Alumni & Chapter News
Chapter News
Issue: Fall 2021
By State
By Canadian Province
Alabama
Psi Chapter at University of Alabama
In the spring, the underclassmen of the Psi Chapter attended a resume building workshop. Also last spring, the Chapter hosted a charity golf tournament with two other fraternities and raised more than $30,000. The Chapter is hosting recruitment events. Among the speakers in a local speaker series was a local attorney. A golf tournament supported the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. Brother Jack P. Steinmetz, 2023, was elected Vice President of Student Affairs for the university Student Government Association.
Arizona
Alpha Omicron Chapter at University of Arizona
Alpha Omicron hosts weekly chapter meetings and some social events. Earlier this month, 45 new brothers joined Alpha Omicron. The Chapter earned a ZBT international award for recruitment success in 2021.
California
Alpha Delta Chapter at the University of Southern California
The brothers of Alpha Delta Chapter had some small brotherhood events and basic bonding experiences. They have maintained their tradition of mental health meetings, especially during this time. Alin C. Maimon, 2022, just got accepted to Harvard School of Law! Alpha Delta Chapter had an incredible recruitment this semester, growing the normal fall rush target number by more than 10! The Chapter has multiple community service and philanthropy events on the calendar and is working to create a committee structure.
Alpha Eta Prospective Chapter at University of California-Berkeley
Pictured are some of the brothers of ZBT in front of the newly renovated house. In the fall, Alpha Eta has completed recruitment, Initiation, begin new brother education and hosted exchanges with two sororities so far. Brother Michael Shemian, 2023, got an offer to intern as an investment banking analyst with Citigroup next summer. Brother Ujjwal Krishnamurthi got a return offer to work as a software developer at Apple next summer, and Brother Ali Reza founded a new company over the summer in addition to Ansarimath!
Beta Pi Chapter at California State University-Long Beach
The Chapter hosted its first completely virtual philanthropy in April, using social media to play bingo and creating fun TikTok style videos. Since the start of the fall semester, the Beta Pi Chapter has renewed its bonds and is pushing forward to recruit new brothers, raise money for philanthropy and are working toward improving operational practices.
Gamma Nu Chapter at California State University-Los Angeles
This month, brothers went on a hike for Labor Day and also enjoyed a beach trip over the long weekend. Fall recruitment is in progress and the chapter is seeing success as many potential new brothers have been coming out to meet the Gamma Nu brothers.
To close out the spring semester, the Chapter hosted a clothing drive for the local Midnight Mission in conjunction with Alpha Sigma Tau and Delta Phi Epsilon sororities. Over 1,000 pieces of clothing was collected.
Gamma Xi Chapter at University of California, Santa Barbara
The Gamma Xi Chapter had a very busy summer. While some brothers took classes, others took on internships ranging from marketing to computer science, working for companies such as CLIQ, BSI Group, NextNav and Duffl. Other brothers took time off, where they vacationed in wonderful locations such as Hawaii and France. The Gamma Xi Chapter created a calendar picturing a handful of brothers, and the proceeds from sales of the calendar were donated to a local elementary school.
Eta Upsilon Chapter at Santa Clara University
Eta Upsilon had a brotherhood retreat at Lake Tahoe and hosted some philanthropy events to raise money for the response to California wildfires. Brother Jonathan (Yoni) G. Mehari interned in Israel over the summer. Some of the brothers received their wings for air assault via ROTC.
Colorado
Iota Chapter at University of Denver
The Chapter hosts a variety of events including barbecues, basketball, fall formal, tabling for Gift of Life, kayaking, Chapter meetings, executive board meetings, football watch parties and recruitment dinners/study sessions. Brothers took 90 men paintballing for a recruitment event already this fall. Recruitment Director Liam M.P. Fitzgerald, 2024, has compiled a potential new brother list that is significantly longer than IFC’s. Iota Chapter leaders plan on initiating a record group of new brothers this year.
Connecticut
Eta Omicron Chapter at Quinnipiac University
In April, brothers hosted a bubble soccer philanthropy event to help fight childhood cancer. The event benefits the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. Some brothers participated in Quinnipiac’s QTHON dance marathon event, raising funds for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. The Chapter raised the most money for the event among fraternities at Quinnipiac.
Zeta Theta Chapter at Western Connecticut State University
Zeta Theta has been one of the most prevalent chapters on campus during recruitment. Brothers have created a new social media marketing strategy to increase their reach to potential new brothers and have seen success through the efforts.
Florida
Delta Iota Chapter at University of Central Florida
UCF had pretty extreme COVID-19 guidelines in the spring and summer of 2021. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life encouraged brothers not to gather at all. Brothers were not even allowed at the house to avoid the spread, nor was the group allowed to have any social events or program sover 50 people — so not all brothers were able to attend some events. Delta Iota was able to host Shabbat Across UCF, celebrating the history of the Jewish religion. Usually this held in person at UCF, it was cancelled last year due to COVID-19. This year, UCF Chabad was able to host the event virtually, while still implementing all of the traditions of such a large Shabbat.
