Ari Sasson, a resident of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, has taken on a prominent role as a leadership consultant for Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi), the largest Jewish fraternity in the United States. Having graduated from Vanderbilt University in May 2024, Sasson now travels throughout the Northeast to help various AEPi chapters enhance their operations and community engagement.
Sasson’s journey into AEPi began during his undergraduate years at Vanderbilt, where he initially had no plans to join a fraternity. He moved to Nashville in August 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and found it challenging to build a social network due to restrictions. It was during this time that he learned of the revival of a Jewish fraternity chapter at his university. He decided to join AEPi, which significantly enriched his college experience.
In his current role, Sasson engages with AEPi chapters by assessing their specific needs. He conducts one-on-one meetings with existing and emerging leaders, focusing on their motivations and objectives within the fraternity. “We have 100 metrics that we look for,” Sasson explained, evaluating what chapters excel at and identifying areas for improvement.
Building Community Among Jewish Students
Sasson values the connections he forges with peers at various campuses. He notes that the social aspect of Judaism plays a significant role in his work. “Being around people who share similar backgrounds and family stories is enriching,” he said. Activities like wrapping tefillin, attending Shabbat dinners, and studying Torah with fellow students have become integral to his experience.
Despite recent tensions affecting Jewish communities on college campuses, Sasson remains optimistic. He believes in focusing on the positive aspects of Jewish life and the strength found within diverse communities. “We sometimes forget how much good is happening in the world,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of community support and positivity.
In addition to his consulting work, Sasson recently published a journal titled the “Thou Shalt Journal.” This Torah-based prompt journal features approximately 170 pairings of verses from the Torah with reflective questions designed to provoke thoughtful discussion. The journal spans the five books of the Torah, from Genesis to Deuteronomy, encouraging users to explore themes relevant to their lives.
From Concept to Creation
Sasson’s journey to create the journal took eight months, from conception to publication. He collaborated with a local book printer to bring his vision to life. During the development process, Sasson condensed an initial list of 2,000 ideas about the Torah to a manageable selection of key themes that would resonate with a broad audience.
Sasson envisions a long-term commitment to supporting Jewish students and communities. He adopts a broad interpretation of the term “student,” believing that learning is a lifelong journey. “There’s an incredible amount of goodness in Judaism,” he noted, expressing a desire to help others navigate their spiritual paths. The journal is just the first step in his efforts to foster connection and understanding among Jewish individuals.
As Sasson continues his work with AEPi and his published projects, he remains dedicated to building and nurturing Jewish communities across the Northeast, ensuring that his contributions have a lasting impact.
