With a revived fraternity and an expanded Hillel, Jewish opportunities increase at EMU. JULIE WIENER STAFF WRITER ne year ago, Jeff Bortnick's frater- nity chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi had only four members and was on the verge of collapse. This year, it boasts 14 members, its own house and "big plans," says Bortnick, who is from West Bloomfield. As chapter president, Bortnick is confi- dent that he will be able to recruit at least 15 new guys this rush season. "There's sup- posed to be an overflow of kids from West Bloomfield and Farmington coming in this year," he said. Pledging at Alpha Epsilon Pi is fairly low-key, with activities centering around educating pledges about the fraternity's history and values, explained Bortnick. The only Jewish fraternity at Eastern Michigan University, Alpha Epsilon Pi has been an EMU campus presence — on and off— since the 1950s, says Stephen Bern- stein, a Farmington Hills attorney who serves on the fraternity's national board. Bernstein and other board members helped Bortnick revive his chapter last year, providing leadership training and other resources. One of three Jewish fraternities na- offerings got a boost with increased fund- ing and a full-time staff professional, Taron Tachman, for the campus Hillel. Tachman has a full schedule of leader- ship training activities — including a ropes course at Tamarack — planned for the coming semester and is hoping to bring the Jewish community together on campus through new programming and increased outreach. "I'm delighted to see that Alpha Epsilon Pi is coming back," said Tachman. "We look forward to having a continued relation- ship." There are no Jewish sororities current- ly on the EMU campus. ❑ For more information about Alpha Ep- silon Pi, call (313) 485-1456. For more information about EMU's Hillel, call (313) 487-1855. PHOTOS BY K RISTA H US Yiddishkeit In Ypsilanti tionwide, Alpha Epsilon Pi was founded in 1913. Its mission is "to train young men to become Jewish community leaders," said Bernstein, who said that each year its members raise funds for a different Jew- ish charity. According to Bernstein, Alpha Epsilon Pi's University of Michigan chapter boasts over 100 members "but it's more impor- tant that we be at EMU. At EMU there are few other Jewish opportunities on cam- pus." Among Bortnick's "big plans" for EMU's Jewish fraternity are a casino night, blood drive, fund-raising for Mazon - A Jewish Response to Hunger, and events co-sponsored with the campus Hillel. The EMU campus has about 1,000 Jews, and Jewish life has always paled in comparison to neighboring U-M, where al- most 18 percent of the students are Jew- ish. But last spring, EMU's Jewish Jeff Bortnick and Drew Sopha play hockey in the basement. Brett Soble, Jeff Bortnick and Drew Sopha in front of Alpha Epsilon Pi's new house at EMU. We Never Leave A Stone Unturned... ALL STYLES - LARGE SELECTION • Forged Steel • Acrylic • Solid Brass • Chrome • Traditionals • Contemporary • Accents • Large Group of Tiffany Styles QUALITY READING LAMPS All Sales Tagged 30,50% OFF BOTTOM LINE COUPON EXTRA 10% DISCOUNT Adjustable 3-way solid brass with beige. black or green marble. Pleated shade. Makes happy reading! Four-strand cultured pearl bracelet (4.5mtn pearls) with multi-colored gemstone separators in 14K gold. Citrine, amethyst, blue topaz, peridot and rhodolite stones. LAMPS GOOD THRU 10-30-97 SALE S 16895 A SHADY BUSINESS, INC. NW Corner of 14 Mile at Haggerty M,W,F & SAT 10-6 TU & THUR 11-8 SUN 12-5 Exclusive Dealer of PETROF Pia- noprorkr 30400 Telegraph Rd. Suite 134, Bingham Farms • 642 5575 - . Consultation • Sales • Service • Concert Rentals 23225 Woodward Avenue • Ferndale • (810) 541-6334