The rise of Jewish fraternities on British campuses is set to continue following two substantial successes in Leeds and Manchester in the past month.
Chapters of the Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) fraternity have been set up across the country in the past two years, offering Jewish students a mix of social, educational and charitable sessions and activities.
A club night in Leeds a fortnight ago was one of the largest fraternity fundraisers of the year and saw hundreds of pounds collected for charity.
Second year student Ben Woolf helped organise the event and said joining AEPi this year had helped him thrive on the Jewish social scene.
He said: “Hundreds of people were there to raise money for charity and to enjoy an alternative night out. I learnt an incredible amount and it will contribute to my future prospects. This is only the tip of the iceberg for me.”
The newest AEPi chapter opened in Manchester in early February, with 21 students inducted into the fraternity. They included JSoc committee members, those with no prior Jewish community involvement, and international students.
Leadership elections took place following the induction, with Sam Jackson taking on the role of president with Italian Emanuele Boccia working as his vice-president.
Mr Jackson said: “It’s great to be master of such an amazing group of guys. I truly feel like we’re already doing something great, and we’re all getting closer.
“In addition to the fantastic brotherhood events and nights out we’ve had together, we have amazing plans for the future.”
AEPi is due to sponsor both the Manchester and Birmingham JSoc balls later this month and is also looking to organise a blood donation drive and charity poker tournaments for its members.
