This week our Educational Leadership Consultants (ELCs) set out for their regions. You may recognize your ELC as the random brother from Headquarters sleeping on your couch, but he is the key to your chapter or colony’s advancement. Some of you may have met him at #AEPi105, while others have already had countless phone conversations with him over the summer. Your ELC is the listening ear when you need it most, the brother that’s always on your side and the one who will stay up to have a meaningful conversations with you until 3:00 AM. Most importantly, our ELCs are there to help our chapters succeed!
He may be there for you during rush, or he may stop in to crash for an evening on a long car ride through his region. Regardless, consultants work countless hours each and every day to ensure your success and will become your greatest asset in the coming school year.
In a special #FridayPiday feature, we want to introduce you to all twelve of this year’s ELCs. Each one has a unique story that brought them to AEPi and we want you to be able to connect a face with the name!
Michael Bornstein – Southeast Region
Brother Bornstein (UC Riverside, 2018) is proud to be the Southeast consultant this year and looks forward to helping his chapters and colonies grow. “I’m from Oak Park, California, so I’m going to be a long way from home. However, I’m excited to travel this area of the United States for the first time.” He served as house manager, lieutenant master and two terms as master of the Chi Rho chapter.
“Some of my best memories in the Chi Rho chapter were staying up late with the brothers at the house and just hanging out. Working for AEPi was a goal of mine because I want to help brothers have the same experiences and opportunities I did.”
Alex Berman – Pacific Northwest Region
Brother Berman (Towson, 2018) is also far from home in Long Island, New York. He’s spent his whole life on the East Coast, but traveling is one of his passions. “Before starting as a consultant, I had traveled to more countries than U.S. states so I look forward to exploring the West Coast this year.” At Tau Mu, he served as every minor board position available, brother at large and was most proud to serve as pledgemaster. “I never had a strong connection to Judaism before AEPi, but the fraternity encouraged me to go on Birthright where I had a life-changing experience.” He loves seeing his work pay off and developing the Jewish leaders of tomorrow.
“AEPi did so much for me as an undergraduate, introducing me to life-long friends, influencing my career choice and opening endless doors. I feel it’s my duty to help other brothers realize the potential in this fraternity is endless.”
Ethan Cook – Europe Region
A founding father of the Chi Eta chapter, Brother Cook (California State – Chico, 2018) took on a lot of responsibility when starting the group. He served as Brother at Large, Lieutenant Master, Master and Rush Chairman. From Pleasant Hill, California, his passion for AEPi never ceased and he is proud to travel all the way to Europe as their consultant for the year. “I look forward to being a part of creating a foundation for all European chapters so Greek life continues to thrive there for years to come.” AEPi has not only provided leadership opportunities for Brother Cook, but has also reignited Judaism in his life. “Unlike my bar mitzvah days where Judaism was something I had to do, AEPi has shown me a Jewish community I want to immerse myself in and be proud of.”
“Every chapter in Europe is in an early growth phase of the life cycle, which reflects a stage of growth my chapter and I went through. I believe I will be able to impact these chapters in a positive way, much like how I did with my own.”
Alex Hymowitz – New England Region
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Brother Hymowitz (Binghamton, 2017) holds U.S. and Israeli citizenship. Judaism has always meant a lot to him, especially growing up in a heavily populated Jewish community. AEPi was a place that was completely inclusive of all sects of Judaism and he loved that. “Watching Jewish young men develop into their Judaism is awe-inspiring.” That’s why he started working as the New England consultant. “Serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) made me realize I wanted to give back to the community that helped foster my love for Judaism and Israel.” Serving as the Sentinel and Philanthropy Chairman of Beta Nu, he loved helping his brothers in any way possible.
“I am looking forward to working with my chapters and navigating the rocky waters of fraternity life. I can’t wait to usher in the future of fraternity life with new member classes.”
Emanuel Isakov – Mid-Atlantic Region
From Miami, Florida, Brother Isakov (South Florida, 2018) didn’t join the Psi Phi chapter until his junior year, but that didn’t stop his passion for the fraternity. “I served as rush chairman and civic engagement chairman. Joining later than most, I had to make my time count.” He was discovering himself and connecting to his Jewish identity on Birthright when he met his future chapter big brother. “Now, AEPi allows me to network with Jewish professionals at all levels.” He is excited to be the Mid-Atlantic region consultant because he has already seen how motivated his chapters are to help each other grow. “They share my passion for AEPi and are dedicated to their roles as leaders in the Jewish community.” One of his favorite AEPi memories was his chapter’s 2018 formal in Helen, Georgia. Everyone grew together in that experience and it was the best three days he ever had in AEPi.
“I can’t wait to travel to new cities and meet new people. I’ve already had the chance to visit four new states before traveling on the road, getting to see the U.S. is exciting.”
Michael Pollak – New York Metro Region
A proud member of the Phi Deuteron chapter, Brother Pollak (Kent State, 2016) is excited to return as a second year consultant for the New York Metro region. “As a consultant, I want to change the perspective some chapters have about Headquarters. My goal and job is to consult and change the lives of hundreds of undergraduates, develop their skills and build up their confidence.” Growing up in Akron, Ohio, he loves being in New York City and seeing new things every day. He cannot wait to continue building the relationships started last year in his region. He served as Brother at Large, Jewish Identity Chairman and other Phi Deuteron minor board positions. AEPi influenced his Judaism in many ways. “I hosted a Yom HaShoah event on my campus for four years to reach students, staff and the local community about the Holocaust. It expanded my network and solidified the Jewish leadership path I was on.”
“My favorite AEPi memory was receiving the Brother of the Year Award my senior year. My dad, brother, two cousins and uncles are AEPi brothers. My mom is also a sweetheart of OSU AEPi so it showed me the true meaning of ledor ledor, from generation to generation.”
