In The Beginning
In the history of the United States, 1913 was an eventful year. Only a year before, Arizona had been admitted to the Union as the forty-eigth state, completing the continental bounds of the country. Woodrow Wilson was inaugurated President; the Federal Reserve System was established to strengthen the banking system; and the 16th amendment to the Constitution was adopted, providing for the progressive tax on income. The Panama Canal, one of the greatest engineering feats of modern times, was nearing completion and would be in operation in 1914. In that same year, at the School of Commerce of New York University, Alpha Epsilon Pi officially made its appearance in the fraternity world.
There have been rumors that preliminary organization may have taken place as early as 1911. This seems unlikely. However, it is fairly certain that the work of establishing a new fraternity at New York University began in the 1912-1913 academic year. Founder Charles C. Moskowitz, speaking at a banquet in his honor on November 13, 1952, indicated that the winter of 1913 was the time when organizational activity got into high gear. It appears certain, therefore, that by late 1912 or early 1913 the founding of the new fraternity was well under way.
Its founders were all young men of serious purpose, employed during the day, coming from middle-class homes, who sought to get ahead by obtaining the formal training offered at New York University in the evening sessions. The catalyst for the founding of Alpha Epsilon Pi was the transfer of Charles C. Moskowitz from the College of the City of New York to New York University's School of Commerce.
While enrolling at C.C.N.Y., Charles Moskowitz, a fine basketball player, was heavily sought after for his athletic skills. When he enrolled at New York University, his reputation had preceded him, and he was immediately rushed and given a bid by one of the fraternities. Which fraternity is not known, and nothing exists to indicate its name. It is known that in 1913 the following fraternities were in existence at the School of Commerce: Alpha Kappa Psi , founded in 1905, and today one of the leading professional commerce fraternities, with a chapter roll of 144 (1977); Delta Sigma Pi , founded in 1907, and today Alpha Kappa Psi's chief rival, with a chapter roll of 132 (1977); Lambda Sigma Phi , a local, founding date unknown; Phi Sigma Pi , a local founded in 1911; Phi Delta , a local, founded in 1912; Phi Sigma Delta , which had placed its Delta chapter at N.Y.U.'s School of Commerce in 1913, and which was later to relocate at the Heights campus; Phi Delta Sigma , founded in 1913.
One of these seven fraternities rushed the young basketball star intensely. However, when Charles Moskowitz asked whether bids could also be extended to his friends, he was immediately told that the bid was for him alone. Brother Moskowitz had a circle of close Jewish friends which met after work for dinner before going to class. Evidently, Founder Moskowitz discussed this with his friends, and they decided that fraternities were good for the students, and since there was no patent on the idea, they would start one of their own.
The group had its meals at German rathskellar on Second Avenue, within walking distance of the university. The specialty was frankfurters and sauerkraut, and the price was fifteen cents. The basement, was open to the public only in the evenings was business was especially brisk. The young men talked with the owner who agreed that if six or eight men would eat their regularly every school night, he would give them a private area in the rathskeller. And that is how Alpha Epsilon Pi began.
One of the topics of conversation was "fraternity": its pros and cons. Could this impecunious group of young students, busy with their daytime jobs and nighttime studies, successfully launch a new fraternity when there were already seven well-established groups at the School of Commerce, three of them nationals? They decided to try. Brother Moskowitz is quoted as saying, "Our aim was mutual assistance in our intellectual and social life--to strengthen the democratic character of student life."
When the founding group finally jelled, there were eleven founding members: I.M. Glazer, Herman L. Kraus, Arthur M. Lipkint, Benjamin M. Meyer, Hyman Schulman, Emil J. Lustgarten, Arthur E. Leopold, Charles J. Pintel, Maurice Plager, David K. Schafer and Charles C. Moskowitz. Charles Moskowitz was chosen as the first master.
By common consent, the name Alpha Epsilon Pi had been chosen as best representing the ideals the founders wanted to express. Coincidentally, just four years earlier, a Jewish sorority had formed at Barnard College, a college for women related to Columbia University, and had chosen for itself the name Alpha Epsilon Phi. An even more remarkable coincidence, for coincidence it seems to have been, is that the badges of the two organizations were very similar. In both the three Greek letters are horizontally attached, and the only major difference is that there is a bar through the letters of the women's group. Research has failed to discover any link between the two groups, and it now appears that the young men at New York University who founded Alpha Epsilon Pi were completely unaware of the existence of Alpha Epsilon Phi.
After months of meetings and perfecting the organization, the young group decided it was time to obtain recognition from the university as an official School of Commerce fraternity. To gain recognition, it was decided to address a letter to Dean Joseph French Johnson of the School of Commerce, outlining the aims and ideals of the fledgling fraternity and asking for his consideration and approval. David K. Schafer was the only member who could type, so he, as secretary, was chosen to draft the request and type it, to give it a businesslike appearance. The letter was submitted, probably about early October, after which the waiting period began. As is the case today, the wheels of the decision-makers turned slowly. At last, however, the long-awaited reply came on November 7, 1913. It was in the affirmative. Alpha Epsilon Pi was a recognized fraternity at New York University.
