Bloomington, Indiana – On Monday, January 29th at 6:00 PM in the Fine Arts Auditorium Room 015, Director/Producer David Burkman and Hillel Foundation at Indiana University (Hillel) will screen the award-winning film “Haze”. The film tells a story about Nick Forest, a college freshman who wants nothing more than to join a fraternity. However, in the wake of a brutal hazing death on campus, his estranged older brother, Pete, is rallying against the Greek system. The film is a raw, shocking glimpse into a world of institutionalized savagery and into the heart of a young man driven by a desperate need for acceptance and brotherhood. Hillel has partnered with Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Pi Sigma Kappa, Sigma Delta Tau, Sigma Alpha Mu and Zeta Beta Tau, to showcase how the Indiana University community is united in efforts to stop the brutal hazing and misconduct. “Being a member of Greek life has definitely opened my eyes to the problems hidden from the public eye. Greek life has a reputation of hazing to hurt people but hazing is meant to build connections between a brotherhood/sisterhood. My sorority is involved with so much philanthropy, sisterhood, and more that is truly what makes being in a sorority so amazing. It’s not easy to hear stories about hazing and misconduct, but it is a real thing that does need to be addressed. I think Greek life needs to focus more on the positive, beneficial acts rather than the contrary,” said Melissa Krieger, active member of Alpha Epsilon Phi. “Hazing is meant to build community and commitment and brotherhood/sisterhood. Very few college students go into hazing expecting to hurt people, but this is too often the case. Unfortunately, things sometime happen that were never meant to happen. We need to learn how to build community, trust and brotherhood/sisterhood in a safer way. That’s what we hope we can learn from watching Haze. It is a privilege for Indiana Hillel to partner with the Greek community to bring this award-winning movie and director/producer David Burkman to IU. We really look forward to this screening and to learn more from this film.” said Rabbi Sue Silberberg, Executive Director of the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center. “There is an urgent need for universities to facilitate their resources and provide a neutral platform for students to openly discuss practical solutions to preventing both hazing and sexual assault issues on campus. Screening a movie such as “Haze,” and facilitating a student panel for open discussion is a great step in the right direction.” Said Jess Goldblatt, Greek Life Coordinator of the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center. Jolie Rosen, scholarship position of AEPhi, said “Fraternity and sorority hazing is definitely an issue at the majority of colleges around the country. Just this past year there were incidents at Penn State University, Louisiana State University, Florida State University, Texas State University, and more. Although hazing builds camaraderie between members, there is a fine line between what is okay and what is not. I think showing the movie Haze is very important to give a realistic perspective of what goes on during fraternity hazing and what should be changed. Greek Life is an amazing way to make friends and get involved in the community. It has shaped my college career and I would never regret joining AEPhi, however, there are clearly things that need to be improved upon within Greek Life. Haze is the first step towards that improvement and making people aware of what is going on around the country.” About the Helene G Simon Hillel Center: The Helene G. Simon Hillel Center at Indiana University provides a welcoming, warm, vibrant Jewish community and a “home away from home” for over 4,000 Jewish students on IU’s campus, the 7th largest Jewish population among college campuses.
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