Sigma Alpha Rho (ΣΑΡ) is a North American Jewish high school fraternity. It was founded on November 18, 1917, in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. However, by 2017, all of its chapters had gone dormant, with only alumni members remaining. The SAR Alumni Association formed a reactivation committee and hired a marketing company to help rebrand the fraternity.[1] In December 2022, the high school fraternity was reactivated with a new chapter in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.[1]

Sigma Alpha Rho
ΣΑΡ
FoundedNovember 18, 1917; 106 years ago (November 18, 1917)
West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TypeHigh School
AffiliationInter-Fraternity Congress of America
StatusActive
EmphasisJewish
ScopeInternational (former)
MottoUna Spiritus Una Fides
('"One Spirit One Faith")
Colors  Purple and   White
SymbolSnake with a Gleaming Eye
PublicationThe Gleaming Eye
Chapters1
NicknameS.A.R.
Headquarters, Pennsylvania
United States
Websitewww.sarfraternity.org

History

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Founding

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On November 18, 1917, eleven young men met in a synagogue on Larchwood Avenue in Philadelphia for a meeting of the Soathical Club. The Soathical Club was an organization that was established the previous spring by Jewish students from the West Philadelphia High School to get together socially. The name was derived from a combination of the words social and athletic, and among the activities was included a baseball team.[2]

At the meeting, Bill Braude proposed that the club be converted into a fraternity, primarily to advance Jewish student interests at West Philadelphia High School. The result was Sigma Alpha Rho Fraternity. Jules Feinstein was elected president of the fraternity, Louis Marios was elected vice president, Nathan Goldman became secretary, Benjamin Landau assumed the role of treasurer, and Harry Katz took the position of financial secretary. The new fraternity entrusted member Alexander Meisel with the design of its pin. The members also selected the fraternity's colors.[2]

In the spring of 1918, Sigma Alpha Rho held its first affair and recruited members, including Jerry Abramson and John Bthes who influenced the development of the fraternity. In the fall of 1918, Abramson was elected president. Under his leadership, the fraternity integrated into the activities of the West Philadelphia High School.[2]

The fraternity decided to expand to other high schools and established its National Organizers Department, the precursor to the present-day Supreme Board of Chancellors.[2] In anticipation of a second chapter, the group revamped and rewrote its rituals and rites.[2]

1921 to 1929

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On June 10, 1921. the Sigma chapter was inducted in the Roof Garden of the Lorraine Hotel in Philadelphia.[3] It consisted of ten students from Central High School of Philadelphia. Sigma was considered the "Social Chapter" and adopted the motto, "Every active man active".[2]

With the arrival of Sigma chapter, the West Philadelphia High School adopted the name Phi chapter. The older members of Phi were used to controlling the fraternity and were rebellious at being subordinated. Gradually, Phi adjusted to its new role as a fraternity chapter.[2]

In September 1921, the fraternity formed an Executive Council with four members from Phi and four from Sigma. The council set up the plans to become a national organization with a constitution and by-laws. They selected Leon S. Rosenthal as the first Supreme Exalted Ruler (President).[2]

Eventually, every high school in Philadelphia added a chapter of the fraternity. On October 17, 1921, the Theta chapter in South Philadelphia High School was inducted at the Lorraine Hotel as the third chapter of Sigma Alpha Rho. Concurrently with the negotiations for the induction of the Sigma chapter, a group in the South Philadelphia had been making plans to join the SAR.[2]

On November 26, 1922, the first chapter outside of Philadelphia was inducted, the Iota chapter of Chester High School (Pennsylvania). For a time, Iota only admtted twelve new members each year to honor the twelve charter members. SAR became a national fraternity on October 12, 1923 with the addition of the Epsilon chapter of Camden High School in Camden, New Jersey.[2] Chapters followed in Wilmington, Delaware, New York, New York, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. However, with this expansion came the need for a central governing body to link the chapters.[2]

