In a stunning development, the University Jewish community has decided to boycott Tower Club Bicker in early February. Members of the club's graduate board said they feared that losing over half of their potential new members could spell doom for the organization.
Tower president Cindy Drakeman '02, upon hearing the news, ran for a phone to call boycott-organizer and ZBT president Isaac Sherman '04.
In an exclusive interview with the 'Prince,' Sherman said, "It's not a money issue, obviously.
"We have just come to see Tower as moving in a direction away from what we want," he said. "The club's leaders have gotten arrogant. They see it as a steppingstone to running the ICC and they no longer care about the little Jews."
Drakeman, minutes later, tried to defend the club's leadership.
"We were not aware that anything was wrong," she said. "We understand their dietary needs, provide a safe alternative from the rest of the clubs on the street and promote understanding between everyone in the club.
"It's difficult, sometimes, because all they talk about is politics and money," she added. "It's hard to figure out what they want for the future of the club."
CJL director Rabbi James Diamond said he was surprised to hear the news, but tried to put a positive spin on the story.
"Well, now the CJL won't just be full of kids who don't like to party. This could mean that the CJL could become a veritable social force," he said. "I mean, they have the resources and brains to make it work."
Sherman said he and his friends who started the boycott have some very interesting ideas for the CJL.
"I mean, me and my frat bros like to do keg stands. We are huge drinkers. Maybe now we'll do keg stands of Manischewitz," he said.
Rachel Weiner '04 added that this movement could make her college mission easier. "I came here to find a husband, and now that I can hang out with the cooler Jews, I'm excited. So are my grandparents."
Drakeman told the 'Prince' that she will go to great pains to quash the boycott.
"If this happens, the club could collapse," she said. "What they bring to the club is very important."
Some non-Jewish club members said they were afraid the boycott could make Tower lose its Bicker status.
"We basically took everyone last year. I liked being exclusive. But now, without their dues, we can't afford not to take everyone," one member, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
Drakeman dismissed this suggestion. "We'll be fine," she said. "Everyone knows Tower Club is the coolest. We'll be bicker forever."
ICC adviser Alice Teti '00 said presidents at Cottage, Ivy and Cap & Gown clubs and Tiger Inn were aware of the possible shake-up.
"Frankly, they don't really care," she said. "They never considered Tower a real Bicker club anyway."
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