Samuels Center for Community Partnerships and Civic Transformation (COMPACT)

An Artist Visit
Open dance class hosted by Adagio Dance Club: Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 4:00 pm 
Class visit: Monday, November 18, 2024

Dancer and choreographer Raka Maitra is the founder and artistic director of Chowk Productions, based in Singapore. Defying the conventional dichotomy of 'classical' and 'contemporary,' the basis of her movement is in both the martial arts (Chhau) and Odissi, a classical Indian dance.

Raka Maitra founded Chowk Productions in 2014. Her works have been regularly commissioned by The Esplanade, in Singapore, and have traveled extensively, including to Amsterdam, Avignon, and Washington D.C.

Principal dancer Caroline Chin graduated from Singapore’s Intercultural Theatre Institute in 2018 with a professional diploma in Acting and has been training with Chowk since 2016. Prior to that, she trained in contemporary dance and Butoh.

The word Chowk, in Hindi, refers to a plaza -- a square where people gather; an intersection where cultures cross. In Odissi, Chowk is also one of the two basic stances of the dance form. “To us, CHOWK is all of that and more,” they say on their ensemble’s website. “It is a home, a place to encounter new people; a base to explore new cultures and ideas, and a foundation to always return.”

At Brandeis, Raka and Caroline will teach a dance class on Sunday, November 17, hosted by Adagio Dance Club, and give a guest lecture-presentation on Monday, November 18, in the anthropology class, “Contemporary South Asia,” taught by Professor Brian Horton.

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A Presentation by Ukrainian Artist Daria Pugachova
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
2:20-3:40
Sherman Hall, Hassenfeld Conference Center

Daria Pugachova is an interdisciplinary artist and art activist from Ukraine. Her artistic approach prioritizes the presence of the artist and direct interaction with audiences in public spaces. Daria studied architecture at the Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, and played drums for many years in the band Panivalkova.
Daria’s work has been featured in exhibitions in Ukraine, Bulgaria, Germany, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the United States. Her latest projects are based on her experiences of war, exploring topics of freedom and limitation, and this is what she’ll focus on in her artist talk here.

Daria was one of five finalists for the 2024 INSPIRE Art Award of the Peace Research Institute Oslo – selected from among artists from around the world who have responded to the lived experience of violent conflict and/or displacement in their art, in any and all media.

A Panel Discussion
Monday, November 4th, 2024
12:00 PM - Lunch
Program from 12:15 - 1:30 PM
Mandel Center for the Humanities Reading Room (303)

Presented by both the Mandel Center for the Humanities “Humanities for Global Affairs” initiative and the Global Community Engagement program of COMPACT.

The past few years have seen the global expansion of debates and action regarding the return of ‘art’ that was forthrightly looted or acquired in colonial contexts in which consent is in question. A stellar panel featuring individuals with expertise in museums and provenance, the history of art, and law and philosophy, will discuss processes, policies, and promises and pitfalls related to the restitution of 'art' all over the world. Panelists will talk about how research on the origins and history of looted or otherwise unethically acquired objects is conducted, and how the objects’ return might contribute to the reweaving of social fabrics torn apart by violence. Conversely, they will also ask how restitution might feed into problematic nationalisms and other systems of division and inequity.

“Bringing Democracy Back from the Brink: A Strategic Vision and Call to Action"
Tuesday, October 8th, 2024
4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Rapaporte Treasure Hall
Doors open at 4 p.m.
Free and open to the public

In this public lecture, Danielle Allen will review key dimensions of the current challenges facing U.S. democracy—including polarization, institutional dysfunction, and an unstable information environment—and then propose a strategy for reversing those dynamics and restoring the health of American democracy.

Signed Copies of Dr. Danielle Allen's book Justice by Means of Democracy  will be available to all students who attend.

A Residency Featuring World renowned Malian musicians Wassa Kouyaté and Balla Kouyaté with Professor Cherif Keita
Class visits: October 7-9, 2024

The residency features Wassa Kouyaté and Balla Kouyaté, internationally renowned Malian traditional musicians. These musicians are part of a Mande jaliw (generally known as the griots) who are oral historians, musicians, and performers who keep alive and celebrate the history of the Mandé people of Mali, Guinea, Senegal, and other West African countries. They are descendents of musicians who took an oath to continue the family’s oral tradition and musical heritage which dates back to the 13th century, the time of Sunjata Keita, founder of the Mali empire. The residency will consist of class visits as well as a live performance of the Sundiata fasa (epic) of the Mande people, with an English translation by Professor and descendent of Sundiata, Cherif Keita.

