During the week of October 7, chapters across the country honored the solemn anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks as a part of AEPi’s Strength Through Service initiative. From silent marches to community service events, Brothers stood together to drive out darkness with acts of kindness and service. Notably, over 60 chapters brought Sheryl Sandberg’s film, Screams Before Silence, to their campus. The film sheds light on the sexual atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists during the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.
Incredible chapter events beautifully commemorating October 7 took place at campuses across the country. A few notable examples include events at the University of Arizona and University of California at Santa Cruz. The Upsilon Alpha chapter — at the University of Arizona — hosted a community challah baking event, where challahs were sold to benefit displaced residents in the northern Israeli community of Kibbutz Manara, to help rebuild their homes. Challahs that were not purchased were donated to the Tucson Homeless Shelter. Attendees also had the opportunity to make an additional donation to put their handprints on a unity mural on the outside wall of the chapter house. Letters were also written to the displaced residents of Kibbutz Manara, in a show of solidarity. At the University of California at Santa Cruz, the Sigma Zeta chapter stood up proudly to commemorate October 7 and honor the victims and survivors when other organizations on campus were unwilling or intimidated to do so publicly.
The past year continues to demonstrate the importance of Jewish students and organizations standing tall and proud in their Judaism. While antisemitic organizations continue to disrupt campus life with walk-outs, protests, and divisive calls to remove Jewish life from campus, our community must stay strong and show that we are capable of taking the high road. Anti-Israel groups choose to spread their messages using hate, threats, name-calling, and more. AEPi chapters must combat that via community service, activism, philanthropy, and leadership.