Brandeis Alumni, Family and Friends

Three generations find community and inspiration at Brandeis

May 11, 2026

When Nili Fish-Bieler ’26 walked the Commencement stage last month, she became the third generation of her family, joining her father Ron Fish ’91 and grandmother Joy Fish ’56, to graduate from Brandeis.

On a fall day in 1952, Joy Tenor Fish ’56 arrived on the Brandeis campus to begin her college studies. At the time, the university was not quite five years old.

The new undergrad was interested in studying Hebrew language and literature in the Department of Judaic Studies. “Back then, there didn’t seem to be many schools offering this focus,” said Joy.

The fact that Brandeis was founded by the American Jewish community appealed to her as well. “I came from a small town where there were very few Jewish students in my high school classes,” said Joy, who will celebrate her 70th reunion this fall.

Joy recalls a rich intellectual and academic life on campus. “Even though I was a freshman, I had the most prominent people in their fields as professors,” she said, “because that’s who Brandeis hired to get established and known.”

Joy Fish (second from left) at graduation

Fast forward 35 years, and a teenage Ron Fish ’91 followed in his mother’s footsteps to Brandeis. He, too, was seeking community, but of a different nature. His family moved around throughout his childhood, so Ron’s constant was a group of friends from the Jewish camp he attended in the summer. As it turned out, many of them were heading to Brandeis.

“Coming to Brandeis meant being with those friends for four years,” said Ron. “I was thrilled to have the social community of Brandeis. But I also was inspired to explore the ideas and learn from the professors that defined a Brandeis education.”

Ron majored in history, with a focus on modern Europe, and minored in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies. Two of his favorite professors were David Hackett Fisher, university professor emeritus of history, and the now deceased Eugene Black, professor emeritus of history.

Other memorable moments for Ron include serving on the Student Senate and being cast as the iconic patriarch Tevye in a campus production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” “Starring in the show was a definite highlight,” he said. “I got to work with my very good friend David Farbman ’90, who was the musical director. I still have a copy of our show’s review from The Justice [student newspaper].”

Ron Fish at graduation

Skip ahead another 35 years, and along comes Nili Fish-Bieler ’26, daughter of Ron and granddaughter of Joy. While at Brandeis, Nili studied mathematics, was active in Jewish life, and was a leader in her a capella group. Like her father, she also was involved in theater. “I’m grateful that I was able to do a lot of different activities at Brandeis,” she said.

When Nili walked the Commencement stage in May, she became the third generation of her family to graduate from Brandeis. Throughout their time at school, each family member blazed their own path. At the same time, they shared commonalities, growing as students, leaders, and individuals.

“I credit the university, in so many ways, for the person I’ve become,” said Ron, who is on the planning committee for his 35th reunion this fall. “I will always be deeply grateful to Brandeis.”