In the beginning, the Executive Council possessed limited powers and few duties. However, with the addition of chapters outside of Philadelphia, it became necessary to form a governing council that would include their representation.[2] On January 20, 1924, the Supreme Exalted Ruler dissolved the Executive Council and, then, called into session a new National Executive Council representing every chapter in the fraternity.[2] Elections were held and Leon S. Rosenthal was again elected as Supreme Exalted Ruler. A new constitution was adopted as the new constitution of Sigma Alpha Rho.[2] The fraternity also started publishing its newspaper, The Gleaming Eye.[3]

In the conventions that subsequently followed as yearly events, meetings of the National Executive Council became increasingly complex. At the 1926 convention, the constitution was amended to create a new governing body, the Supreme Board of Chancellors, with greater power and resources. The group was to be elected annually by the National Executive Council (delegates from each chapter). On December 26, 1926, the first meetings of the Supreme Board of Chancellors were held at the Astor Hotel in New York City.[2]

In the course of these meetings, several types of important legislation were effected. First, the Board created a new status of activity, that of life membership to be granted to all members of the newly formed Alumni Club. Second, it was during this period that Sigma Alpha Rho spread further with chapters in Jersey City (Zeta Omega), Overbrook (Zeta Iota), and Roxborough (Zeta Xi)..[2]

The following year, the fraternity suffered severe financial reversals, and every available source of income was used to liquidate the outstanding obligations. The hext year was hopeful with financial recovery, chapter consolidation, and conservative expansion. In 1928, an auditing committee was appointed to inspect the accounts of the fraternity. Furthermore, it became mandatory that the records of Sigma Alpha Rho be held open to all brothers at all times. Another rule passed this year provided that all chapters that failed to pay their per capita tax would be excluded from representation in the National Executive Council.[2]

1930 to 1949

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SAR brothers struggled through the Great Depression, but the fraternity survived. Between 1929 and 1938, the fraternity began the practice of a winter or midyear meeting of chapter presidents, published the first edition of its handbook, and introduced three district councils. As World War II began in 1939, many brothers left for war, stretching the fraternity's leadership. In 1943, the fraternity donated $3,100 ($54,584 in today's money) to purchase two ambulances to the U.S. Medical Corps. In 1945, SAR dedicated a war memorial in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. In 1945, over thirty chapters were represented at the national convention that began three days after the armistice with Japan.[3]

In 1946, SAR made many advances following over 800 brothers attending the convention that year. The first Royal Purple and White yearbook was published, a national scholarship fund was established and named after Irving Rathblott, the Eastern District Council emerged, and SAR joined the Inter-Fraternity Congress of America.[2]

1950 to 1999

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From 1950 to 1953, SAR emphasized community service, making large donations to The Polio Foundation and the National Society for Crippled Children. The Zeta Theta chapter assisted with construction of a new Jewish Community Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

In the late 1950s, SAR adopted a fraternity flag, published its first pledge training manual, printed a Parents Guide, and produced a film about the fraternity's history.[2] Also in this period, former Supreme Exalted Ruler (President) of SAR, Howard L. Feldman, was elected president of theInter-Fraternity Congress of America.[2] In 1958, Sigma Alpha Rho had fifty active chapters.[3] The fraternity became international with the chartering of chapters in Montreal and Toronto.[2]

1999 to 2015

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Communications changed from the monthly mailed SER letter to the SAR website, mass email, and social media.[2]

Present

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By its 100th anniversary in 2017, all chapters of Sigma Alpha Rho had gone dormant, and only alumni remained.[1] The alumni association formed a reactivation committee and hired a marketing company to help rebrand the fraternity.[1] In December 2022, a new chapter was formed in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with twelve high school members.[1]

Symbols and traditions

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The fraternity's pin or badge was designed by member Alexander Meisel and featured the fraternity's symbol, The Gleaming Eye. Its colors are royal purple and white.[2] Sigma Alpha Rho's motto is "Una Spiritus Una Fides" or "One Spirit One Faith".

