Theme: Wellness in the New Era

In the midst of a pandemic and social unrest, we will explore the importance and different ways to practice wellness during our event Wellness in the New Era. In these changing times, we encourage you reflect introspectively into the different facets that make us who we are. Wellness is not just being healthy from illness but also a journey of growth and self-improvement. This years speakers will share about what wellness means in their lives and the years to come.

Shapiro Campus Center
Brandeis University, 415 South Street
Waltham, Massachusetts, 02453
United States

Eric Moyal

Graduate Student

Eric shares the story of how his relationship with his sister changed after she was diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses. Understanding how to act and what to say was at first challenging. Through listening and learning, Eric and his sister grew even closer, and he learned to become a better ally and friend for people with chronic illness. Eric Moyal is a proud nerd. Despite already having a masters degree he is currently enrolled in a second degree program just because he likes learning. When he isn't busy scheming ways to use what he has learned to help others, Eric likes bike riding, hiking, and playing Dungeons and Dragons with his friends.

Henry Chen

Undergraduate Student

Henry is a sophomore here at Brandeis, double-majoring in both Applied Mathematics and History. His plan in the future is to be a teacher, preferably a high school teacher. Beyond my classes, he spends a lot of time writing and listening to music. As a child of the internet, he is extremely passionate about it. Coupled with his dream of educating, he hopes to be able to teach people a couple of things about the internet that a lot of people might not be aware of.

Kristen Lucken

Chair of Religious Studies + Professor of Sociology, International and Global Studies, and Religious Studies

Kristen Lucken chairs the Religious Studies program at Brandeis University and serves on the faculties of Sociology, International and Global Studies, and Religious Studies. Her research explores global migration, American immigration, ethnic and religious pluralism, social inclusion and nationalism. Living and working in the Soviet Union and former Yugoslavia during a time of major historical change (1990-1998), Dr. Lucken witnessed the unexpected dissolution of multicultural states and investigated the rise of ethnic nationalism in the Balkans. Her research project on Bosnian refugees in New England investigated how religious and ethnic identities are maintained and transformed through the process of migration.

Mendel Weintraub

Undergraduate Student

With an expected graduation date of December 2020, Mendel could not be more thrilled to be including a TEDx Talk in his semester's roster as he caps off his Brandeis career. A double major in Film and Creative Writing, Mendel has spent his nearly-four years at Brandeis developing his background in the fields, through screenwriting and making his own films. He is a proud former intern of Searchlight Pictures (formerly Fox), and was most recently selected as one of just 50 students worldwide to participate in 2021's Telluride Film Festival Student Symposium. Beyond his endeavors in film, Mendel is passionate about meditation, Judaism, reading (when he has the time), and being outdoors. He could not be more excited to share the story of how a muffin changed his life with the Brandeis community, and the general public.

Ruben Kanya

Consultant + Business Analyst + Brandeis Alumnus

Ruben is a super-connector wherever he goes and has used this as an asset from a very young age, living in many parts of the world with his family. As a proud Brandeis alumnus, Ruben is currently the Founder and Director of Invested Talent—a real estate video marketing agency—an active real estate partner, a podcast host, and a consultant for both small brands and large corporations in the real estate, technology, and finance sectors. Ruben is a personal development junkie who loves a good book, traveling, spending time with friends and family. A Brandeis alumna, he loves to engage in transformational conversations or content that will provide a paradigm shift for him and his loved ones. Ruben is a true foodie as much as he is a fitness enthusiast. He actively invests his energy into building systems in his businesses and his life, but what he enjoys most is cultivating purposeful, meaningful relationships, and strategic partnerships as part of his daily regimen.