Gamma Chi Chapter at University of South Florida
Despite handling times during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gamma Chi earned Standards of Excellence accreditation from ZBT International Headquarters. The Chapter had a fantastic alumni weekend over September 11 to 13, including tailgating and barbecue at the house! The Chapter has recruited stellar new brothers in spring and fall totaling 32 new brothers. Brothers Kody T. Hermelyn, 2023, Ryan R. Resendes, 2022, and Erick J. Garcia, 2022, all started internships this fall semester with WilsonHCG.
Georgia
Eta Lambda Chapter at Emory University
Re-founded in Fall 2020, the Eta Lambda Chapter is now among one of the largest on campus, with more than 50 men. The brothers of Eta Lambda have strong bonds with the Jewish community around Atlanta and are proud to grow ZBT to be the fraternity who supports the local community through philanthropic efforts.
Illinois
Gamma Chapter at Northwestern University
The Chapter is currently focusing on recruitment to continue its growth and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood.
Indiana
Alpha Alpha Chapter at Purdue University
The Chapter is ranked first among all IFC groups (@purdueifc). With over 150 undergraduate brothers, ZBT is one of the largest chapters on Purdue’s campus. The Chapter says its size gives it the ability to make an even bigger impact on campus. Throughout the year, Alpha Alpha hosts philanthropy events such as Puppies on the Porch and do frequent community service to give back to the community they call home. Brothers also pride ourselves in our house athletics and recently set the record for most intramural trophies in a year. Contact @zbtpurdue to find out more.
Beta Gamma Chapter at Indiana University
Beta Gamma hosts brotherhood bonding events, philanthropy events and religious events. The Chapter had a charity car wash in the parking lot of the house to raise money for suicide prevention. Many brothers contributed money toward hurricane relief in New Orleans. The brothers have been working hard to restore the ZBT name with the university and with the Fraternity overall are striving to be the best fraternity on campus.
Kansas
Epsilon Mu at the University of Kansas
Hosted an Instagram Live fundraiser in September that benefitted Jewish Women International and partially went to a fundraiser by the Sigma Chapter at Tulane University. Finance Director Zackary J. Musick, 2022, and Programming Director Braiden H. Young, 2023, represented Epsilon Mu at ZBT International Convention in Miami. At the Chapter house, a new basketball hoop was installed.
Maryland
Beta Zeta Epsilon at University of Maryland-College Park
The Chapter’s best brotherhood bonding activities has been the creation of the ZFL (Zeebs Football League). This is a touch football league with players, statkeepers and referees all comprised of ZBT brothers. Each team plays a different team in the league every Sunday, and it really brings the whole Chapter together playing football on Fraternity Row.
Eta Kappa Chapter at Towson University
This semester, Eta Kappa had a lock-in brotherhood event where brothers came together and explored why each person became a ZBT and looked back on favorite memories. The Chapter also had a philanthropy event with Gift of Life where brothers recruited possible bone marrow donors. Brothers attended a risk prevention presentation to learn how to keep our brothers and chapter safe. Recruitment events are being planned, including an NFL viewing party.
Massachusetts
Theta Alpha Chapter at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
The Chapter had a brotherhood retreat last spring and a brotherhood paintball game. A ZBT heritage event is scheduled for September 30. The brothers rented a dunk tank with Sigma Delta Tau to raise money for Jewish Women International. Brothers and sisters got dunked for a good cause; the event raised $822. It was super fun and a great bonding experience with Sigma Delta Tau and among brothers.
Epsilon Phi Chapter at Brandeis University
As bonding events, brothers made a slip and slide and had a fantasy football draft. The Chapter partnered with the local Sigma Delta Tau chapter to raise money for Jewish Women International, a philanthropy supported by both organizations, through a ticketed mixer and T-shirt sales.
Missouri
Omega Chapter at University of Missouri
The Chapter had a Get on the Ball philanthropy raising $7,500 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Omega had its first fraternity formal since fall 2019; for 80 percent of the chapter it was their first time attending a formal. The group was the only Greek chapter at Mizzou who managed to keep COVID-19 out of our house. The Chapter had zero positive cases in the house for the entire year.
New Jersey
Epsilon Tau Chapter at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham
The Chapter has seen success in recruitment, extending six bids to potential new brothers to grow the size of the chapter.
New York
Delta Chapter at Columbia University
The chapter regularly engages in service activities around the city. In August, brothers had a picnic in Central Park. At the end of the spring semester, Delta Chapter hosted a virtual Get on the Ball over Facebook Live, raising $1,100.
