Real Life @ Brandeisposts by students, faculty, and staff
The Brandeis Beit Midrash
14 Nov 2009, 8:00PM
It's a Sunday night at 7PM. Most of my friends are eating dinner, studying at the library, or hanging out. I, however, am headed to the ground floor of the Shapiro Residence Hall - one of the first-year resident halls. While there, I will enjoy free pizza, and study, but not for class.
Hopefully by now you're wondering what I'm talking about.
On the ground floor of Shapiro is the Beit Midrash. A Beit Midrash is a place of Jewish learning. The one at Brandeis consists of two rooms filled with books about Jewish law, life, and theories, and tables on which to study.
On Sunday nights at the Beit Midrash there is a program called SNL: Sunday Night Learning. While people go to the Beit Midrash to learn and study all week, on Sunday nights there is free pizza - so you can imagine that it is pretty packed. While you can study by yourself, Judaism encourages people to study in groups or with a chavruta - a study partner - so that you can bounce ideas off of each other. If you don't know anyone but still want to study in a pair, the coordinator of SNL can set you up with a chavruta.
What I love about the Beit Midrash, and Jewish life at Brandies in general, is that it is SO inclusive.
I am Jewish, but grew up in a household that was more culturally Jewish, rather than religious. My first year at Brandeis, I lived next door to two religious Jewish girls. We became very good friends and after a while I expressed an interest in learning more about Judaism. They asked if I wanted to come to Friday night services with them, and I accepted. We went to Orthodox services - the strictest denomination. I did not know any part of the service or a word of Hebrew and would have been totally lost without the help and guidance of my friends. To this day, I learn Torah with the same girls and go to Friday night services and Hillel Friday night Shabbat dinner with them. While many of the people who go to the Beit Midrash are more observant than I am, I've always felt welcome.
Last Sunday, there was a buzz in the Beit Midrash. Apparently Brandeis had just installed a Kosher vending machine in Shapiro Lounge - right next to the Beit Midrash. I took a trip up there to see it. There are two "Hot Nash" machines which offer treats from mozzarella sticks to potato knishes. I'm curious to see if people will use them and how the food tastes!
tags: studentlife