Aleph Zadik Aleph facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aleph Zadik Aleph
אצא
Founded	May 3, 1924; 101 years ago (1924-05-03) Omaha, Nebraska
Type	High school
Affiliation	Independent
Emphasis	Jewish
Scope	International
Motto	"More Jewish Teens, More Meaningful Jewish Experiences"
Pillars	Patriotism, Judaism, filial love, charity, conduct, purity, and fraternity
Colors	Blue
Chapters	2,500+ chartered
Members	15,000 (2005) collegiate
Headquarters	529 14th Street NW, Suite 705 Washington, DC 20045 United States

The Grand Order of the Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA or אצא) is a worldwide group for Jewish teenage boys. It is led by young people themselves. AZA started in 1924 as the boys' part of BBYO Inc., which is a non-profit organization. It is for teens from 8th grade through 12th grade.

History of AZA

How AZA Started

AZA was created on May 3, 1924, in Omaha, Nebraska. Fourteen Jewish teenagers, aged 15 to 17, started it. They wanted a group because Jewish teens were often not allowed into other social clubs called fraternities. Some say they chose the name AZA to be similar to a fraternity that didn't let them in. Others believe they just wanted a name that sounded like other fraternities.

The very first group, called Mother Chapter AZA #1, began in 1923 and is still active today. The second oldest group, AZA #2, is in Kansas City and is also still running.

Abe Babior, the first president of the new group, said it was a "social and Zionist youth group." Their meetings often had speakers who talked about Jewish and other topics. They also held fun social events like parties and dances. Nathan Mnookin was the group's first adult advisor. He was a chemist who started a similar group in Kansas City. When Mnookin left, Sam Beber became the advisor in Omaha.

AZA Becomes a National Group

Sam Beber, the advisor in Omaha, had a bigger idea. He wanted to create a Jewish youth group that would be active all over the world. On May 3, 1924, Beber met with friends and others. They agreed on their goals and formed the first Supreme Advisory Committee (SAC) with seven men. This officially started the Aleph Zadik Aleph for Young Men. The Omaha group became the "Mother Chapter," and Mnookin's Kansas City group got its official charter a week later. By the end of May, new groups had started in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Des Moines, Iowa.

The first AZA convention was held in Omaha from July 4–6, 1924. More than two-thirds of the new members attended. They elected their first international president, called the Grand Aleph Godol. Charles Shane won this election. The boys also decided to give one-third of their membership fees (which were $3 at the time) to charity. AZA officially became a junior group in 1925.

By the second yearly convention in Kansas City in July 1925, AZA had grown to 250 members. New groups were started in eight more cities. Philip Klutznick, who later became a very successful AZA member, was elected as the 2nd Grand Aleph Godol. During his time, he helped start ten new groups in the eastern United States. He also oversaw the creation of The Shofar, the group's international newsletter. After his term, he became the first executive director of AZA at just 19 years old. By the third yearly convention in July 1925, the group had 800 members and twenty groups.

In 1940, AZA had 21,152 members and 417 groups. Groups were located in Bulgaria, Palestine, Syria, and the United States. AZA reached its largest size in 1974 with 40,000 members. By 2005, the number of members had decreased to 15,000.

Symbols and Traditions

An AZA jacket from the 1940s, from Lowell, Massachusetts

The letters Aleph Zadik Aleph stand for Ahava (brotherly love), Tzedakah (kindness and charity), and Ahdoot (unity). These letters were also the same as Alpha Zeta Alpha, a local fraternity in Omaha that did not allow Jewish members. AZA's motto is "More Jewish Teens, More Meaningful Jewish Experiences." The group's color is blue, which represents loyalty, trust, and wisdom.

The AZA logo is a menorah, which is a seven-branched candle holder. It is an important symbol in Judaism. The menorah in the logo has a hexagon shape in its center. Each side of the hexagon and the base of the menorah shows one of the 7 Cardinal Principles. In the middle of the hexagon is a Magen david (Star of David). Inside the star are the Hebrew letters Aleph Zadik Aleph.

The password "Ami" (meaning "My People") is used to enter AZA meetings. It is now widely known and is used mostly for special ceremonies and traditions.

When new members, called "Alephs," join the group, they get a pin with the AZA logo. This pin should be worn at all AZA events, like meetings and conventions. It shows that they are members. The pin is worn on the shirt, over the heart. This shows that the group's principles (which are on the pin) are kept close to their heart. Aleph Pins are never worn perfectly straight. This shows that "no Aleph is perfect."