Tuesday October 1, 2024

Hosted by COMPACT and ENACT in Celebration of the International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life

The new Justice Brandeis Practitioner-in-Residence Limited Series highlights the knowledge and experience developed by the International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life, and exposes the Brandeis campus community to spheres of activity that have only become more critical to our interconnected world over recent years.

We are excited to announce that Claudia Bernardi has been selected as the Inaugural Justice Brandeis Practitioner-In-Residence! Claudia Bernardi is an installation artist, painter and printmaker whose artwork reflects the impact of war and its legacies. She will be on the Brandeis campus in November 2024.

Read more about Claudia Bernardi and her 2024 residency at Brandeis University.

On or around Justice Brandeis’ birthday of November 13, from the 2024-25 academic year through the 2027-28 academic year, COMPACT and ENACT will host a practitioner whose life and work exemplifies Justice Louis Brandeis’ values of justice and truth as applied to community engagement activities, global or local.

During the one-day residency, the visiting practitioner will interact with students, faculty and staff through class visits, workshops, lectures, and other opportunities. Each residency will produce an output which can be shared afterwards, for example a written document, short documentary film, a podcast, or an exhibit.

AY 2024-25

COMPACT's monthly coffee hour series for community partners featuring a 10-minute turbotalk to connect them to resources at Brandeis and each other. Was hosted every 3rd Friday of the month from 10 - 11 AM at community partners sites or Cafe on the Common in Waltham. Currently on hiatus!

Wednesday September 25, 2024

6:00 - 8:00 PM | Wasserman Cinema (inside the Sachar International Center)

The Prevention, Advocacy, and Resource Center (PARC) is partnering with ENACT to host a film screening of "At Your Cervix." The screening will take place on Wednesday September 25th from 6-8 pm. The film "explores the hidden history of modern gynecology; from a riveting and unflinching look at the man considered to be the 'father of gynecology' and his cruel experimentation on enslaved Black women, to the insidious attacks on midwives and women's health, the filmmakers show us the history and its direct link to today's unethical teaching practices."

Saturday September 21, 2024

5:00 - 7:00 PM | Usdan Alumni Lounge

In partnership with Period Activists at Deis (PAD), ENACT is hosting a screening of the 2023 film "Periodical" on Saturday September 21st from 5-7 pm. The documentary examines menstrual equity through the experiences of activists, doctors, athletes, movie stars, journalists, students, and everyday people. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion, which includes the former PAD president and menstrual equity activist Kyla Speizer. The event will also include a raffle of period self care products.

Wednesday September 18, 2024

4:00 - 6:00 PM | Liberman-Miller Lecture Hall (WSRC)

In partnership with the Women's Studies Research Center, ENACT welcomes the Bad Old Days Posse on Wednesday September 18th from 4-6 pm at the Liberman-Miller Lecture Hall at the Women’s Studies Research Center. The Bad Old Days Posse is a part of Reproductive Equity Now. According to the Bad Old Days Posse, "The purpose of the Posse is to share with audiences what life was really like for pregnant people before the protections enshrined in Roe v. Wade. We believe we have a unique perspective—and the responsibility to use our experiences—to tell our stories of living in a pre-Roe world, the limited choices available, and the risks we took to make the decisions that were right for us."

Wednesday September 11, 2024

6:00 - 8:00 PM | Goldfarb Library Turf

Join us at Chill with COMPACT where you can come and learn more about curricular and co-curricular community and civic engagement opportunities at Brandeis and in support of the Greater Waltham community -- all while enjoying free ice cream from Lizzy's and music from Basement Records!

AY 2023-24

COMPACT's monthly coffee hour series for community partners featuring a 10-minute turbotalk to connect them to resources at Brandeis and each other.

Tuesday April 16, 2024

10:00 - 11:15 AM | Alumni Lounge, Usdan Student Center

Join us Tuesday, April 16 from 10:00-11:15 AM in Alumni Lounge in the Usdan Student Center at Brandeis University for “Present and Defend” and exercise your right to influence public policy! The students of the Brandeis University ENACT course “Advocacy for Policy Change” (LGLS 161b) will try to persuade you to vote for their bills, which are currently being considered by the Massachusetts State Legislature. Bill topics include data privacy, gun violence, immigrant rights, juvenile justice, menstrual equity, mental health education, childhood poverty, pregnancy care, sex education, and water resources management.

Thursday, April 11, 2024

12:00 - 3:00 PM | Mandel 303

Thursday, April 18th, 2024

7:00 - 8:00 pm | Laurie Theater in Spingold Theater Building

Prumsodun Ok, Khmer classical dance choreographer, dancer, educator and scholar and LGBTQ+ rights activist and founder and artistic director of Cambodia’s first and only all-male gay classical dance company, will perform his most recent work, A Deepest Blue, accompanied by four musicians from Japan. A Deepest Blue explores humanity's multifaceted relationship with water, focusing on origin stories from both Cambodia and Japan.

