Alpha Epsilon Pi
Alpha Epsilon Pi (ΑΕΠ), commonly known as AEPi, is a Jewish college fraternity founded on November 7, 1913, at New York University to offer Jewish men a supportive fraternal environment when many other organizations excluded them on religious grounds.[1] The organization has initiated over 102,000 members and maintains more than 150 active chapters across over 170 campuses in six countries, emphasizing Jewish identity, brotherhood, and leadership development.[2] Its mission centers on providing education, resources, and training to future leaders of global Jewish communities via principles of tzedakah (charity), social awareness, and advocacy for Israel and Jewish causes.[1] AEPi expanded internationally starting in 1948 with a chapter in Canada and now includes presence in the United Kingdom and Israel, where it supports chapters aligned with its core values.[3] The fraternity promotes active involvement in campus Jewish life, with brothers frequently leading organizations like Hillel and pro-Israel groups, fostering ties between collegiate experiences and lifelong commitment to Jewish continuity.[4] While celebrated for producing influential alumni in fields such as technology, entertainment, and business—including Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg—AEPi has also encountered challenges typical of Greek organizations, including localized incidents of hazing and misconduct at certain chapters, prompting international efforts to reinforce standards on conduct, mental health, and anti-hazing policies.[5][6]History
Founding and Early Development (1913–1930s)
Alpha Epsilon Pi was founded on November 7, 1913, at the New York University School of Commerce by eleven Jewish students who faced exclusion from existing fraternities due to their religious identity.[1][7] The group's catalyst was Charles C. Moskowitz, who transferred from the College of the City of New York and rallied peers seeking mutual support amid antisemitic barriers in higher education social organizations.[7] The founders, known as the "Immortal Eleven," included David K. Schafer, Isador M. Glazer, Herman L. Kraus, Arthur E. Leopold, Benjamin M. Meyer, Arthur M. Lipkint, Charles J. Pintel, Maurice Plager, Hyman Shulman, and Emil Lustgarten, all of whom were employed during the day, from middle-class backgrounds, and pursued formal education at night to advance professionally.[1][7] Following a formal letter to the dean, the fraternity was officially recognized, emphasizing principles of brotherhood, ethical conduct, and Jewish values without initial ritualistic elements common in other groups.[7] By 1917, Alpha Epsilon Pi had initiated over 50 members and expanded beyond its Alpha chapter at NYU, establishing its second chapter (Beta) at Cornell University, which marked its transition to a national fraternity.[1][7] This growth reflected the fraternity's appeal to Jewish undergraduates barred from gentile organizations, fostering a network for academic and social support.[1] World War I disrupted operations, rendering the organization nearly inactive as most early members enlisted in the military, yet the core structure endured.[7] Postwar recovery in the 1920s spurred steady expansion, with new chapters forming primarily in the Northeast and Midwest to accommodate rising Jewish enrollment in colleges amid quotas and discrimination.[1] By the interwar period, the fraternity had grown to approximately 28 chapters nationwide, including establishments at institutions like the University of Illinois (Delta chapter, 1920), demonstrating resilience despite economic challenges and persistent exclusionary practices.[7] This era solidified AEPi's focus on leadership development and philanthropy, laying groundwork for further national presence by the 1930s, though expansion slowed approaching World War II.[1]World War II Era and Postwar Expansion (1940s–1960s)
During the lead-up to United States involvement in World War II, Alpha Epsilon Pi absorbed Sigma Omega Psi in 1940, incorporating three additional chapters and expanding its footprint.[8] By 1941, the fraternity had established nearly 30 chapters across the nation, primarily in the Northeast and Midwest.[1] The outbreak of war disrupted operations, with expansion halting as numerous members enlisted in the armed forces, leading to widespread chapter inactivity.[1] Fraternity records indicate significant participation in the military effort, consistent with broader patterns of Jewish American service during the conflict.[9] In the immediate postwar years, Alpha Epsilon Pi experienced revitalization amid the influx of veterans returning to college under the GI Bill, which boosted enrollment at universities and increased the number of Jewish students seeking communal support.