Sigma Alpha Mu Passes Unanimous Pro-Israel Resolution

Sigma Alpha Mu is a fraternity that is open to all men of good moral character. Until 1953, membership in the fraternity had been limited to Jewish men. The fraternity acknowledges with deep appreciation its Jewish heritage which has enriched its life and the lives of its chapters and members. The fraternity also values free speech and association which are important components of this resolution.

FAQs on the ΣΑΜ Pro-Israel Resolution additional resources follow below the resolution.

The Resolution

The Octagon of Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity unanimously approved the following resolution at its Fall 2015 meeting the weekend of December 5, 2015:

Whereas Sigma Alpha Mu was founded as a fraternity of Jewish men in 1909.

And whereas Sigma Alpha Mu continues to attract members of all beliefs who appreciate our great heritage as a fraternity of Jewish men.

And whereas Sigma Alpha Mu is a fraternity of over 2,100 current undergraduates and 45,000 living alumni.

And whereas Sigma Alpha Mu has many Israeli-American alumni and undergraduate members.

And whereas thousands of Sigma Alpha Mu undergraduate members and alumni have traveled to Israel on Taglit-Birthright programs.

And whereas Sigma Alpha Mu believes Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state.

And whereas Sigma Alpha Mu supports the U.S.-Israel relationship because Israel is America's closest ally in the Middle East.

And whereas Sigma Alpha Mu will not sit idly as anti-Israel speech permeates across American college campuses.

And whereas Sigma Alpha Mu officially opposes the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel.

Therefore, be it resolved, Sigma Alpha Mu will do everything in our power to strengthen ties between our undergraduate members, living alumni and the State of Israel.

This document outlines rules of engagement and provides answers to questions Fratres, alumni and other Fraternity stakeholders may ask. The fraternity is preparing a guide to address BDS on campus that will be distributed to all chapters. In addition, the ΣΑΜ Foundation offers Jewish Endeavors Initiatives grants for individuals and chapters to host or participate in programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Octagon expect of Sigma Alpha Mu members related the Pro-Israel Resolution?

• The Octagon expects Sigma Alpha Mu members to become more educated on the issues. The Arab-Israeli conflict is complex and cannot be simplified into a bumper sticker.

What is the boycott, divest, and sanction (BDS) movement and why does Sigma Alpha Mu oppose it?

• The BDS movement aims to delegitimize Israel through vicious, public attacks on campus, churches and communities. Sigma Alpha Mu opposes this movement because we believe Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state and we support the U.S.-Israel relationship because Israel is America's closest ally in the Middle East.

What do we mean in saying, “Sigma Alpha Mu will do everything in our power to strengthen ties between our undergraduate members, living alumni and the State of Israel?”

• Sigma Alpha Mu is committed to helping its members and alumni become more educated on issues facing the State of Israel by providing resources and guidance in being proactive in supporting Jewish and Israeli concerns, including and especially the BDS movement.

If contacted by the media or campus newspaper, how should you respond?

• Individual chapter members should not comment on behalf of the fraternity, deferring to the Chapter Prior.
• The standard media relations of Sigma Alpha Mu apply. Contact ΣΑΜ Executive Director Andy Huston andyh@sam.org prior to any verbal or written response to media inquiries.

How does this impact non-Jewish members of Sigma Alpha Mu?

• All members of Sigma Alpha Mu should be educated and aware of issues related to Israel.
• Sigma Alpha Mu is developing opportunities for non-Jewish members to visit Israel on highly subsidized trips in partnership with other organizations.

How should chapters address acts of violence or Anti-Semitism on campus?

• Report incidents immediately with the police, headquarters staff, and university administrators.
• Document and photograph any acts of vandalism or damage to chapter property.

How should fraternity chapters address individual members that might oppose this resolution?

• Our Creed calls for mutual moral aid and support. While we seek that ideal among our members, we must also strive to provide this mutual moral aid and support to Israel.
• Open a dialogue about the issue with the individual member.
• Note that any individual action taken not in line with this resolution shall not be affiliated or endorsed by the chapter.
• Upon charges preferred by his chapter, the officers may take disciplinary action against an individual frater as outlined in the Blue Book.

What training is available for members of ΣΑΜ?

• Interested chapters can schedule a meeting, conference or seminar with fraternity alumni and partner organizations to educate their members on this issue.
• Additional training will be provided at ΣΑΜ educational programs.

What are ways in which you or your chapter can get involved?

• Recruit Jewish members to travel to Israel on Taglit-Birthright programs.
• Recruit non-Jewish chapter leaders to travel to Israel on subsidized trips.
• Become active in already established pro-Israel student organizations on campus by co-sponsoring events and sending members to public lectures so that our undergraduate members can become more engaged on the issues.

