<p>I’ve been at Brandeis for over a year now. In general, my experience has been excellent. Good friends, great classes; I even like the food. The dorms could be nicer and the campus could be prettier, but those don’t really bother me.</p>
<p>BUT, there is one thing to be careful about. Whatever you do, do NOT say anything that could be construed as criticism of Israel. You will be harassed, yelled at, screamed at, and called every name imaginable. And don’t try to reason your case, either; that’ll just make them cry.</p>
<p>What does the political spectrum range from on the subject of Israel? Liberal or Conservative? And I only imagine you are talking about 50% of the population which is made up of Jews?</p>
<p>The sheer number of pro-israel groups might lead you to believe that there's diversity of opinion on the subject, but that's wrong. The liberal groups wear Baruch Goldstein t-shirts just as often as the rightwing ones do.</p>
<p>Yes, it's only 50% jewish, but they dominate campus life in every possible way.</p>
<p>You would think that liberal open-minded students would welcome alternative views and respectfully disagree.
This is one of the problems at Brandeis as they attempt to diversify and become more of a national shool. They have done well on the academic front but are experiencing growing pains and the consequences of such change. </p>
<p>The academics have made Brandeis a superb school as a young university.</p>
<p>The culture shock of non-Jews unfamiliar with the hardcore religious types requires an adjustment.
One must do the research and see first hand how the campus functions. What happens Friday night? Parties? Prayer? Both? How do observant Jews co-exist with others?</p>
<p>I am Jewish but decided that although Brandeis is a great niversity, the environment is not for me.</p>
<p>I think the issue regarding Israel is that there are a lot of hardcore Zionists who have done their research and know all the arguments and how to refute them. Therefore, you can't make any criticism against Israel UNLESS YOU KNOW HOW TO BACK IT UP. As a more left-leaning Israel supporter (I support the existance of the state, but not necessarily everything it does), I have discussed my views plenty of times. </p>
<p>However, I wouldn't say anything like "Israel doesn't have the right to exist."</p>
<p>It has nothing to do with them having done their research because actual arguments are never part of their red-faced screaming fits. And you don't actually have to criticize israel either. Saying something nice about an Arab person or expressing sympathy with the palestinians is usually enough to set them off.</p>
<p>Look, most people at brandeis who consider themselves zionists have the following viewpoint: There are no good, bad or indifferent arabs or muslims. Every single one is a terrorist and they hate them all.</p>
<p>Mirate- that's not true at all. I'm active in Hillel and am good friends with the two co-editors of the new Zionist magazine on campus. Neither of them fit your description. Sure, there are some people who do. But not all, or even most. I consider myself a Zionist and I would never say such things myself. In fact I've only heard two people on campus ever express such sentiments. One was berated by other Zionists in the room and another wasn't even Jewish. Us observant Jews get stereotyped a lot, unfortunately.</p>
<p>As a current Brandeis freshman who loves it, I must point out that mirate is speaking gibberish. Baruch Goldstein, a Jewish physician, killed 29 and injured 100 Muslims. I DO NOT KNOW ANYONE AT BRANDEIS WHO HAS OR WOULD WANT TO WEAR A SHIRT OF SUCH A DETESTABLE MAN. </p>
<p>To say that both left-and right- wing groups wear his shirt shows that anything mirate says cannot be taken seriously. </p>
<p>Certainly, Brandeis has a strong, diverse pro-Israel presence. None of the many groups advocate any extreme positions. Obviously, there may be one or two uneducated extremists in any setting. Mirate, I regret that you have came in contact with such fools, and I advise you to understand that they are not representative of the Zionist/Israel groups on campus.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Look, most people at brandeis who consider themselves zionists have the following viewpoint: There are no good, bad or indifferent arabs or muslims. Every single one is a terrorist and they hate them all.</p>
<p>Sorry, but that's how it is.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You could not be more wrong. All the people I know at Brandeis are open-minded, intelligent, informed Jews. As an orthodox Jew I take deep offense at what you just said. I am sympathetic to the plight of t he Palestinians, and in no way believe that they are all terrorists. In fact, if you take the time to research what you are saying, you will find numerous account, documentaries, videos and reports, that show how countless Palestinian tows completely inculcate their children with nothing but hate. They learn a skewed version of history, they are taught that Jews are murderes, and they are trained to throw stones and rocks at them, and some are even counseled and cajoled in to blowing themselves up. It is the most unfortunate of circumstances, but it is true. Israel on the other hand, has nothing even remotely close. It is America's only democratic ally in the Middle East, and has tried numerous times to reason rationally. I say this to you not as a radical screaming my head off in domination, I say this as a Jew who is sick and tired of being countered by Muslim radicals who know nothing but hate, and see nothing but rage. If you don't believe me, research the incidents at UC Irvine, at Columbia College, at Concordia University in Canada, and trust me, if you'd like any more examples there are plenty. So yes, Brandeis has a larger percentage of pro-Israel supporters than any other college in the world. They are not the only group on campus, but yes they probably do dominate politically, especially considering the overwhelmingly liberality of Brandeis itself. Brandeis was first started after WWII, as a haven for Jews when no other college would take them, and it has developed into an open, accepting, liberal college. Don't change that. If Brandeis isn't for you, don't go. But don't spew your indiscrimate hate at all Jews because you disagree, don't judge, don't hate, don't be prejudicial. It's not all that simple, but its a start.</p>
<p>I got an e-mail about it on the Hillel listserve, but there's no real feeling to get from the campus right now since school isn't in session for another week and a half.</p>
<p>Mirate's claim is absolutely ridiculous. After spending 4 years at Brandeis, I can honestly say that student views regarding Israel are quite varied, and that I have never witnessed any non-supportive discussions on the topic. And frankly, Israeli policy tends to take a back seat to U.S. policy when it comes to political debate. Now, if you voted for George W. Bush that's another story. People WILL probably jump down your throat. But they will have excellent, intelligent, well-researched reasons for doing so, and they can use the liberal legal arguments of liberal Louis D. Brandeis to back up their claims.</p>