[10] The fraternity reopened dormant chapters and recruited hundreds of new members, leveraging its non-hazing policy to attract pledges in an era of expanding campus Jewish populations.[1] A key development was the 1947 merger with Sigma Tau Phi, a smaller Jewish fraternity, which integrated its remaining active groups and further solidified AEPi's national presence.[8] This absorption aligned with postwar consolidation trends among fraternal organizations facing resource constraints. The 1950s and 1960s marked a period of steady expansion, with new chapters chartered at institutions reflecting growing Jewish enrollment in higher education.[8] Chapters served as vital hubs for Jewish identity and social life on campuses where antisemitism lingered, providing brotherhood amid cultural shifts like the suburbanization of American Jewry.[11] By the mid-1960s, AEPi had navigated early challenges from anti-fraternity sentiments and political upheavals, maintaining growth through focused recruitment and adherence to its founding principles of leadership and ethical conduct.[5] This era laid groundwork for further development, with the fraternity emphasizing service and resilience in response to global events like the founding of Israel in 1948.[7]Late 20th Century Challenges and Growth (1970s–2000s)
During the 1970s, Alpha Epsilon Pi experienced a significant decline in membership, mirroring broader trends among Jewish fraternities amid increasing assimilation pressures and the relaxation of discriminatory membership clauses following civil rights legislation. Many historically Jewish organizations, including AEPi, faced reduced appeal as Jewish students integrated more fully into mainstream campus life and general fraternities opened to diverse applicants, leading to a precipitous drop in affiliation rates.[12][13] The fraternity rebounded in the 1980s as Greek life revived on campuses, with AEPi distinguishing itself by reaffirming its commitment to Jewish identity rather than diluting it through broader inclusivity. Leaders emphasized maintaining a Jewish-majority membership—targeting 75-80% nationally—while resisting calls to become generic social organizations, a stance that preserved its niche amid competition from non-sectarian groups.[13] This period saw steady chapter reactivation and new establishments, building on postwar foundations to expand beyond the initial 30 U.S. chapters of the early 1940s. Into the 1990s and early 2000s, AEPi pursued international growth, leveraging its Jewish focus to establish or strengthen chapters in Canada (building on the 1948 Manitoba pioneer), the United Kingdom, and Israel, where it adapted to local university dynamics while promoting leadership and Israel advocacy.[3] By the late 1990s, the fraternity supported over 100 chapters and colonies, with initiated membership exceeding 70,000, reflecting resilience against assimilation by prioritizing ethnic and cultural continuity.[13] Internal debates over non-Jewish pledges persisted, as seen in a 1998 UCLA incident where members exited citing excessive Jewish emphasis, underscoring ongoing tensions between exclusivity and campus norms.[14]Recent Developments and Resilience (2010s–Present)
In 2010, Alpha Epsilon Pi expanded its presence internationally by establishing chapters in Israel, including at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Hebrew University, and Tel Aviv University, marking a significant step in fostering Jewish leadership beyond North America.[15] This development built on prior growth, with the fraternity maintaining over 100 chapters by the mid-2010s amid efforts to reinforce its mission of Jewish education and brotherhood.[1] The 2020s have seen accelerated expansion, with the fraternity adding eight new chapters and over 1,500 members during the fall 2024 term alone, reflecting robust recruitment and undergraduate leadership.[16][17] By 2025, AEPi operated more than 150 active chapters across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Israel, alongside initiatives like the establishment of a new chapter at Dickinson College after prior unsuccessful attempts.[18] The organization's 112th international convention in Houston in August 2025 highlighted this trajectory, emphasizing pro-Israel advocacy, Jewish pride events, and campus leadership amid ongoing global challenges.[19] Despite these gains, AEPi has confronted internal and external pressures, including isolated hazing incidents—such as a cease-and-desist order issued to its Indiana University chapter in October 2025 for alleged violations—and broader campus antisemitism.