Phillies game and rush

Rush has officially begun! The two week rush period kicked off Friday night with dinner at Hillel and an after party at our house. Some upcoming events include a Poker Tournament, a night out in Chinatown, and an Around the World party. We've had over 30 guys by the house before rush even started, and we're very excited about the upcoming weeks. As usual alumni are invited to any event.

On September 8th, the brotherhood enjoyed a night out to the Phillies - Marlins game. The Phillies won the game 8-6, and Brother Alex Bord got drilled by a foul ball in his arm. He got taken to the first aid station, but he's just fine. 25 brothers were at the game, and we even managed to get yelled at by stadium employees for taunitng Marlins left fielder Josh Willingingham.

Alumni Spotlight: Jonathan Alexander

What years were you active in Alpha Pi?
I pledged in the Fall of 2003 and graduated in May 2007.

Which positions did you hold in the chapter?

On the Executive Board, I served as Lieutenant Master, Master, and Sentinel.

One funny AEPi story from your time at college:

There are so many but one that sticks out to me was during my freshman year, one of my pledge brother's pledge name was Screech from Saved By The Bell. He hated the name and one day after he became a brother he walked into a room of a bunch of us. We said "Hey Screech, what's up?" He replied with "Stop calling me that, I really hate that name." Without missing a beat, the Lt. Master at the time said "Fine, you're Boner." The name is still with him today.

One piece of advice for undergraduate brothers:

Work hard to be the best brother you can be. If you don't always recall what it means to be a brother, go and read the ritual manual when you have a few minutes. There is a lot of good information in there that you don't always remember. Additionally, don't set limits for yourself. Strive to constantly raise the bar. This applies in school, in the fraternity and in life in general.

How has AEPi helped you since graduating?

AEPi landed me my first job which was working for the fraternity at it's international headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was a great experience in which I learned a lot about the fraternity as a whole. The things I learned will also help me act in an advisory role for whichever chapters I work with since I have been exposed to so many other chapters from all over the country.

What do you do now professionally?

I will be going back to school in the Fall to pursue a career in dentistry.

Married? Kids?

Single

Which brothers have you most stayed in touch with?

I am a recent graduate so I am still close with many brothers including some undergrads. I couldn't narrow it down to a few but I am close with at least 15 guys from my time.

If brothers want to contact you, how can they?

Brothers can contact me via email at jaaepi@gmail.com. That would definitely be the most efficient way.

Pictures: Above-(L-R) Matt Raisman (Class of 2007), Jonathan Alexander, and Marc Bodinger (Class of 2007) as undergrads. Below-(L-R) Marc Prine (Class of 2008), Rabbi Shalom Denbo, and Jonathan Alexander in Israel this previous summer.

Hoops for Hope

Yesterday, the chapter raised over $350 for one of our official philanthropies: Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, Israel. Shaare Zedek is Israel's largest provider of medical care to victims of terror and also the official health carrier for the Israel Defense Forces. The event was called Hoops for Hope and was held at the Bell Tower in the middle of campus. People participated by paying $1 to take a basketball shot and if they made the shot, they won a free piece of pizza courtesy of Owl's Nest Pizzeria. People could also pay with their Diamond Dollars, which is a debit account associated with student ID cards through the University. Not only was this event great for charity, but it was held on the first day of classes. AEPi's name was in the most popular spot on campus with thousands of students, staff, and administrators walking by and participating. This was great for our image and for publicity. It was also probably the first time in Temple history that the administration allowed a group to set up a basketball net at the Bell Tower. Joe Raffanello (Philanthropy Chairman) and Mike Shulman (Lieutenant Master) were primarily responsible for the event, and they both did an awesome job. We continue to prove that we are the best there is at Temple University. Everyone had a great job juggling the first day of classes with raising money for a great cause.

Pictures: Above-Doug Kahn can shakes. Below-brothers in front of the Bell Tower with the basketball net and banners.

Labor Day party

Twenty brothers and five interested guys (it's too soon to say rushes) went to Dan Grossmann's (Class of 1984, Past Master) house today for a Labor Day party. The house was awesome with an in-ground pool/hot tub, billiards room, 60" HDTV, basketball court, and trampoline. Dan and his exquisite wife Cindy were up to the task of feeding 25 college age guys, and the food was delicious. Everyone had a great time except when it was over and the realization that the school year begins tomorrow set in.

Picture: (L-R) Cindy Grossmann (wife of Dan Grossmann), Joe Littman, Jon DeSantis, Alex Shelow, Rabbi Joe Domosh (in hat), Evan Krieg, Marshall Segel, Brian Engle, Dan Grossmann. Standing in front: Cindy (girlfriend of Rabbi Joe Domosh) and Brad Hoffman (Class of 2008.)