UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State's Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research and Reform is collaborating with Jewish fraternity and sororities to determine best practices in supporting students who hold Jewish identity involved in Greek life. A series of studies are planned, including documenting Jewish fraternity and sorority experiences with antisemitism, how organizations enhance Jewish identity development, and create a space for belonging.
The center is creating the Jewish Fraternity and Sorority Committee to help guide research in partnership with Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority, Penn State’s Local Chapter of Beta Sigma Beta, Sigma Delta Tau Sorority, Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity and Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity.
"There is an unaddressed need for support of the Jewish fraternity and sorority community experience on college campuses,” said Pietro Sasso, Piazza Center research fellow and faculty member at Stephen F. Austin State University.
The Piazza Center plans to support research focusing on historically Jewish chapters and members, and members of fraternities and sororities who hold a Jewish identity as well as peer organizations who abide in Greek communities with peer Jewish organizations.
Bonnie Wunsch, executive director of Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority and co-lead said, “This project will highlight the importance of Jewish fraternities and sororities and the continued need for our presence on campus. Hopefully, many people will come to realize that diversity can be defined in many ways. The Jewish people are not a homogeneous group and throughout history, Jews of different heritage did not always mix in a place where all could feel comfortable. They can do so in our organizations.”
According to Stevan Veldkamp, executive director of the Piazza Center, to date there are minimal academic studies that focus on this experience, and limited resources for professionals charged with supporting Jewish sororities and fraternities’ experience and students with Jewish identities in other fraternity and sorority traditions. Veldkamp noted that conceptualizing a research agenda with local and national representation to create stronger and safer communities has the potential to have an impact on many people.
“These studies aim to fill gaps in literature on promising practices to create more inclusive Greek community and safer experience for students with Jewish identities,” he explained.