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

Responding to the absence of Jewish content in the other sororities, Sigma AlphaEpsilon, known as Sigma, states, "The purpose of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi is to promoteunity, support, and Jewish awareness, as well as to provide a Jewish experience forourselves, our members, and the community as a whole." 168The sorority additionallynotes in its history section that it was born out of the founding women's desire for aJewish sorority. The closing of a chapter of Alpha Epsilon Phi chapter on its campus atUniversity of California, Davis in the early 1990's left a void of Jewish organizedsisterhood on campus. With the help of Alpha Epsilon Pi and Hillel, they were able tocreate a Jewish social organization. They chose the name Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi, asSigma represents that they are "Sisters of" Alpha Epsilon Pi. They also chose the letterSigma, as sigma is the 18 th letter of the Greek Alphabet, and the letter 18 holds greatsignificance in Jewish tradition as the numerical value representing life (chai). 169 Since1998, the sorority has opened on fourteen campuses.Several elements of Greek life serve as indicators of Jewish content within agiven organization. This section of the paper will analyze organizations through theirofficial philanthropies and partners, the conferences that they chose to attend, and thelanguage used to describe their religious awards.PhilanthropyPhilanthropic organizations serve as another gauge of Jewish content in the Greeksystem. The Greek System, both secular and Jewish, places great emphasis onphilanthropic activity as an index of success and creation of well-rounded leaders.168 Accessed April 28, 2011. http://www.sigmaaepi.com/.169 Accessed April 28, 2011. http://www.sigmaaepi.com/.48