AEPi Foundation History

Fifty years ago, as the world anticipated peace and embraced the end of its second tragic war, PSM Theodore Racoosin had a vision. He conceptualized the formation of an educational and charitable foundation for Alpha Epsilon Pi. Starting from square one, PSM Racoosin and an eight man-committee began research on creating a foundation. The group, comprised of Racoosin, Sigmund Steinberg, Max Scheiber, Sidney Picker, Alexander Grossman, Arthur Pick, Lester Block, Herman Ehrlich and Irving Levin, studied the pros and cons of building such an institution for Alpha Epsilon Pi. Months of research proved positive for the committee, as Racoosin's dream become reality. With the help of Brothers Nat Goldstein and Fred Katz, who completed all legal work for the organization's creation, The foundation of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Foundation was finally established.

The Foundation was incorporated in 1946 in New York as a non-profit organization. As a separate corporate entity from the Fraternity, its primary goal was to promote financial aid, scholarship, vocational guidance and educational facilities, without operating for profit. For tax purposes, the Internal Revenue Service granted The Foundation exemption status. Aaron Rubin was elected the first President of the Foundation and served until 1960.

Information about the Foundation premiered at the Fraternity's 33rd Convention in Akron, Ohio. Irving Levin, a member of the committee designated to study the Foundation's creation, reported the specifics. According to a Convention feature in the December 1946 issue of The Lion, Levin stated, " ... 25 prominent brothers, leaders in the Alpha Epsilon Pi world have accepted a place on the board of directors, and seven officers of national prominence plus two trustees were appointed to direct Foundation operations."

Although the new board suffered the loss of member I.E. Goldberg in a June 1947 plane crash, the Foundation gained strength almost instantaneously. By 1948, the Foundation had emerged as a powerful force in the Alpha Epsilon Pi world, receiving $10,000 from brothers' donations at the 35th Convention in New York City.

The Alpha Epsilon Pi Foundation blossomed in 1950. During that pinnacle year, the Foundation created a liaison of public relations and press representatives to publicize Foundation activities. Each undergraduate and alumni chapter selected a brother to the publicity position, which entailed receiving and transmitting press releases from the Foundation News Bureau to radio, local newspapers, school publications and Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter newsletters. Also in 1950, The Foundation announced the future presentation of award scholarship plaques, or permanent trophies, to the chapter leading other fraternities on campus in scholarship.

The Foundation Library Committee proved resourceful in 1950 with the creation of the Chapter Library Fund, providing books focusing on Jewish life and culture in America and abroad, to undergraduate chapters. The Foundation established an essay competition for undergraduate writers who produced the best essays about the books. By 1951, Block Publishing Company and the Jewish Guild of America, Inc., had joined in the Foundation's efforts, donating regular allowances on all book purchases.

Almost from the Foundation's inception, PSM Irving Levin served as Executive Director and Secretary, managing the daily affairs of the fledgling organization. By the mid-1950s, The Foundation had offered its helping hand to Jewish men internationally. Led by PSM Racoosin, The Foundation presented a proposal to the 1953 Supreme Council promoting postgraduate tuition scholarship awards to Israeli men. Under the terms of the program, undergraduate chapters would house the scholarship recipients during their terms of education. The program was inaugurated in 1954, with seven scholarships granted by 1956.

"This program was organized to recognize the important religious association which had formed part of the fraternity background for many years," wrote Robert Ausman, Nu '54, in the Alpha Epsilon Pi History and Roster 1964.

As the 1960s began, PSM Lester Block, Virginia '27, took over as Foundation president. Assets began to increase as many Foundation members came forward to support Alpha Epsilon Pi scholarship.The Foundation embraced the next decade, celebrating Alpha Epsilon Pi's 50 years with the Golden Anniversary Fund in 1963. During a three-year campaign to augment funds, The Foundation called for 1,000 men to join the Century Club, which required at least a $100 donation to the Fund. By the summer of 1964, more than $30,000 had been awarded to members of Alpha Epsilon Pi.

In 1974, to celebrate his 50th anniversary of graduation, Sol Savitt, Illinois 23, donated $3,000 to establish a scholarship for Delta Chapter through The Foundation. Within two years, Savitt increased the fund to $50,000.

In 1977, The Alpha Epsilon Pi Foundation commissioned George S. Toll Sr., Executive Vice President Emeritus, to write the first 65-year history of the Fraternity. The book, financed through a Foundation grant, was printed in 1980.

"I felt it was important that the Fraternity's history be written to honor our founders, as well as the thousands of brothers who came afterward. Ours is a special story, the story of a Jewish Fraternity which grew from the humble beginnings of our Founders to the more than 100 chapters of today," said Toll, Pennsylvania '34. "I was able to call upon my friendships with so many brothers to raise the funds necessary to write the history. Fund raising is truly successful when you have close relationships with the people you are soliciting."

