Community Life within UC’s Jewish Frat AEPi
Wake up, hang out with the brothers, go to class, come back, hang out again, prepare for the event that day, host the event, clean the event, go to sleep, repeat. The day in the life of a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi is filled with spending time with friends, attending classes, and hosting events.
AEPi (also known as AEPi or Omicron Deuteron) is a Jewish fraternity, operating with over 150 chapters, across four countries and a community with a mission to develop Jewish leaders for the Jewish community.
In the University of Cincinnati (UC), the chapter of AEPi is active with 26 members. Pushing for a greater connection and involvement for students in the Jewish community. Including, promoting Hillel and Chabad.
When recalling the reason members rushed, many confessed to not knowing much about Greek Life. Member Sawyer Finn, a second year and secondary education major, said he only heard about AEPi because his elder brother had rushed and introduced him to the community. Recounting when he originally joined, he is appreciative of being a Brother of AEPi.
However, not all has been enjoyable for Jewish students on campus. In previous years UC had reports of antisemitism and discrimination, with vandalism incidents against the AEPi building as eggs were thrown at the house. Thus, the Department of Education filed an investigation against the university.
Since then UC has voluntarily signed an agreement with the Department of Education in promoting compassion, dignity and respect among members of the UC community.
Many members do not feel very shaken by the incidents, but many do show hesitance in expressing their Judaism. Noah Neilson, a second year and the Co-rush Chair of AEPi, expressed his concerns over the political aspect of being Jewish.
“I do fear sometimes that, especially whenever something big happens in the Middle East, that it’s going to come back to us, and people are [not going to] support us just because we’re Jewish,” Neilson said.
Members like Bennet Finn, a third year and the vice president of AEPi, decide to take a more comical stance on the antisemitic comments. Recounting when they have held parties he overheard someone saying “That party was promised to them 3000 years ago, only reason that it was good,”
Though the lingering concern is still there. The community and lifestyle at the AEPi building and its members has not slowed down. Celebrating Sukkot and hosting parties, the energy is still buzzing and the Jewish community is still thriving.
“It’s not preformative…it’s not like I’m here ‘Judaism points.’ I’m here because I want to celebrate this holiday to the best of my ability, and it’s really just something I appreciate.”
