Brandeis Alumni, Family and Friends
Alumni Stories
As the hospital's director of spiritual care, Harris helps kids and families withstand the trials of hospitalization and serves as a supportive advocate for young patients like Spencer Raifman.
Since his time at Brandeis, Donald Soffer ’54 has realized his business vision and inspired students that have come after him.
With the creation of the Baruchowitz Family Fellowship for Dysautonomia Research, Brandeis Neuroscience Professor Susan Birren will aim to broaden understanding of a chronic, sometimes debilitating, condition that’s often misdiagnosed.
Klodeta Janaqi’s childhood dream of studying in the U.S. was out of reach. Then the Peter Petri Global Fellowship changed everything. “Donors should know they are making many people’s dreams come true,” says the MBA’21 graduate.
For scholarship recipient Peter Agaba, MA’20, a lifelong passion for learning led him to Brandeis. Now he’s giving back to his home village in Uganda by supporting the next generation of students
More than 100 alumni volunteers answered the call when Prof. Ed Bayone set up virtual networking opportunities for his students during the pandemic. “You never know what connections you might create,” says Allan Volf ’15, MA ’16.
Natasha Frye ’14 honors her indigenous heritage through her work and her art.
The late Professor Robert Stevenson “was pivotal in my life,” says Elaine Yamaguchi ’71. She hopes the fund will provide career guidance as well as support for research.
Daniel Estrin ’06, NPR's Jerusalem bureau chief, helps Americans understand the complexity — and the possibilities — of the Middle East.
Artist Amelie de Cirfontaine ’18 covers storefronts on the streets of San Francisco with joyful color.
Michael Horowitz ’84, inspector general of the U.S. Department of Justice, is committed to truth, even unto its innermost parts.
Angela Self ’22 is researching why so many young Americans are leaving Christianity behind.
Classically-trained pianist Benjamin Schore ’56 had success in real estate and a long-standing commitment to the arts.
Journalist Elizabeth Bruenig ’13 peers into the human condition’s dark corners to explore sin, guilt and evil.
Matthew Ginsburg and Joanna Fung, parents of Anna Ginsburg ’21, honor her grandparents and their reverence for education with a gift to Brandeis.
Jazz bassist Chuck Israels ’59 reflects on a career playing with legends, the current state of jazz and his time at Brandeis.
Prince Charles Alexander ’79 has played many starring roles in the music world.
Proud alumni Ira and Nancy Shapiro support Brandeis to honor all that makes the university great.
Health-conscious entrepreneur Michael Shoretz ’09 enjoys the sweet taste of success.
Former Traquina Scholar Shekeyla Caldwell Sandore ’14 turned her childhood experience into a children's book to promote diversity and inclusion.
As one of few out trans rabbis in the United States, alum Lily Solochek ’11 shares their perspectives on recent anti-trans legislation and violence.
2021 marks signature anniversaries of several commencements, including one that became a sing-along.
Exceptional graduates of Waltham High School express gratitude to the Stroum Family Foundation for the opportunity to attend Brandeis with full scholarships
Scott Feinberg ’08, awards columnist at The Hollywood Reporter, knows a thing or two about winning and losing.
The scion of a progressive-politics family, Lily Adams ’09 has made her own way as a Democratic Party operative through smarts, moxie and, occasionally, sharp elbows.
Alex Goldstein ’06 uses his Twitter account @FacesOfCOVID to remember lives ended by the coronavirus.
Up at bat: Amelia Schimmel ’08, public-address announcer for the Oakland Athletics.
Ariana Boltax ’14 helps vets learn how to communicate with grieving clients.
In her Instagram account Nail the Cocktail, Claudiane Philippe ’13, MA’14, combines an interest in cool libations with a passion for social change.
The alumni of the Myra Kraft Transitional Year Program hail the impact it had on their lives.
CSO of Faze Medicines Rachel Meyers ’84 looks back on her time at Brandeis and her introduction to the wonders of biochemistry.
Chari Smith, PhD’89 found that enthusiasm for science was contagious during her time at Brandeis.
Bela (Apparao) Labovitch ’87, P’17 is making a difference in the tech world and is attracting more young women to do the same.
When Classical Studies Lecturer Alexandra Ratlaff encountered Helen Wong ’19, she knew she’d be an asset to the field of archeology.
Bonnie Ronish ’09 gained much more than a polished resume from her experience as an undergrad esearching infectious diseases.