The Immortal Eleven
It is interesting to learn something about these earnest young men. Through the courtesy of Past Supreme Master and Founder David K. Schafer, the fraternity archives have been enriched with copies of the 1915 and 1916 Violet, the yearbook of the School of Commerce. It has already been stated that Founder Charles C. Moskowitz was an outstanding basketball player, and he played on the Commerce team for three years and managed it for one of those years. Charles J. Pintel was a publication man. He was circulation manager of both the Commerce Record and the Washington Square Dealer , the downtown campus newspaper. The staff of the Commerce Record , a weekly paper devoted to the activities of that school and its students, listed Brothers Lustgarten, Shulman, and Kraus as staff members. Founder Herman L. Kraus was a debater and helped the N.Y.U. Commerce team achieve victory in a debate over the Wharton School team of the University of Pennsylvania. He served as secretary of the Commerce debating society, of which founders Lustgarten and Shulman were also members.
In voting for class personalities in the 1914 class, Brother Moskowitz ranked third for best athlete; Brother Shulman second for best natured. Founder Kraus was also a member of the staff of the Violet, a member of the Triad League, an advertising society, and editor for the Menorah Society, while Founder Shulman was the class historian.
Expansion
The young fraternity lost no time attracting new recruits. The first pledges were Aaron Rubin, Samuel Epstein, Morton Davis, Nathan Katz and Sidney Picker. Tradition has it that Aaron Rubin was the first pledge, although there is some reason to believe it may have been Samuel Epstein.
Of the five pledges, Samuel Epstein was a member of the debating society and of Delta Mu Delta, the honorary scholastic fraternity; Morton I. Davis was already working as an accountant, and was to become a very successful C.P.A. heading up a very prominent firm; Aaron Rubin was to become a very successful investor and real estate tycoon, and one of the great names in Alpha Epsilon Pi; and Sidney Picker was also destined to make his mark in the fraternity, as he did at Commerce, where he was on the Executive Committee of the Class of 1915 and vice-president of the Debating Society. Very little is known about Nathan Katz. Later that year Henry Rosenblum appears to have been added. He became a successful C.P.A. and attorney.
In 1914 the following men graduated, leaving the fraternity with a nucleus of eight men to carry on: Morton Davis, Samuel Epstein, Nathan Katz, Benjamin Meyer, Charles Moskowitz, Charles Pintel, Maurice Plager and Hyman Shulman. Weaker men might have faltered at this mass exodus which included many of the leaders and founders of the fraternity. This was not the case with the men of Alpha Epsilon Pi.
Although the treasury was quite small, Founder Schafer recalled later that dues were fifty cents a month, the men pressed ahead with what had been their goal from the outset, the founding of a new national fraternity. Plans toward this end had actually started when the fraternity was first organized, and the Violet carries the designation "Alpha chapter" with the listing of members in the very first edition (1915) where Alpha Epsilon Pi is included. A young law student, unfortunately nameless, agreed to draft articles of incorporation for Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, Inc., under the Act of the Legislature of the State of New York, Chapter 40, Laws 1909, entitled "An Act Relating to Membership Corporations." Evidently the founders were most impressed with the organization and growth of Alpha Kappa Psi and Delta Sigma Pi, which limited their membership to students in the Schools of Commerce of the universities where their chapters were placed, and decided to emulate them.
Contact was soon made with a group of men at Cornell University who had organized a local fraternity there called Phi Tau. They and the brothers at NYU had a meeting of the minds and formed the Beta Chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi -- truly Alpha Epsilon Pi could now be called a national fraternity.
A new national fraternity, probably the only major social fraternity in existence today for undergraduate men which was founded in an evening school, had come into being, less than one year after its official recognition by Dean Johnson of New York University.
The Survival of AEPI
It must be taken into consideration that Alpha Epsilon Pi was a World War I phenomenon. Counting the Beta Chapter only 52 men had been initiated by April 6, 1917, the date the United States formally declared war on Germany and her allies. Almost every undergraduate and alumnus answered the call of the colors causing the fraternity to become nearly inactive during the war years. The fraternity would have easily disappeared, like so many other locals, if not for the efforts of brothers Theodore Racoosin and F. Nathan Wolf who shouldered the burden of keeping the fraternity alive and planning for the future. In the years between the world wars, Alpha Epsilon Pi had grown to 28 chapters. But tough times were known to be forthcoming at the 1941 convention, and many knew that undergraduate and alumnus would again be called to duty. Expansion remained dormant throughout World War II.