Prum and the musicians will be in residence – rehearsing and visiting classes – from Friday, April 12 through Thursday, April 18.

For inquiries, contact Toni Shapiro-Phim.

Thursday, April 4, 2024

Join the ENACT Your Vote Day of Action on Thursday April 4th! Volunteers will be tabling from noon until 2:30 pm at multiple locations on campus to help peoiple sign up for voting and civic engagement reminders with ENACT Your Vote and to register and make a plan to vote if eligible. Come get snacks and ENACT Your Vote and VoteDeis swag – and join ENACT Your Vote to earn points for Brandeis prizes!

Sponsored by ENACT Your Vote, the VoteDeis Campus Coalition, and the Community Engagement Ambassador Program.

Join Brandeis ENACT Your Vote to earn points!

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

1:00 - 2:00 PM | Rapaporte Treasure Hall

Book bans are ravaging the nation as censorship seeps across school districts nationwide. Most of these book bans target identity – race, religion, gender identity, sexuality – and have been coupled with educational censorship and so-called "culture wars" on humanity.

Join famed author Julian Winters, student organizer Cameron Samuels, and Brandeis Florence Levy Kay Fellow in Racial Justice, Education, and the Carceral State, Tanishia Lavette Williams, PhD for a conversation and educational booth fair on the freedom to read and learn.

This event is organized with funding from COMPACT's Maurice J. and Fay B. Karpf and Ari Hahn Peace Awards and the ENACT Educate and Advocate Grant.

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

7:00 PM | Senior Studios, Epstein Building

Anida Yoeu Ali, multi-disciplinary artist and immigration rights activist will perform Palimpsest for Generation 1.5, in which her body is transformed into a palimpsest where histories are inscribed, layering one moment over another. Text pulled from her family’s memories and histories related to Cambodia are inscribed in ink onto her back. As a result of the act, ink and water drip onto her back and stain the dress. When the gestures end and the body leaves the installation, detached roots, a disembodied dress, and faint traces of a performed history remain. The work examines the cultural and emotional resonance of place and memory in relationship to personal histories of violence.

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Join ENACT, MASSNow and Free Period for a Period Product Packaging & Menstrual Equity Advocacy Party Tuesday, April 2nd from 12:00 - 2:00 PM in the Shapiro Campus Center at Brandeis, cosponsored by the Jewish Feminist Association of Brandeis (JFAB). Help package menstrual products for distribution!

Free Period is a non-profit organization that distributes free menstrual products to those in need.

Founded in 1968, the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Organization for Women (Mass NOW) is a multi-strategy grassroots feminist organization in the Commonwealth.

Interested in policy advocacy?

The I AM Bill, which would increase access to menstrual products, is currently being considered by the Massachusetts State Legislature. With the support of MassNOW, at this event we will provide advocacy training and an opportunity to reach out to Massachusetts state representatives in support of the bill.

For more information contact Charlotte Powley, Assistant Director of ENACT: CPowley@brandeis.edu

Monday, April 1, 2024

6:00 - 8:00 PM | Gerstenzang Science Building, Room 122

COMPACT is hosting a screening of Hollow Tree: Growing Up at the End of the Earth.  This impactful film follows three teenagers coming of age in their sinking homeland of Louisiana. For the first time, they notice the Mississippi River’s engineering, stumps of cypress trees, and billowing smokestacks. Their different perspectives — as Indigenous, white, and Angolan young women — shape their story of the climate crisis.

The screening will be in Gerstenzang Science Building 122, beginning at 6 PM.  Following the film, director Kira Akerman will talk with faculty and students about her approach to filmmaking in the context of the climate crisis, about which she writes here. Professor Ann Silvio (Journalism) will begin and moderate the discussion.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Dr. Alexander Hinton, Director of the Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights, UNESCO Chair on Genocide Prevention and Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at Rutgers University shared insights from decades of research about the Cambodian and other genocides. He situated his talk in relationship to both his current research on far-right extremism as discussed in his book It Can Happen Here: White Power and the Rising Threat of Genocide (NYC 2021), and issues in perpetrator research – including writing about perpetrators and the impact of confronting inhumanities on the researcher – that he discussed in his co-authored book (with Tony Robben), Perpetrators: Examining Humanity’s Dark Side (Stanford 2023).

February 5th, 2024

Interested in learning more about Hebrew SeniorLife, its mission and vision, and opportunities for volunteer involvement this Spring?

