Talk:List of Massachusetts Institute of Technology fraternities and sororities

Jewish Fraternities

I'd originally included this as a simple reference note, but the topic got too complicated.

Many Jewish themed chapters (locals and national organizations) formed and flourished in the first half of the 20th Century, but consolidated or closed in the decade and a half after WWII. Why the sudden change? The Sanua reference, "Going Greek," provides an extensive discussion on this trend, but the summary is as follows: Exclusively Jewish chapters were popular in the pre-War era to provide cultural bonding, responding to strong rabbinical and family support. Their presence offered Jews visibility on the larger campus at a time when reflexive mistrust of others was common. (I'd originally used the term "mild Antisemitism" but it doesn't convey the correct meaning to today's readers.) Far more than today, Catholics grew up insulated from Protestants, and Jews similarly led separate lives. Even Protestant churches were distant from each other, and therefore wary. While actual, hateful Antisemitism was whipped up from time to time in parts of the nation, for most people the only form it took was simply wariness due to our not crossing paths nor working with those of other creeds or origins. The college experience during the pre-War period (WWII) was insular, but the world was getting smaller and all this insularity was about to change. Jewish fraternities and sororities allowed controlled mixing in an era of chaperones: These groups typically socialized with each other for the purpose of dance parties and dating (as did mainstream Greeks among themselves) while more casual mixing with "Gentile" chapters occurred through classes, inter-Greek projects and sports. Sanua points out that incoming Jewish students wanted an experience like the mainstream Greeks, but they (and their sponsors) didn't want to jump into a secular or non-Jewish experience. Jewish-themed or affinity houses were the answer.

WWII brought an abrupt end to this, as at war's end, all Greek societies became more egalitarian, more diverse, and more secular. 'Exclusionary' or 'discriminatory' bans were dropped from the bylaws or "unofficial policies" of Gentile, Jewish and Black organizations. As a result, smaller Jewish nationals merged into larger ones. (Nationally, about 3/4 of these groups disappeared in the decade after WWII, some to merger, some to dissolution) - yet Jews continued to join fraternities and sororities enthusiastically. Jewish commentary at the time may have bemoaned the loss of Jewish chapters, but nevertheless there was a strong current of support for post-War inclusion of Jews in the general institutions of society, as full participants. So in a way, the mission was accomplished: pluralistic inclusion.

For the purpose of this article, former organizations with Jewish roots are noted as such. Active groups, even with noteworthy Jewish heritage are not specifically labeled as Jewish except where a group continues to specify Jewish culture as an organizational objective. (Affinity interests are similarly noted for Italian ethnicity and other groups.) On the MIT campus, active groups that began with a Jewish heritage have adjusted to a more general, interfaith or secular model, open to a diverse membership, while proudly acknowledging their roots. Jax MN (talk) 01:01, 19 June 2020 (UTC)

References