(May is Jewish American Heritage Month and AEPi, along with dozens of other Jewish organizations, will use the month to explore and highlight the vibrant history, culture, and contributions of Jewish Americans throughout our nation’s history. This is the fourth of four articles in which AEPi is focusing on brothers who are making a difference in our Jewish journeys and/or who have an interesting Jewish journey themselves. This week is especially meaningful as we highlight an undergraduate brother. Join with AEPi this month as we highlight our fraternity’s Jewish American Heritage.)

The moment has become an indelible image representing the strife on campus for Jewish students and the courage and resolve that Jewish students and, especially, AEPi brothers have shown during these difficult times. AEPi brothers from the Omega chapter at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, along with other students and members of other fraternities, joined together to prevent protesters from again tearing down the U.S. flag. Scattered throughout the crowd were brave students – many of whom are AEPi brothers — proudly displaying the Israeli flag.

That story has been deservedly told and retold. But, the journey of one of those brothers carrying the Magen David flag deserves an additional mention, especially during this month in which AEPi is celebrating the Jewish Journey that some of our brothers are on and the manner in which we can impact our Jewish community.

“Growing up here in Chapel Hill (NC), there really wasn’t much of a Jewish presence. We belonged to a congregation, the one really between Chapel Hill and Durham,” said Brother Oliver Levine (North Carolina – Chapel Hill, 2026). “There really wasn’t much a Jewish presence in my school and I didn’t really have any Jewish friends. Judaism was a part of who I was but it never at the forefront of my identity.”

But that has changed in some subtle and important ways.

“The religious pieces still isn’t a huge part of my life but identifying culturally has definitely changed. That wasn’t my intention going into college. I was rushing fraternities to meet people and have fun. But I stepped into AEPI and, I know it’s a cliche, but it was immediately home for me. I mean, the people who I met were just awesome, just so different from all the other fraternities and totally changed my mind basically in a night about whether I’d want to join a fraternity.”

After initiation, Oliver spent two semesters as the chapter’s social chair before being elected last spring as chapter master (president). “It’s been an awesome experience leading the brotherhood but also finding the place for Jewish identity in my life while building a Jewish community through AEPi and going to Hillel and Chabad.”

“I’ve been figuring out the role of Judaism in my life…it’s not something to push aside or this extra part of me but now it’s really something that’s pretty core to who I am.”

The events on campus at Chapel Hill last spring were a spark, “but the real catalyst has been everything that has happened since October 7. I’ve learned how complex it can be to be Jewish, seeing all of this antisemitism directed towards us but also dealing with the complicated situations going on. Since October 7 I’ve embraced my background and Judaism even more.”

“Before I came to college – before I got involved in AEPi – I probably wouldn’t have cared as much about things like whether I was going to marry a Jewish girl or raise my kids to be Jewish. Wherever I move through life, now, I’m going to take that with me.”

“It’s important to preserve your identity and background. I believe that now.”

#ProudtobeaPi

(During May — Jewish American Heritage Month – AEPi has been privileged to feature our brothers and their Jewish journeys. Click here for more information on Jewish American Heritage Month.)