JEWISH HOUSE—Brothers of Upsilon Omega chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi, North America’s Jewish fraternity, stand in front of their house at the University of Oregon. Their new house was famous in the 1970s for appearing in the film “Animal House.”

Univ. of Oregon's Jewish fraternity moves into famous house

By URI FINTZY

article created on: 2008-11-01T00:00:00

The brothers of the Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi, North America’s Jewish Fraternity, started the new academic year in their new chapter house at the University of Oregon Campus in Eugene.

The house, which will accommodate 25 of the chapter’s 32 brothers, is located next to the Oregon Hillel house on the corner of 11th and Hilyard Streets. It was made famous during 1970s, as one of the fraternity houses used for filming the cult movie “Animal House” starring John Belushi.

The brothers enjoy the services of Bradly, a Vietnam Veteran, who cooks them dinner five time a week.

The Upsilon Omega chapter of AEPi is the only Jewish fraternity house in the State of Oregon. It was established by 15 students in 1996, and received official charter in 2001. Ever since, the chapter has been one of the main attractions for Jewish students in the University of Oregon. They can find fellow students who become their brothers and friends for the rest of their lives. The brothers come from all over the world—mostly from Oregon and California, but also from places like Hawaii and Israel.

The brothers volunteer in community service events for the local community; they raise money for international Jewish and Israel-advocacy causes and create campus Jewish programming. The chapter also takes part in campus activities, together with other student groups, fraternities and sororities on campus.

However, it was only during last year that the chapter was able to recruit enough brothers to take the next step, and move into a major house on campus.

Cornelis Shaun Barneveled, the chapter president, is very enthusiastic about the move, saying, “I believe that getting the new house takes us one step closer to be fully recognized around campus, along with being the center of Jewish life here in Eugene.”

According to Barneveld, getting the house benefits not only the brotherhood, but also the entire Jewish community.

“This school does not have the same amount of Jewish students you can find in California or the East Coast, so what we were able to do here is pretty remarkable.”

The brothers hope to recruit as many new young Jewish members as possible this year, and help keep the Jewish community bloom around campus and be the home for every Jewish student. They believe that that together with the strong lifelong friendships, the house will help them with their goal to be a major house on campus. Perhaps it will be by using the “Animal House” spirit, with some Jewish Toga Parties.

For more information, visit the house’s Web site www.uoregon.edu/~aepi or contact chapter vice president Uri Fintzy at 503-860-2225 or urifin@gmail.com. The house is located at 729 E. 11th St., Eugene.

Uri Fintzy is the vice president of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, University of Oregon Chapter. He is a 24-year-old journalism student who grew up in Tel Aviv and moved to Oregon three years ago.