With the end of the war and the shift of the Executive Office to St. Louis, Alpha Epsilon Pi had gained new life and momentum in its reopening of inactive chapters, expansion to new campuses and the merging with other locals that had been hit hard by the war.
The next two decades were a time of steady growth and prestige for Alpha Epsilon Pi, as well as other fraternities. Expansion was occurring at an incredible rate for the Greek system as a whole. However, with the onset of fighting in Vietnam in the early 1960's, fraternity life faltered. Liberal student bodies revolted against authority and the Greek system, which was seen as a conservative, elitist group.
Ironically, the roots of fraternity itself lie in revolution against authoritarianism. Membership plummeted and nearly half the chapter roll was lost. It almost looked as if it might have been the end for Alpha Epsilon Pi. However, due to Alpha Epsilon Pi's perseverance, the fraternity was able to reverse the trend and stabilize following the Vietnam War. Reidentifiying with its Jewish heritage, the men of Alpha Epsilon Pi refused to say die. Possessed with faith and courage to believe this too would pass, they were determined that the national strength could be regained and that the fraternity would once again be able to pursue its mission of shaping young Jewish men into community leaders.
It has been 85 years since Alpha Epsilon Pi began to build its special form of brotherhood. The fraternity has survived four wars, the great depression, several recessions, changes in the standards of morality, and a revolution in personal behavior and conduct. It has seen more changes occur in this time than had occurred in the entire history of the world prior to its founding. It has seen the birth of television, the jet plane, space travel, and the computer. Through it all the fraternity had remained true to the ideals of the founders - honesty, courage, brotherhood, love of country, and faith in Jewish ethics and values. If these ideals continue to have meaning in the years to come, then Alpha Epsilon Pi will be able to carry its message to college generations yet unborn. It will have been true to the ideals expressed in the motto emblazoned on its coat of arms, ESPONDA.
Recently, Alpha Epsilon Pi celebrated its 84th Anniversary, with 103 chapters on its chapter roll. its membership had grown to over 64,000 members. The greatness Alpha Epsilon Pi achieved springs from the vision of that group of 11 young Jewish men going to night school in pursuit of a better life. Many times a chapter will blame its lack of success in part because of low membership. But if there is one thing that every brother should learn from our history is that Alpha Epsilon Pi started with eleven men, ended the first year with eight due to graduation, and flourished into the fraternity it is today. It's not the numbers that make us great, it's the spirit and motivation to create something unique and the ability to implement a positive program based on Jewish ethics and values.
The History of Tau Chapter from 1928 to 1979
Vanderbilt University, a prestigious Southern institution, became the site of AEP’s Tau Chapter on June 17, 1929. In the summer of 1928, a small group of Vanderbilt men formed the Epsilon Pi Fraternity. Little progress was made in the first semester, but in the second term regular meetings were held. First President was Bernadt S. Oolie, during whose term of office Alpha Epsilon Pi sent several representatives to visit with the group. A petition was forwarded and granted by the Supreme Board in May of 1929. Tau’s affiliation came as a result of the work of the Southern Regional Committee, and was especially due to the efforts of Sanford Saperstein and Harry Cohen of Epsilon, and Mac Berlowe, Dave Haskins, and Harry Levy of Omicron.
The installation took place at the Andrew Jackson Hotel, and charter members were Bernard Borah, Abe Corenswet, Abe Davis, Maurice Davis, Jacob Gelberman, Philip M. Markle, Bernadt Oolie, I. R. Schulman, and Frank S. Wise. Brothers Oolie and Markle graduated immediately after chartering and became Tau’s first two alumni. From New York came Supreme Lt. Master David Schlesinger and Supreme Membership Secretary Barnett Muffs to head the ritual team. Southern Regional Chairman Dr. Harry L. Cohen, and regional members Louis Gillman and Sanford Saperstein came from Atlanta. Following the ritual, Brother Cohen acted as toastmaster, and the chapter was welcomed into the fraternity by Harry L. Cohen, Louis Gillman, Barnett Muffs and Sanford Saperstein. New officers elected were Master Maurice Davis, LM Frank Wise, Exchequer I. R. Schulman, Scribe Bernard Borah, Sentinel Abe Davis, Historian Abe Corenswet. Tau’s first Master, Bernadt Oolie, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, while Frank Wise was tapped by the honorary engineering society. Bernard Borah transferred to Columbia University, and Harry Hurwitz transferred to Tau from Epsilon.
The initiated in 1930 included Leon Ferber, Mortimer Ehrman and Reuben Komisar. Komisar played varsity football, while Ehrman and Hurwitz toured with the Vandee Glee Club. The chapter, installed just before the Great Depression, faltered as college enrollment dropped and available material dropped with it. But by 1931, the chapter was maintaining a semblance of activity, although membership was very low. In the fall of 1931, the chapter succeeded in pledging four men, of whom three, Isadore Klott, Oscar Tannenbaum and Irving Schulman, were later initiated. In the fall of 1932, the chapter published its first newsletter, Tau Tales. Leon Ferber served as Master. The chapter opened its first chapter house, at 2222 State Street in Nashville. Seven men were pledged. Harold Lapidus was in the Vanderbilt band, and Leon Ferber and Mortimer Ehrman were in Delta Phi Alpha honorary German Society. Sidney A. Kottler and Harold Lapidus were initiated.