The fraternity's newspaper was The Gleaming Eye and was first published in 1924.[3] Its first handbook was published in 1937.[3] It also had a yearbook called The Royal Purple & White and a roster book, the Nelson T. Hoffman Memorial Blue Book. Other publications were produced for specific occasions such as The Order: Sigma Alpha Rho 2002–2007, which was published for the 90th anniversary alumni reunion on May 20, 2007.[4]

Activities

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SAR holds semi-annual conventions when the entire organization spends a weekend together and for social events and legislative business. The Midyear is held in winter, and the Summer Convention is held sometime in the summer. Training events included leadership seminars and retreats.[2]

Membership

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Membership is open to Jewish males of high school or spring of eight grade who are approved by the individual chapter. Potential members are contacted by a brother or can contact a brother or attend a meeting for those interested in joining the fraternity. Sigma Alpha Rho's pledging process is designed to prepare the pledges to be completely active and equal members of the chapter. SAR emphasizes a no hazing policy; pledges attend meetings and can participate in fraternity-wide events. Pledges must complete a specific task before induction, such as planning and executing an event, preparing a pledge newspaper, or organizing informal sports with their chapter.

Girls can attend all events, including the Midyear and Summer Conventions, or can start sister girls groups. Girl groups are organized as part of the Tau Epsilon Chi (TEX), Eta Pi, or Zeta Gamma Phi sororities.

Governance

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Local

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A chapter is a group of brothers organized by geographical area. Chapters form the basis for all SAR activity. Chapters have names of one or two Greek letters based on their charter date. The brothers in each chapter elect officers, organize events, and hold regular meetings. Chapter officers include Sigma Rho (President), Mu Rho (Vice-President), Kappa Mu (Treasurer), and Kappa Beta (Secretary). Chapters may elect or have their Sigma Rho appointed. A brother known as the Rho chairman is appointed to run pledge classes.[citation needed]

National

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The Supreme Board of Chancellors or SBC is the overarching governing body of SAR at all times other than midyear or summer convention. During the fraternity-wide conventions, the International Executive Council (IEC) serves as the highest body while in session. The SBC is elected by the brothers at the IEC meeting at each summer convention.[citation needed]

The Supreme Exalted Ruler or SER is the president of Sigma Alpha Rho fraternity.[2] The current alumni association president is Jason Eric Saylor of the Zeta Xi chapter.[5]

Districts

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When the Supreme Exalted Ruler dissolved the Executive Council and replaced it with a new National Executive Council in 1924, it became necessary to organize a local body that would combine the numerous chapters in and around Philadelphia. For this reason, the Executive Council of Philadelphia District or Philadelphia District Council was established, with much the same makeup as the Executive Council, which had recently been dissolved.[2]

Similarly, the Metropolitan District Council was formed for the chapters in New York City, Brooklyn, Jersey City, and Newark, New Jersey. In 1925, the Western Pennsylvania District Council was organized by the Tau chapter and the newly created Zeta Phi chapter. Other district councils include the Mid-Southern District Council (Inaugurated in 1935 to represent Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area), the Southern District Council (Inaugurated 1938), the Central Pennsylvania District Council (Inaugurated in 1939), the Eastern District Council (Inaugurated in 1946 representing chapters in the southern parts of New Jersey), the Long Island District Council (Inaugurated 1958–1959), the Los Angeles District Council (Inaugurated 1960–1961), the Queens District Council (Inaugurated 1961), the Quebec Canadian District Council (Inaugurated 1966), the Boston District Council (Inaugurated 1966), and the Toronto District Council.[2]

Chapters

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Naming conventions

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Chapters from first to eleventh had a specific name pattern based on charter order and the Greek alphabet.[2] Using the "f" sound from the word "first", the first chapter was named Phi. The "s" sound in 'second' was used to select the name Sigma for the second chapter. The 'th' sound in 'third' was used to name the Theta chapters. When it came time to name the fourth chapter, since the "f" sound for Phi had already been used, the second letter from "fourth" or '"o" was used to select the Omega chapter. For the fifth chapter, the second letter of the word "fifth" or "i" was the basis for naming the Iota chapter. Since "s" and 'i' had previously been used, the sixth chapter was named for the third letter "x", resulting in the Xi chapter. For the seventh chapter, "s" was already used, so the second letter "e" of "seventh" was used to name Epsilon. The eighth chapter was named Eta chapter because "eighth" sounded similar to the Greek letter Eta. The ninth chapter became Nu, and the tenth became Tau. The eleventh chapter was named Lambda because "e" had previously been used, so the second letter of "eleventh" or "l" was used instead.[2]

Chapters

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Following is a list of Sigma Alpha Rho chapters.[6] Inactive chapters and institutions are in italics. Active chapters are indicated in bold.

