The Justice

Students reach for Justice Louis Brandeis long-sleeve shirts during the University's celebration of its namesake's 150th birthday Monday night in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium. Photo by Lisa Nahill/the Justice

With swing dancers jiving to the White Heat Orchestra, overflowing drinks and prizes, it was a time for festivity as Brandeis celebrated its namesake Louis Brandeis' 150th birthday on Monday evening at the Shapiro Campus Center.

The event, attended by hundreds of students, faculty and staff, was part of a year-long celebration planned by the University to honor and celebrate the life of Justice Brandeis.

The Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Margaret Marshall, who was the keynote speaker at the event, lauded Brandeis' influence on American law.

"It is impossible to overestimate Justice Brandeis' significance to our nation," she said. "He was remarkable for his insights, his persuasiveness and his commitment."

The event also featured the unveiling of the original 1980 Andy Warhol portrait of Louis Brandeis-a gift to the University from the Feldman family of New York City.

Speaking about the prevalence of discrimination against Jews and other minorities at universities during Justice Brandeis' time, Marshall said that "his was a powerful voice on education." Quoting Brandeis, Marshall added that "education is not a thing of one's own to do with what one pleases. It is not a personal privilege to be merely enjoyed by the receiver, but a precious treasure transmitted, a sacred trust to be held and enjoyed, and if possible, strengthened, and then passed upon to others."

Marshall also talked about the controversial nature of Louis Brandeis' appointment to the Supreme Court due to his religion. She added, however, that "he never tried to turn away from or hide his Jewishness; on the contrary, he was forceful advocate of the Zionist movement." To him, the ideals that motivated the formation of the United States were consistent with Zionist aspirations. She said through battling for the Zionist cause, the American ideal of social justice and liberty could be given wider expression.

"It was a great celebration of a person who was extremely influential in American law and American history, and it is great for us to celebrate and honor Mr. Brandeis' legacy," Rajiv Ramakrishnan '10 said.

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