Zeta Beta Tau’s Heritage Initiative helps undergraduate brothers gain a better understanding of our Credo, of Brotherhood and of the saying, “Never Again!”. Zeta Beta Tau Foundation support helps educate our brothers about Israel, the Holocaust, anti-Semitism and the importance of ZBT’s heritage.

Thanks to a gift from Alfred (Al) K. Berg, Omicron (Syracuse University) 1973, the Al Berg Heritage Programming Award was recently established to educate, promote and memorialize all aspects of Jewish heritage within the brotherhood of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity. The annual recipients of the Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity Chapter Heritage Award become eligible to apply for a grant from the Zeta Beta Tau Foundation. This grant, the Al Berg Heritage Programming Award, will provide the recipient an opportunity to conduct additional heritage programming at the chapter.

Sadly, Brother Berg passed away in March, but his son, Jarrett Berg, joined alumni and undergraduate brothers at the 2019 International Convention to share some thoughts on his father’s philanthropy and way of life.

“He loved ZBT values,” J. Berg shared. “Dad taught us that with great privilege comes great responsibility to leave the world better than we found it. Those who learned from him internalized the serenity prayer; to take the things you can’t accept about the world and find ways to meaningfully improve them.”

Al Berg’s interest and support of ZBT’s heritage program is just one way he sought to make the world a better place.

His son shared, “When it came to the Heritage Award and ZBT’s bold programming to combat anti-Semitism and baseless hatred on campus, Dad was helping to seed and advance a core concept that underlined his leadership style.”

The successful entrepreneur was passionately and purposefully working for Tikkun Olam (repair the world). Thanks to him, his brothers will continue educating and making the world a better place in his memory.