We’ve almost made it through another school year and that means that our staff has already begun planning for #AEPi106, Alpha Epsilon Pi’s 106th International Convention, this year being held at the Hilton Mark Center Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia. We have some great programs and speakers lined up. You can get all of the information you might ever want as well as register for convention at www.aepi.org/106. I hope to see you there!
We’ve had another exceptional year by almost all of our metrics. Many of our chapters have played an integral leadership role on their campuses, fighting against BDS and anti-Semitism and raising tens of thousands of dollars for our Repair the World Fund. By the end of the year, we’ll have added nearly 2,800 new Brothers to our chapters.
On the downside this year, we have had to, unfortunately, close several groups for non-compliance with our health and safety policies. We will come back to those campuses in the near future with groups in which we can all be proud. We must continue to educate our undergraduates about proper behavior so we can eliminate improper and dangerous behaviors in our chapters. Our fraternity’s mission – to develop the future leaders of the world’s Jewish communities – is too important to risk because of a few individuals’ improper actions.
On a personal level, this year has also had a lots of ups and downs. Last Fall, I had the amazing experience of initiating my son into our AEPi chapter at Indiana University. I hope that as many of our Brothers as possible have that opportunity. Please let us know where your sons, grandsons, nephews, brothers, etc. are attending school next Fall. We’ll make sure that those chapters greet them with open arms.
One last personal note: a few months ago, I wrote in this space of my ongoing battle with cancer. I received literally hundreds of emails and calls from our alumni and undergraduate Brothers offering their prayers for a speedy recovery. I’m happy to tell you that I’ve completed my chemotherapy treatments and my latest scans showed no cancer at all in my body. I know that I have a long way to go until I can say that I’ve beaten cancer but, for now, I want to thank all of you for the love and support you’ve shown me and my family during this battle.
I hope to see as many of you as possible at #AEPi106 so we can celebrate this together as well as our fraternity’s many successes!