Bella Brannon

Editor-In-Chief

22 Articles0 Comments

Bella is the Editor-in-Chief of Ha'Am, and is a Junior studying Public Affairs, Religion, and Digital Humanities. As an author, Bella is interested in Jewish punk rock, religious liberty law, and Jewish thought.

Lost In Translation: A Letter from the Editor

Ha’Am is celebrating the release of our Fall Print Edition today, themed ‘Lost in Translation.’ Readers can pick up a copy from Hillel, at our Thursday Challah Bake with Chabad, or at media kiosks around campus starting tomorrow, 12/04. The…

Four Jewish Students Banned from ‘Fuck Your Bans’ Event 

By Bella Brannon and Mia Toubian, Cover Image by Grace Overman UCLA’s Cultural Affairs Commission promotes its open mic series as “inclusive,” but if you wear a Jewish star, you may be barred at the door. On October 23, four…

A Father’s Fight: Yehuda Cohen’s Plea for Peace on the Anniversary of His Son’s Kidnapping

On October 7, 2024, the anniversary of his son’s kidnapping, Yehuda Cohen wasn’t laying low or grieving in silence. Instead, he was speaking to Americans, urging them to push for a ceasefire. He says that this is the only way…

A Letter to the Friends I’ve Lost Since October 7

To the friends I’ve lost since October 7— my childhood best friend, a high school love, the girl who introduced me to my favorite band, among others. I never imagined that a day would come when I would have to…

Satire: Ha’Am Recognizes Rabbi Linda Goldstein for Inaugural Tikkun Olam Award

Written by Bella Brannon and Jonathan Cohn. Ha’Am recognizes Rabbi Linda Goldstein as our inaugural Tikkun Olam award recipient.  Rabbi Linda Goldstein, the renowned Chief Rabbi of Gaza and advisor of Jewish “Issues” to Ismali Haniyyeh, represents a region flourishing…

Opinion: UCLA SJP Post Implies Violence Against All Israelis

As of this morning, UCLA’s SJP chapter has posted a series of screenshots to their Instagram story originally posted by the account savesheikhjarrahnow.  One post reads that “the notion of a good ‘Israeli’ settler is every bit as absurd and…

Free Exercise from Smith to Fulton 

Not long ago, if you were to survey religious liberty litigators regarding the biggest obstacle to defending religious liberty, many would have pointed to a Supreme Court case called Employment Division v. Smith. In Smith, the Supreme Court determined that…

Satire: Statements by Student Organizations Provide Moral Clarity, Actionable Solutions for UCLA and the Middle East 

Notes:  This story is inspired by recent events in the larger world and on campus. The situation in this story is not meant to resemble any one entity in particular. The views expressed in this post reflect the views of…

Letter from the Editor: UCLA, Jewish Community Must Stand Against Hatred

For months, the Jewish community has rightfully called out antisemitism on college campuses, such as swastika graffiti and widespread attacks on visibly Jewish students. As the Muslim and pro-Palestinian community faces overt hatred and physical violence, we must call it…

Opinion- An Encampment of Ignorance

Written by Bella Brannon and Adam Thaw There’s something almost too ironic for jest about setting up a faux refugee camp in a city where 75,000 face homelessness, miles away from Rodeo Drive.  As of this morning, UCLA’s SJP has…