Graduating Seniors

This week was the official Temple commencement ceremony where our senior brothers graduated. Graduating seniors included:

• Neil Hollander (Pledged Fall 2005, Rush Chairman Fall 2006, Social Chair Fall 2009)
• Jeff Gutkin (Pledged Fall 2006, Pledge Master Fall `08, Social Chair Spring `09, Sentinel `09-`10)
• Jon DeSantis (Pledged Fall 2006, Scribe '07-08, Master '08-'09)
• Harrison Bobbins (Pledged Spring 2007)
• Harry Rosenblum (Pledged Spring 2007)
• Joe Raffanello (Pledged Spring 2007, Rush Chairman Spring 2008)
• Drew Wenning (Pledged Spring 2007, House Manager Spring 2008)
• Josh Schrager (Pledged Spring 2007)
• Steve Zhitnitsky (Pledged Spring 2007)

The graduating seniors will be missed by all and their legacies that they left behind will be moved along by the new brothers of the chapter. We congratulate them all and wish them good luck in whatever they do in the future!

Another Brother Elected Student Body Vice President

Alex Shelow (2011), was elected Vice President of Temple Student Government Thursday evening on a voting slate with 2 other people. Their slate, BreakThru TU, with their unique platform ideas beat out 2 other slates running for the position. Alex follows in the footsteps of former VP, and senior brother Jon DeSantis. This is a wonderful accomplishment and we are extremely proud of our brother!

AEPi Runs Temple

We wanted to take this opportunity to let everyone know the various leadership positions brothers hold around campus:

• Inter-fraternity Council Webmaster Dan Lyons (2012)
• Temple University Greek Association President Alex Shelow (2011) and Vice President of Finance Dan Lyons (2012)
• Resident Assistants Brian Engle (2011), Drew Wenning (2010), and Andy Markowitz (2012)
• Student EMT Paul Minkovich (2010)
• Owl Team Orientation Leaders Joe Raffanello (2010), Mike Abrams (2011), Rob Farber (2012), and Jon DeSantis (2010)
• Hillel Vice President of Judaism Andy Markowitz (2011)
• Student Body Vice President Jon DeSantis (2010)
• Temple Student Government Director of Services Aaron Wolf (2012)
  
• Temple Students for Israel President Gabe Toran (2011)

As we tell rushes all of the time, AEPi truly are the leaders on campus.

Alpha Pi at AEPi Convention-Las Vegas

Over the past few days, AEPi held its annual international convention is Las Vegas, Nevada. The chapter was represented by Jon DeSantis (2010 and Pesach Kessler (2010), who had an incredible time in Sin City. Jeff Gutkin (2010), Alex Mandel (2011), and Brandon Cohen (2011), who happened to be a cross country road trip at the time, spent a night in Vegas during convention. Alumni Marc Prine (2008), Jon Alexander (2007), and Rabbi Shalom Denbo (honorary) were also there proudly representing Temple. In a repeat performance of last year the chapter would several awards as well as a number of individual awards. The chapter received Century Club recognition for our philanthropy contributions as well as the Philip and Susan Cohen Jewish Communal Activity Award. Not only is this a huge honor, but it also won the chapter $50 and a $50 to Temple Hillel. Pesach won the prestigious Nehemiah Gitelson Medallion for Jewish communal activity, and Jon won the Philip H. Cohen Undergraduate Achievement Key. All in all, Alpha Pi received a lot of recognition for our hard work over the course of last year. It was a great time in Las Vegas, and convention next year is slated for New Orleans.

Picture: Pesach Kessler's award certificate and medallion.

2 Alumni Softball Events

Today and on July 11, the newly formed Alumni Association sponsored two undergraduate vs. alumni softball games. In total, over 35 brothers participated in the two games, which were played at the Belmont Plateau fields at Fairmount Park. Brad Hoffman (2007) was the main organizing force behind the events, but special thanks yous to Dan Grossmann (1983) and Jeff Silverman (1986) for bringing drinks for each game. It was a great time and proof that Jews can indeed play sports.

Pictures: Above: The winning team in today's game including Eric Weiss (1983), Yoel Israel (2008), Doug Young (2009), Pesach Kessler (2010), Marshall Segel (2011), Mike Shulman (2009), Jon DeSantis (2010), Alan Dashoff (2012), and Adam Goldstein (2011.) Below: Alumnus Jack Weinstein (1984) beats out a throw with undergrad Neil Hollander (2010) manning first base.

