Spring Break
THE SCOOP: Days of celebration drain campus of life
by Richard Alterbaum
Columnists | 10/28/08
Posted online at 1:27 AM EST on 10/28/08
When I woke up on the second day of the Rosh Hashanah break, my floor was deserted except for two other individuals. The majority of my friends had gone back home, but considering that I live over 200 miles away, I was unable to do the same.
I left my dorm and began to head down the main path toward the Shapiro Campus Center. As I glanced around, I noticed that the premises were desolate, the buildings were vacant, and not one person was in sight. I could hear the sound of my footsteps echo as a strong wind pushed against my back.
Eerie scenes like this one are typical of a holiday weekend here at Brandeis. Some people might enjoy the peace and quiet of such a scenario. Adam Cohen '12, for example, decided to come to Brandeis expecting it not to be a busy place, and he is very content with his choice of college. But I prefer otherwise. Although student life doesn't necessarily have to be bustling and vibrant on days like these, there ought to be at least some activities happening on campus aside from the holiday celebrations themselves.
This problem is made particularly prominent by the sheer abundance of religious celebrations we observe -- everything from Yom Kippur to Sukkot to Shimini Atzeret equates to one or more days off. As a Jew, I certainly respect such traditions, but I must admit that after services, the rest of these days can be pretty dull. Liana Krajnak '12, who was on campus during one of these breaks, agrees, noting that this period of time was "uninteresting and uneventful." Additionally, non-Jews may feel alienated and left out of what's happening.
In these situations, the Student Union, quad councils and other organizations should try to relieve us of our boredom and give us an incentive to stay on campus by coordinating socials and parties. We shouldn't feel compelled to go back home; rather, we should work to make Brandeis a consistently exciting place.
Don't get me wrong, though -- I'm prone to being a slacker, and I certainly don't mind having an extra vacation when I can just wake up at 2 in the afternoon and relax. But the prolonged duration of holiday breaks, combined with the fact that a considerable chunk of students would presumably be absent from University grounds, wears on me.
I left my dorm and began to head down the main path toward the Shapiro Campus Center. As I glanced around, I noticed that the premises were desolate, the buildings were vacant, and not one person was in sight. I could hear the sound of my footsteps echo as a strong wind pushed against my back.
Eerie scenes like this one are typical of a holiday weekend here at Brandeis. Some people might enjoy the peace and quiet of such a scenario. Adam Cohen '12, for example, decided to come to Brandeis expecting it not to be a busy place, and he is very content with his choice of college. But I prefer otherwise. Although student life doesn't necessarily have to be bustling and vibrant on days like these, there ought to be at least some activities happening on campus aside from the holiday celebrations themselves.
This problem is made particularly prominent by the sheer abundance of religious celebrations we observe -- everything from Yom Kippur to Sukkot to Shimini Atzeret equates to one or more days off. As a Jew, I certainly respect such traditions, but I must admit that after services, the rest of these days can be pretty dull. Liana Krajnak '12, who was on campus during one of these breaks, agrees, noting that this period of time was "uninteresting and uneventful." Additionally, non-Jews may feel alienated and left out of what's happening.
In these situations, the Student Union, quad councils and other organizations should try to relieve us of our boredom and give us an incentive to stay on campus by coordinating socials and parties. We shouldn't feel compelled to go back home; rather, we should work to make Brandeis a consistently exciting place.
Don't get me wrong, though -- I'm prone to being a slacker, and I certainly don't mind having an extra vacation when I can just wake up at 2 in the afternoon and relax. But the prolonged duration of holiday breaks, combined with the fact that a considerable chunk of students would presumably be absent from University grounds, wears on me.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Jacob
posted 10/29/08 @ 7:26 PM EST
The headline of this story, "Days of celebration drain campus of life," is yet another example of the Justice painting Brandeis' Jewish community in a negative light. (Continued…)
Anon.
posted 10/30/08 @ 11:20 AM EST
Oh, come on. It's a freaking headline. You're always saying how the Justice hates us Jews, and then you get applauded for it! I bet you most of the people who work for the Justice are Jews! Stop being so sensitive and accept that people can criticize Brandeis policy about Jews without hating Jews themselves. (Continued…)
AB
posted 10/31/08 @ 3:01 AM EST
Anon:
I think you are the one that needs to chill out. Intolerance is intolerance no matter who it is directed at. If someone said "Gay holidays" or "Muslim Holidays" - may possibly drain student life, everyone would jump on the bandwagon to call it intolerant and ignorant. (Continued…)
Jason
posted 11/02/08 @ 12:59 AM EST
Try looking at the 553 and the 70 buses. They go to South Station, and Central Square, and both run quite often, especially during the week. Very convenient and cheap. (Continued…)
rick is a loser
posted 11/03/08 @ 8:32 PM EST
ok, so rick lives on Long Island, NY. how many fucking people went home for Rosh Hashanah from NY? I guess Rick doesn't have parents that want to see him and/or friends to take him home. (Continued…)
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