Alpha Epsilon Phi - The Ohio State University

Rho Chapter Strand of Pearls W hen Sora Hecht Yelin '57 and her husband, Cary, moved to Youngstown, Ohio, in 1963, she was asked to serve as chairman of an AEPhi alumnae group before she even unpacked. The group of 50 women hoped to help colonize a chapter at Youngstown State University. During the unfortunately unsuccessful colonization effort, Sora met a diverse collection of AEPhi alumnae who were active in the community and gained a foothold in becoming part of the community. When the Yelins retired to Sarasota, Florida, Sora encountered a small group of her friends from Rho Chapter, and they began meeting at least once a year. The group eventually expanded with all AEPhi alumnae in the area. Sora serves as chairman of this group, which meets yearly for a spring luncheon. While 60 years have passed since her initial leadership roles with the sorority, Sora fondly remembers her involvement in a critical piece of Rho's history—obtaining the chapter house at 17th Avenue. "No doubt the highlight of my participation as an undergrad at Rho Chapter was the role I played in securing what was then referred to as 'the new house,'" Sora said. While the details, these 60 years later, are a bit fuzzy, she remembers "discussions with our local financial advisers and a long review with my own father of the facts and figures as to whether the whole idea seemed prudent. I met with OSU Panhellenic advisers; we invited and entertained the national AEPhi officers with teas and other social events; we met with alums and parent groups; and secured financial commitments from each of these factions, which allowed us to have the funds to break ground in 1957. I planned and presided over the groundbreaking ceremony and was pleased to be invited back in November 1958 for the dedication. This is in fact the house in which Rho Chapter still resides. I haven't been back to Columbus since 1958, but from the photos I have seen, the house still seems to look pretty good and that gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment." While Sora hasn't had a homecoming in several decades, she continues to support the chapter through contributions to Rho's annual campaign. "I have been most impressed to read in The Columns and Strand of Pearls how well Rho Chapter is doing in all areas of achievement," she said. "I am delighted that they are flourishing in the house which I helped build, and I am certainly glad to help in some small way to finance needed improvements and enhancements to that dwelling." Sora and Cary, who died in November 2012, have one son, Joshua. He is an alumnus of Miami University with a degree in fine arts. If you would like to connect with Sora, she can be reached at sorayelin@yahoo.com. 1950s Alumna Was Fundamental in Bringing Rho to 17th Avenue Babby Feldman Burdman '57, Sora Hecht Yelin '57, Helen Lazerick Jacobson '57, Carol Rabinowitz Turk '57, and Albie Steiner Romanoff '56 at the first groundbreaking of the Rho chapter house. Global Experiences Lead Lori Silverstein Feuer '80 Back to Rho A s a senior executive in a global company and world traveler, Lori Silverstein Feuer '80 logs nearly 1 million miles each year. Whether it is business ventures or vacations that keep her in the air, she enjoys traveling and the opportunity to embrace different cultures. Lori serves as the senior vice president of sales for SPi Global, a business process outsourcing company in the Philippines, India, Vietnam, and China. She also consults with EQHO, a translation and localization company in Thailand, and works with academic institutions and national libraries all over the world, corporations with a global presence, and non-governmental organizations that are making a difference in the lives of people around the globe. "This career has given me the opportunity to visit countries I would never have had the ability to learn about in-depth, and meet people who are really making an impact on the lives of others who might not have the opportunities these jobs provide," Lori said. Lori's excursions have also provided an outlet to maintain her AEPhi ties. She recently vacationed in Thailand with Lauren Portman Fischer '79 and Alys Portman Smith '79, spent a day in Frankfurt, Germany, with Susan Callif Eisenman '81, and meets Amy Edelstein Weinstein '79 in New York City whenever Lori is in town for business. "These are great friendships as they are women who knew me 30 years ago, and although we've all evolved, married, had kids, and don't see each other every day, there is a bond and camaraderie there based on shared experiences that began with the sorority," Lori said. In addition to lasting friendships, Lori finds that her Rho Chapter experience also provided valuable professional tools. "Being in the sorority really prepares you for the business world in terms of accepting and sharing multiple viewpoints/perspectives, working as a team, demonstrating leadership skills, and dealing with a lot of personalities," Lori said. "Since social networking tools like LinkedIn and Facebook were not available after college, it's really become a tool today for both business and personal connections, and it's something I've used to reconnect with people I had lost touch with over the years as well as discussing business issues." Lori returned to the chapter house recently to discuss her career with Rho Chapter seniors, which she said was a gratifying experience. "From what I see, Rho has been able to evolve over the years to stay in touch with what women are looking for in a sorority. The house also looks great now—a lot of additions for quiet study spaces and social areas," she said. Lori and her husband, Brian, who met through Shari Cohen '81, reside in Bexley, Ohio. They have two sons: Eli (20) attends Wilmington College and Jack (14) is a high school freshman. Lori can be reached at lorisilverstein1@gmail.com. Lori Silverstein Feuer '80 with her sons, Jack and Eli, and her husband, Brian, at their hotel in Costa Rica.

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