Samuel Blustein
Houston, Texas
How is your Hero working to make the world a better place?
Judaism teaches that the secret to life is to find what you are willing to die for and then, live for it. No better embodiment of this lesson comes to mind than Sam Blustein, who has spent decades serving the undergraduate and alumni brothers of AEPi. Roughly 18 months ago, soon before beginning his term as International President, Sam was stricken with a non-diagnosable central nervous system disorder, rendering him unable to work and virtually quadriplegic. Most individuals would have stepped down from the position, and used the bulk of their time to look after themselves, but Sam is not like most people. Sam continues every day to fulfill the duties of his office with the utmost honor and dedication, appearing at virtually every fraternity event via Skype. His words were never short of inspiring, and the all Brothers present could tell that his heart felt appearances were just as meaningful to Sam as they were to the men he serves. At the international convention in August, his personal appearance brought standing ovations daily. From his wheelchair, Sam has taught all those affiliated with AEPi what it means to live for the Jewish people. Sam has coined a phrase that has been echoed in chapter houses around the world: "It's a great time to be an AEPi." Thanks to Sam, it truly is a great time to be an AEPi. Under Sam's leadership AEPi has seen the chartering of its first group in Israel, the Israel Aleph Chapter at IDC Herzilyah and the formation of the Bet Colony at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. As the premiere Jewish fraternity, the success of these chapters goes hand in hand with the historical longing of the Jewish people to return to the Land of Israel.
How has your Hero impacted your life and inspired you?
As brothers of AEPi we are taught to live by the guideposts of Honesty, Perseverance, Humility, Faith, and Mutual Helpfulness. I cannot think of a single person who has better taught me every single one of these values than our Supreme Master, Sam. Through Sam's example, these hollow words have turned into livable ideals, and I and the rest of the Brothers of AEPi have grown as Jewish men from seeing Sam exemplify all of them.