Although Alana Hodson ’19 planned to pursue a career in medicine, a research opportunity studying hearing loss revealed a new way she could help.
Ming Lee Tang ’04 began her research career as an undergraduate at Brandeis and is now considered a leader in energy research.
Ulrike Tillmann ’85 wasn't initially settled on a career in mathematics research but was eventually drawn in by the challenges it offers.
Space scientist Rachel Zimmerman Brachman ’95 is motivating the next generation to consider careers in STEM.
For Rabbi Ronald Kronish ’68, P’99, studying abroad in Jerusalem in 1966 was the beginning of a life's journey.
Khushee Nanavati ’19 learned to appreciate the vitality of a modern city against a traditional Asian backdrop in Singapore.
While Steven Safran ’94 experienced an extraordinary year in Israel, he managed to enjoy the "normal" moments of life abroad.
For Harrison Goldspiel ’13, studying abroad in Ecuador resulted in the discovery of a passion.
Linda Phiri ’16 was inspired to work hard and live well while studying abroad in Sydney.
Her junior year in Paris sparked lasting friendships and a career in International Development for Mara Posner Metzger ’88.
For Diane (Gass) Gennaretti ’74, studying abroad was not only a cultural awakening—it was a semester that changed the course of her life.
How Elyssa Kotzen ’07 pivoted a family business on the brink of collapse.
Health Policy Fellow Bishar Jenkins, MPP’20 is addressing inequities and shaping policy for marginalized populations.
A commitment to social justice and a calling to work in health care led Brian Gibbs, PhD'95 to what he calls his life's purpose.
During his time at Brandeis, Jerry Saunders II ’11 was inspired to pursue an MD/PhD, marrying his interest in science with his desire to be a practicing physician.
Dr. Ria Roberts ’10 followed through on her childhood dream of becoming a doctor and gives back by helping minorities pursue careers in medicine.
As administrative director of equity and inclusion at Massachusetts General Hospital, Natalie Johnson ’07, is working to address racial disparities in health care.
How a chance book recommendation triggered a guilty reminder of an interaction that Mike Leiderman ’66 had with a Brandeis benefactor half a century ago.
The executive and former Brandeis trustee joined the Brandeis Women’s Network to offer insights from her experience working with brands, companies and social-impact organizations.
Adam Smoler ’01 reflects on his time at Brandeis, his preference for Chicago and how he ended up becoming one of Google's youngest managers
Disney’s chief legal officer, Alan Braverman '69, describes how his Brandeis experience helped shape his professional path.
For Brian Ackerman ’81, sharing independent films and the rich experiences they offer is a calling.
Sixteen years after the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 took her husband’s life, Ariele Cohen ’99 says the friendships they made through Brandeis have helped keep his memory alive.
One of the game’s top players says “The Queen’s Gambit” makes the right moves in portraying the chess world.
When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down production of goods across the country and textile mills shifted to making masks and personal protective equipment, Stephanie (Fodor) MacDonald ’04 stepped in to help.
Impacted by a volunteer experience in Kenya, Elana Reinholtz ’11 left a career in finance to launch Bird + Stone, a mission-driven company that sells cause-conscious jewelry.
For Ayan Sanyal ’14, a cup of homemade chai is a warm reminder of home and family. Unable to find any authentic blends in New York, he and his brother decided to show America what makes an authentic chai drink so much better.
Teacher David Nurenberg ’99 writes on learning to think and talk about structural injustice.
Eric J. Harvey, MA’11, PHD’20, writes losing his vision has led him to imagine entirely new ways of living, learning and moving through the world.
Political scientist Sandy Lakoff ’53, a member of Brandeis’ second graduating class, says he established a charitable gift annuity to help the university flourish.
Reflecting on their personal encounters with injustice, Brandeisians express outrage, fear and hope for a better future.
Food — and uniting people around food — became a calling Meryl Feinstein ’12 couldn't ignore.
The best-selling author recalls his favorite professor, his favorite hangout and his idea of perfect happiness as a Brandeis undergraduate.
Actor/singer John-Andrew Morrison ’95 has found his sweet spot in theater and film.
Hollywood film and media executive Labid Aziz ’99 helps young filmmakers become the best versions of themselves.
Music-industry luminary Jon Landau, political activist Angela Davis and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Thomas Friedman are among prominent Brandeisians whose senior thesis holds hints of future renown.
Vu Truong ’86, P’20, CEO and chief scientific officer at Aridis Pharmaceuticals, is expert at solving tough scientific problems.