[20] Chapters have faced targeted vandalism and hate crimes, including graffiti and potential bias-motivated incidents at San Diego State University in February 2025 and Temple University in 2024, as well as a shellfish dumping at UC Berkeley in 2023 initially probed as antisemitic but later deemed inconclusive.[21][22][23] In response, AEPi issued a safety alert to members in October 2025, advising caution around anti-Israel rallies while urging visible advocacy for Jewish values and Israel, positioning fraternity brotherhood as a bulwark against hostility.[24][25] Resilience is evident in sustained philanthropy and leadership programs, such as partnerships with Gift of Life for bone marrow drives—reaching the 18,000th swab by 2024—and honors like the 2022 Gitelson Silver Medallion awarded to alumni for Jewish communal service.[26][27] The fraternity's Vision 2032 plan prioritizes recruitment technology and chapter capacity, underscoring adaptation to post-October 7, 2023, campus dynamics where antisemitism surged, yet AEPi chapters have led in countering it through organized events and member safety protocols.[28][29]Mission and Core Values
Jewish Identity and Principles
Alpha Epsilon Pi identifies explicitly as a Jewish fraternity, founded on November 7, 1913, at New York University to provide Jewish college men with a supportive brotherhood amid exclusion from other Greek organizations.[1] Its core mission is to deliver education, resources, and training aimed at developing future leaders for global Jewish communities, emphasizing cultural and social opportunities rooted in Jewish heritage rather than strict religious observance.[1] This identity manifests through a commitment to Jewish values such as tzedakah (charity) and communal support, fostering a "home away from home" that reinforces Jewish ethics like honesty, courage, and mutual helpfulness.[1] The fraternity's principles derive from Jewish traditions, promoting brotherhood as a union of individuals dedicated to the Jewish people and shared ethical standards including faith, humility, perseverance, and reciprocal aid.[4] While grounded in these Jewish tenets—such as ethical conduct and love of country aligned with historical Jewish experiences—AEPi remains non-discriminatory, welcoming members of any background who affirm its purpose and values.[1] This approach prioritizes leadership cultivation for Jewish continuity, including pro-Israel advocacy and preparation for communal roles, without mandating religious practice.[4] Jewish identity is actively integrated via structured programs that celebrate holidays and historical remembrance, such as Shabbat Across AEPi (global Shabbat dinners on Founders Day), Sukkot sukkah-building partnerships, Tu B'Shvat seders with service, Passover community seders, and We Walk to Remember marches on Yom HaShoah.[4] Philanthropic efforts exclusively support Jewish organizations, channeling resources toward causes like Israel advocacy and Holocaust education to strengthen communal ties.[4] These initiatives underscore a causal focus on perpetuating Jewish resilience and ethical leadership through experiential brotherhood, countering assimilation pressures on college campuses.[1]Emphasis on Leadership and Brotherhood
Alpha Epsilon Pi emphasizes leadership development as a core component of its mission, explicitly aiming to equip members with the skills to serve as future leaders in Jewish communities worldwide. The fraternity provides targeted education, resources, and training programs designed to build these capacities, including opportunities for undergraduates and alumni to engage in networking and professional growth initiatives.[1][2] Members are encouraged to assume prominent roles in campus Jewish organizations, such as serving on the boards of Hillel chapters, Chabad groups, and pro-Israel advocacy bodies, thereby applying leadership principles in real-world settings.[4] Brotherhood forms the foundational bond of the organization, uniting members through shared Jewish values, including honesty, faith, humility, perseverance, and mutual helpfulness. This emphasis manifests in chapter activities that prioritize loyalty, personal growth, and collective support, fostering a sense of community that extends beyond college years.[30][31] Fraternity rituals, events, and interactions reinforce these ties, positioning brotherhood as a protective and empowering force, particularly amid challenges like campus antisemitism, where it serves as a mechanism for resilience and advocacy.[32][29] The integration of leadership and brotherhood is evident in AEPi's structured programming, such as leadership conferences and service-oriented initiatives, which blend skill-building with interpersonal connections to promote ethical decision-making and long-term commitment to the Jewish people.[33][34] This dual focus distinguishes AEPi from other fraternities, aligning personal development with communal responsibility and yielding alumni who continue to influence Jewish institutional leadership.[4]Commitment to Ethical Conduct and Philanthropy