In 1933, Sidney Kottler became Master, and Isadore Klott served as Scribe. The chapter’s fortunes were again at a very low ebb, but with its never-say-die spirit, Tau made plans for the 1934 rush season. The chapter was successful in pledging five men, four of whom were later initiated. They were Sigmund Eskind, Laurence Grossman, Julius Kottler and Leon Lapidus. One of these, Laurence Grossman, a leader in the field of medicine, and former president of the Nashville Academy of Medicine, has been a mainstay of the chapter, both in activity and in financial assistance. In addition, Abe Corenswet, who has been active with the chapter since his participation in its founding, is practically synonymous with Tau. These two men, Brothers Corenswet and Grossman, are responsible for Tau’s survival, and stuck with the chapter through thick and thin, during many times when Tau’s future was questionable.
Also during 1934-35 Leon Lapidus and Sigmund Eskind were in the Commodore Band, Laurence Grossman played freshman football, and Sidney Kottler was elected to office in the Skull and Bones Pre-medical Society. V. Emanuel Lapidus was Quarterly Reporter in 1934. In the winter of 1934-35, Laurence Grossman played freshman basketball. On February 12, 1935, the chapter held a Founder’s Day Dance at the Woodmont Country Club. The chapter ranked in the top three of fraternities scholastically.
In the 1935-36 year, the chapter added four new brothers, Alvin Lurie, Morris Robinson, Irving Schwartz and Ben Schulman. Laurence Grossman was admitted to Skull and Bones. The Pep Squad, a community basketball team, included Sol Schulman, Laurence Grossman, Abe Corenswet and Morris Robinson on its squad. Alvin Lurie was tapped by Skull and Bones in the second term. The 1936-37 year was even more successful. The initiates were Meyer Bergman, Harold Bauman, Julian Kottler, Charles Lapidus, Robert Wellward, Harold Levy and Marvin Schacher. Harold Levy played freshman basketball and Oscar Tannenbaum was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha medical honoary. The chapter’s address was 113 Louise Avenue. Laurence Grossman was elected Master, Ben Schulman, Scribe.
The following year, 1937-38, saw the chapter move to 2010 Terrace Place. Seven men were pledged, and Sam Coolik transferred from Epsilon. Laurence Grossman was elected to Phi Beta Kappa as a junior, while Brothers Schulman and Kottler made the honorary engineering society. Harold Levy was on the varsity baseball squad. Initiated in the spring of the year were Milton Grossman, Edward Goldstein, Milton Komisar, and Harold Sutker. Sig Eskind was leader of the popular Vanderbilt Commodores band. The chapter had twenty-three actives and pledges, an all-time high at this point.
Sam Komisar played first-string tackle in 1938-39; in prep school he had been chosen for the prep school All-America. Stanley Garber was a member of the 1938-39 Hustler staff, the Vanderbilt newspaper. Meyer Bergman was Master, Milton Grossman was Scribe. On January 29, 1939 the chapter initiated Alfred Lasher, S. J. Freeman, Herbert Chessin, Howard Sturm, Herman Shapiro, David Wetherhorn and Robert Bernstein. David Wetherhorn was in the band and Milton Grossman was in Skull and Bones. Howard Sturm was a member of Ace Club, freshman honorary, while Milton Gross and Edward Goldstein were in Owl Club, sophomore organization. The chapter ranked fourth of fifteen campus fraternities academically.
In the fall of 1939 the chapter moved into a larger house at 118 21st Avenue South, directly across from the campus. Sam Coolik was elected Master, with Milton Grossman serving as Lieutenant Master, Howard Sturm as Exchequer and Alfred Lasher, Jr. as Scribe. Skull and Bones enrolled Robert Bernstein, Herbert Chessin, and S. J. Freeman. Brothers Wetherhorn and Ernest Davis were in the band. The initiates for the 1939-40 year were Gerald Averbuch, Eugene Bernstein, Stanley Freeman, Robert Krivcher, Henry Laks, Howard Lovett, Bernard Sanderson, Irving Weiss and Irving Wolf. Abe Corenswet won the national alumnus activity award in 1939. Gerald Averbuch was elected president of the Freshman Class, Howard Sturm and Robert Bernstein (who later became Major General Robert Bernstein, AEP’s highest ranking army officer) were elected to Owl Club, and Henry Laks received his freshman basketball numerals.