An immigration attorney in Palm Beach County, Florida, Aileen (Walborsky) Josephs ’86 has been recognized for her defense of immigrants’ civil and human rights, and in particular for her work with neglected Guatemalan and Haitian children.
Laura Limonic ’97 is an associate professor of sociology at the College of Old Westbury of the State University of New York. Her research focuses on contemporary immigration to the United States. Her own Jewish family immigrated to the United States from Argentina.
Jose Pérez ’75 is a principal at Butler Perez Associates, a consulting firm specializing in real estate development, government relations and strategic planning. The former assistant secretary of economic affairs in Massachusetts, he has more than 35 years of experience in the private, government and nonprofit sectors, focusing on community revitalization, economic development, issues related to Hispanics, employment and education.
Edith Suárez, Heller MBA/MPP’19, a community advocate with the Waltham Partnership for Youth, describes herself as passionate about identity, culture and diversity. As a Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso, West Africa, she worked with women and youth in a small village of 2,000 people as a community economic development volunteer.
The research of scientist Drew Weissman ’81, MA ’81, P’15, is the basis for several vaccines being developed to fight the pandemic.
Robin Brooks ’57 reflects on his ongoing commitment and service to Brandeis.
Tracy Choi, Heller MPP’13, is a housing and community development supervisor in San Mateo County, where she and her colleagues are working to make sure the most vulnerable residents get the aid they need.
David Wish ’90, P’21, founder of Little Kids Rock, gives children the power to express themselves through music.
Stephen J. Cloobeck ’83 says his Brandeis studies in neuroscience and psychology helped lead to his remarkable business achievements. Now the former CEO and chairman of Diamond Resorts International is donating $1 million that will aid Brandeisians’ efforts to shed light on human intelligence.
Brandeis parent, book lover and dedicated volunteer chosen to serve as new president of the Brandeis National Committee starting July 1.
Virus expert warns another pandemic will happen unless commitment made to prevent it.
Liz Attardo Greenberger ’74, founding director of RowLA, uses rowing to encourage inner-city girls to set — and reach — challenging goals.
Executive editor Jenny Bak ’97 wants all young readers to see themselves in the books they love.
Aliya Bean ’16 reflects on her experiences working on policy issues in the U.S. House of Representatives, the state of LGBTQ rights movement and her time at Brandeis.
Renee Chapman-Best ’81 reflects on the current protests for racial justice, her experience as an advocate for homeless youth, and whether the concept of “repairing the world” came into her calling.
Alesdair H. Ittelson ’08 reflects on confronting injustice as part of a stated mission to “protect underserved youth who expand common conceptions of sex, gender and ability.”
Marvin Kabakoff ’68 has been involved with the gay rights movement since the early 1970s. He reflects on his experiences living through and documenting LGBTQ history.
Alexis “Lexi” Matza ’98 is a feminist medical anthropologist and the deputy director of the LGBT Health Program for the Veterans Health Administration. She reflects on her experiences working with LGBT veterans.
Ishan Kaanan, MS'16, conducted his first year of residency in Aleppo during the Syrian civil war and is now an internal medicine resident at Boston Medical Center, where he’s on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Every challenge is an opportunity,’ says Carol Lue, MBA’03, who honed her entrepreneurial instincts at Brandeis.
Mariah Rayfield Beck ’16 reflects on the connection between wildlife health and human disease, also the topic of her recent article on Medium.
Deana Becker, MA’04, is director of stakeholder operations for Preserve, a Waltham-based company that uses recycled materials to make eco-friendly household products that, in the company’s words, are good for both people and the planet.
Jeff Civins ’67, senior counsel at Haynes and Boone, has been practicing environmental law since 1975. He reflects on environmental law and other topics.
Jane Corson-Lassiter ’76 is a district conservationist in Virginia for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. She was recently named Conservationist of the Year by the Virginia Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society.
Carly Greenberg ’11, MA’12, joined the Hershey Company in 2019 and oversees the chocolate-maker’s environmental sustainability strategy as well as it’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting. She reflects on her career path in sustainability.
Raquel Kallas ’15 is a research viticulturist with Villa Maria, a winery in New Zealand known for its sustainable practices. She reflects on sustainability practices in the wine industry and her most formative experience at Brandeis.
Mark Seth Lender ’71, MA’74, is a producer and explorer-in-residence for Living on Earth, Public Radio's environmental news magazine. His wildlife fieldwork, spanning seven continents over a quarter of a century, inspires his monthly broadcasts.