR
way, putting undue stress on Nettie to support them. The book largely focuses on Nettie’s character, the heavy “burdens put upon [her] shoulders” and the “strange toils and responsibilities” that Nettie has. Oliphant uses Nettie as a conduit to describe the different roles that women in the 19th century managed, which is similar to the challenges that working mothers face today.
Nettie’s entire life is consumed by fulfilling these two positions. The time commitment required to fulfill two roles is part of the stress that working moms face today. According to interviews of working mothers, “the burden of excessive work, the need to fulfill others’ expectations and not having time for themselves are the prime factors affecting work-life balance of working women.”
Today, working mothers are excessively busy fulfilling both roles’ expectations, and they have trouble finding time for themselves. Similarly, Nettie is expected to utilize nearly every hour of the day to work the equivalent of two jobs.
In the book, Nettie worked late into the night to complete a task: “In the silence of the house she [Nettie] sat late over her needlework, anxious to have some special task finished.” This is representative of the long hours that Nettie must work to fulfill her role as a caregiver and financial provider for the household. The silence of the house and working late are equivalent to working overtime. Working the equivalent of two jobs requires a large amount of time to achieve and Nettie must dedicate every day to Fred’s family.
Much like working mothers, Nettie rarely gets a break from her work. The one time in the novel that she takes a break, the house descends into chaos resulting in Nettie’s landlord saying that she “can’t never give in to it [a break] again.” Nettie cannot afford to take breaks from the household, so she is obligated to spend all her time fulfilling her duties to Fred’s family.
Edward Rider also observes the many obligations Nettie has and comments on the unconventional nature of her duties in light of stereotypical gender norms. Edward remarks that Nettie, “seemed only a featherweight when the bewildered doctor helped her to alight — an undoubted sprite and creature of romance.” In this quote Edward is commenting on Nettie’s “feminine” qualities, including her delicacy and small stature. This is in line with gender norms, where women are seen as fragile and in need of male assistance. However, Edward introduced contradictory sentiments when he followed the above thought with, “But to hear her arranging about all the domestic necessities within, and disclosing her future plans for the children, and all the order of that life or which she took the charge of so unhesitatingly.” Edward is taken aback by all of Nettie’s responsibilities. She challenges his idea that women are always kept in the domestic sphere as she continues to run her own household without substantial support from a man.
It’s important to note that Nettie is not able to do traditional work outside of the household as women today engage in, but her position as both breadwinner and caregiver forms a strong parallel to working women today. When Fred Rider dies as a result of a drunken night, Nettie acts as both the logistical organizer, as well as the emotional support to her sister. Upon first discovering Fred’s body, Nettie arranges the transportation of the body to the house. Nettie was also tasked with providing support to her sister. Oliphant wrote, “There was nobody else to do it. How could the girl help but execute the work put into her hand? Thinking neither of the hardship nor the horror of such dread work falling to her lot, but only this, that she must do it, Nettie took home to the unconscious sleeping cottage that thing which was Fred Rider.” Nettie understands that the work falls “to her lot” and that there is “nobody else to do it.” Nettie holds the obliga-
tion to bear the weight of both the emotional and logistical burden after Fred’s death. Oliphant explicitly calls both these obligations “work” and emphasizes that Nettie is the only one who can complete the work. In many ways, Nettie has no choice but to complete the two roles given to her: the role of caregiver and household leader. Oliphant engages with and contributes to the commentary on women’s role in the 19th century by portraying Nettie as balancing the work of two jobs. These two roles result in a balancing act that can be equated to working mother’s today. The book ends with Nettie letting go of some of her obligations and finding happiness in marriage. Nettie’s character reaches an emotional climax when she faces the reality that Fred’s family is moving back to Australia. When one of her nephews wants to stay with her, Nettie finally allows herself to break down and be vulnerable: “She could exercise no further self-control. She could only hide her face … and close her quivering lips tight that no one might hear the bursting forth of her heart. No one was there either to hear or see — nobody but Edward Rider. This is an emotional moment in the book that depicts Nettie’s character growth.
