Alpha Epsilon Pi is fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteer Brothers who commit endless hours to working with our undergraduates in roles such as chapter advisors and regional governors and helping to set strategic direction as members of the Supreme Board of Governors or AEPi Foundation Board of Directors.
In addition to our scores of volunteers, the fraternity’s professional staff, led by CEO Rob Derdiger, works tirelessly to grow the fraternity and continue to chart a course towards even more success. The fraternity’s chapter services staff – Regional Directors, Assistant Regional Directors and Educational Leadership Consultants (ELCs) – works directly with our undergraduates to help them achieve our mission of developing the future leaders of the Jewish community.
As hundreds of Brothers prepare to attend #AEPi111 in Florida next week, we thought the fraternity should get a chance to know these men who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of AEPi. Make sure you introduce yourself to them next week!
Alex Berman (Towson, 2018) – Director of Fraternal Operations
I joined AEPi because somebody heard that I was coming to Towson and they reached out to me right away. As an undergrad, I loved going to our regional conclaves and working with some incredible staff inspired me to come work for the fraternity after graduation. Seeing hundreds of undergraduate Brothers and alumni together at the opening session of my first convention was an incredible experience. I hope that our Brothers who attend #AEPi111 make a point to meet as many people as possible, whether its chatting with other undergraduates about their AEPi experiences and how you can better your own experience or meeting with distinguished guests and alumni. This will be my first full academic year as the Director of Fraternal Operations. I am looking forward to supporting our staff as they ensure our undergraduate Brothers have the greatest collegiate experience they possibly can.
Ari Sasson (Vanderbilt, 2024) – East Region Educational Leadership Consultant
In the first week of my freshman year, Chabad set me up with an upperclassman who got lunch with me. I didn’t see him again for six months (because of COVID) but when I bumped into him, he told me “AEPi is coming back to campus” and the rest is history. I’m looking forward to visiting my chapters and helping them out. I loved watching Jewish pride on campus increase as the year went on.
Benjamin Shifman (North Carolina – Charlotte, 2023) – South Region Educational Leadership Consultant
I became involved in AEPi when a friend of mine who was in a sorority told me to rush. I said I didn’t want to just be a “frat guy”. When I went to AEPi I felt an immediate personal connection with the guys. I had no idea what a bid meant but accepting one was the best decision I made in school. It led me to so many opportunities and awesome experiences including going to Israel with guys in my pledge class. I am forever grateful to that friend and AEPi for allowing me to be where I am today. My best convention experience was at my first convention when I met another attendee and we started to discover we had a lot in common. When I looked at his name, I realized that we were good friends from elementary school who fell out of touch when he moved away. He recognized me and we reconnected and we are connected to this day. The reason I wanted to work for AEPi was because I saw the positive impact that Grant Bigman made on me as an undergrad and how much work he does to help chapters and students be the best they can be. My goal at AEPi is not just to boost chapters development but to create a culture of personal growth with every student I work with!
Brett Musick (Cincinnati, 2015) – Midwest Regional Director
Coming into my freshman year at the University of Cincinnati I knew I wanted to be involved in Jewish life. Greek Life was not something I thought was for me until I started meeting some of the brothers at Hillel and other Jewish events on campus. They quickly got me to come check out the house and meet more of the chapter and it wasn’t long before I decided to join. I quickly took on leadership roles within my New Member Class and then went on to hold multiple executive Board roles and chair positions within the chapter. It was the best leadership experience I could have received during my time as an undergrad. The ease AEPi Brothers had in coming together this year to fight against antisemitism in their communities this past year was inspirational and a reminder of why I do what I do. I know that our chapters are working to create safe and supportive spaces for all Jewish students and am hopeful that in tough times, the Jewish community will continue to step up to take care of one another.
Dylan Kassman (Alabama, 2021) – Heartland Educational Leadership Consultant
It all started in the Summer of 2017, when Iota Deuteron’s (Alabama’s) re-founding rush chair reached out to me about joining AEPi. But it didn’t just start there, my father’s college roommate from Tulane reached out and said that someone he knew was a part of the re-founding of the Alabama chapter. After multiple phone calls over the summer leading up to my freshman year, I knew I was going to join AEPi and didn’t entertain any other fraternities. The AEPi Brothers helped me move into my dorm, and that same night I attended my first rush event. Seeing the way Brothers have come together and have stepped up has been incredibly impressive and also heartwarming. AEPi is “The Jewish Fraternity” for a reason and Oct 7th showed us why we are who we are.