Please join us on Monday, February 5th at the Shapiro Campus Center Room 313 from 12-1 PM for a catered lunch and learn with our amazing community partners at HSL!

January 31st, 2024

Come join us at the Shapiro Campus Center from 6-8 PM to enjoy hot chocolate and cupcake decorating and learn more about COMPACT, community engagement opportunities, programs, fellowships, grants, prizes, and more!

January 18th, 2024

Make Your Vote Count! Join us for a voting rights discussion, led by policy experts from Common Cause, MassVote, and Brandeis. Bring your questions! Featuring Prof. Zachary Albert of the Brandeis University Politics Department; Marisol Santiago, Policy and Organizing Director for MassVOTE; and Aaron Scherb, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs for Common Cause.

Thursday January 18th, 4:00-5:30 PM in International Lounge in the Usdan Student Center. Refreshments will be provided.

This event is funded by the ENACT Educate & Advocate Grant and the Brenda Meehan Social Justice in Action Grant. Cosponsored by ENACT: The Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation, the VoteDeis Campus Coalition, the Brandeis University Student Union, Brandeis Democrats, and Brandeis University Young Americans for Liberty.

Contact ENACT@brandeis.edu with questions.

November 18, 2023

A concert hosted by The Right to Immigration Institute (TRII) in partnership with COMPACT, the Brandeis Music Department, and Global Community Engagement featuring L'Acalet Duo (Benilde Larios and Benjamín González) who came all the way from Mexico City to perform works by distinguished Mexican composer Julio César Oliva including the world premiere of two song cycles created specifically to "describe the soul of the people who live in Waltham today." All proceeds went to support the work of TRII, a Waltham-based nonprofit that helps immigrants navigate legal issues through consultation, workshops and legal representation.

November 8, 2023

An event hosted by COMPACT in partnership with Basement Records featuring a special screening of "Wortown Rising" by the talented Kaz Supernova with a student art exhibition to commemorate and celebrate 50 years of hip hop.

November 17, 2023

The Newman Civic Fellowship program held a lunch and learn session in partnership with the Department of Student Engagement and COMPACT. Samaria Dellorso, Brandeis' current Newman Civic Fellow for 2023, shared about her experience as a fellow, personal and professional development opportunities, her social impact project, and how any student can apply to become the next Brandeis Newman Civic Fellow.

November 14, 2023

In this second part of the series, COMPACT's Community Engagement Pathways Panel featured student leaders in numerous campus organizations and programs to provide students with peer perspectives on community engagement, especially at Brandeis.

November 1, 2023

An event sponsored by Brandeis Education Program and co-sponsored by COMPACT where teacher, scholar and author Jessica Lander spoke about her recent book, Making Americans: Stories of Historic Struggles, New Ideas, and Inspiration in Immigrant Education, what education looks like in a classroom primarily filled with immigrant students and more.

News

Cooper Gottfried, "Education Program hosts Jessica Lander to speak on Making Americans," The Brandeis Hoot, 3 November 2023. 

October 30, 2023

In this first part of the series, COMPACT's Community Engagement Pathways Panel was hosted to help connect students to the opportunities, resources, and faculty and staff mentors they need to embrace and realize their individual community engagement goals at Brandeis.

October 29, 2023

This two-hour event was a unique look at one of the most consequential human rights violations in history. A special combination of an academic perspective and journalistic storytelling, this event will explore the history and the ongoing legacy of the Armenian genocide of 1915.

From the re-education journey of one Turkish-American, to the personal stories of Armenians of various backgrounds, the audience witnessed the weight and veracity of this historical event and its legacy, through a variety of short videos that are part of the Neighbors in Memory initiative.

Featuring presentations from Prof. Lerna Ekmekçioğlu, columnist Ohannes Kılıçdağı, and video producer/storyteller Gonca Sönmez-Poole, the event touched upon the story of TAWA (The Turkish-Armenian Women's Alliance), a grassroots alliance of women who met regularly between 2012-14 for the purpose of dialogue, and tackle how the troubled relations unfold today, leading to new waves of violence. Featured a panel consisting of the presenters with the addition of visual artist Apo Torosyan and educator Laura Bilazarian-Purutyan, subjects in the previously screened videos.

October 25-27, 2023

Celebrated cultural critic, sociologist, and author Tressie McMillan Cottom is the 2023 winner of the Joseph B. and Toby Gittler Prize by Brandeis University. She is a professor with the Center for Information, Technology and Public Life at UNC-Chapel Hill, a New York Times columnist, and 2020 MacArthur Fellow. During her award ceremony and public lecture, Tressie McMillan Cottom surveyed challenges from her positions in academic, media, and digital networks. She talked about why knowledge work should be cultural work and cultural work is profoundly important to reimaging the publics that are under threat.