Throughout the entire novel, Nettie was stoic and focused solely on fulfilling her two roles. However, her obligations were overwhelming, even if Nettie would not admit it. With that being said, the answer for Nettie’s happiness was not to remove her obligations altogether, but to reduce some of the work. Therefore, Freddy’s presence in Nettie’s provided her with purpose, but lessened the number of her obligations. With this, Nettie is free to pursue her own happiness in the form of marrying Edward. Nettie finds happiness within her obligations, which offers commentary on possible solutions to the pressures that working mothers feel. It is not about removing working mothers’ responsibilities, but rather reducing them so they have more time to find happiness.
F reedom and F ear : a n artistic exploration
By NEMMA KALRA JUSTICE EDITOR
How do we create in moments of extreme suffering? What role does art play to placate or heal emotional pain? These are questions multidisciplinary artist and activist Daria Pugachova explores with her dynamic and interactive creations. Born in Rivne, Ukraine, Pugachova was always a creative. She studied architecture at Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, and for years played the drums with her band, Panivalkova. However, in 2019, when her band ended, Pugachova pivoted towards just as engaging and interactive works, exploring concepts of grief, dreams and community.
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, Pugachova came to Brandeis to speak to students and faculty about the evolution of her artwork and her experiences, since leaving Panivalkova, through the devastating war in Ukraine. After her music career, Pugachova said she wanted to switch to performance art because she likes to engage with those around her. To her, galleries are isolated and disconnected from what people know and feel — interactive art thus bridges the gap between piece and audience.
The first piece Pugachova shared with attendees perfectly exemplified her goal of connecting with audiences. Her project “I WILL WAKE UP WHEN THIS FOUNTAIN IS FILLED UP,” was performed in the destroyed Thumbelina Fountain in Rivne, Ukraine. According to Pugachova, the fountain had been destroyed since the collapse of the Soviet Union — it was as if “life disappeared.” Thus, for her piece, she slept in the fountain for two days and six hours, while residents of Rivne adorned the fountain’s walls with drawings, aspirations about the future and writings about the fountain. As she was awakened, the fountain was awakened. The piece left
such an impact that the mayor of the city promised to finally restore the fountain, but with Russia’s war on Ukraine, those plans were cast aside.
The second piece Pugachova shared with us was called “Microcosmos,” a documentary in which Pugachova explores life in the post-Soviet neighborhood of Polovky in Poltava, posing it as a microcosm of the universe. In this film, Pugachova is dressed as an astronaut and asks the residents of Polovky about their lives and dreams. The entire film was set in a neighborhood park, honoring the childlike wanderlust of the residents and Pugachova herself. The film premiered in February 2022 in a performance art center in Poltava. Two weeks after the debut, Russia began its war on Ukraine. The hopes and dreams of these residents are thus frozen in time — the film symbolizing a moment of peace and wonder before the storm.
After the war started on Feb. 24, 2022, Pugachova took a month away from her art to weave camouflage nets for Ukrainian soldiers. This action of weaving and what it symbolized became prevalent in Pugachova’s other art. She states on her website, “The camouflage net made by women, men and children isn’t only an object of protection, but also the concentrated energy of faith. When I think about the net, it’s also about connection. I believe we can live in a future where everyone has a place to do what they love —- working as one organism in freedom and independence.” As such, the next artwork Pugachova shared with us was her performance piece, “I WILL CLOSE THE SKY SO YOU COULD BREATHE.”
“I WILL CLOSE THE SKY SO YOU COULD BREATHE” was a piece Pugachova spent four months planning to take place at the Brotherly Mound Monument in Sofia, Bulgaria. The original intention of the piece was to create a demonstration of unity and togetherness as the audience joins Puga-
chova to hold up this net that would “cover the sky” — protecting Ukraine from the Russian missiles. However, on the day of the performance, Pugachova stood alone. No one came to support her, which in hindsight Pugachova believes reflected the situation in Ukraine even more than her original plan. Nevertheless, she moved forward with the performance. Pugachova showed the audience a video of the entire piece, featuring a cinematographer tracking her movements and drone footage highlighting how small and solitary she appeared in the vast expanse of the surrounding field. In spite of her singularity, as soon as she started speaking, her voice resonated throughout the room. During her performance, Pugachova sang a Ukrainian folk song, traditionally sung by young girls in the spring to attract their boyfriends. However, Pugachova transformed the song from one of young love to that of loss and desperation, singing it as a cry for those who were away at war.