Brother Elected Student Body Vice President

Jon DeSantis (2010) was elected Student Body Vice President today, running on a slate with 2 other members. Their slate, TUAction, won with 57% of the vote with nearly 2,300 votes (the most votes in the history of the University.) They ran against one other ticket, and after nearly a month of arduous campaigning, came out victorious. The entire chapter was instrumental in the Temple Student Government campaign. Jon follows in a long line of student government involved brothers including former Treasurers Brad Hoffman (2007) and Ryan Feldman (2006.)

Picture: TUAction, with Jon on the far right.

12 Alpha Pi Brothers in LA for Community Service Spring Break

This past week was Temple's spring break. The international fraternity sponsored a community service trip to Los Angeles, CA. Out of the 25 brothers selected to participated for this FREE trip to LA were 12 Alpha Pi brothers. The group stayed at a Jewish camp in Malibu and went into the city daily to perform different types of service including painting community centers, preparing meals at soup kitchens, entertaining underprivileged children, etc. It was definitely an eye opening experience for the brothers who got to see a completely different side of life. The trip wasn't all work-everyone also got the chance to tour different parts of the city including Hollywood. The brothers were also there during the holiday of Purim and got to celebrate with not only others on the trip but also with brothers living in the Los Angeles area. Suffice to say, it made for one ridiculous bus ride. The group also had the chance to hang out with our AEPi chapters at UCLA and Northridge. Overall, it was an incredible trip and a great way to spend Spring Break.

Pictures: Above-Aaron Wolf (2012) puts a fresh coat of paint on a door at the Salvation Army in downtown Los Angeles. Below-The Alpha Pi brothers on the trip including Arkadiy Landa (2010), Brian Engle (2011), Joe Littman (2009), Alex Bord (2009), Mike Shulman (2009), Pesach Kessler (2010,) Mike Slutsky (2009), Dan Lyons (2012), Aaron Wolf (2012), Dan Snyder (2009), Eric Shelmire (2011), and Jon DeSantis (2010.)

Alpha Pi hits the Poconos

Last weekend (December 19-21), the chapter went on our annual excursion to the Pocono's. We rented a vacation house that was way too nice for us in a community that was way too quiet for us. The house had a pool table, game room, lots of hang out space, and most importantly, an outdoor hot tub. Suffice to say, everyone had an awesome time. Brother-at-Large Steve Brecher was responsible for planning the entire weekend and did an outstanding job. 30 brothers went up for the weekend, which made meals interesting. Over the course of the 3 days, we consumed about 12 pounds of meat and cheese and 3 loafs of bread in addition to a 25 pound turkey, 22 2-liter bottles of soda, dozens of pieces of fried chicken, and lots of miscellaneous snacks. The weather was interesting on the way up with snow and ice reducing the driving speed on the Northeast Extension to about 25 MPH. But everyone made it up fine, and the drive was well worth it.

Picture: (L-R) Mike Abrams, Jon DeSantis, Joe Raffanello, and Steve Brecher enjoy the outdoor hot tub in 15 degree and snowy weather.

Flyers at Date Party

Last night, Alpha Pi held its end of the semester Date Party at Plough & the Stars in Old City. It was a great evening, but at about midnight we got a special surprise. The General Managerof the bar told us several members of the Philadelphia Flyers were in the bar celebrating their overtime victory over the Carolina Hurricanes (about an hour beforehand.) He asked if we would mind if they joined our event, and of course we said no. Jeff Carter (the NHL's second leading goal scorer), Mike Richards (the captain of the Flyers), and others were there, and they all were very courteous in taking dozens of pictures and talking to everyone. It really capped off an incredible night.

UPDATE (12/15/08) The event has picked up some online sports blog interest. Check out this article on SportsbyBrooks.

UPDATE: (12/18/08) The event was featured in an article in yesterday's Philadelphia Inquirer. You can read the article online. The original SportsbyBrooks article (see above) has been syndicated on at least a dozen other blogs and wire sources, and has on the original site alone, had over 36,000 unique views.

Picture: Above (L-R) Alex Schwartz, Jon DeSantis, the Flyer's Jeff Carter, Mike Shulman, a date, and Harrison Bobbins.

New officers elected

This afternoon the chapter elected three positions. Our new Rush Chairman is Brian Engle; our new Pledge Master is Ben Nadell, and our new Social Chairman is Jeff Gutkin. Congratsulations!