What information should you report to Sigma Alpha Mu headquarters?

• Number of students participating on birthright trips
• Member involvement in pro-Israel organizations on campus
• Member participation in events such as AIPAC
• Any student government activity related to BDS

What are possible campus-based resources that members can seek out?

• Hillel
• Chabad on Campus
• Israel on Campus Coalition
• Anti-Defamation League
• StandWithUs

For more information about this resolution or to get involved email israel@sam.org.

Resources

Following are several links to provide information about the BDS movement and context through various writings on the topic.

http://archive.adl.org/israel/advocacy/advocacy_for_israel/on_campus.html?xflag=2

http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/12106

http://www.stopbds.com/?page_id=1318

http://www.newsmax.com/AlanDershowitz/BDS-Mideast-Peace-Israel/2014/02/12/id/552468/

http://www.standwithus.org

ΣΑΜ, ZBT, AEPhi, and SDT Partner on Battling Antisemitism and Discrimination on College Campuses

Greek Organizations Join Forces to Combat Campus Hate Crimes ZBT, ΣAM, AEΦ and ΣΔT leading the charge    INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., June 4, 2015 — In a response to a rising tide of incidents of reported hate crimes such as anti-Semitism on college campuses, today Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority and Sigma Delta Tau Sorority announce their intent to provide programming that brings together men and women from across its chapters and colonies in a joint coalition to work toward stopping hatred, bigotry and discrimination on college campuses. “As inclusive fraternities and sororities with strong ties to our Jewish heritage, we take a firm stance against those who would belittle our culture with prejudice and intimidation. Too many students are choosing hate over acceptance and that needs to come to an end,” ZBT Executive Director Laurence A. Bolotin said.  This new partenrship will utilize the strengths of these organizations to equip their brothers and sisters with the skills needed to not only combat anti-Semitism and hate on campus, but will also bring Greeks together to foster a more inclusive and accepting environment on college campuses.  This summer, the four organizations will work to develop programming intended to be interactive student-led conversations on tolerance, with real world applications and tools that can be immediately implemented.  Workshops will launch this fall on campuses where all or most of the organizations have a presence.   Sigma Delta Tau Executive Director Debbie Snyder commented, “We are saddened by the ignorant public displays of anti-Semitism and other hate crimes that have appeared on college campuses. All students should feel welcome and safe on campus, and we as national organizations have the tools to assist in this effort.”  All four organizations encourage their brothers and sisters to be leaders on their campuses in promoting dialogue on breaking down stereotypes and stopping ignorance. Every individual student, chapter and international organization can take action that will support personal freedoms and equality for all. It is the hope and expectation that all brothers and sisters of each organization be champions for justice and advocates for all members of the university community. "We decry the existence of continued anti-Semitism everywhere, and we are working to educate and inform those whose beliefs are hateful," said Sigma Alpha Mu Executive Director Lee Manders. Alpha Epsilon Phi Executive Director Bonnie Wunsch said, "As a Jewish sorority, it is important that we, regardless of our individual members' religious backgrounds, stand together with other members of the Jewish community to foster acceptance and tolerance of all. There is strength in numbers, and the message that this combined effort will bring to campuses across the country is significant.” As organizations who were formed in the days when Jewish men and women were excluded from joining the Greek community, ZBT, ΣAM, AEΦ and Σ∆T remain firmly committed to ensuring that tolerance and acceptance is practiced on all college campuses. About Sigma Delta Tau Sigma Delta Tau is a National women’s social sorority, founded in 1917 at Cornell University by seven Jewish women. The National Sorority has more than 60,000 members. SDT’s philanthropic partners include: Prevent Child Abuse America, Jewish Women International and Women for Women International. SDT provides intellectual, philanthropic, leadership and social opportunities within a framework of mutual respect and high ethical standards. About Alpha Epsilon Phi Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority, founded October 24, 1909 at Barnard College in New York City, strives to inspire and support exemplary women dedicated to friendship and a lifelong commitment to Alpha Epsilon Phi while building on the vision of its Jewish founders. About Sigma Alpha Mu Sigma Alpha Mu was founded in 1909 at the College of the City of New York as a fraternity of Jewish men; the organization has been inclusive since 1953. With Executive Offices located in Indianapolis, IN, the fraternity currently has 54 collegiate chapters and colonies and over 48,000 living alumni throughout the United States and Canada. About Zeta Beta Tau Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity was founded in 1898 in New York City as the world’s first Jewish fraternity.  ZBT is a Brotherhood of Kappa Nu, Phi Alpha, Phi Sigma Delta, Phi Epsilon Pi and Zeta Beta Tau. ZBT is represented on more than 90 campuses in the United States and Canada and has close to 130,000 undergraduate and alumni brothers throughout the world.