Robert Raskin – Canada Region
Born and raised in the Great White North, Brother Raskin (Toronto, 2017) looks forward to returning as the Canada consultant this year. In the Tau Omega chapter, he served as social chairman, pledgemaster and eventually two terms as master. “AEPi has influenced my Judaism by keeping me surrounded by other Jewish students and immersed in Jewish programming.” After finishing his second term as master, he wasn’t ready to give up his involvement with AEPi and decided to work for Headquarters. “Canada is the best region, I love traveling the country, stabilizing our chapters and achieving the rush numbers we set our eyes on.”
“My favorite AEPi memory is flying to Halifax, Nova Scotia with the Tau Omega lads for a weekend trip. We subsequently were snowed in and spent five days together.”
Justice Roy – Southwest Region
Brother Roy (North Texas, 2017) has served in virtually every possible position in the Mu Gamma chapter including, Philanthropy Chairman, Community Service Chairman, Brother at Large, Social Chairman, Lieutenant Master and Master. “I’m from Fort Worth, Texas, but I look forward to being the Southwest consultant. I have a lot of family spread out here, so I can’t wait to spend my off-time with them.” In addition, he can’t wait to help grow and develop his chapters and colonies. “A lot of brothers don’t think of themselves of leaders, so watching them step up to the plate is exciting.” Working for a short time as the Israel consultant, AEPi has been his gateway to the outside world of Judaism. His favorite AEPi memory would have to be Central Conclave 2017. “I know the power these conferences have to motivate and uplift a chapter or colony. For a lot of brothers, this is their first experience of the AEPi world outside of their chapter.”
“I wanted to work for AEPi because the leaders working here like Andrew Feuerstein, Jason Kirschtel and Kyle Whitlock were inspiring and impactful in my experience. I was inspired to continue to lead and teach just as they did for me.”
Sani Salcum – Israel Region
Coming all the way from Istanbul, Turkey, Brother Salcum (IDC, 2017) cannot wait to consult chapters in Israel. “Judaism and Zionism are the main reason I ended up at IDC in Herzliya.” In the Israel Alpha chapter, he served as Sentinel, Scribe and Lieutenant Master. AEPi provided him a multitude of opportunities as an undergraduate. “I just wanted to give back to repay all that AEPi provided me.” He can’t wait to continue building up Israeli chapters and help them reach their highest potential.
“I look forward to meeting so many new undergraduate brothers who will eventually become the next leaders of their chapters and community.”
Matt Shipley – Central Region
Before AEPi, Brother Shipley (Florida Gulf Coast, 2017) felt Judaism wasn’t a major influence in his life. “I didn’t engage my culture until I was immersed in it through the Delta Chi chapter. AEPi showed me what it means to not only be Jewish, but develop yourself into a Jewish leader.” While he served as social chairman and two terms as rush chairman, his fondest AEPi memory was being the Lieutenant Master and attending his chartering ceremony. He loved seeing his brothers’ hard work paying off. Living in Florida, he’s excited to travel to a region of the country he has never been to. “I have amazing chapters there that I’m pumped to work with, in cities I can’t wait to explore.” Working for AEPi was something he felt he couldn’t miss out on. “I couldn’t get away from AEPi. I felt my chapter’s growth was largely due to my hard work and effort. I wanted to continue giving back to other chapters in similar situations.
“Simply put, I look forward to my own growth through the growth of each and every one of my chapters. Making them the best they can be is what I’m here for, so I cannot wait to see the milestones we’ll reach together over the year.”
Adam Simha – Appalachia Region
Coming from Cincinnati, Brother Simha (Cincinnati, 2018) was always a stone’s throw from home. He can’t wait to start as the Appalachia region consultant this year. Simple events like a brotherhood bonfire or retreat were some of his favorite Omicron Deuteron memories. “I love to be able to sit back and be in the moment with my brothers.” He served as House Manager, Philanthropy Chairman and Lieutenant Master of his chapter. After high school, Brother Simha never thought Judaism would be relevant in his life again. “I never thought I’d willingly go to services again until I found AEPi. I’m happy I’ve been able to go on unforgettable trips to Israel with my brothers.” He can’t wait for the growth and opportunities of his region, but loves Southern food and can’t wait to try some new dishes. “I’m most excited to work with the Appalachian schools because of relationships I plan to develop, the potential of starting colonies and, again, the food.”
“I always wanted to work for AEPi because it was the least I could do for all that it gave me. I also wanted to grow outside of my comfort zone. Traveling around areas of the country I’ve never been to will allow me to do just that.”
Jordan Taylor – Great Lakes Region
After attending his first International Convention in 2015, Brother Taylor (James Madison, 2018) saw the power and reach Headquarters had. “I decided to intern last summer and fell in love with the staff, their mission and developing tomorrow’s Jewish leaders. Getting to travel the country for free is also pretty cool.” He is from Mount Olive, New Jersey and has served the Omega Epsilon chapter as Social Chairman, Rush Chairman, Brotherhood Chairman and Master. “My favorite brotherhood memory was our camping retreat. There’s nothing like getting away from the busy day-to-day operations and relaxing with everyone.” He can’t wait to learn to live as one of the locals while traveling. “It’s exciting to think that I’ll be exploring college towns and trying new local foods that the brothers love to eat.”
“Being the Great Lakes consultant is pretty cool because I’ve never been to that part of the country. There’s a wide range of schools and chapter sizes that will allow me to learn all aspects of fraternal operation, which I plan to strategically apply to different schools.”
Thank you to all of these brothers for their dedication to AEPi and their hard work to make each and every one of our chapters better! Best of luck on the road this year!!