Chapter Charter date and range Institution City State or province Status References
Phi (First) November 18, 1917 West Philadelphia High School Philadelphia Pennsylvania Moved [2][a]
Phi (Second) Lower Moreland High School Philadelphia Pennsylvania Moved [2]
Phi (Third) Greater Northeast Philadelphia and Huntingdon Valley Pennsylvania Inactive
Sigma June 10, 1921 Central High School of Philadelphia 2nd and Cheltenham Philadelphia Pennsylvania Inactive
Theta (First) October 17, 1921 South Philadelphia High School South Philadelphia Pennsylvania Moved
Theta (Second) Center City, Philadelphia, and Richboro Pennsylvania Inactive
Omega January 8, 1922 Northeast High School,

Central High School, and Washington High School

Northeast Philadelphia Pennsylvania Inactive
Iota (First)) November 26, 1922 Chester High School Chester, Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Moved
Iota (Second) Northeast Philadelphia and Yardley Pennsylvania Inactive
Xi (First) November 26, 1922 Germantown High School Philadelphia Pennsylvania Moved
Xi (Second) Southampton Pennsylvania Inactive
Epsilon (First) October 12, 1923 Camden High School Camden New Jersey Moved
Epsilon (Second) Cherry Hill New Jersey Inactive
Eta (First) October 12, 1923 Frankford High School Philadelphia Pennsylvania Moved
Eta (Second) Cheltenham and Rydal Pennsylvania Inactive
Nu (See Nu Beta) November 30, 1923 – 1925 Newark High School Newark New Jersey Consolidated
Tau December 26, 1923 Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Inactive
Lambda February 10, 1924 Wilmington Delaware Inactive
Zeta February 22, 1924 Binghamton New York Inactive
Rho April 2, 1924 Allentown Pennsylvania Inactive
Upsilon April 13, 1924 Brooklyn New York Inactive [b]
Mu (see Mu Kappa) May 2, 1924 – 19xx ? New York City New York Consolidated [c]
Kappa (see Mu Kappa) May 2, 1924 – 19xx ? New York City New York Consolidated [c]
Beta (See Nu Beta) October 17, 1924 – 1925 New Jersey Consolidated
Gamma November 12, 1924 Harrisburg Pennsylvania Inactive
Omicron November 26, 1924 Brooklyn New York Inactive
Nu Beta 1925 Newark and Livingston New Jersey Inactive [d]
Zeta Phi April 30, 1925 Allegheny High School Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Inactive
Delta May 5, 1925 Scranton Pennsylvania Inactive
Zeta Sigma May 10, 1925 Reading Pennsylvania Inactive
Zeta Theta May 10, 1925 Kingston Pennsylvania Inactive
Zeta Omega September 26, 1926 Jersey City New Jersey Inactive
Zeta Omega October 17, 1926 Paramus New Jersey Inactive [e]
Zeta Iota (First) November 28, 1926 Overbrook High School Philadelphia Pennsylvania Moved
Zeta Iota (Second) November 28, 1926 Overbrook, Plymouth Meeting, and Norristown Pennsylvania Inactive
Zeta Xi (First) March 7, 1927 Roxborough High School Roxborough, Philadelphia Pennsylvania Moved
Zeta Xi (Second) Northeast Philadelphia Pennsylvania Inactive
Zeta Epsilon November 1927 Metropolitan New York New York Inactive
Zeta Eta November 8, 1927 Brooklyn New York Inactive
Zeta Nu November 8, 1927 Passaic and South Brunswick New Jersey Inactive
Beta Zeta (see Mu Kappa) November 8, 1927 – 19xx ? New York City New York Consolidated [c]
Mu Kappa Bronx New York Inactive [c]
Zeta Tau (First) March 25, 1928 Simon Gratz High School Philadelphia Pennsylvania Moved
Zeta Tau (Second) Northeast Philadelphia and Blue Bell Pennsylvania Inactive
