"AEPi has been a frat since its forming 85 years ago," he says. "There are Jewish sororities nationally."

A Community Within a Community?

Hillel, the official center of Jewish life on campus, is also geared to providing the social interaction that AEPi emphasizes. Leaders of Harvard-Radcliffe Hillel and AEPi say the groups are discussing their relationship.

"Hillel strives to provide social outlets for Jewish students to the broadest audience possible. My general feeling is that AEPi provides a productive outlet, social and otherwise for Jewish students nationally," says Hillel chair Michael M. Rosen '99, who is also a Crimson editor.

Hillel sponsors its own organization for Jewish men, the Men's Group.

"The Men's Group is informal...a bunch of friends that do things together," says Co-Chair David Wichs '00. "It's good for the kids who participate...people don't have to feel awkward about their upbringing."

Wichs says Men's group activities supplement Hillel's social events, and the group's activities are open to both men and women.

"The Men's group provides different experiences for Jewish men: athletic events, social events and spiritual oriented events," Rosen says.

While AEPi and Hillel's Men's Group share common aims, organizers say they believe the groups can complement each other without competing for loyalties.

"AEPi and Hillel have an alliance on the national level. We hope to help each other out...and add another aspect to Jewish life at Harvard," Heiman says.

Rosen says he also sees a positive future between Hillel and AEPi.

"According to national AEPi officials, Hillel has had a great relationship with AEPi," Rosen says. "If some Jewish students feel this is a kind of network that doesn't exist for them right now, then this might be the right thing for them."

Heiman and the other members of AEPi say they are optimistic about the Harvard chapter's future.

"We want to do the best we can as Harvard men to represent the ideals of AEPi," Heiman says.