To prepare for the coming school year and the anticipated onslaught of campus antisemitism, more than 300 student leaders joined with hundreds of alumni from Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi), the world’s leading Jewish college fraternity, attended AEPi’s 111th annual convention in Miami to hear from acclaimed professionals about subjects such as advocating for Israel, building relationships with other communities and maintaining safety on campus this fall.
Following a year-long campus philanthropy campaign, AEPi presented a check of $125,000 to the Israel Cancer Research Fund and $100,000 to United Hatzalah.
Undergraduate AEPi members from 142 campuses in the United States, Canada and Israel attended meetings and heard from speakers on various important topics as they prepare to return to campus this year.
Speakers included:
- Ari Ackerman: serial entrepreneur, strategic investor and proud philanthropist
- Jacki Alexander: CEO, Honest Reporting
- Or Berger: assistant director, Masa Israel Journey
- Chuck Berkowitz: senior director of outreach and law enforcement, Community Security Service
- Jonathan Beskin: CEO, Paradise Delivered
- Dovi Chein: associate director, Jewish and campus partnerships, Anti-Defamation League
- Wendi Colby: chief people officer, BBYO
- Dr. Larry Faerman: vice president, student affairs, Florida Atlantic University
- Shoshana Farbman: BeWell Miami director, Greater Miami Jewish Federation
- Elie Honig: senior legal analyst, CNN
- Hannah Iberkleid: Southern states director, Community Security Service
- Dr. Kenneth Jessell: president, Florida International University
- Yoni Lalouz: West Coast deputy regional director, Israel on Campus Coalition
- Ilana Linder: attorney, Manley Burke Law Firm
- David Marias: national political director, Israel on Campus Coalition
- Rozeeta Mavashev: North America executive director, Masa Israel Journey
- Marc Newburger: co-founder, Drop Stop
- Karen Paikin Barall: vice president, government relations, Jewish Federations of North America
- Candice Perilstein: associate director of campus and Jewish partnerships, ADL
- Richard Priem: CEO, Community Security Service
- Steven Pripke: senior associate dean of students, University of Miami
- Alison Pure-Slovin: Midwest director, Simon Wiesenthal Center
- Maya Reihanian: program coordinator, TalkIsrael
- Kenny Rose: founder and CEO, FranShares
- Josh Schalk: executive director, Jewish Future Promise
- Ofer Shalom: training lead, Community Security Service
- Montana Tucker: actress, singer, dancer, philanthropist and social-media activist
- Maya Vorobyov: director of operations, TalkIsrael
Each year, AEPi undergraduates focus their philanthropy and community service efforts on Jewish and Israeli causes and this year especially, given the crisis on campuses, focusing efforts on these organizations was especially critical. During the 2023-24 academic year, AEPi undergraduates raised more than $1 million for philanthropic causes and contributed 55,000 hours to community service. Among the charities that received funding, $125,000 went to the Israel Cancer Research Fund and $100,000 to United Hatzalah, completing multi-year commitments to those organizations.
“The Israel Cancer Research Fund is extremely thankful to the Brothers of Alpha Epsilon Pi. Especially during these difficult times, their profound fundraising efforts have made a significant impact in the fight against cancer,” said Sandy Rosen, director of development. “These undergraduates embody AEPi’s mission of developing leadership for the Jewish community.”
“This has been an especially difficult year for Israel. The need for United Hatzalah to provide lifesaving supplies and aid in the communities we serve has never been more vital,” said Eli Beer, founder and president of United Hatzalah. “In Israel’s time of need, AEPi Brothers have stepped up to help us save lives. We are grateful beyond words.”
Outstanding AEPi undergraduate members and chapters were also recognized at the convention, highlighting the efforts of campus leaders during one of the most difficult years on college campuses in decades. Major award winners included (a complete list of award winners can be found here):
- University of Colorado: Outstanding Chapter
- University of South Florida: Jewish Communal Activity
- Josh May, Michigan State University: Outstanding Undergraduate
- Tal Kalderon, Virginia Tech: Undergraduate of the Year
- Noah Lederman, Columbia University: Emerging Leadership Award
“At AEPi’s 111th convention, we were inspired, not just by our amazing partners and speakers, but mostly by our AEPi undergraduate leaders who are committed to building and safeguarding their campus Jewish communities. Watching these young men on their leadership journeys gives all of us tremendous optimism about the future of our Jewish communities,” said Rob Derdiger, AEPi’s CEO. “I couldn’t be more proud to call myself a brother of Alpha Epsilon Pi.”