Alpha Epsilon Pi emphasizes ethical conduct through its Health and Safety Policies, which require members to act kindly and respectfully toward others, fostering environments free from harassment, discrimination, or coercion in alignment with Jewish principles such as "Love Your Neighbor as Yourself."[35] The fraternity strictly prohibits hazing, defined as any action causing emotional or physical discomfort, including forced consumption of substances or acts of brutality, with violations reportable to the international office.[35] Alcohol policies mandate compliance with legal age restrictions, sourcing from licensed vendors only, and substance-free new member activities, while sexual misconduct is addressed through adherence to consent laws and bans on exotic entertainment at events.[35] These measures support a broader commitment outlined in the Supreme Constitution to develop members' character, responsibility, and ethical values through brotherhood, preparing them for responsible citizenship and leadership in the Jewish community.[36] The fraternity's philanthropic efforts center on the Official Philanthropy Program (OPP), which promotes Tikkun Olam—repairing the world—by supporting Jewish causes and organizations.[37] Key beneficiaries include the Gift of Life Marrow Registry, a partnership established in 2004 to raise awareness and recruit donors for blood cancer patients, achieving milestones such as over 18,000 swabs collected, 613 life-saving matches, and surpassing one million dollars in impact by 2024.[38][39] Additional priorities encompass BBYO youth programs, B'nai B'rith disaster relief, and Repair the World initiatives, with chapters encouraged to host donor drives and fundraising events.[37] Annual campaigns like Mensch Madness, launched in 2025, expand support to new beneficiaries while reinforcing member involvement in community service.[40] Through these structured programs, Alpha Epsilon Pi integrates philanthropy into its core mission, combining ethical imperatives with tangible aid to Jewish and broader humanitarian needs.[37]Symbols and Traditions
Coat of Arms and Heraldry
The coat of arms of Alpha Epsilon Pi, often referred to as the crest, was introduced in 1945 to symbolize the fraternity's enduring principles.[41] This heraldic design incorporates key Jewish motifs, including a seven-branched menorah surmounting a shield divided per saltire, with the Star of David integrated into the candelabrum.[42] The shield's partitioning evokes balance and unity, reflecting the fraternity's emphasis on brotherhood and shared values. The motto "Esponda," derived from Hebrew meaning "I espouse" or "I pledge," is emblazoned upon it, signifying members' commitment to the organization's Jewish identity and ethical standards.[8] These elements collectively represent ideals such as courage, purity, knowledge, and honesty, as articulated in fraternity educational materials.[43]Ritual and Insignia Elements
The rituals of Alpha Epsilon Pi constitute the foundational traditions binding its chapters, with the initiation ceremony serving as the primary rite through which candidates become full brothers. This ritual, unchanged since its early adoption, is performed annually for approximately 2,500 to 3,000 undergraduates, reinforcing principles of Jewish identity, leadership, and mutual commitment among members.[44][45] The fraternity's operational guidelines underscore the ritual's centrality, mandating its confidential execution at chapter meetings and prohibiting disclosure to non-members to preserve its symbolic integrity and unifying role.[44] Within chapters, the Sentinel officer holds responsibility for safeguarding ritual equipment, instructional materials, and associated knowledge, ensuring standardized practice across the international organization.[44] Ritual proceedings incorporate elements such as oaths, symbolic gestures, and recitations drawn from Jewish heritage, though specifics remain protected to maintain exclusivity and prevent dilution.[46] Insignia elements primarily feature the official badge, designated as the brotherhood pin, which initiated members wear as a mark of affiliation and perpetual ownership by the fraternity itself.[36] This pin, along with ritual paraphernalia, is inventoried and protected under chapter protocols, symbolizing enduring loyalty and eligibility for alumni recognition pins at milestones like 10, 25, or 50 years.[36][47] Additional recognition tools, including confidential handshakes and entry signals, facilitate member verification during private gatherings, aligning with the fraternity's emphasis on secure brotherhood.[44]Organizational Governance
