Brandeis Stories

By Julian Cardillo ’14
December 2, 2025

Lev BenAvram ’26 has spent his junior and senior years balancing academics with three levels of competitive fencing: the collegiate circuit, domestic competitions and grueling international World Cups and Grand Prix.

In the last 12 months, the business major and Hebrew Language, Literature and Culture minor from Bethesda, Maryland has served as the Judges men’s fencing team saber captain while traveling the world: from Tunisia to Paris; Cleveland to Los Angeles; Budapest to Algeria; Fort Worth to Seoul; and many more competitive stops in between.

The combined demands of travel, fencing and schoolwork are relentless.

But for BenAvram, who is ranked seventh in the United States and 144th in the world, it’s exactly the life he’s chosen. With his competitive calendar unfolding on three simultaneous tracks, BenAvram is constantly juggling.

“It can be a lot between fencing for Brandeis and the domestic and international calendars,” BenAvram said. “I’m missing a full week of school at least once per month for an international competition.”

On paper, this seems highly impractical. But in practice, BenAvram has achieved the coordination, planning and willingness to sacrifice nearly every nonessential hour.

International trips often require leaving on Tuesday and returning Sunday. Domestic events occupy long holiday weekends. The pace can be dizzying.

“The first week of November was the Algeria World Cup,” he explained. “The second weekend was a North American Cup in Dallas. Then Brandeis competed in the Beanpot against Harvard, MIT and Boston College, and the week before Thanksgiving we went to Colorado Springs for the Western Invitational. The scheduling can be rough on the mind and body, but I’ve found ways to maintain balance.”

BenAvram relies on his love of the sport and self-discipline to help him get through the packed schedule and intense pace.

“Loving fencing is most important,” he said. “Being excited to fence is what makes the biggest difference for me, plus forcing myself to take rest days. If I don’t have competitions scheduled, I don’t do anything athletic on weekends, which are strictly for chilling out and homework.”

Support from his professors has made this routine possible. When classes involve exams, faculty adjust BenAvram’s scheduling to ensure he can complete requirements while representing the U.S. abroad.

“The professors I've had so far have been great, and accommodating,” BenAvram said. “They’ve done what they can within the rules.”

The Brandeis environment itself, he said, has played a major role in his growth as a fencer and as a student.

“It’s a very healthy environment. Our team is full of great people who genuinely care for each other, come to practice ready to work hard and push each other in the right ways. Academically, it’s really easy to get individual support from professors when you need it, especially with travel and everything.”

BenAvram’s goal is clear: the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

“My goal is definitely to go to the Olympics,” he said. “I’m still deciding the right path for going about it, but qualifying for LA is currently my ultimate goal.”

After graduation, BenAvram plans to move to New York City, a hub for high-level saber training in the U.S., and pursue fencing full-time while coaching or working part-time to support his dream. One of his training stops would be the Morehouse Fencing Club, owned and operated by Tim Morehouse ’00, H’09, an Olympic silver medalist in saber.

For now, BenAvram is firmly focused on finishing his senior season at Brandeis, keeping up with his academic work and continuing the international chase for points to raise his global ranking.

It’s a demanding odyssey, but one he embraces fully. And at Brandeis, he’s found a community that’s helped make it possible.