Students Found Campus Branch of National Jewish Fraternity AEPi

It's still a far cry from Animal House, but since the inception of randomization, Harvard has increasingly been going Greek.

While final clubs are still on top in terms of membership and property ownership, fraternities are gaining a foothold.

Citing a quest for "community," a group of undergraduates founded the newest Greek group this fall, starting up a branch of the Jewish fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi).

The new fraternity joins Sigma Chi, which has recently become a campus presence. Founded in 1989 by four first-years, Sigma Chi now claims 35 members.

AEPi's founders say they aspire to similar success, looking to provide Jewish men with opportunities for socialization, community service and recreation.

But other members of the Jewish community say they believe Hillel and its Men's Group already provide such an outlet, while remaining within the umbrella of the College, which refuses to recognize fraternities.

Building Community

Founded in 1913 at New York University, according to fraternity literature, AEPi aims to "provide the opportunity for a Jewish man to be able to join with other men into a Jewish organization whose purpose is not specifically religious, but rather social and cultural in nature."

Students involved with AEPi say that is exactly what they are looking for at Harvard.

"I was interested in a good way to meet Jewish guys...it's a great way to get together, have fun and help the community," says Benjamin Z. Galper '02, a newly initiated member of AEPi. "At the initiation they gave us pledge pins, and went over what the frat is about. They talked about getting together with other frats and a sense of community that is connected to the rest of your life."

Leaders of AEPi say they hope to create a tight-knit group by organizing regular dinners and athletic events.

"We want to promote leadership skills and growth within our members," says AEPi President Mark G. Heiman '00.

The group, which claims a membership of about 20, is looking to become a full-fledged chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi International. The fraternity has chapters at local colleges including MIT and Brandeis University.

"Right now we are a colony, we have to prove that we can be trusted with the AEPi name. We'll have to organize a leadership or service project. We're also supposed to be involved with athletics of some sort," Heiman says.

A Place at the College

The impetus for Harvard's AEPi came from the outside. Heiman says he was approached by national officials of the fraternity about starting an AEPi chapter at the College.

"I have friends at Yale and Wisconsin involved with AEPi," Heiman says. "They suggested to the national organization that I might be a person to contact to head a chapter here at Harvard."

Member at Large Eric D. Werner '00 says there is a niche the fraternity can fill.

"There is no Harvard-specific reason for starting AEPi...it's college in general," he says. "I want to use the frat as a springboard for giving back to the community."

Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis' 68 says he was not aware AEPi had been founded and referred to the statement on fraternities in the Handbook for Students.

According to the Handbook, "The regulations for undergraduate organizations require that they maintain local autonomy. In the case of some fraternities and sororities, students run a substantial risk of excessive time commitments, and academic work has been known to suffer...they are not permitted to conduct any activity at Harvard even though their activities involve Harvard undergraduates."

But members of AEPi say there is definitely something to be gained from the fraternity.

"It is disappointing that in the University's quest to fight the final clubs, inclusive organizations are not being recognized," Heiman says.

Earlier this year, the University clamped down on fraternity activity, escorting members of Sigma Chi out of the Yard on Sept.6 during first-year move-in. Members were carrying bags and boxes for incoming students.

Sigma Chi members said they were simply performing a community service, while University officials said the fraternity was trying to recruit members.

In the past, the University has also cited concerns about hazing as a reason for discouraging fraternities.

AEPi members say the organization's policy against hazing is strict.

"Hazing is prohibited. In practice, it's not a part of AEPi," Werker says.

Galper says the no hazing policy was clear. "They are very strict about that. You have to sign a waiver. I haven't felt any pressure at all," he says.

And while the University severed ties with final clubs because they refused to admit women, Heiman defended the fraternity's all-male policy.

"AEPi has been a frat since its forming 85 years ago," he says. "There are Jewish sororities nationally."

A Community Within a Community?

Hillel, the official center of Jewish life on campus, is also geared to providing the social interaction that AEPi emphasizes. Leaders of Harvard-Radcliffe Hillel and AEPi say the groups are discussing their relationship.

"Hillel strives to provide social outlets for Jewish students to the broadest audience possible. My general feeling is that AEPi provides a productive outlet, social and otherwise for Jewish students nationally," says Hillel chair Michael M. Rosen '99, who is also a Crimson editor.

Hillel sponsors its own organization for Jewish men, the Men's Group.

"The Men's Group is informal...a bunch of friends that do things together," says Co-Chair David Wichs '00. "It's good for the kids who participate...people don't have to feel awkward about their upbringing."

Wichs says Men's group activities supplement Hillel's social events, and the group's activities are open to both men and women.

"The Men's group provides different experiences for Jewish men: athletic events, social events and spiritual oriented events," Rosen says.

While AEPi and Hillel's Men's Group share common aims, organizers say they believe the groups can complement each other without competing for loyalties.

"AEPi and Hillel have an alliance on the national level. We hope to help each other out...and add another aspect to Jewish life at Harvard," Heiman says.

Rosen says he also sees a positive future between Hillel and AEPi.

"According to national AEPi officials, Hillel has had a great relationship with AEPi," Rosen says. "If some Jewish students feel this is a kind of network that doesn't exist for them right now, then this might be the right thing for them."

Heiman and the other members of AEPi say they are optimistic about the Harvard chapter's future.

"We want to do the best we can as Harvard men to represent the ideals of AEPi," Heiman says.