The chapter continued to grow in 1940-41, when eleven freshman were pledged. Tau hosted the 1940 national convention. Dave Wetherhorn was an honor student in engineering. Robert Bernstein was Master, Gene Bernstein was Lieutenant Master, Henry Laks was Scribe, Howard Sturm was Exchequer and S. Jay Freeman was Sentinel. In 1941-42, Herman Delancy, John Odess, Robert Ledner, Gerald Orken, and Alvin Goldfarb were elected to Skull and Bones. Master Eugene Bernstein enlisted in the Naval Air Corps along with Howard Sturm and Sol Komisar. Jack Odess and Gerry Orken were both elected to Owl Club, Bob Ledner was on the fencing team, and Al Goldfarb was its Manager.
Academic year 1942-43 began with Irving Weiss as Master and Alvin Goldfarb as Scribe, but within a few months Herman Delancy was Master, and Robert Ledner Scribe. In the spring of 1943, Tau initiated Benjamin Wills, Herbert Glass, Carl Pite and Edward Klein. Officers for the spring term were Master Alvin Goldfarb, LM Gerald Orken, Exchequer Robert Fish, Scribe Gerald Plitman and Sentinel Ira Goldberg. Henry Laks played varsity basketball and received honorable mention on the All-Southern Team, Ira Goldberg and Gerald Plitman were elected to the Owl Club, and Jack Odess, Gerald Orken, and Morris Bernstein were all admitted to the School of Medicine. The chapter won the scholarship cup. In 1943-44, Gerald Averbuch was Master and Gerald Plitman was Scribe. It was the last year of chapter activity. Heavy service calls had depleted the chapter’s manpower, and the chapter became dormant for the duration. Maurice Davis acted as Advisor in these last days of activity; Abe Corenswet had gone off to war.
The chapter was re-activated in the spring of 1946. Initiated were William B. Wender, Gerald Sandler, Alvin Brandt, William Felt and Stanley I. Cohen. Gerald Plitman took over as Master, Gerald Sandler as Scribe. In the fall of 1946-47, brothers begun to return from service. The chapter was re-opened, and a house was purchase at 24th Street and Vanderbilt Place, with the aid of the national fraternity, and the alumni, led by Abe Corenswet and Harold Lapidus. Thirteen men were pledged. Richard and Henry Manne, Horace Moskovitz, Ted Seloff, Richard Cory, Albert Krupnick and Melvin Friedman were initiated. Officers were Master Howard Sturm, LM Alvin Brandt, Exchequer Herbert Glass, Scribe Horace Moskovitz and Sentinel Irvin Wolf. Brandt was Editor of The Masquerader, humorous Vandy magazine, Sports Editor of the Hustler, and Publicity Manager for the football team. Melvin Friedman was a feature writer for The Masquerader.
In the second term of 1946-47, Alvin Brandt became Master, Dick Cory served as Lieutenant Master, Horace Moskovitz was Scribe, and Ted Seloff Exchequer. Joe Cohen was elected House Manager. The chapter opened its first meal plan, with Dick Cory and Mel Friedman in charge. Gerald Fleischer was selected as Outstanding Pledge and four men were pledged. The initiates were Louis Bryan, Joe Cohen, Joseph K. Cohen, Gerald Fleischer, Joseph Grossman, Stanley Katz, Milton Klein, Arthur Lettes, Sidney Polly, Lloyd Ruskin, Robert Shapiro, Richard Tenzel, Theodore Lipman, Adolph Abroms and Marvin Jacobs.
In 1947-48, Al Krupnick made the fencing team, and Harold Seligman, Jerry Levin, and Mel Friedman were on the staff of the Gadfly. Jenard Gross was elected vice-president of his class and Don Seitzman was being groomed for the position of drum major of the Vandy band. Gerald Plitman, member of Phi Beta Kappa, was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha medical honorary and Richard Manne won membership in Tau Beta Pi. Larry Landskroner was pledged and initiated. In 1948-49, Abe Corenswet took over again as Chapter advisor. Melvin Friedman and Harold Seligman were elected to the Calumet Club, Vanderbilt’s twelve man honoary literary society. Ted Lipman became secretary of the Intramural Board. Carl Davis and Gene Walter ran for class officers, and Stan Katz and Leon Malin starred for the chapter football team. The initiates were Carl Davis, Stan Kaplan, Eugene Walter, Mel Sandler, Harvey Kerstein, Stan Friedman, Dan Hartston, Saul Haskell, Maurice Nurenberg, Dave Seitzman and Marvin Schwarz. The chapter celebrated its twentieth anniversary with a banquet and dance at the Hermitage Hotel.
