Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi

[PeaceLoveSAEPi]

I didn't see any SAEPi sisters on GC so I wanted to see if there were any out there (we're not on the GLO section).

I'm Emily, from the Iota Chapter, and I'm the secretary, sisterhood chair, and social chair for my chapter right now. Last semester I was even pledgemaster.

Sigma Love,
Emily

[jazing]

Nice to see a member of a sorority my group in some way inspired.

[PeaceLoveSAEPi]

SAEPi was formed at UC Davis with the support of AEPi, yeah. Our chapter at my school is close to AEPi as well, and I'm actually dating one of the brothers right now. Originally, the Sigma stood for "sisters of".

SAEPi isn't as large as other Jewish-based sororities (even though I'm not Jewish, and our sorority is only about half Jewish), but we're starting to get out there. We're mostly based at the west coast, but my chapter is east coast.

[DaffyKD]

Welcome to GC. Pull up a seat, enjoy a nice cup of coffee and join in the fun.

As the official Jewish Mother Worry Wart of this group, I would advise you to edit your post ASAP. You have given a lot of information about yourself and have opened yourself up to stalking if not worse.


DaffyKD

[KillarneyRose]

Welcome to GreekChat; nice to have you here!

[sigmagirl10]

I'm a sister from the Nu Chapter! There are a few of us on here, but not too many welcome!

[jazing]

I find the growth of SAEPi fascinating. It started out as a local then quickly expanded. I figure no sorority follows the Jewish mission like we do, but that is understandable. I think is unheard of for us to be 50/50, and the same for AEPhi. I don't think DPhiE is that Jewish either. There was one other one but it's name escapes me.

[MysticCat]

Welcome PeaceLoveSAEPi!

Originally Posted by jazing

I figure no sorority follows the Jewish mission like we do, but that is understandable.

You've got my curiousity up a bit. Would you mind expanding on what you mean, both as to "Jewish mission" (I think I know what you mean there, but I'm not sure) and why you would say it's understandable that no sorority would follow the course of AEPi?

I think is unheard of for us to be 50/50, and the same for AEPhi. I don't think DPhiE is that Jewish either. There was one other one but it's name escapes me.

Sigma Delta Tau? Zeta Beta Tau?

[melindawarren]

Originally Posted by jazing

I find the growth of SAEPi fascinating. It started out as a local then quickly expanded. I figure no sorority follows the Jewish mission like we do, but that is understandable. I think is unheard of for us to be 50/50, and the same for AEPhi. I don't think DPhiE is that Jewish either. There was one other one but it's name escapes me.

SIGMA DELTA TAU!

[Sorry. Had to make it clear that it was my group.]

ETA: By 50/50, you mean Jewish/Not Jewish?

[sigmagirl10]

Originally Posted by jazing

I find the growth of SAEPi fascinating. It started out as a local then quickly expanded. I figure no sorority follows the Jewish mission like we do, but that is understandable. I think is unheard of for us to be 50/50, and the same for AEPhi. I don't think DPhiE is that Jewish either. There was one other one but it's name escapes me.

I don't follow your post exactly, I'd appreciate some clarification on what you mean where I've bolded.

If you look to the NPC, every sorority "started out as a local" and then expanded, some quickly and some slowly. That is the nature of things--I think it would be very hard to simultaneously start five chapters of the same sorority from scratch. I imagine that AEPi was founded the same way.

Just for your reference (someone more in the know, feel free to comment), I don't think that DPhiE was ever founded as a Jewish sorority. I'm pretty sure that it was founded as a non-sectarian sorority welcoming all women, after discrimination the founders had faced? Maybe on some campuses, individual chapters have many Jewish members...?

Interestingly enough, while many chapters of SAEPi have a fair amount of non-Jewish members (some more than others--my own chapter is about 90% Jewish, some other chapters are much less) we all stick very close to our Jewish values. Non-Jewish members are welcomed with open arms and an understanding of what they are getting into: a sorority that holds Jewish values (which are not that different from any kind of moral values) and has Jewish events. My personal experience with my chapter is that our non-Jewish members embrace everything we do and are interested in Judaism, even when they actively practice a different religion. Not all of our members who are technically Jewish even actively practice Judaism, and all of that diversity is one of the things I love most about my chapter.

[DEVODUDE]

Welcome to GC!!!! And best of luck to you and your SAEPI sisters.

ZBT:"Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present & Impacting the Future."

[jazing]

By Jewish mission, I mean having philanthropies geared toward Jewish causes, as well as most chapters being a majority Jewish.

In common day, I think it is amazing for a sorority to expand so fast. Considering most schools only allow one group to colonize per a year, and how diverse the landscape is. Is SAePi part of Panhellenic?

And yes, Sigma Delta Tau is the one I was thinking of. ZBT I have heard is trying to get back to its Jewish values

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by jazing

By Jewish mission, I mean having philanthropies geared toward Jewish causes, as well as most chapters being a majority Jewish.

Ah. Thanks.

Why do you think it's understandable that no sorority follows that mission like AEPi does? (Not trying to challenge you at all -- just interested in your perspective.)

[DEVODUDE]

jazing;2115873:ZBT I have heard is trying to get back to its Jewish values.

ZBT never lost its Jewish Values. They (ZBT) has always honored and cherished the vlaues the fraternity was built on. However, since the mergers of Phi Epsilon Pi and Phi Sigma Delta (both were Nonsectarian) in 1969-70, ZBT has become more a of balance brotherhood of Jewish and Non-Jewish Brothers. There are several active chapters and colonies that are and have always been involved with Jewish programing and many of them partner with Hillel, Chabad, UJA/JSA on different events. Today, in keeping with both the history and the mergers, ZBT welcomes all Men (Jewish & Non-Jewish) into the brotherhood. Even though my own chapter is Non-Jewish, in honoring our history they are still involved with helping the local Jewish Temple in town on events and service projects.

ZBT:"Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present & Impacting the Future."

[jazing]

It's more to how the recruitment works. But I suppose it could very well work, but they would have to have quite a bit of involvement with Hillel/Chabad. I mean, Hillel at my campus has our support at every event by at least 25% of the brotherhood.