International Structure and Headquarters
The international headquarters of Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, Inc., is located at 8910 Purdue Road, Suite 730, in Indianapolis, Indiana, where it provides centralized administrative, educational, and operational support to all chapters and colonies worldwide.[48][36] Incorporated as a 501(c)(7) non-profit in New York, the fraternity maintains this facility to coordinate fraternity-wide policies, staff professional consultants for chapter advisory services, and manage financial and risk oversight for its global network.[36] The headquarters building was constructed in 1987, dedicated to the memory of Past Supreme Master Samuel H. Shapiro.[49] As an international organization, Alpha Epsilon Pi oversees self-governing chapters and colonies at nearly 190 higher education institutions across four countries: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Israel.[3][50] The fraternity expanded beyond the U.S. in 1948 with the establishment of its first international chapter at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, marking the beginning of its global presence.[3] While local chapters retain autonomy in daily operations and finances, the Indianapolis headquarters, under the direction of a chief executive officer and professional staff, enforces compliance with the Supreme Constitution, conducts charter reviews, and can suspend or revoke affiliations for violations of organizational standards.[36] This centralized structure facilitates uniform implementation of the fraternity's mission, including leadership training, philanthropic initiatives, and Jewish identity programming, adapted to diverse international contexts such as support for Israel-related activities in overseas chapters.[36][3] The executive office also handles alumni engagement, recruitment resources, and crisis response across borders, ensuring cohesive governance without regional subdivisions explicitly delineated in official documents.[36]Supreme Board and Leadership Roles
The Supreme Board of Governors serves as the primary governing body of Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, managing organizational affairs between meetings of the Supreme Council and holding executive staff accountable for operational execution.[36][51] Composed of 11 elected positions, the board exercises authority to conduct fraternity business, interpret the Supreme Constitution and bylaws, enforce policies on oath breaches or code violations, grant or revoke chapter charters, and promulgate rules or amendments to bylaws by majority vote.[36] Members are nominated by a committee and elected by the Supreme Council during biennial conventions, with terms specified in the bylaws; the Supreme Master-Elect automatically succeeds to the Supreme Master role upon term expiration.[36] Key leadership positions include the Supreme Master, who presides over board meetings and represents the fraternity internationally; the Supreme Master-Elect, who assists and prepares for succession; the Supreme Scribe, responsible for recording proceedings and communications; the Supreme Exchequer, who oversees financial matters; and the Supreme Sentinel, who enforces disciplinary actions and security protocols.[36] The board also features the immediate Past Supreme Master for continuity and five at-large Supreme Governors, who contribute to strategic oversight without fixed portfolios.[36] This structure ensures balanced decision-making, with the board required to report annually to the Supreme Council and submit proposed constitutional changes for review.[36] As of the 2025 Supreme Council election held on August 8, 2025, in Houston, Texas, the board comprises:| Position | Member | Chapter and Year |
|---|---|---|
| Supreme Master | Eric I. Farbman | Northwestern, 2006 |
| Supreme Master-Elect | Adam F. Cohen | Georgia, 2006 |
| Supreme Scribe | Jeremy M. Brook | Georgia, 2005 |
| Supreme Exchequer | David J. Kirschner | Florida State, 1985 |
| Supreme Sentinel | Craig D. Rosenberg | Georgia, 2007 |
| Past Supreme Master | Scott D. Knapp | Florida State, 2002 |
| Supreme Governor | Michael A. Oxman | Northwestern, 2006 |
| Supreme Governor | Evan M. Derrow | Northwestern, 2011 |
| Supreme Governor | Steven Senft | Reichman, 2011 |
| Supreme Governor | Max J. Green | DePaul, 2012 |
| Supreme Governor | Marc I. Prine | Temple, 2008 |