Alpha Epsilon Pi Joins the Conference of Presidents

New York—The international Jewish fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi), has been accepted, via election, as a member of the Conference of Presidents. The admission of AEPi reflects the organization’s commitment to involve the next generation of leaders. Acting on the unanimous recommendation of the Membership Committee reached after a careful review of AEPi’s qualifications and activities, the full Conference voted to approve their admission. “Students are a vital and vibrant constituency in the Jewish community, and we are confident that AEPi’s professional and lay leadership will add important perspective to the deliberations of the Conference,” said Rabbi Vernon Kurtz, Chairman of the Conference of Presidents’ Membership Committee. “At this pivotal time for Israel and American Jewry, a coordinated, inter-generational approach can strengthen our joint efforts to build broad-based support and make the case for Israel in the United States.”

Knesset Finally Approves Additional Aid to Survivors

Last Sunday, the Knesset approved an increase in funds for Holocaust survivors, adding NIS 35 Million to its annual survivor budget. At the same time, the Holocaust Restitution Company’s (Hashava’s) period of operations has been officially shortened and will end at the end of 2017 instead of 2021. The unclaimed assets, which at this time total approximately NIS 300 Milion, will be distributed to help Holocaust survivors end their lives with some measure of dignity. Justice Minister Tzipi Livini, who proposed the amendment said, “You cannot overestimate the important of locating assets belonging to Holocaust victims and transferring them to their heirs, but at the same time we have an obligation to do whatever we can to aid survivors living amongst us.”