| About the Peace Monument and Peace Garden |
Building for Peace was a recognized club of the Student Union whose mission was to construct a peace monument on campus that would serve as a physical testament to the universality of peace and the diversity at Brandeis University. The club was comprised of the students of Professor Gordon Fellman's Sociology of Empowerment class and was funded by a grant from the Hewlett Pluralism Alliance and the Student Senate.
The Brandeis University Peace Monument was first dedicated in May of 2002. It is located in the circular seating area between Usdan and Pearlman and is surrounded by benches and a garden. In the very center of the monument is a beautiful mosaic of a dove - the international symbol of peace. Encircling the mosaic are various tiles, engraved with the word "peace" in the various languages spoken at Brandeis University. There are approximately 40 different language bricks.
Building for Peace set out to further the beauty and breadth of the Brandeis University Peace Monument by adding bricks and improving the garden. Hopes are to add approximately 20 more language bricks, including American Sign Language and Braile, various cultural symbols of peace, a dedication plaque, and finally a "peace tree" will be added to the garden area.
Part of the financing for what we now call the Mandel Peace Garden, was from generous benefactor Jay A. Mandel, Class of 1980 and his life partner, Jeffrey M. Scheckner, in memory of Jay's grandparents, Harry and Violet Mandel.
