Zeta Beta Tau

Zeta Beta Tau is a Jewish fraternity founded on December 29, 1898, at the City College of New York by Richard J. H. Gottheil, Albert L. Bilgray, Louis Gamerman, Maurice Z. Levin, Charles C. Levin, and Harry M. Fischer. The fraternity was established to provide a community for Jewish men who were excluded from other fraternities at the time, such as Alpha Tau Omega, Beta Theta Pi, and Sigma Chi. Zeta Beta Tau has since grown to become an international organization with chapters at University of California, Los Angeles, University of Michigan, New York University, and University of Pennsylvania. The fraternity is a member of the North American Interfraternity Conference and has a strong relationship with other Jewish organizations, including Hillel International and B'nai B'rith International.

● History

The early history of Zeta Beta Tau is closely tied to the experiences of its founders, who were Jewish immigrants from Europe and faced significant discrimination and exclusion from other fraternities. The fraternity's first chapter was established at the City College of New York and was initially known as the Z.B.T. Society. The fraternity quickly expanded to other campuses, including Columbia University, University of Chicago, and Harvard University. During World War I, many Zeta Beta Tau members served in the United States Army, including General John J. Pershing and General Douglas MacArthur. The fraternity also played an important role in the Zionist movement, with many members actively supporting the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine, including Chaim Weizmann and David Ben-Gurion.

● Organization

Zeta Beta Tau is a democratic organization, with a supreme council that oversees the fraternity's operations and sets its overall direction. The fraternity is divided into regions, each of which is led by a regional director who is responsible for supporting and advising local chapters. Zeta Beta Tau also has a strong alumni network, with many notable alumni who have gone on to become leaders in their fields, including business, politics, and entertainment. The fraternity is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, and has a close relationship with other fraternities, including Alpha Epsilon Pi and Sigma Alpha Mu. Zeta Beta Tau is also a member of the Fraternity Executives Association and the National Panhellenic Conference.

● Chapters

Zeta Beta Tau has over 200 chapters across the United States and Canada, including chapters at University of California, Berkeley, University of Texas at Austin, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and University of Wisconsin-Madison. The fraternity also has a strong presence at Ivy League universities, including Yale University, Princeton University, and Dartmouth College. Each chapter is led by a group of student leaders who are responsible for managing the chapter's operations and planning events, including philanthropy events and social events. Zeta Beta Tau chapters are also involved in a range of community service activities, including volunteering at local charities and participating in disaster relief efforts, such as the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity.

● Philanthropy

Zeta Beta Tau is committed to philanthropy and community service, with a focus on supporting children's hospitals and cancer research organizations, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the American Cancer Society. The fraternity's official philanthropy is the Children's Miracle Network, which supports children's hospitals across North America. Zeta Beta Tau chapters also participate in a range of other philanthropic activities, including blood drives and food drives, and have partnered with organizations such as UNICEF and the Salvation Army. The fraternity's alumni also support a range of charitable causes, including the United Way and the American Heart Association.

● Notable_members

Zeta Beta Tau has a long list of notable alumni, including business leaders such as Michael Bloomberg and Sumner Redstone, politicians such as Joe Lieberman and Rahm Emanuel, and entertainers such as Jerry Springer and Andy Samberg. Other notable Zeta Beta Tau alumni include Nobel Prize winners such as Elie Wiesel and Alan Greenspan, as well as athletes such as Kerri Strug and Sandy Koufax. The fraternity's alumni have also gone on to become leaders in a range of fields, including medicine, law, and academia, including Harvard University president Lawrence Summers and Stanford University president John Hennessy.

● Controversies

Like many fraternities, Zeta Beta Tau has faced controversy and criticism over the years, including allegations of hazing and discrimination. In 2014, the fraternity's Cornell University chapter was suspended after allegations of hazing and misconduct. The fraternity has also faced criticism for its handling of sexual assault allegations, including a 2015 incident at the University of Kansas. Despite these challenges, Zeta Beta Tau remains committed to providing a positive and supportive community for its members, and has implemented a range of initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion, including partnerships with organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.