Many AZA spirit songs are very old. The most common song is "Up You Men." This is the official pep song and dates back to 1931. It won a song contest and was written by Heinie Krinsky and Wes Bercovich. Today, it is sung fast as a rally song and sometimes slowly as a brotherhood song. "Come Join Us In Our Song" is popular at conventions. It is the longest AZA song. It was written in 1964. "Sweetheart of AZA" is another song by Krinsky and Bercovich. It is often sung when a special BBG member, chosen as the "sweetheart," enters the room. Other official songs include "Stand Together," "Tomorrow and Today," "This Is Our Order," "No Man Is An Island," and "The General."

There are Seven Cardinal Principles that all AZA members (Alephs) are expected to live by. These principles show what the group stands for. They are patriotism, Judaism, filial love (love for family), charity (helping others), good conduct, purity, and fraternity (brotherhood). These principles are written on the AZA logo. They are often said during the start of business meetings.

Activities and Programs

AZA uses six main areas, called "folds," to plan all its activities. In 1928, Dr. Boris D. Bogen suggested the first "Five-Fold-and-Full Plan." He proposed five program areas: Social, Athletics, Community Service / Social Action, Education, and Judaism (S.A.C.E.J.). In 2020, the leaders of AZA added a sixth area: 'health'. All AZA events are expected to fit into at least one of these areas. It is even better if programs include many areas. A program that includes all six areas is called a "six-fold program" and is considered very special.

How AZA is Organized

Different Levels

AZA is managed worldwide by the professional staff of BBYO, Inc. in Washington, D.C. Groups outside North America are connected to BBYO, Inc. but run themselves. In North America, AZA is divided into 43 areas called regions. Each region has staff who report to the main office. Some regions might be split into smaller councils or cities, depending on their size. These smaller groups might also have staff. The smallest level is the chapter, which has adult volunteer advisors and reports to the local staff. All members belong to one chapter. Some BBYO programs, like summer programs in Israel, do not require being a member of BBYO.

Leadership Roles

The group is led by elected officers at the international, regional, council, and chapter levels. The types of officers elected can be different at each level. A group of elected officers is often called the "executive board." Elections usually happen once or twice a year. Boards are often called by the first letter of their area, like 'R Board' for Regional Board or 'I Board' for International Board.

The main executive board positions elected at the international level are: Aleph Godol (president), Aleph S'gan (programming vice president), Aleph Moreh (membership vice president), Aleph Shaliach (Judaic vice president), Aleph Mazkir (secretary), and Aleph Gizbor (treasurer).

Sometimes, extra officers are elected if needed. Each region, council, and chapter can have its own rules about which positions to elect and what their jobs are. These rules must not go against the international rules. Also, each chapter might have different versions of these positions. For example, Ruach AZA #2388 combines the Mazkir and Gizbor into one job called The MazGiz.

Connections to Other Groups

AZA's sister organization, for teenage girls, is the B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG). The link between AZA and B'nai B'rith goes back to AZA's early days. Sam Beber was both an AZA advisor and a vice president of the B'nai B'rith group in Omaha. Soon after, the new AZA group received money from the local B'nai B'rith group. At the first AZA international convention in 1924, members decided that AZA should officially join B'nai B'rith. Beber started talking with them. In January 1925, B'nai B'rith's president, Adolf Kraus, formed a committee to look into it. This committee was led by Henry Monsky. Monsky, also from Omaha, pushed for B'nai B'rith to adopt "junior auxiliaries." After B'nai B'rith's international convention, where Monsky's committee suggested adopting AZA, the executive committee quickly agreed.

B'nai B'rith groups often supported AZA chapters. They worked together on programs and offered advice. AZA was later combined with the B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG) to form what is now known as the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO). As the boys' part of BBYO, AZA kept its own special character, traditions, and rituals. It was managed together with BBG under the BBYO umbrella. In 2002, BBYO separated from B'nai B'rith and became its own independent non-profit organization.

Chapters Around the World

AZA chapters are located across the United States and in more than 40 other countries. Here is a list of some of these chapters:

Famous Members

Many people who were once part of AZA have gone on to do great things. Here are a few:

• Brad Cohen, a motivational speaker and teacher known for having Tourette syndrome.
• Mark Cuban, a well-known American businessman and film producer.
• Morton Denn, a chemical engineer and professor.
• Russ Feingold, a former United States Senator from Wisconsin.
• Michael Froman, who is the president of the Council on Foreign Relations.
• Philip Klutznick, who served as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
• Ira A. Lipman, who started and led the security company Guardsmark.
• Adam Sandler, a famous American actor and comedian.

See also

In Spanish: Aleph Zadik Aleph para niños

• List of Jewish fraternities and sororities
• BBYO