[Nhfulmer]

I pledged at Bama in the fall of 1960. At that time, there were three Jewish sororities (SDT, DPhiE and AEPhi) as well as several Jewish fraternities (ZBT, SAM, AEPi). I believe the Jewish girls came to all of the houses for Ice Water Teas and then could go to only the houses that they wished. At that time, my own sorority could not pledge Jewish girls. Later we could pledge Jewish girls but only if the advisor called their parents first and explained that our ritual was based on the New Testament and got their permission. Even later, the procedure was to explain to the individual rushee that our ritual was based on the New Testament and to ask whether or not she could accept that. I assume that these procedures applied to girls of other religions as well. I do not know if that procedure has changed since I have not been involved in a collegiate rush for about ten years. I do know that nationally we have numerous members at this time who are not Christian and they are accepted as sisters with no thought as to their religious affiliation. When I pledged, the separation between the Jewish sororities and the others was not questioned. After all, there were separate country clubs, Jews could not stay in some hotels in Miami, many non-collegiate fraternal organizations discriminated, etc. I am glad things have changed or I would not have so many wonderful sisters who could not have been accepted when I was at Bama.