The Joseph B. and Toby Gittler Prize was created by the late Professor Joseph B. Gittler to recognize outstanding and lasting scholarly contributions to racial, ethnic and/or religious relations. The Gittler Prize is hosted by The Vic ’63 and Bobbi Samuels ’63 Center for Community Partnerships and Civic Transformation (COMPACT) on behalf of the Office of the President and Office of the Provost.

October 17, 2023

Get to know the FCAS Fellowship Program experience from FCAS Staff, current and past fellows, and learn how YOU can make a difference! Join us for fall refreshments from Pizzi Farm and free giveaways!

October 1, 2023

A play that shares the words and experiences of Ukrainian youth as they navigate the chaos and catastrophe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. "The Clear Blue Skies" is a play based on messages sent by Ukrainian youth to their acting teacher in the days and weeks following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Attendees learned how these young people experienced the chaos and catastrophe of those early days of the war through the performance by an ensemble of New York-based actors playing the young Ukrainians and a post-performance discussion with the directors and actors, and members of the local Ukrainian community.

September 14, 2023

At Chill with COMPACT, come and learn more about community engagement at Brandeis and with the Greater Waltham community while enjoying ice cream from Lizzy's!

September 7, 2023

A presentation of the Brandeis Education Program in collaboration with the Mandel Center for Studies in Jewish Education SCRoLL Lab and Brandeis COMPACT hosted by Ziva Hassenfeld (Brandeis University) and Tanishia Lavette Williams (Brandeis University) with panelists Katherine Frankel (Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development), Christine Leighton (Emmanuel College), Ola Ozernov-Palchik (MIT and Boston University), and respondents Natasha Sarkisian (Whittemore Elementary School) and Marianne Duffy (Waltham Public Schools).

August 20, 2023

An event sponsored by The Rose Art Museum and co-sponsored by COMPACT.

Join us for a day of family-friendly fun at the Rose Art Museum with drop-in artmaking activities, lawn games, a close-looking tour, free ice cream by The Chillwagon, and a pop-up Family Storytime with our friends from the Waltham Library inspired by the exhibition Arghavan Khosravi: Black Rain.

AY 23

COMPACT's monthly coffee hour to gather community partners together to learn more about priorities, events, news, and opportunities for partnership and ongoing support.

May 15th, 2023

Hosted by the Brandeis Education Program and co-sponsored by COMPACT.

April 23rd, 2023

Supported by a grant from the Waltham Cultural Council.

In partnership with Brandeis Arts Engagement and the Rose Art Museum.

Spring 2023

The Common Good Careers Cohort program is an innovative 6-week long Spring cohort experience sponsored by COMPACT, in collaboration with the Hiatt Career Center, that offers undergraduate students a collective opportunity to do career development activities.

March 25, 2023 — Liz Sandoval '25 (Melody Mentors Program - Samuels Scholars, COMPACT)
Sponsored by Basement Records, SIMS, and COMPACT

News

Grace Doh, "Industry expert Jimmy Kang leads audio engineering workshop: The hip hop producer and manager showcased his expertise in the proccess of mixing, mastering, and networking for Brandeis musicians," The Justice, March 28, 2023.

March 24, 2023 — Isabel Lin '26 (Samuels Scholars, COMPACT), Waltham Group - Community Connections, The Lurie Institute for Disability Policy

Community Partner: SHINE (Stoneham High School)

Feb. 10, 2023 — Mandel Center for the Humanities

Sponsored by COMPACT and Department of Anthropology

Jan. 28, 2023 — Gender and Sexuality Center
Community Partner: Trans Community of New England

News
Mia Plante, "Brandeis GSC to present at 'First Event,'" The Brandeis Hoot, Jan. 27, 2023.

Oct. 28, 2022 — Taylor Ackley, Department of Music

Community Partner: Music Worcester

Oct. 14, 2022 — Department of English

Community Partners: North American Indian Center of Boston, American Indian Studies Association and the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association

(Massachusetts Field & Education Manager for Our Climate and Administrator for the Massachusetts Youth Climate Coalition)

Oct. 13; Nov. 1, 15, 30 — Office of Sustainability
Community Partner: Our Climate

News
Hedy Yag, "Brandeis hosts second Climate Action Dinner," The Justice, Nov. 8, 2022. 

Sept. 23, 2022 — Environmental Studies Program (ENVS) and Office of Sustainability

Community Partner: MA Youth for Climate Justice

Sept. 8, 2022

Sponsored by First Year Experience and WBRS