Grant Bigman (James Madison, 2012) – Mid Atlantic Regional Director
I joined Alpha Epsilon Pi during my freshman year at James Madison University, just as our chapter was being chartered and officially recognized (Go Dukes!). From the start, I took on leadership roles, helping to establish and grow our presence on campus. This early involvement became a stepping stone for broader leadership opportunities across various aspects of university life. Our hard work and dedication paid off when we won Fraternity of the Year during our junior year. Personally, I was honored to be named Fraternity Man of the Year in my senior year, a testament to my commitment and contributions to the fraternity and the campus community. My best convention experience with Alpha Epsilon Pi is tied between two incredible moments. One was staffing AEPi’s 100th convention at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. The gala was a star-studded event, with famous alumni in attendance and Wolf Blitzer serving as the master of ceremonies, making it a truly unforgettable evening. The other cherished memory is witnessing the profound sense of unity among all the chapters from across the world. Despite the different personas of brothers from Canada, the US, and Israel, there was a beautiful tapestry of connection through our common faith, Judaism.
My best advice for attending convention for the first time is to engage with other chapters and talk to the alumni. These interactions are invaluable as alumni are eager to help enhance your AEPi experience and assist with your career. Choose to network actively; the connections you make can provide guidance, opportunities, and lasting friendships. I am optimistic about this upcoming school year, especially after witnessing how our undergraduate brothers took charge of the narrative on their campuses last year in combating antisemitism and showcasing their Jewish pride. Our brothers demonstrated remarkable initiative and leadership by independently denouncing the terror that struck Israel in October and addressing the anti-Israel hate occurring on their campuses. They understood the importance of standing up today to ensure a future where the Jewish and pro-Israel community is supported and defended. This proactive spirit and unwavering commitment give me great confidence in the positive impact they will continue to make.
Ian Solow-Niederman (Colorado-Boulder, 2014) – Eastern Regional Director
I initially had no interest in AEPi, but after I experienced some antisemitism rushing another fraternity I walked right over and asked for a bid. I served as rush chair, alumni chair, and Greek chair in addition to my general involvement in the CU Jewish community. It was special taking a group from 17 to 80 men by the time I graduated! My advice for brothers attending convention is to have conversations with people from other chapters! At convention, I have always loved building relationships with brothers from across the world while lounging at the pool.
Josh Fisher (Delaware, 2023) – New York Educational Leadership Consultant
I first heard about AEPi when I was a teen in BBYO. Unfortunately, COVID hit the semester after my New Member Education, so I was thrown into an unprecedented time to be in a fraternity. Despite this, I rose to chapter leadership, becoming my chapter’s Lieutenant Master in the middle of my sophomore year. After that, I accepted a role with AEPi International as a high school engagement intern, leading to my role as an ELC. Don’t take this experience for granted. Whether it’s a session you see as more informative or more fun, everything has value and meaning and can create a lifelong memory. Some of my best memories from AEPi were during programs that from the outside might seem mundane, but once you’re in it are a ton of fun. The way that our chapters were able to come together gives me a lot of optimism. If we’re able to stand in the face of the adversity we faced last year and come out the other side stronger the way we did, I know that the future of AEPi is incredibly bright.
Justin Polk (Michigan State, 2014) – Michigan Regional Director
Last year was my first convention and it was truly amazing seeing all the alumni and undergrads there for the same cause. AEPi was such a big influence in my world, I wanted to ensure that other undergraduates had the same experience. Seeing everything that has been done on the front lines this year by AEPi chapters, I’m excited to see the next steps being built to make campus a safe Jewish space.
Martin Volinsky (Florida Atlantic, 2012) – Florida Regional Director
My AEPi journey began in the summer of 2008 at the JCC of Boca Raton Summer Camp, where I met a brother from AEPi’s Phi Alpha Chapter at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). As an incoming freshman and a first-generation college student from Buenos Aires, Argentina, I had no idea what a fraternity was. That all changed when I attended my first Hillel Shabbat dinner and experienced the power of AEPi brotherhood firsthand. I was immediately captivated by the unity, support, and sense of purpose among the brothers. That night, I received my bid and began a journey that would transform my life.
