The History of AZA |
Although Chutzpah AZA was founded just three years ago, the Aleph Zadik Aleph has been around since 1924. |
The organization that was to become the Aleph Zadik Aleph came together in early 1923. A group of Jewish boys in Omaha, Nebraska, organized a fraternity and named it the "Aleph Zadik Aleph," using Hebrew letters in the style of Greek fraternities, which often excluded Jews. The group elected Abe Baboir as their first president and chose a local chemist, Nathan Mnookin, to be their first advisor. AZA existed mainly as a local social group until Mnookin moved to Kansas City a few months later, where he founded a second chapter. The first chapter was without an advisor until it approached Sam Beber with a proposal.
Beber accepted the post under one condition: he told the young men that he envisioned the creation of an organization of Jewish fraternities that would stretch beyond the United States to encompass the entire world. Beber wanted the Omaha Jewish fraternity to be the starting point of his vision.
It was with this intention that Beber called a meeting on May 3, 1924. On this day, in the home of Harry Lapidus, the Grand Order of the Aleph Zadik Aleph came into existence. The original constitution and by-laws were drawn up, Mother Chapter AZA #1 was chartered, and a Supreme Advisory Council was established as the policy making body of the Order. Sam Beber became the Grand President of the Council and Nathan Mnookin became the Grand Vice President.
As a result of the hard work of this Council, the organization began to grow rapidly. Ninety-four members attended the first national convention in Omaha from July 4–6,1924. These 94 members constituted 2⁄3 of the total AZA membership, drawing from the first four chapters in Omaha, NE; Kansas City, KS; Lincoln, NE; and Des Moines, IO. The brotherhood exhibited between members at this convention became the single-greatest driving force in the success of the Order.
International officers were elected for the first time at this convention. Charles Shane of Des Moines and William Horowitz of Kansas City were deadlocked in the election for Grand Aleph Godol. The Supreme Advisory Council helped to break the impasse when they discovered that Shane was 20 while Horowitz was only 17. Shane became the first Grand Aleph Godol and Horowitz the first Grand Aleph S’gan.
By April 1925, there were seven chapters, all within 100 miles of Omaha. At this time, Sam Beber went to the B’nai B’rith National Convention to seek sponsorship of the Aleph Zadik Aleph. Henry Monsky (a future B’nai B’rith President) gave a stirring speech that swayed the body, and B’nai B’rith adopted AZA as its primary youth program. While membership in AZA was not restricted to those whose parents belonged to B’nai B’rith, many members of the Aleph Zadik Aleph went on to become leaders in B’nai B’rith.
At the second national convention, Philip Klutznick was elected Grand Aleph Godol. A dynamic leader and renowned orator, Klutznick was hired as the first International Director of AZA at the conclusion of his term as Grand Aleph Godol. He brought the Order great prestige and launched The Shofar, the Aleph Zadik Aleph’s official newspaper. Klutznick maitained a strong connection to AZA as he moved forward as a leader in both the Jewish and general communities. He later served as President of B’nai B’rith, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the World Jewish Congress, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce during the Carter administration.
By 1927, AZA had grown enormously. Twenty-three chapters were represented at the third annual convention, held in St. Paul, Minnesota. Shortly afterward, AZA became a truly international Order with the establishment of First International AZA #31 in Calgary, Alberta. This rapid expansion led to the development of more thorough programming guidelines within the chapters.
In 1928, Dr. Boris D. Bogen presented his Five-Fold-and-Full Plan to the Supreme Advisory Council. A prominent leader in the American Jewish community, Bogen believed that AZA had a major role to play in preparing future generations for Jewish leadership and that this aim could best be met through a diverse and “full” program. His original plan consisted of religious, educational, social service, athletic, and social activities. While the five folds have been altered over time, the organization’s commitment to well-rounded programming has never wavered.
Beber accepted the post under one condition: he told the young men that he envisioned the creation of an organization of Jewish fraternities that would stretch beyond the United States to encompass the entire world. Beber wanted the Omaha Jewish fraternity to be the starting point of his vision.
It was with this intention that Beber called a meeting on May 3, 1924. On this day, in the home of Harry Lapidus, the Grand Order of the Aleph Zadik Aleph came into existence. The original constitution and by-laws were drawn up, Mother Chapter AZA #1 was chartered, and a Supreme Advisory Council was established as the policy making body of the Order. Sam Beber became the Grand President of the Council and Nathan Mnookin became the Grand Vice President.
As a result of the hard work of this Council, the organization began to grow rapidly. Ninety-four members attended the first national convention in Omaha from July 4–6,1924. These 94 members constituted 2⁄3 of the total AZA membership, drawing from the first four chapters in Omaha, NE; Kansas City, KS; Lincoln, NE; and Des Moines, IO. The brotherhood exhibited between members at this convention became the single-greatest driving force in the success of the Order.
International officers were elected for the first time at this convention. Charles Shane of Des Moines and William Horowitz of Kansas City were deadlocked in the election for Grand Aleph Godol. The Supreme Advisory Council helped to break the impasse when they discovered that Shane was 20 while Horowitz was only 17. Shane became the first Grand Aleph Godol and Horowitz the first Grand Aleph S’gan.
By April 1925, there were seven chapters, all within 100 miles of Omaha. At this time, Sam Beber went to the B’nai B’rith National Convention to seek sponsorship of the Aleph Zadik Aleph. Henry Monsky (a future B’nai B’rith President) gave a stirring speech that swayed the body, and B’nai B’rith adopted AZA as its primary youth program. While membership in AZA was not restricted to those whose parents belonged to B’nai B’rith, many members of the Aleph Zadik Aleph went on to become leaders in B’nai B’rith.
At the second national convention, Philip Klutznick was elected Grand Aleph Godol. A dynamic leader and renowned orator, Klutznick was hired as the first International Director of AZA at the conclusion of his term as Grand Aleph Godol. He brought the Order great prestige and launched The Shofar, the Aleph Zadik Aleph’s official newspaper. Klutznick maitained a strong connection to AZA as he moved forward as a leader in both the Jewish and general communities. He later served as President of B’nai B’rith, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the World Jewish Congress, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce during the Carter administration.
By 1927, AZA had grown enormously. Twenty-three chapters were represented at the third annual convention, held in St. Paul, Minnesota. Shortly afterward, AZA became a truly international Order with the establishment of First International AZA #31 in Calgary, Alberta. This rapid expansion led to the development of more thorough programming guidelines within the chapters.
In 1928, Dr. Boris D. Bogen presented his Five-Fold-and-Full Plan to the Supreme Advisory Council. A prominent leader in the American Jewish community, Bogen believed that AZA had a major role to play in preparing future generations for Jewish leadership and that this aim could best be met through a diverse and “full” program. His original plan consisted of religious, educational, social service, athletic, and social activities. While the five folds have been altered over time, the organization’s commitment to well-rounded programming has never wavered.