The bVIEW launch event – September 27th

 This event, organized in collaboration with BIPAC, J Street U and Hillel, offered students a safe and constructive space to learn about the history of Zionist thought and discuss their relationship with the term. First, student leaders from each group discussed their person understanding of Zionism. Then,  Professor Ilan Troen, Professor Michael Zank and Rachel Fisch presented about historical Zionists Ze’ev Jabotinsky, Martin Beuber and David Ben Gurion.  Finally, students split into small groups facilitated by one student and professor to discuss how each of these thinkers might relate to Zionism today and explore their personal relationships with Zionism. Through the event, students saw the range of feelings and ideologies encompassed in Zionism and had a place to express their own identities, concerns and ideas.

Shakshuka and Stories-
November 15th

bVIEW's last event of the semester provided students  with a stage to discuss some of the great challenges facing Israel's future, and share their visions for solving them. Students listened and shared their perspectives on the burning issues that will affect what Israel looks like in 20 years from now. Issues included the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; Growing socio-economic gaps in Israel; National security and relations with neighbors in light of the Arab spring; The relationship between religion and the Jewish state.

bVIEW started its first year with a bang! Over 125 students gathered over dessert to hear their peers speak about what they can do together to create a more productive campus culture regarding Israel. Chen Arad, an Israeli sophomore, presented bVIEW and led the event. A group of students shared their perspective on why bVIEW matters, making it clear to everyone who participated that this year would be different from previous years. Natan Odenheimer spoke about the shift we need regarding Israel culture on campus: from a culture of mutual accusation to one that is focused on changing the future. Erica Shaps, a senior who avoided Israel activity for most of her college career, explained why this year is the time to stop being cynical.  Ashraf Hussain discussed the absurdity he witnessed when students with different opinions did not interact with each other or share their opinions productively.  Students answered questions about campus culture on bulletin boards all around the room.

From A to Zionism - October 11th

During the second day of Operation Pillar of Defense, when students from across the United States were waging war on Facebook, 70 Brandeis students from diverse backgrounds listened to performances and shared their own stories about Israel and their relationship with Israel over homemade shakshuka. The event started with coffee house style performances, including music, spoken word and monologues. We heard stories from a Saudi Arabian Hebrew language student and American couch surfing across Israel while studying abroad, and everything in between.  After,  in small groups, we openly shared our frustrations and trepidations regarding current reality while laughing over the many cultural differences between Israelis and Americans to break the tension. The student facilitated event highlighted the best of campus culture regarding Israel while reminding us of how much more we have to learn from each other.

Burning Issues, Hot Sufganiot – December 11th