The Justice

More importantly, Regan carried his experiences with him after graduation. He spoke of a time at a law firm when a woman hinted at a distaste for some fellow colleagues because they were Jewish. He reacted immediately, telling her "I'm basically an honorary Jew, and … the vast majority of the Jews I have dealt with have been extraordinarily kind and generous." Regan's experience at Brandeis did not only give him an enhanced sense of morality: It also enhanced his knowledge about Judaism, which allowed him to stand up to detrimental ignorance in the workplace.

Additionally, the Brandeis experience doesn't provide an enhanced knowledge of Judaism exclusively for non-Jews. Many less religious Jews at Brandeis benefit from the strong Jewish values as well. Coming from a more secular background myself, I have noticed that since arriving here, my sense of Jewish identity has increased tremendously. Being immersed in the culture of the University has exposed me to aspects of my own culture and religion that I have never experienced before, particularly the values and morals of the religion. I am starting to see that these values should govern the way I live not only because they are part of my religion, but because they are good values that can apply to everyone.

Of course, Regan's experience is not representative of that of all non-Jewish students at Brandeis, past or present. But his experience is an important example of the way in which the Brandeis experience increases its students' knowledge of Judaism. Brandeis' ideals are Jewish ideals, so most non-Jews leave Brandeis with some knowledge of Jewish values. When non-Jewish students attend Brandeis, whether they have a knowledge of Judaism or not, they are exposed to the religion and the culture on a very comprehensive level. They come away with a better sense of Jewish values, and they are able to appreciate them and apply them in the world. Like Regan, these values allow Brandeis graduates to enhance their own lives as well as to counter the ignorance about Judaism that exists in American society.

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