Gamma Chapter at New York University
Gamma Chapter has been having a strong recruitment, bringing in more than 50 potential new brothers through two recruitment events at the time of submission. Chapter leaders say they hope to bring around 25 new brothers this fall.
Epsilon Delta Chapter at Binghamton University
The Epsilon Delta Chapter has consistently weekly COVID-19 safe brotherhood events like hibachi dinner, pickup sports and sight-seeing. The chapter calendar is engaging, with a variety of activities. Brother Keenan J. Leggieri, 2021, past Chapter President, recently accepted a job with IBM.
Epsilon Nu Chapter at SUNY Oneonta
Epsilon Nu is enjoying its involvement on campus once again with COVID-19 protocols loosening. Brothers are so very excited to see everyone’s face again and continue to further and expand our brotherhood! Brotherhood events include ice cream socials, flag football, pizza night, wings night, a food drive and hiking. The Chapter had a brotherhood bonding trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania. Brother Grant T .Doherty, 2022, found a match through Gift of Life!
Eta Iota Chapter at SUNY-Plattsburgh
After the challenges of Zoom events for a majority of the spring semester, in the fall Eta Iota has had the fortune to return to in-person activities. The Chapter did axe throwing for a brotherhood bonding event. Brothers also helped move in first-year students for community service opportunity.
Ohio
Lambda Chapter at Case Western Reserve University
Lambda Chapter has recently hosted a beach mixer and a fantasy football league for brothers. The group was able to have Initiation in person and mark Yom Kippur. Upcoming: A sukkah building service event and a service mixer.
The group is running a program with other fraternities called Masculinity Mondays where the students talk about topics such as mental health and masculinity, sexuality and masculinity, race and masculinity and what men can do against sexual violence against women.
Pennsylvania
Theta Chapter at University of Pennsylvania
The Chapter has brotherhood bonding events, philanthropy events, Jewish programming and social events. A campus rabbi came to a holiday dinner and blow the shofar.
Alpha Tau Chapter at Franklin & Marshall College
Alpha Tau started the new semester and fall rush period. The Chapter is excited to celebrate its charter later this fall and is looking forward to celebrating with alumni and international leadership.
Beta Alpha Chi Chapter at York College of Pennsylvania
The Beta Alpha Chi Chapter had a great 2021 that included a commuter appreciation car wash to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. During the spring, the Chapter was the largest contributor in the fraternity and sorority life food drive and was named Greek Week champions for the first time in Chapter history.
Beta Phi Chapter at the University of Pittsburgh
The Beta Phi Chapter was able to make the best of the pandemic by relying on its brotherhood. They adopted a local highway in the community that they clean twice a year. The chapter continues growing their relationship with Hillel and Chabad, with the head of Chabad at Pitt, Rabbi Shmuel Rothstein serving as their new chapter advisor. They developed a website for all brothers to access and get all the information they need for chapter operations. They hope to use this platform in the future for recruitment and philanthropy.
Individual brother news:
- Ari M. Kaganovsky, 2022, completed the Onward Israel program in Tel Aviv.
- Raphael A. Berlin, 2023, is current President of Chabad at Pitt.
- Reid J. Becker, 2022, completed an internship this summer with BNY Mellon in New York City as a clearance and collateral management summer analyst.
South Carolina
Eta Phi Chapter at College of Charleston
Eta Phi has begun their semester and their fall recruitment period. The chapter had a solid recruitment, with 15 potential new brothers accepting bids to join the ZBT Brotherhood.
Texas
Lambda Chapter at University of Texas-Austin
Chapter brothers are lucky to spend time with Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation friends, Kaden and Kingston (Instagram @kadenkickscancer). ZBT works directly with the B+ organization to help provide financial and moral support to families battling childhood cancer.
Virginia
Delta Xi Chapter at Virginia Tech
The Chapter received approval on its chartering application and was accredited in the top chapters within ZBT on Standards of Excellence. Delta Xi has a working alumni association and is looking forward to its chartering ceremony in October 2021.
The Chapter has been able to organize a successful recruitment, which has brought out the most potential new brothers in Chapter’s history. Brothers have been able to complete several community service opportunities in and around our local town, including non-Jewish brothers serving at Hillel’s Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur dinners. Brothers are excited to finally be fully back in person with all of our events!
Brother Nicholas M. Martinelli, 2022, has been excelling in his role as Interfraternity Council President. The institution now has over 1,000 registered potential new fraternity members, which makes this recruitment the largest Virginia Tech has ever seen. One of Brother Martinelli’s largest accomplishments is uniting all IFC chapters in working together.
Ontario
Zeta Eta Chapter at Western University
Chapter activities have included a barbecue, pizza night and Shabbat dinner with Chabad. The Chapter issued a statement and participated in an event for victims and survivors of gender-based violence at the university.