Harold Klein was elected to the Ace Club in academic year 1949-50. The initiates were James J. Cohen, Richard M. Levy, Leonard Seloff, Arnold Wolff, Lawrence Blumen, and Harold Klein. The chapter was ranked first on campus scholastically. The 1950-51 year was a good one. James Cohen, Arnold Wolff, Dick Levy, and Leonard Seloff were all elected to Skull and Bones. Donald Seitzman was Vandy’s Drum Major. Carl Davis, Richard Tenzel, and Marvin Schwartz were all accepted to medical schools. Jerome Lonschein was initiated, and eleven more men pledged. Later in the year Stanley Kaplan and Saul Haskell received med school admittances. Warren Simmonds was Treasurer of the Ace Club. Attending the Southern Regional Conclave in Atlanta were Jerome Shainberg, Stan Kaplan, Gene Walter, Mel Sandler and Murray Alperin. Initiates were Marvin Feinstein, Wallce Lehman, Robert Youngerman, Gerald Wolf and Maurice Fox.
As officers for 1951-52, the chapter elected Gene Walter as Master, Harvey Kerstein as Lieutenant Master, Harold Klein as Scribe and Leonard Seloff as Exchequer. Bruce Backer and Warren Simmonds were initiated, and ten men were pledged. The house was improved through the efforts of Abe Corenswet and Dr. Larry Grossman. Active in the Vandy Theater was Paul Michael, Arnie Schickler, George Gottheimer and Harry Gurwitch. Wally Lehman made Skull and Bones, while Dave Seitzman, Henry Manne, and Jenard Gross were all elected to Phi Beta Kappa. The Vanderbilt Debate Championship was won by Paul Michael and Arnie Schickler. Paul Barnett was elected to the Ace Club. For the spring term the chapter chose Master Leonard Seloff, LM Harold Klein, Scribe Marvin Feinstein, Exchequer Warren Simmonds and Sentinel Robert Youngerman.
Tau’s fortunes declined somewhat in ensuing years, but in 1954, the chapter celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary with a gala banquet at the Andrew Jackson Hotel in Nashville. Toastmaster was Maurice Davis (’29), and the affair was attended by many alumni, Supreme Master S. Harrison Kahn, and Executive Secretary George S. Toll and his wife. Three Tau charter members were present, Abe Davis, Maurice Davis and Abe Corenswet. It climaxed a year in which Abe Corenswet had for the second time been named AEP’s Outstanding Advisor. The chapter numbered twenty-four men in all. The campus leaders were Steve Weitzman, Matt Newman, Paul Barnett and Pete Ravitz. Joel Berlin was named to the all-intramural basketball squad. Skull and Bones listed as members Matt Newman, Bill Bernstein, Pete Ravitz, Steve Weitzman, Paul Barnett, Joel Berlin and Joel Greenberg.
In 1954-55, Tau was on the rise again. Dan Shear was elected to Student Senate, Joel Berlin was on Honor Council, and Leon Ruben was vice-president of IFC. Phil Levine was president of Vandy Theater, Bill Sinrich headed the Jewish Discussion Group, Pete Ravitz was station manager of WEVU, and Matt Newman, Billy Sinrich, Steve Weitzman, Gary Herman and Stan Herzog all had regular programs. The freshman class debate was won by Brothers Ed Stein and Billy Sinrich. Joel Berlin made IM basketball and football. Ronnie Abrams, Allen Bogarad, Harry Gurwitch, and Dave Tannenbaum all had major roles in Vanderbilt Theatre Productions.
The chapter failed to file reports in the succeeding years until 1959, when the chapter sponsored a Pie Throw for the United Fund. Participating were Alan Saturn, Dave Greenberg, Doug Whitehead and Bob Seiler. The Homecoming Float, built under the leadership of Bill Dobelle, won honorable mention. Varsity baseball aspirants were Avrum Blumrosen, Doug Whitehead and Bob Seiler. Mel Berss was Station Manager of WVU, Ronny Spevack played varsity tennis, and Harris Weinstein was on the Hustler staff. Dale Schwartz was initiated in 1960. Tau was next from in 1961. Larry Crist was Master, with Bill Dobelle as Lieutenant Master, Charles Konigsberg as Scribe, Irv Schreiner as Exchequer, Harris Weinstein as Sentinel, Steve Braverman as Social Chairman and Alvin Fox as Steward. Kenny Lowenthal headed Tau’s athletic program, assisted by Kenny Blumberg and Irv Zeitlin. Arnold Ritt was initiated. The big new program for fraternities, limiting residence to six upperclassmen.
The new home of Tau Chapter was dedicated on March 11, 1962. Attending were Chancellor Harvie Branscomb, Vice-Chancellor Madison Sarratt, Dean Sidney Boutwell, and Dr. Lou Silberman of the faculty. AEP was represented by Executive Secretary George S. Toll, Regional Governor Paul Aronin (Zeta ’50) and Sanford Saperstein, first advisor. The house was the result of the efforts of alumni leaders Abe Corenswet, Dr. Larry Grossman, Gerald Fleischer, Leon Ruben, and Alden Kirschner. Officers at this time were Master Steve Braverman, LM Steve Gale, Scribe Arnold Ritt and Exchequer Byron Kolitz. Among the alumni at the dedication was Dr. Fred Lasker (’59); Ken Blumberg (’64) acted as MC for the occasion. Both Dr. Grossman and Advisor Corenswet were presented with plaques from the national fraternity in recognition of their outstanding service to Tau. The chapter numbered only fourteen men at this time.