The 80s was a ground-breaking decade for The Foundation, literally. In 1985, the Foundation announced that the National Headquarters would be built in Indianapolis, Indiana, in time for the 75th Anniversary of the Fraternity's founding. PSM Paul Aronin, Georgia Tech '50, assumed the mantle of leadership as Lester Block retired after 25 years as president. Recognizing the efforts needed to coordinate such a massive undertaking, he recruited PSM Samuel H. Shapiro, former Governor of Illinois, took the lead as Headquarters Campaign Chairman. Through his efforts and personal contribution, the campaign was well underway as 1987 began. Tragically in March of that year, PSM Shapiro entered Chapter Eternal. Jerry Reinsdorf, George Washington '57, Sheldon Good, Illinois '53, PSM Philip Cohen, NYU '57 and PSM Ivan Halperin, USC '68 soon took over as co-chairmen of the campaign and EVP Toll served as a consultant. Through letters, telephone and personal solicitation, fund raising reached monumental heights. In August 1987, in conjunction with the 74th Anniversary Convention in Cincinnati, the ground breaking ceremony was hosted in a festive celebration of the future. A site was chosen in the College Park subdivision of Indianapolis, home to more than 20 national fraternities and sororities.

During the next year the campaign progressed and by spring, construction began. Donald Young, Georgia Tech '57, was chosen as architect for the project. Using a post modernistic design, the building is eight-sided, with no two sides of equal length. It is a striking landmark on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.

The Headquarters building was dedicated on August 19, 1988 during the Fraternity's 75th Anniversary Convention. More than 400 brothers and guests witnessed the ribbon cutting and a special ceremony with the blowing of the Shofar. The building was dedicated in memory of PSM Shapiro. As guests toured the building, the David and Toby Cohen Chapel, gifted by PSM Philip Cohen in memory of his parents, was consecrated by National Rabbi Stanley Davids. After 75 years, Alpha Epsilon Pi had a permanent home.

In 1989, with the Headquarters campaign a success, PSM Paul Aronin handed over the leadership of the Foundation to PSM Nathaniel Krumbein, Georgia '36. Krumbein's vision of the Foundation was to strengthen the base of support and establish new programs that would serve the Foundation well into the future. He formulated plans for the presentation of the Outstanding Alumnus Achievement Award (later funded by PSM Arthur Teich, Pennsylvania '35) to honor brothers who have reached the pinnacle of their chosen field of endeavor. During his term, the annual campaign of the Foundation raised more than $100,000 for the first time in history. Also, the Fraternity and Foundation embarked on an effort to raise funds for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. As the campaign drew to a close, over $130,000 was raised and Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity and Foundation are the only organizations of our type to be listed on the Founders Wall of the Museum. Krumbein joined with then SM Richard Stein and many other brothers at the dedication of the Museum in April 1993. In 1994, PSM Stanford H. Odesky, Toledo '59, assumed leadership of the Foundation. His goal for the Foundation continues to be to secure the future of the organization by increasing the level of support from brothers.

Odesky solicited funding of unnamed awards that were presented at the annual Convention. He was instrumental in shepherding the Pathway to Brotherhood program, as hundreds of alumni have purchased bricks to honor their involvement in Alpha Epsilon Pi.

"Clearly we must be in a growth mode, because we are here to aid our national organization," said Odesky. As "As an example, we have added the brick program to help fund an endowment for the building."

Just as the Fraternity has grown from Alpha Chapter in 1913 to 106 campuses today, so has the Foundation grown. From its modest start in 1946, The Alpha Epsilon Pi Foundation has increased its asset base to more than $2,000,000. More than 60 individual funds are managed by Executive Director Sidney Dunn benefiting chapters and brothers in their educational efforts. Foundation awards are presented for outstanding achievements at the International Convention each summer honoring those brothers and chapters in areas ranging from Outstanding Chapter, Master, University Service, Jewish Communal Activity and many others. Foundation serves as the vehicle for our involvement with the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life and International Hillel. With the announcement of the Centennial Founders Program, The Alpha Epsilon Pi Foundation enters a new area of achievement. Three brothers have now qualified to be designated as Centennial Founders, PSM Theodore Racoosin, PSM Samuel H. Shapiro and PSM Philip H. Cohen. Each will be profiled in upcoming issues of The Lion.

The Alpha Epsilon Pi Foundation has been blessed with dynamic leadership throughout its 50-year history. Its efforts to assist the Fraternity has come to fruition, yet many challenges remain. Broad-based alumni support is necessary for The Foundation to meet future needs. The annual campaign goal must expand to $250,000 per year and special gift campaigns must continue. Donations to the Alpha Epsilon Pi Foundation are tax deductible by the Internal Revenue Service. To secure the future of the Foundation, brothers must step forward to meet the continuing demands for scholarship assistance. For more information on establishing a fund at The Alpha Epsilon Pi Foundation to benefit a chapter, contact Executive Director Sidney Dunn at the Foundation Headquarters, 8815 Wesleyan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268-1171. Help secure the dream for those brothers who will join us in the future.