![]() ![]() I am comforted by the fact that Jim had the unique position of having his dream job that he was able to turn his hobby and passion into his life’s work. I am confident that AEPi will continue to advocate for and support Jewish students on campus. I am grateful to all AEPi brothers who continue to celebrate Jim’s life and grieve with us. I am so proud of the incredible impact that Jim had on AEPi and the Jewish community. I know that Jim’s legacy lives in them and in so many people with whom he worked. My three beautiful children are practically grown. Now, my true love is gone and my heart breaks. He trusted his staff and volunteers and held them accountable. I’ve been reflecting so much on what a true leader he was. We have heard from countless people that his impact on them was so great. He enjoyed every moment of his involvement in AEPi. She once said it looked like dad just talks on the phone with his friends and laughs all the time. When Madi would ask what he did all day for work, Jim would say that he was helping the Jewish people and putting out fires. So, we uprooted our family and moved to Indianapolis and were welcomed by AEPi volunteers and staff and the Indianapolis Jewish community with open arms. His dream job was to be the Executive Director and CEO. It was a huge ask on his part, but I understood through all the years of being co-owners of a business, that whenever we overcame obstacles in our company, we would discuss that all he ever really wanted to do was to run AEPi. He returned home to Long Island from convention in 2012 and explained to me why he should be the Chief Operating Officer of the Fraternity. He prioritized them over other commitments. As his wife and partner, I understood that AEPi International Conventions, SBG meetings, chapter visits and conference calls were part of who Jim was. Throughout the first 18 years of our marriage, as we managed life and our company together, Jim was always dedicated and unwavering in his love of our family, his passion for sports and his love and involvement in AEPi. Our home was always filled with the kids’ AEPi uncles who came for all our simchas, slept in our guest room and joined us for holidays. Ethan and Spencer both wore AEPi pledge pins at their brises. We worked together and had three beautiful and fabulous kids: Ethan, Spencer and Madi. We bought a sorority and fraternity sportswear company in New York which evolved into a screen printing and promotional products business. We were engaged by Thanksgiving and got married a year later. From the beginning, we both knew how we felt about each other. The week after I graduated that May, we started dating. We met there, became fast friends and kept in touch throughout the spring semester while he traveled for AEPi across the United States and Canada. His first assignment was reorganizing the chapter at Washington University. ![]() Jim had just graduated from college and started working as a Chapter Consultant for AEPi in January 1994. Most Brothers of AEPi’s OFAM (official family) have heard our story. Jim’s involvement in AEPi was always about the Brotherhood and Jewish mission. It was and is the international organization that helps perpetuate the future of Judaism on college campuses and beyond. To him, AEPi was not just an undergraduate experience. What consumed most of his free time, his enjoyment, energy and his passion. At that moment with the doctor, I got upset because I was wracking my brain to remember what else Jim really loved to do. His dedication and determination were fierce. In fact, no other physical activity would or could stand in the way of Jim Fleischer’s illustrious pick-up game or JCC basketball league career. Of course, he always loved to play basketball. One that struck me, even now, seven months later was, “Before he was sick, what were Jim’s hobbies? What did he like to do?” It took me a moment to remember what life was like before Jim got sick three years earlier. While I was sitting in the hospital with the palliative care specialist last September, he asked me many questions about Jim. May Jim’s memory forever be a blessing to his family, friends, Brothers and Alpha Epsilon Pi. Following are some recollections and anecdotes shared with The Lion by some of those who knew Jim best. On October 9, 2021, Alpha Epsilon Pi’s CEO Jim Fleischer (Kent State, 1993) entered chapter eternal following a heroic three year battle with cancer. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |