Rushing Jewish Sororities

[annabella]

Dear Greekchat,

Not to derail, but as a general rule I'd like to say that if KSUViolet describes something in boldfaced type as "super tacky," SOMEONE needs to QFP. Some of us have capstone classes which are technically full time jobs. And after dealing with those crazy J-school people all day, we want to read the crazy posts. It reminds us just how much worse it could be. And also that we are sane by comparison, not being sucked down the spinning newspaper/magazine/dead print media spiral of lunacy.

thanks,
the second-semester senior.

[KSUViolet06]

She asked, and this is basically verbatim:

"So if I were to show up at SDT or AEPhi first party, how do I get them to know I'm interested? Would it be okay for me to say "Hi, I'm Jewish and I'm interested in a Jewish sorority!"

My answer was:

"No, it would be SUPER TACKY to say that."

[honeychile]

*Thinking back to my own recruitment, when the Nationals of predominately Jewish/Roman Catholic/Protestant sororities said it was okay to pledge anyone but the individual chapters wouldn't.* I'll never forget a sister showing me the Sedar Plate that her boyfriend had given her; I just assumed it was a symbol of commitment or something.

Remember the episode on 90210 when Andrea wore her Star of David to Pref?

[ellebud]

Honeychile:

Well, the seder plate was a symbol of something. But I must admit that none of my sisters ever received a seder plate instead of an engagement ring. Oh well.

As for Andrea...since the creators of the show all went to Beverly (where I went) and based a lot of the original characters on real kids that I knew ((the characters in the little known movie the Chicken Chronicles were exactly the kids at Beverly..) no I don't.

While I know that many people don't want to leave their comfort zone at anytime...and for some young women (those who "keep" the Sabbath or kosher) it may be imperiative for them to join a Jewish house where fewer questions will be asked or their beliefs challenged...and again I do not know what the OP said...but for some people, possibly with family pressure...this may be their only option.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by ellebud

For some young women (those who "keep" the Sabbath or kosher) it may be imperiative for them to join a Jewish house where fewer questions will be asked or their beliefs challenged...

Just an FYI (for the sake of PNMs reading):

It's entirely possible to keep kosher and Sabbath (and observe all holidays) while NOT being in a historically Jewish sorority (SDT or AEPhi). My chapter had Jewish members and we always made allowances for them to do that, and we never challenged their beliefs. Other chapters on campus did the same for girls.

I just wanted to put this out there so PNMs don't read this and mistakenly think "If I don't join a historically Jewish sorority, then I won't be able to observe holidays and such."

Does it sometimes happen that members aren't understanding of Jewish customs? Probably? But it's not the case most of the time I'm sure.

[ellebud]

You're right, let me clarify: For some young women (remember they are young) their PERCEPTION may be, or their families' perception may be that ....that it is easier to keep customs in a Jewish house.

Again, I am Jewish. When I rushed, during the time of the dinosaurs, Jewish women really didn't have a choice. When I rushed most Jewish college kids married Jewish. My daughter, who is rushing this fall is Jewish, but my husband is Christian. In her case, she couldn't care less about keeping anything. But there are young women who have been in one environment all their lives who can't or won't spread their wings out of a certain comfort zone. And while what the OP said may not have been pc, or perhaps it was offensive or ill advised, I think that we must view it in the same vein as if a young African American woman said (despite the obvious difference), I want to join an historically black sorority...how do I make that happen and (perhaps) have other sororities ignore me?

[BabyPiNK_FL]

I have a sister who when she went through rush HAD to be a DPHIE.
(She is all about her "Jewishness" as was made obvious the first time I met her because I swear that the whole conversation was about her being a Jew and she must have said the word at least 450 times in that 30 minutes chat fest).

During our chat she pointed out that after she realized our campuses chapter of DPHIE had like NO Jews she just went with what she liked the best...Phi Mu a sorority founded by Methodists...

So basically my point is that everyone else is right, keep an open mind because the "Jewish" house may not be for you.

[5Knowledge1913]

Originally Posted by OTW

Quoting For Posterity

QFPs are great because it allows us to read what was in the original post even if the OP decides to edit or delete it.

I was going to ask the same thing! I must keep QFP in mind!

