Rebecca Shapiro Thesis (11 May 2011).pdf - Brandeis Institutional ...

to espouse its purpose and values." Similarly, ZBTs mission statement highlights itsJewish history and welcomes all, "regardless of religion, race or creed." 163Sigma AlphaMu's mission statement does not mention a Jewish history, however it clearly states, "Wewill continue to attract members of all beliefs who appreciate our great heritage as afraternity of Jewish men." 164In an interview with Lee Manders, executive director of∑AM, he noted the important distinction between a "Jewish Fraternity" and "A Fraternityof Jewish Men." It is evident from each of the fraternities’ mission statements that eachwishes, on some level, to preserve the Jewish history that defined it.The Jewish nature was less defined by the older Jewish sororities. AEPHI'smission statement, revised in 1996, states that the sorority seeks to "inspire and supportexemplary women dedicated to friendship and a lifelong commitment to Alpha EpsilonPhi, while building on the vision of our Jewish founders." 165 The core values sectionadditionally states, "we are a Jewish sorority, but not a religious organization, withmembership open to all college women, regardless of religion, who honor, respect andappreciate our Jewish identity and are comfortable in a culturally Jewish environment."166 While the Sigma Delta Tau website has a separate section which highlights its Jewishorigin and the discrimination that took place during the first quarter of the 20 th century,Jewish identity is absent from its mission statement, which instead focuses on thesorority's values of scholarship, philanthropy, life skills and lifelong friendship. 167163 "Zeta Beta Tau - ZBT Mission Statement," Zeta Beta Tau - Founded in 1898 as the Nation's First JewishFraternity, Mission Statement, accessed April 28, 2011, http://www.zbt.org/index.php?id=61.164 Sigma Alpha Mu. Accessed April 28, 2011. http://www.sam.org/home.165 "AEPhi Today » AEPhi," AEPhi, AEPHI Today, accessed April 28, 2011,http://www.aephi.org/aephi_story/aephi_today/.166 AEPHI Today167 Sigma Delta Tau, accessed April 28, 2011,http://www.sigmadeltatau.com/index.php?option=com_content.47