AEPi became my family away from home, offering me endless opportunities for growth and leadership. Seeing our members embody the values of AEPi—courage, brotherhood, and commitment to justice—fills me with optimism for the future. They are not just reacting to adversity; they are proactively shaping a more inclusive and supportive campus environment. Their leadership and passion are laying the groundwork for a brighter, more united fraternity.
The ’23-’24 school year has been marked by significant challenges, especially the rise in antisemitism on campuses since October 7. Yet, in the face of adversity, the resilience and courage of our brothers have been nothing short of inspirational. I am profoundly proud of how our leaders have stepped up, standing on the front lines to combat antisemitism and showcase Jewish pride through incredible programming and initiatives.
This past year has reaffirmed my belief in the power of our brotherhood to overcome challenges and drive positive change. As we move forward, I am confident that our chapters will continue to inspire, lead, and make a lasting impact on their campuses and beyond. Together, we will rise above any obstacle, fortified by our shared values and our unwavering commitment to each other.
Matt Cohen (Kent State, 2011) – Great Lakes Regional Director
When you get to convention meet new people, both peers and alumni! Some of the best friendships I have in AEPi are not brothers of my own chapter and it’s because of Conclaves and Conventions that I made those connections. This fraternity has given me so much and means the world to me. I loved my time working for the fraternity before, and staying involved as a volunteer advisor was really rewarding work, so taking on a new role working for the fraternity was an easy decision. It’s incredibly fulfilling being able to help undergraduates on their own path, and seeing chapters succeed is really the best. This year, I’m so inspired by how many guys across the country turned out in the face of some really tough crowds and showed everyone what AEPi is and what we stand for.
Max Brannen (Guelph, 2022) – Canada Educational Leadership Consultant
Prior to starting University I did not know anything about AEPi, nor did I think fraternities existed in Canada. However after meeting a fellow Jewish student during my orientation week, I was told about the “Jewish Frat” and invited to a social. It did not take long for me to fall in love with AEPi. I was amazed by the strong brotherhood my chapter held and was fascinated by the idea that all these men bonded over one thing, being Jewish. After attending only a few events I knew I wanted to be a part of this. When you get to convention, attend everything. Some people may skip out on things they think are insignificant and I would say that is the wrong mindset. Stay open to the possibility that you have no clue what new knowledge you may gain and who you may meet,This was a hard year for Jewish students, however to no surprise, this challenge has only pushed students more to be open about their Judaism on campus and fight for their rights of expression. History has shown that when Jews are challenged, we also rise up to our best potential. I trust that this fight has just begun, and during this coming school year we will continue to see a growth in Jewish students joining AEPi as well as finding other ways to express their Judaism on campus.
Max Frischman (Virginia Tech, 2015) – Israel Consultant
I came back to work for AEPi because I wanted to give back to an organization that I got so much from during my undergrad years. It still is the best job that I have ever had and ever will have. In Israel, it has been an even more difficult year than most other North American universities have had. However, it seems the brotherhood came together even more and formed such a stronger bond than what it had before. I am excited to see that bond continue to grow and all the incredible things that the Brothers are able to accomplish.
Noah Levinson (Cal State – Chico, 2021) – California Educational Leadership Consultant,
After I graduated from college, I worked in corporate tech sales in silicon valley for a year and a half. At the time there were certain A-List celebrities who started posting antisemitic rhetoric on social media. After a while it started getting to me, and nobody around me cared about what was being said about Jews, so I quit with no plan but with one goal: to work in the Jewish community and help combat antisemitism. I can say now that my decision was marked by an element of beshert (meant to be) because one year to the day after I left the secular working world was when Hamas attacked Israel and all that has done is reaffirm for me that there is no place I would rather be, no place more important to be, than right here supporting the Jewish leadership of tomorrow, during these trying time. Throughout history, there have been Jewish brotherhoods— good men who stand up for what they believe in and have the community’s best interests at heart. Alpha Epsilon Pi are the men of the Jewish community in this generation, we are a brotherhood not an army. Wherever you may cross paths with a brother of AEPi, we will help, we will protect, and we will have a damn great time together doing so.