[5Knowledge1913]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

She asked, and this is basically verbatim:

"So if I were to show up at SDT or AEPhi first party, how do I get them to know I'm interested? Would it be okay for me to say "Hi, I'm Jewish and I'm interested in a Jewish sorority!"

My answer was:

"No, it would be SUPER TACKY to say that."

I agree. Interests are interests, Jewish, black (in my case), etc.

I am confused as to why she thought that that would be a good thing to say?!

[FrogChick]

I think it is really important to keep an open mind when going through recruitment. It is more important to consider the current make-up of sororities at your campus then who the founders were a hundred years ago. A historically Jewish sorority in New York City might have all Jewish members, but so might a historically Christian one. While a historically Jewish sorority in the South might have absolutely no Jewish members. You need to consider the chapter at your university as much as the GLO as a whole.

To note though some girls are looking for a Jewish experience in college. It has to do with celebrating who they are as Jewish young women. If that is the case (for this author or anyone else) a person might consider a chapter of a historically Jewish sorority that might still celebrate their Judaism actively or even a sorority like Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi that (although open to all women) celebrates Judaism and religion in their regular semester activities.

[ellebud]

Why did the OP say what she (possibly) said? Because she is (pick one) open to knowing what she wants, doesn't know any better, has no idea what rush is really about and how the process works, and/or has no brakes.

But taking the larger view this thread is a good thing because it tells other pnms (again) what to do or not to do, how to conduct yourself when looking for a home, and how to discern what is importent (or unimportent) to you.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by ellebud

Why did the OP say what she (possibly) said? Because she is (pick one) open to knowing what she wants, doesn't know any better, has no idea what rush is really about and how the process works, and/or has no brakes.

But taking the larger view this thread is a good thing because it tells other pnms (again) what to do or not to do, how to conduct yourself when looking for a home, and how to discern what is importent (or unimportent) to you.

Her exact words were:

"So if I were to show up at SDT or AEPhi first party, how do I get them to know I'm interested? Would it be okay for me to say "Hi, I'm Jewish and I'm interested in a Jewish sorority!"

[paulam]

Originally Posted by FrogChick

I think it is really important to keep an open mind when going through recruitment. It is more important to consider the current make-up of sororities at your campus then who the founders were a hundred years ago. A historically Jewish sorority in New York City might have all Jewish members, but so might a historically Christian one. While a historically Jewish sorority in the South might have absolutely no Jewish members. You need to consider the chapter at your university as much as the GLO as a whole.

To note though some girls are looking for a Jewish experience in college. It has to do with celebrating who they are as Jewish young women. If that is the case (for this author or anyone else) a person might consider a chapter of a historically Jewish sorority that might still celebrate their Judaism actively or even a sorority like Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi that (although open to all women) celebrates Judaism and religion in their regular semester activities.

For any students who wish to have more Jewish experiences, there is usually a Hillel chapter they can join which celebrates the holidays, the Sabbath, holds worship services, dinner meetings and performs community and campus service while providing a social outlet as well. It can enhance sorority life.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi is not a member of NPC and therefore is not bound by its policies.

Paula M.
Sigma Delta Tau
Patrae Multi Spes Una
One Hope of Many People

[FrogChick]

[quote=paulam;1799668]For any students who wish to have more Jewish experiences, there is usually a Hillel chapter they can join which celebrates the holidays, the Sabbath, holds worship services, dinner meetings and performs community and campus service while providing a social outlet as well. It can enhance sorority life.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi is not a member of NPC and therefore is not bound by its policies.

Hillel, Chabad, Koach, Jewish Student Unions, etc. are a fantastic part of Jewish life on college campuses. I encourage anyone going to college and looking for a Jewish experience to check out their university's organizations.

Yes. Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi is not a member of the NPC. What it is is a national greek letter organization with chapters on both coasts offering women both Jewish and non-Jewish an amazing college experience both religious, social, service oriented, and otherwise.

I have many amazing friends in both NPC sororities and Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi. The key is to find the sisterhood and organization that is right for you.

[ellebud]

So....ok....if she said that then I'd go with my first suggestion: Wear a Star of David, dress appropriately, be interesting/funny/informative and show an interest in the house.

...oh, wait, that's what you're supposed to do at every house, with or without the Star of David.