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Atlanta’s Phi Epsilon Phi Convention
by MORRIS MACEY
This September, as in years past, many high school graduates
will become the college freshman. This transition from high school
to college means that the boys and girl must adjust to a completely
new life. In our times communal groups, known as fraternities and
sororities, have arisen to smooth the way.
It is important to examine institutions which play such a large
part in the development of youth and to re-evaluate their services
and position in the college community and the world community.
These groups are important to all faiths. Though the merits of
the fraternity system have been debated sinces its existence, and
more vigorously in the changing social and economic periods since
the end of the past World War, the fact remains that the system is
with us, a part of us, and must be recognized as such.
The Phi Epsilon Pi Fraternity will hold its National Convention
in Atlanta on September 8, 9 and 10. Eves in Georgia, in the South
and in the nation will be focused on Atlanta at that time. The de
liberations of this convention, bringing together college men and
alumni, will serve as a melting pot for 1949’s vigorous ideas which
may some day be transplanted from the ivy tower of college thought
to the world of reality.
It is especially fitting that the 1949 Phi Epsilon Pi Convention be
held in Atlanta, a fortress of Phi Ep strength in the South. This
Jewish fraternity has not held its Convention in the South since 1929.
The oldest affiliated group of the Phi Epsilon Pi Fraternity was
founded in 1895 at the University of Georgia. For 20 years this group
was a Club known as the EDS, slangilv referred to as “Eat, Drink
and Sleep”. In this club college men found the camaraderie needed
for the impetus demanded by college life.
Among the members of the EDS were such men as Charlie Block
and Joe Popper of Macon, Julian Hirshberg, Max Goldstein, Albert
CONTINUITY OF BROTHERHOOD — This quartet oj Atlanta Phi Ep
members span the years of the fraternity’s history in the State of Georgia.
The group, here discussing plans of the national convention, include (l. to r.)
Herbert Ringel, graduate from Georgia of the early thirties; Sidney Marcus,
current member of the Georgia Chapter; Morris Macey (formerly of Camilla),
recent graduate of Georgia, and Eugene Zacharias, ,’lumnus of the EDS days
at Athens.
After two decades absence, Phi Eps
again come to Peachtree Street for
their national meeting —the first
held in summertime...Georgia's
EDS Club was the oldest affiliated
group with the Fraternity
Selig, Dick Schwab of Atlanta, Sid Steyerman of Thomasville.
I. A. Solomon Jr. of Savannah and others.
In 1904, at the College of the City of New York, Phi Epsilon
Pi was organized by seven men. From these seven founders
the group spread. In 1915, University of Georgia EDS became
the tenth group to affiliate with Phi Epsilon Pi. At the time
of its affiliation, Eugene Oberdorfer, later National President
of the fraternity, headed EDS. Although technically non
sectarian, the group is predominantly Jewish. Phi Ep at the
University of Georgia is the oldest Jewish fraternity group
in the country in continuous existence.
In 1916 the Phi Ep Chapter at Georgia Tech came into
existence.
A fraternity and its influence for good can best be judged
by the men whom it produces.
Dr. Max Cutler, renowned cancer specialist in Chicago,
is an alumnus of Phi Ep at Georgia, as was Max Michael,
prominent attorney and bank president of Athens, whose re
cent death was felt throughout the South. Mr. Michael built
and dedicated a clinic to provide medical care for under
privileged children of Clarke County in memory of his son,
Simon, also a Phi Ep, who met an untimely death in World
War II.
Among the families steeped in Phi Ep tradition is that of
Arthur Heyman of Atlanta. Mr. Heyman, his son Herman, and
his granson, Arthur, represent three generations of Phi Eps
in Atlanta.
Beloved by all who know him is Julian V. Blehm, honorary
life president of Gate City B’nai B’rith Lodge, and a Phi Ep.
Phi Ep reaches all over the state and the South, from the
Nussbaums of Bainbridge to the Solomon’s of Savannah, from
the Landaus of Albany to the Heymans in Rome.
Lou Wolfson of Jacksonville, recently best man in Gover
nor Fuller Warren’s wedding, holds allegiance to Phi Ep at
the University of Georgia.
Donald Oberdorfer, William T. Rich, Dr. Herbert J. Rosen-
berg, Louis Frohsin, Alex Dittler, Simon Selig, Jr., are only a
few of those who carry the Phi Ep banner high in this area.
An undying memory in the minds of Phi Eps is Mrs. Lottie
Cohen, who gave not only two sons to the fraternity, but 25
years at the University of Georgia as housemother. Present
housemother at Georgia is Mrs. Florette Michael, whose son
Emile was a Phi Ep.
The following are a few of the nationally well-known
members of the fraternity:
Dr. Abram Leon Sachar, President, Brandeis University,
ex-National Director of Hillel Foundations.
(8)
The Southern Israelite