Although Pugachova’s first iteration of the net was a solo venture, she brought the concept piece to other performances and conferences, most notably at the “Vienna World Conference 30 Years On: Our Rights — Our future.” At this conference, Pugachova invited other human rights stakeholders to join her in holding up a net, serving as a demonstration of their future hopes of protection and peace.
At this point, the conversation shifted from a declaration of resistance and hope to one of fear. At the end of 2022, Pugachova returned to Ukraine. For her, this was a more intense experience of war than when Russia first invaded. Since she was trapped in her apartment with a broken leg, Pugachova shared that this was when she encountered a fear of death. However, rather than receding into this feeling, Pugachova once again turned it into art.
In “Through The Wall,” Pugachova lay
on one side of the “wall” demonstrating her fears, on the other, she asked her audience to share theirs. This performance highlighted the extreme isolation felt in moments of fear, while demonstrating how ultimately, a lot of our worries are not so different after all.
The final work Pugachova shared with us was her performance of “CITIES OF WAR.” At the time this piece was conceptualized, it was 2023, nearly two years after the war in Ukraine began. Pugachova was at her residency in the Netherlands, a relatively peaceful place in comparison to her home. The dissonance of the turmoil back home with the calm around her disturbed Pugachova, to the point that she began writing “THE WAR IN UKRAINE IS STILL GOING ON” again and again in her diary until the page turned black. From this moment of distress came an incredibly powerful artwork. From this moment of distress emerged an incredibly powerful artwork. Pugachova realized she had to perform the concept, and upon learning that the United Nations International Criminal Court would be holding a hearing on Russia’s crimes of genocide in Ukraine, she took a page from her diary and transformed it into an interactive performance.
In “CITIES OF WAR,” Pugachova boxed herself into a plexiglass cube which symbolized her home in Ukraine. Then, for five hours — one before the hearing, three for the hearing and one after the hearing — she sat writing over and over “the war in Ukraine is still going on” until she was concealed in a cube of black, reminding the world of the reality Ukrainians continue to face as we continue on with our lives.
Pugachova finished her entire speech with a poem she performed during her most recent residency at the Blaffer Art Museum in Houston, Texas. She read the piece in Ukrainian, but its resounding message, on the power of unity for liberation, was heard by all in the room.
MELA: ROYA
W h E n d REAM
s c
OME AL iv E
By NEMMA KALRA JUSTICE EDITOR
On Saturday, Nov. 16, Brandeis’ South Asian Student Association held their 28th annual MELA, a vibrant celebration of the cultures of ten cultures and regions of South Asia. This year, SASA organized a magical night of dancing, music, fashion and other cultural performances, embodying their theme of “Roya.” Roya is a Farsi word meaning the “realm of dreams.” Between the beautiful backdrop, performances and overall appreciation for South Asian culture, the night was a dream brought to life.
Top Ten STAFF’S
Top 10 Barbie Movies
By ELIZABETH LIU JUSTICE EDITOR
Here’s a list of my favorite Barbie movies based on how fondly I remember the first time watching them.
1. “Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses” (2005)
2. “Barbie: Princess Charm School” (2011)
3. “Barbie in a Mermaid Tale” (2010)
4. “Barbie and the Three Musketeers” (2009)
5. “Barbie: The Pearl Princess” (2014)
6. “Barbie & the Diamond Castle” (2008)
7. “Barbie in a Christmas Carole” (2009)
8. “Barbie and the Secret Door” (2014)
9. “Barbie: Star Light Adventure” (2016)
10. “Barbie: Spy Squad” (2016)
By
BRANDEIS
IN A FEW WORDS
By NOA APPLE
Internet slang for not being on the internet
Product to help hair stay in place
Cell phone card abbr.
A lot of buildings on campus are named this
What you’d probably expect the cast of Julius Caesar to be wearing in this semester’s show
Brandeis Network of Arab Students is a cultural organization on campus for this ethnicity
Throw shade, briefly
DAHLIA RAMIREZ