During the 1962-63 school year Tau pledged seven men, including George S. Toll, Jr., son of the Executive Secretary. Byron Kolitz was vice-president of Hillel. For the spring of 1963 the chapter elected Master Steve Braverman, LM David Axelrod, Exchequer Byron Kolitz and Scirbe Arnold Ritt. Brother Toll was present when his son was initiated by Tau Chapter.
The pledge class of 1965 had twelve members. They were for the most part work horses rather than show horses and made a good contribution to the growth of the fraternity over the next four years. Besides the massive increase in the size of the brotherhood under their watch, they were responsible for physical improvements in the house including the installation of a drop ceiling in the basement, painting and refurbishing the basement to make it a meeting room, and air conditioning the bedroom areas of the house. When the pledge class of 1965 was initiated - the membership was 35 including one or two non-member social affiliates. By time that class graduated, there were approximately 63 faces on the composite. The members of the pledge class were Richard Rosen, Jeff Bootzin, Mike Gordon, David Hildebrand, Lewis Strauss, Jerry Walling, Bill Diamond, Martin Kessler, Alan Kirstein, Henry Hecht, Richard Golden and Robin Routman.
The chapter began to rebuild slowly, and by 1967 was able to report that it had the largest pledge class in its history, led by Ricahrd Rottman. The Impact Symposium staff included Art Rosenblatt, Rich Rosen, Martin Kessler, Paul Kurtz, and Lewis Strauss. Paul Kurtz was sports editor of the Hustler, with Henry Hecht as assistant sports editor. Jeff Bootzin was on the humor magazine staff, Marc Sheinbein was a past president of Hillel, and Norman Sandfield was active in Hillel and Vanderbilt Theater. Ed Fine was fencing co-captain. Officers were Master Robert Walker, LM Paul Kurtz, Scribe Robin Routman, Exchequer Martin Kessler and Sentinel Henry Hecht. By the summer of 1968, the chapter’s membership had reached almost fifty. Master Paul Kurtz was executive sports editor of the Hustler, and a member of the Ravel senior honorary society. Henry Hecht was sports editor of the Hustler, and President for 1968-69 of the IM Board. David Ornstein was a section editor of the yearbook. Brothers Ed Brin, Richard Golden, and Richard Zander had perfect scholastic averages.
The Fall of 1968, with Martin Kessler as Rush Chairman and Richard Rosen as Master, resulted in a new record pledge class for Tau - 27 freshmen, which is the largest class in chapter history. Kessler built on Richard Rottman’s innovative methods of rushing that were very successful and applied those methods in a more methodical manner—creating a truly awesome rush campaign.
The Civil Rights-era Tau Chapter saw itself as a leader on Vanderbilt’s campus in promoting equality for all. In 1965, Jerry Walling was the first gentile to pledge a Jewish fraternity. As of that time, there had still never been a Jewish man in a gentile fraternity. After that precedent, the next year ZBT took two or three gentiles and a couple of Jewish men joined gentile fraternities. The religious integration of fraternities has lasted ever since.
In 1968, Tau chapter initiated its first African-American brother, Larry Moore, into the chapter. This event resulted in much controversy on campus, and a series of Hustler articles covered it. As a result, a schism developed between the chapter and Mr. Tau Abe Corenswet which continued for a few years. Dr. Larry Grossman continued to give full support to Tau during this tumultuous incident, and the brothers of this ear regarded him as a hero. Unfortunately, Tau’s pathbreaking racial integration of fraternities has not lasted. At the time of this writing, no traditionally white fraternities have an African-American brother.
The events of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s had their effect on Tau Chapter, which went into a rapid decline. It managed to survive, but just barely, and membership in the 1970’s reached a low point of eight men. There were hard workers among these eight, Jeff Markel, Gil Bubis, and Sol Miller, the last named elected to fBK. In 1977-78 the chapter’s fortunes began to revive. The hard work of Brothers Abe Corenswet and Dr. Larry Grossman during the dark days began to pay off. Pledging and initiation improved, and by the first term of 1978, Andrew Fradkin, Tau’s Master, who had been elected a Supreme Undergraduate Governor, was able to report a membership of thirty-two actives and pledges. Other alumni who helped were Leon Ruben, Saul Haskell, and Steve Karr. The 1978-79 year was eagerly awaited. A successful rush season could put Tau’s membership at its highest point in its history. A fiftieth anniversary celebration was being planned under Abe Corenswet’s direction for the spring of 1979.