Zeta Lambda December 4, 1928 McKeesport Pennsylvania Inactive
Theta Sigma January 17, 1929 Buffalo New York Inactive
Theta Theta December 29, 1929 New Orleans Louisiana Inactive
Theta Omega November 1, 1931 Easton Pennsylvania Inactive
Theta Iota November 25, 1932 Washington D.C. Inactive
Theta Xi June 25, 1933 San Antonio Texas Inactive
Theta Epsilon March 31, 1935 Baltimore Maryland Inactive
Theta Eta April 21, 1935 Houston Texas Inactive
Theta Nu June 23, 1935 Elmira New York Inactive
Theta Tau March 13, 1938 Passaic and East Windsor New Jersey Inactive
Theta Lambda April 24, 1938 Atlantic City New Jersey Inactive
Tau Phi November 21, 1938 Norfolk Virginia Inactive
Tau Sigma February 12, 1939 Elizabeth New Jersey Inactive
Tau Theta April 7, 1940 Baltimore Maryland Inactive
Tau Omega May 26, 1940 Orange New Jersey Inactive
Tau Xi January 15, 1942 Northeast Philadelphia and Lafayette Hill Pennsylvania Inactive
Tau Delta February 22, 1942 Richmond Virginia Inactive
Upsilon Kappa June 7, 1942 Laurelton New York Inactive
Tau Epsilon February 21, 1943 Havertown Pennsylvania Inactive
Alpha Xi January 21, 1945 Bala Cynwyd Pennsylvania Inactive
Alpha Sigma March 25, 1945 Jamaica New York Inactive
Alpha April 1, 1945 Chicago Illinois Inactive
Alpha Theta April 7, 1946 Forest Hills New York Inactive
Alpha Kappa November 30, 1947 Staten Island New York Inactive
Alpha Iota April 10, 1949 Brooklyn New York Inactive
Chi April 10, 1949 Miami Florida Inactive
Beta Tau April 18, 1949 Cherry Hill and Voorhees New Jersey Inactive
Alpha Omega November 5, 1950 Teaneck and Moorestown New Jersey Inactive
Alpha Pi October 21, 1951 Queens Village New York Inactive
Delta Omega March 29, 1953 Broomall Pennsylvania Inactive
Delta Phi January 24, 1954 Lancaster Pennsylvania Inactive
Delta Sigma June 27, 1954 Bayside New York Inactive
Theta Kappa October 17, 1954 Rochester New York Inactive
Delta Theta January 9, 1955 Levittown Pennsylvania Inactive
Delta Xi December 9, 1956 East Meadow New York Inactive
Delta Iota June 10, 1957 Irvington and Princeton New Jersey Inactive
Delta Epsilon December 22, 1957 West Hempstead New York Inactive
Delta Eta May 4, 1958 Trenton and West Windsor New Jersey Inactive
Delta Nu November 14, 1958 Huntingdon Valley Pennsylvania Inactive
Delta Tau December 5, 1958 Woodmere New York Inactive
Delta Lambda February 1, 1959 Winthrop Massachusetts Inactive
Delta Rho March 21, 1959 Chattanooga Tennessee Inactive
Delta Kappa April 3, 1959 Asbury Park New Jersey Inactive
Delta Gamma June 29, 1959 Brooklyn New York Inactive
Delta Omicron June 29, 1959 Baldwin New York Inactive
Gamma Phi January 31, 1960 Port Washington New York Inactive
Gamma Sigma June 30, 1960 West Hollywood California Inactive
Gamma Theta June 30, 1960 Van Nuys California Inactive
Gamma Omega January 20, 1961 Bayside New York Inactive
Gamma Xi January 22, 1961 Upper Dublin Pennsylvania Inactive
Gamma Iota May 6, 1961 North Hollywood California Inactive
Gamma Epsilon May 6, 1961 North Hollywood California Inactive
Gamma Eta December 23, 1961 Hackensack New Jersey Inactive
Gamma Nu January 28, 1962 Newton Center Massachusetts Inactive
Gamma Tau December 20, 1962 LeFrak City New York Inactive
Gamma Lambda December 11, 1963 Montreal Quebec Inactive
Gamma Rho May 20, 1964 Roslyn Heights New York Inactive
Rho Phi November 15, 1964 Montreal Quebec Inactive
Rho Sigma December 13, 1964 Merrick New York Inactive