Picture: Below: the Spring 2009 Executive Board. Top row: (L-R) Pledge Master Ben Nadell, Rush Chairman Brian Engle, Brother-at-Large Steve Brecher, House Manager Alex Mandel, Sentinel Mike Slutsky, Exchequer Alex Shelow, Master Jon DeSantis, and Scribe Brandon Cohen. Bottom row: (L-r) Lieutenant Master Mike Shulman and Social Chairman Jeff Gutkin.

Alpha Pi Hits the Big Apple

Last Friday night into Saturday, several brothers and pledges went up to New York city for a night on the town then spent the evening at Brother Jeff Gutkin's house in central Jersey. While regrettably having to be in New Jersey for a bit, everyone had a great time.

Picture: Brothers in the city. Top row: (L-R) Steve Zhitnitsky, Jon DeSantis (on statue), and Addison Levitt. Bottom row: (L-R) Alex Shelow (in red hat), Jeff Gutkin, Brandon Cohen, Mike Abrams, Brian Engle, Mike Shulman, Harrison Bobbins, and Joe Raffanello.

Alpha Pi participates in AIDS Walk

Yesterday, 30 AEPi brothers and pledges were some of the over 4,000 walkers in the 8.4 mile Philadelphia Aids Walk. The purpose of the walk was to raise money and awareness of the disease. The walk began in Eakins Oval in front of the Art Museum, continued down Kelly Drive, crossed the Schuylkill River, and then returned to the Art Museum on the oppositeite shore. It was an extremely cold day, but everyone had a great, crossed the time walking for a great cause.

Picture: (L-R) Brother Matt Muchnick, pledge Dan Lyons, and brothers Jon DeSantis and Sean Rapp walking down KellyDrive..

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.)

AEPi Helping the Community

Last year, Alpha Pi participated in many philanthropies around the Philadelphia region benefiting the Jewish community. In November, 15 brothers participated in Mitzvah Mania sponsored by Philadelphia Hillel and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. We went to South Philly and cleaned up a park by removing trash and planting new gardens. In mid-February, 30 brothers participated in Super Sunday where we called Jews around the Philadelphia region asking for donations to benefit the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. Every month, between 20 and 30 brothers participate in the Jewish Relief Agency's food packaging and delivery events. We go to their facility in the Northeast and help package food supplies for needy Jews around the Philadelphia area. Then, we put the packages into volunteer's cars and our own cars. Afterwards, we personally deliver the food. Last year, we also participated in large scale Temple community service projects in which we went out and cleaned up our local North Philadelphia community. We participate in Temple Greek only philanthropies including raising hundreds of dollars for Alex's Lemonade Stand an organization which raises money for cancer research.

Pictures: Top left-Ross Klinger makes a phone call on Super Sunday. Top right-Mike Abrams picks up a package of food to put in a car at a Jewish Relief Agency event. Below (L-R) Arkadiy Landa, Jon Kriner, Jon DeSantis, a lucky female, Drew Wenning, Gabe Toran, and Oleg Grapp have rakes ready to plant at Mitzvah Mania in South Philadelphia.

9 Alpha Pi brothers attend AEPi Convention

9 Alpha Pi brothers were in Chicago last week at AEPi's 95th annual Convention. Highlights included attending a White Sox-Red Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field and went to a comedy show at Second City. The chapter won three awards including the Standford and Sheila Odesky Outsanding Rush Results Awards for initiating 25 men last year and an award for raising over $1,000 for our official philanthropies. The brothers toured the city including visiting Navy Pier and downtown Chicago. Master Jon DeSantis won the Robert Silverman Outstanding Scribe Award for his service last year. The hotel's sauna broke down on their third day there, which substanially increased their attendance at sessions. The attending brothers were Jon DeSantis, Jeff Gutkin, Alex Mandel, Past Master Joe Littman, Ross Klinger, Ari Charlestein and alumni Past Master Jonathan Alexander (Class of 2007), Past Master Marc Prine (Class of 2008), and Rabbi Shalom Denbo of the International Board of Rabbis.

Pictures: Above (L-R) Joe Littman, Alex Mandel, Jeff Gutkin, Marc Prine, and Jon Alexander at U.S. Cellular Field for the White Sox-Red Sox game. Below (L-R) Jon DeSantis, Joe Littman, Marc Prine, and Jon Alexander before the gala banquet.