Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) Fraternity members participated in a B’nai B’rith Disaster Relief Fund-sponsored service project to help victims of the tornadoes and flooding that hit the U.S. South and Midwest last spring at the organization’s annual convention. A group of 575 Jewish fraternity students from across the United States, Canada, Israel and St Andrews, Scotland, met in Orlando at the Alpha fraternity’s annual convention, which took place from Aug. 10-15.

The brothers created 1,000 disaster relief kits that contained home accessories, personal hygiene items, children activity materials and school supplies. The kits are being sent to agencies that assist children and their families impacted by the disasters in several states.  Boxes are currently on their way to Missouri and Tennessee. Every kit contained a personal message from the convention attendees, sending their good wishes for recovery from this disaster and a start of a new year in school.

“Our partnership with AEPi allows us to continue the B’nai B’rith tradition of service with the next generation of Jewish leaders,” B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said. “The brothers of AEPi are committed to the Jewish religious tradition of tikkum olam, repairing the world.”

This is the second year that disaster relief has been a focus of the convention’s community service project.  In New Orleans, 350 AEPi brothers cleaned and planted trees in City Park, which had been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

AEPi’s 98th Anniversary Convention activities included the honorary initiation of B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs, where he was presented with the fraternity pin. Andy Borans, AEPi director, B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin, Vice President of Programming Rhonda Love, Young Leadership Director Renee Howard and Cary Wolovick, program coordinator for B’nai B’rith’s Midwest Region, were also present. Mariaschin spoke at the convention’s Friday night Shabbat dinner.

“We are so proud to work with the AEPi Fraternity,”  Mariaschin said. “Their mission combines Jewish community heritage and a desire to make the world a better place is in line with B’nai B’rith’s core values of service and advocacy.