Content warning: Suicide. Please read with care and seek support as needed.

Dec. 5th, 2024 marks the one year anniversary of the death of Eli Stuart. On this day, to honor Eli’s life and passing, Brandeis BaRuCh (Brandeis Reform Chavurah) hosted a memorial in the Usdan Peace Room. Students gathered in the room to share their memories of Eli, and the feelings they held at that moment. This memorial was also attended by Reform Senior Jewish Educator Rabbi Miriam, who for her part allowed the students to take their time to talk, share and fall silent as they felt right, offering support or suggestions for conversation only as needed. 

There was a respectfully somber air in the Peace Room, as people shared their stories, if they had any, or thoughts on the circumstances surrounding Eli’s death. For the most part, conversation centered around the kind, caring, bright, inspiring person Eli was, but the event was also a time to share all feelings, even those of anger, fury or despair surrounding the alleged negligence leading to their death (more details here from our November 15th publication, please read with care). People shared anger at Brandeis and its administrators, and discussed healthy ways to channel that anger, as hard as many admitted it is. 

Eli’s story resonated with many that did not know them well, which made the memorial all the more impactful. Many of the stories shared about Eli centered around their kindness, incredible desire to make friends and caring for people and animals. The community gathered that night was able to honor and remember Eli, but also take care of themselves and those they care about. The decision to include snacks, drinks and tools to color, draw or fidget gave an outlet for excess energy and made the memorial a successful remembrance of Eli.