This Week’s 75th Commemoration
Oct. 11, 2023
Dear Brandeis Community,
Like so many of you, I have been preoccupied with the tragic news, devastating images, stories of heroism, and the horrific loss of human life in Israel following the multi-pronged war and terror launched by Hamas. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this attack, both in Israel and within our own community.
As you know, Brandeis had previously scheduled a number of events this weekend to celebrate our 75th anniversary. While now hardly seems like a time to celebrate, we believe it is important to move ahead with our events as planned to mark this important milestone in our university’s history.
Brandeis was founded 75 years ago in response to discrimination and antisemitism in higher education. At this moment in particular, we believe it remains critically important to acknowledge and commemorate our history, our mission, and our ongoing responsibility to students from all backgrounds. We are proud that decades later, for example, we still have an environment in which Jewish students can thrive and celebrate their identities openly; we have been true to our founding values.
This weekend is not just about marking our longevity; it is a recognition of our collective dedication and resilience, and the transformative impact our university has had on countless lives over three quarters of a century. It is a testament to the extraordinary journey we have been on together, not just to expand education, but also to repair the world.
In making the decision to continue with our events and programming, we have considered the following:
- Unity and Resilience: Celebrating this milestone can serve as a unifying force, reminding us of our shared values. While plans are still in development, we are making the appropriate adjustments to this weekend’s events which will include remarks, prayers offered, and programming to address the ongoing war in Israel.
- Safety and Security: So that our campus community and this weekend’s attendees can be free to go about their days undeterred, the Brandeis Department of Public Safety is coordinating with outside law enforcement agencies to arrange for increased security, which will both be seen and unseen. The campus community will receive a separate communication regarding enhanced security, and we will provide ongoing updates to event attendees.
- Time for Reflection: In addition to the memorial service planned for 11:30-12:30 on Sunday, we will be providing other spiritual life offerings throughout the weekend.
While moving forward with plans to mark our 75th, we are committed to doing so in a thoughtful and sensitive manner. To that end, we are also postponing Brandeis University's 2023 Day of Giving (Giving DEISday) originally scheduled for this week and will announce a new date in the near future.
We believe that together, we can find a way to commemorate this important milestone while still demonstrating our compassion and solidarity with Israel. Thank you for your understanding, resilience, and unwavering support. Let us continue to stand together as a community and work towards a better future for all.
Sincerely,
Ron Liebowitz