Julie Levey

The truth behind Einstein ‘folklore’: Uncovering the origins of Jewish community on campus

Albert Einstein is widely believed to have played an integral role in the origins of Jewish student life at Princeton in the 1940s. However, a story of the failures of institutional knowledge — and of The Daily Princetonian itself — reveals a much older, more complex foundational history. Thanks to a Princeton senior thesis and the 107-year-old oldest living alum, the real beginnings of Jewish community on campus is coming to light and challenging the dominant narrative.

Albert Einstein is widely believed to have played an integral role in the origins of Jewish student life at Princeton in the 1940s. However, a story of the failures of institutional knowledge — and of The Daily Princetonian itself — reveals a much older, more complex foundational history. Thanks to a Princeton senior thesis and the 107-year-old oldest living alum, the real beginnings of Jewish community on campus is coming to light and challenging the dominant narrative.

Inside the Princeton University Band… and their plastic Santa

Adorned in flamboyant plaid orange and black suits, topped with their characteristic boaters, the Princeton University Band is not hard to spot on Princeton’s campus. At an Ivy League institution where student groups often have high barriers of entry and demand significant commitment from their members, the Band stands apart as an outlet for entertainment and comedic relief.

Adorned in flamboyant plaid orange and black suits, topped with their characteristic boaters, the Princeton University Band is not hard to spot on Princeton’s campus. At an Ivy League institution where student groups often have high barriers of entry and demand significant commitment from their members, the Band stands apart as an outlet for entertainment and comedic relief.

Humor, vision, and drive: The road to a Nobel Prize, observed from the sidelines

“The week of Oct. 4, 2021 saw two Princeton University professors awarded Nobel prizes in Physics and Chemistry, and one alum the Nobel Peace Prize. Syukuro Manabe, David MacMillan, and Maria Ressa ’86 became household names within a week — but to some, they were known and revered long before the international accolades. The Daily Princetonian spoke with people close to the award winners — colleagues, students, and former classmates — to learn more about the people behind the achievements.”

“The week of Oct. 4, 2021 saw two Princeton University professors awarded Nobel prizes in Physics and Chemistry, and one alum the Nobel Peace Prize. Syukuro Manabe, David MacMillan, and Maria Ressa ’86 became household names within a week — but to some, they were known and revered long before the international accolades. The Daily Princetonian spoke with people close to the award winners — colleagues, students, and former classmates — to learn more about the people behind the achievements.”

‘Anyone, anywhere can tell a story’: Rev. Dean Theresa Thames on storytelling, community, and rap aspirations

Reverend Theresa Thames, Associate Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel, is known for bringing compassion and humor to her work at the University. A self-proclaimed storyteller, she shared her experiences bringing people together before and during the pandemic, and how she navigates being “unapologetically feminist and black and queer” in the church. And she’s not stopping there: she’s also an aspiring rapper, barber, and social media influencer.

Reverend Theresa Thames, Associate Dean of Religious Life and of the Chapel, is known for bringing compassion and humor to her work at the University. A self-proclaimed storyteller, she shared her experiences bringing people together before and during the pandemic, and how she navigates being “unapologetically feminist and black and queer” in the church. And she’s not stopping there: she’s also an aspiring rapper, barber, and social media influencer. 

Behind the mask: Interviews with the Princeton community

Each conversation started with the same question: “Why do you wear a mask?” One theme united the responses: a commitment to protecting one another.

Synchronized heartbeats: A cappella groups fight to stay connected on the virtual stage

Since March 2020, a cappella, like so many other pillars of campus life and tradition, has migrated to the virtual realm. Group members discussed their plans for the spring semester, singing virtually in the fall, and what they've learned the past year.  

Since March 2020, a cappella, like so many other pillars of campus life and tradition, has migrated to the virtual realm. Group members discussed their plans for the spring semester, singing virtually in the fall, and what they've learned the past year.  

What went wrong: Princeton admissions makes rare statement on changing application

In its latest message to prospective members of the Class of 2025, the Princeton Admissions Committee announced that they would be changing the longstanding “favorites” section on the application. Their reasoning? A single horrible application.

Outdoor lectures, themed suits, and the ecology of egg rolls: Professor Pringle gets inventive with online teaching

EEB students face the challenge of engaging in outdoor exploration during this online semester. But Associate Professor Rob Pringle is determined to bring the outdoors to his students. He delivers every EEB 321 lecture outside — rain or shine. 

‘A sobering experience’: Students who contracted COVID-19 look back

As the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, three students sat down with The Daily Princetonian to share their experiences with the disease, as well as a few words of advice for their peers. “All I can really hope for is that people take it more seriously across the nation,” one sophomore said.