In its 72 years on campus, Tau Chapter has initiated hundreds of men, and produced some outstanding alumni. Abe Corenswet and Dr. Laurence Grossman have been leaders in their community. Dr. Robert Bernstein became a Major-General in the Army Medical Corps, and AEP’s highest ranking officer.
FAMOUS AEPI ALUMNI
Alpha Epsilon Pi alumni have become successful leaders of their respected communities throughout the United States and the world. Here is a list of some of our more notable alumnus:
Henry Manne - Fmr. Dean/Professor at George Mason School of Law, Vanderbilt '50
Rabbi Neal Borovitz Fmr. National Executive Director of the Labor Zionist Alliance, Vanderbilt '70
Jon Pierce - Current International Supreme Master of Alpha Epsilon Pi, Vanderbilt '86
Andy Fradkin - Former International Supreme Master of Alpha Epsilon Pi, Vanderbilt '79
Paul Simon - Singer/Composer, Queens College '63
Art Garfunkel - Singer/Composer, Columbia University '64
Scott Wolf - Actor on Party of Five, George Washington '91
Richard Lewis - Actor/Comedian, Ohio State University '69
Gene Wilder - Comedian/Actor/Producer/Director, University of Iowa '55
Wolf Blitzer - Journalist/Author/CNN Correspondent, SUNY Buffalo '70
Jerry Lewis - Comedian/Chairman of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Washington University
Jerry Reinsdorf - Owner of Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox, George Washington University '57
Samuel Shapiro - Former Illinois Governor, University of Illinois '29, (deceased)
Gary Bettman - NHL Commissioner, Cornell '72
David Horowitz - Television Personality/Consumer Advocate, Bradley University '59
Abe Saperstein - Former owner of Harlem Globetrotters, University of Illinois '60, (deceased)
Walter Winchell - Early Gossip Columnist/Radio Personality, University of Miami, (deceased)
Irving Azoff - Fmr. President, MCA Records/Fmr. Manager of the Eagles & REO Speedwagon, University of Illinois '70
Richard H. Frank - President of Walt Disney Studios, University of Illinois '64
Fred Silverman - Independent Producer/Former President NBC Television/Producer of Perry Mason, Syracuse University '58
H. Albert Young - Former Delaware Attorney General, University of Delaware '26, (deceased)
Nathaniel Goldstein - Former New York Attorney General, New York University '15, (deceased)
Steve Stone - Former Professional Baseball Pitcher/Chicago Cubs Announcer, Kent State University '69
Steve Goldman - Executive Vice President, Domestic Television Division, of Paramount Pictures Corporation, University of Illinois '64
Steve Friedman - Executive Producer of NBC Nightly News, University of Illinois '68
Allan Jaffe - Family Owner of New Orleans' Preservation Hall, University of Pennsylvania '57, (deceased)
David Markin - Chairman of U.S. Tennis Association, Bradley University '53
Chet Simmons - Founder, ESPN/Former President of NBC Sports, George Washington University '50
Leonard Goldberg - Former Chairman of 20th Century Fox/ Independent Movie & TV Producer, University of Pennsylvania '55
James Brooks - Director of Terms of Endearment, Taxi/ Producer of The Simpsons, New York University '58
William Immerman - Writer of the Halloween Movies, University of Wisconsin '59
Louis Nizer - Lawyer/Novelist, Columbia University
Newton Becker - Owner, Becker CPA Review Course, Kent State University '52
Sanford Weill - Chief Executive, Primerica Corp./Former Pres. American Express, Cornell '55
Sheldon Good - International Realtor/World President of FIBICA/Chicago Developer, Illinois '55
Perry Mendel - Founder, Kinder Care Day Care Centers, Emory '43
Martin Leaf - Family Owner, Founder, Leaf Candies and Donruss Baseball Cards, Illinois '47
Herbert Baum - President, Campbell's Soup USA Division/Quaker Oil, Drake ï58
Sidney Port - Industrialist/Philanthropist, Illinois '33
Russ Herman - Past President, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Tulane '64
Jerrod Levine - Jewish Educational Film Producer, Florida State '80
Ken Chertow - U.S. Wrestling Team, Penn State '89
Robert Steinberg - Actor, Tulane '81
Harold Moskowitz - Senior Partner of Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman, and Dicker (2nd largest insurance litigation firm), CCNY '62
Charles Moskowitz - Former President/Treasurer, MGM Studios, NYU '14
Jack Stahl - President, Coca Cola USA, Emory '76
AEPI TAU CHAPTER IN 2010
The incredible strength of bonds held between brothers in Alpha Epsilon Pi has remained unchaned in the nearly 100 years of existence. However the activities that brothers engage in together certainly has. Specifically at Tao chapter, poker has become a popular pastime and activity for brothers to engage in together. Whether small private home games, large fundraising tournaments, or annual competitions (like the one on the front page), poker is a great way for our brothers to get together for several hours and enjoy each other's company!