It was freezing weather, but 20 hardy Beta Pi alumni braved the cold to attend the Jeff Kaufman ’80 organized dinner on December 4, 2025, at the renowned Dock’s Oyster Bar and Seafood Grill on the lower East Side.
Although this was the first time the event was held at Dock’s, Jeff was able to procure a highly desirable location inside the restaurant. Needing two tables, each seating 10 persons, the 3rd Avenue Platform provided a measure of separation from the other patrons and a great view through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The cocktail hour featured some waiters dispensing hors d’oeuvres while other waiters took orders for drinks from the bar. You could stand in one place and the waiters brought it all to you. The restaurant was crowded and humming. Dock’s was a large restaurant but it seemed every standing space was occupied in the central section of the establishment. It was busy and noisy, but also very stimulating. However, by the time the sit-down dinner was starting, the “happy hour” was ending and the atmosphere was conducive to enjoying conversations across the dinner table renewing long-time friendships and feelings of brotherhood.
A three-course meal was presented. The appetizer course was a choice between Caesar salad, tuna tartare, and New England Clam Chowder. The tuna tartare was an overwhelming favorite. Salmon, chicken, steaks, and a mushroom risotto were the choices for the main course. All were delicious. Dessert was either fresh fruit or key lime pie.
Every year, subjects of conversation seem to change. This year, retirement and health began to become the main topics of importance. However, if you were seated near Paul Zaentz ’69, you would have appreciated hearing about the pros and cons of making major motion pictures in overseas locations.
In attendance were:
Buddy Altus ’80 Adam Amsterdam ’79 Tom Brodie ’81
Morty Cohen ’65 John Feder ’80 Chawner Hurd ‘80
Joel Friedland ’74 John Joseph ’80 Lawrence Orans ‘80
Steve Kreichman ‘79 Eric Morgenstern ’81 Fred Rubin ‘80
Jeff Abramowitz ’80 Greg Sembler ’80 Bora Sila ‘80
Ross Weiner ’80 Paul Zaentz ’69 Dave Horing ‘81
Jeff Kaufman ’80 Mike Krebs ‘79
How popular is this event? Chawner Hurd and Mike Krebs came in from Boston, Paul Zaentz and Jeff Abramowitz from California, John Joseph from Philadelphia, and Greg Sembler from Tampa.
Many fellow Beta Pi alumni expressed their sadness for missing the event. They include Bruce Wolfson ’71, Bruce Robertson ’80, Sam Weinstein ’81, and Marc Rothman ’82. After the event, Ross Weiner said what all in attendance felt, “A good time was had by all!”. Joel Friedland repeated the feelings felt every year, “It was great seeing everyone”.
Jeff Kaufman again did a great job putting it all together. Bora Sila, after acknowledging that the Chapter House was now closed, made a very pertinent observation, “Jeff, thank you for doing your part to keep our brotherhood alive”.
There are a great many Beta Pi alumni living in the New York City metropolitan area. Contact brothers from your era, make arrangements to attend next year’s annual dinner by asking Jeff Kaufman ([email protected]) to be placed on the notice list. Take advantage of the tremendous efforts Jeff makes every year to make this dinner a reality and a “not-to-be-missed” event. All Beta Pi’s are welcome to attend.