Rho Theta December 13, 1964 Maspeth New York Inactive
Rho Omega January 24, 1965 Northeast Philadelphia and Richboro Pennsylvania Inactive
Rho Xi February 14, 1965 Plainview New York Inactive
Rho Epsilon March 21, 1965 Côte Saint-Luc Quebec Inactive
Rho Iota March 28, 1965 Mobile Alabama Inactive
Rho Eta May 16, 1965 Oceanside New York Inactive
Rho Tau May 16, 1965 Kew Gardens New York Inactive
Rho Lambda June 10, 1965 Alexandria Virginia Inactive
Rho Zeta December 5, 1965 Sharon Massachusetts Inactive
Rho Gamma May 15, 1966 Montreal Quebec Inactive
Rho Delta May 22, 1966 Flushing New York Inactive
Sigma Phi November 20, 1966 Dresher Pennsylvania Inactive
Sigma Omega April 15, 1967 Montreal Quebec Inactive
Sigma Theta April 16, 1967 Chomedey Quebec Inactive
Phi Sigma December 17, 1967 Montreal Quebec Inactive
Phi Theta February 4, 1968 Toronto Ontario Inactive
Phi Omega February 4, 1968 Toronto Ontario Inactive
Phi Epsilon March 17, 1968 Toronto Ontario Inactive
Phi Eta June 10, 1968 Montreal Quebec Inactive
Beta Phi October 6, 1968 Toronto Ontario Inactive
Beta Sigma October 6, 1968 Toronto Ontario Inactive
Beta Theta October 6, 1968 Toronto Ontario Inactive
Beta Omega January 5, 1969 Montreal Quebec Inactive
Beta Gamma April 27, 1969 Montreal Quebec Inactive
Beta Iota December 19, 1971 Cherry Hill New Jersey Inactive
Beta Epsilon November 8, 1974 Cherry Hill New Jersey Inactive
Eta Omega August 14, 1975 – 1989 Cherry Hill New Jersey Inactive [7][f]
Beta Beta November 17, 1999 Owings Mills Maryland Inactive
Beta Xi November 17, 2002 Potomac Maryland Inactive
Phi December 2022 Richboro and Holland Pennsylvania Active [1][8]
  1. ^ Formed by members of the Soathical Club (local), established in the spring of 1917.
  2. ^ When the chapter was chartered, it covered Greater New York City.
  3. ^ a b c d Mu, Beta, Zeta Epsilon consolidated into Mu Beta chapter.
  4. ^ The chapter formed from the merger of Nu and Beta chapters. In November 1928, it absorbed the Theta Beta Rho fraternity.
  5. ^ Chapter was originally chartered in Jersey City, New Jersey.
  6. ^ The chapter was formed by members of the Epsilon chapter.

Notable members

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Solway, Ezra (March 8, 2023). "100-year Jewish fraternity reactivates, aims for South Jersey chapter". Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae "History of the Fraternity". Sigma Alpha Rho Fraternity. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2023-11-08 – via web.archive.org.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "SAR History". Sigma Alpha Rho Alumni. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  4. ^ Smith, Max, ed. (2007). "The Order: Sigma Alpha Rho 2002 - 2007" (PDF). SAR Fraternity. Archived from the original on July 10, 2007. Retrieved November 8, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ^ "Alumni Board | SAR Alumni Association". saralumni.com. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  6. ^ "SAR Chapters". SAR Alumni. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  7. ^ "Eta Omega". www.roomberg.com. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  8. ^ Hollander, Joel H. "President's Message | SAR News and Events". saralumni.com. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
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