Aleph Zadik Aleph facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aleph Zadik Aleph
אצא
Founded	May 3, 1924; 101 years ago (May 3, 1924) Omaha, Nebraska
Type	High School Fraternity
Affiliation	Independent
Emphasis	Judaism
Scope	International
Motto	"More Jewish Teens, More Meaningful Jewish Experiences"
Pillars	Patriotism, Judaism, filial love, charity, conduct, purity, and fraternity
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) is a worldwide group for Jewish teenagers. It is led by young people. AZA was started in 1924. It is the male part of BBYO Inc., which is a non-profit organization. Teens from 8th grade through 12th grade can join AZA.

History of AZA

How AZA Started

AZA began on May 3, 1924, in Omaha, Nebraska. A group of 14 Jewish teenagers, aged 15 to 17, created it. They started the group because Jewish teens were often not allowed into other social clubs.

The name AZA was chosen to be similar to a club that had turned them away. However, some say the name was picked just to sound like other popular clubs.

The very first AZA group, called Mother Chapter AZA #1, started in 1923. It is still active today. The second oldest group, AZA #2, is in Kansas City.

Abe Babior was the first president of the new group. He said it was a "social and Zionist youth group." Their meetings often had speakers on Jewish and other topics. They also held fun events like parties and dances. Nathan Mnookin was their first adult advisor.

Becoming a National Group

Sam Beber became the new advisor in Omaha. He had a bigger idea: to create a large Jewish youth group. On May 3, 1924, Beber met with friends. They agreed on their goals and formed the first Supreme Advisory Committee. This officially started the Aleph Zadik Aleph for Young Men.

The Omaha group became the "Mother Chapter." Mnookin's group in Kansas City got a 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. Most of the members attended. They elected their first international president, Charles Shane. The teens also decided to give one-third of their membership fees to charity. AZA officially became a junior group in 1925.

By the second convention in July 1925, AZA had 250 members. New groups opened in eight more cities. Philip Klutznick, who later became very famous, was elected as the second international president. He helped start ten new groups in the eastern U.S. He also started "The Shofar," the group's international newsletter. After his term, he became the first executive director at age 19. By July 1925, AZA had 800 members and twenty groups.

In 1940, AZA had over 21,000 members and 417 groups. There were groups in Bulgaria, Palestine, Syria, and the United States. AZA reached its largest size in 1974 with 40,000 members. By 2005, membership was about 15,000.

Symbols and Traditions

An AZA jacket from the 1940s

The letters Aleph Zadik Aleph stand for Ahava (fraternal love), Tzedakah (benevolence), and Ahdoot (harmony). These are Hebrew words. The letters were also similar to a local club in Omaha that did not allow Jewish members.

The AZA logo is a menorah. This is a seven-branched candle holder and a key symbol in Judaism. The menorah in the logo has a hexagon shape in its middle. Each side of the hexagon and the menorah's base shows one of the 7 Cardinal Principles. Inside the hexagon is a Magen david (Star of David). The Hebrew letters Aleph Zadik Aleph are inside the star.

The password "Ami" (meaning "My People") is used to enter AZA meetings. Today, it is mostly used for special ceremonies and traditions.

When new members, called "Alephs," join, they get a pin with the AZA logo. Members should wear this pin at all AZA events. It is worn on the shirt, over the heart. This shows that the group's principles are important to them. Aleph Pins are never worn perfectly straight. This shows that "no Aleph is perfect."

Many AZA songs are very old. "Up You Men" is the official pep song. It won a song contest in 1931. 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. "Sweetheart of AZA" is sung when a special BBG member enters the room.

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

The group's motto is "More Jewish Teens, More Meaningful Jewish Experiences."

Activities and Programs

AZA uses six main ideas, called "folds," for planning all its activities. In 1928, Dr. Boris D. Bogen suggested the first five folds: Social, Athletics, Community Service / Social Action, Education, and Judaism (S.A.C.E.J.). In 2020, a sixth fold, 'health,' was added.

All AZA events should fit into at least one of these folds. It is good if programs include many folds. A "six-fold program" includes every fold. These are considered very special events.

How AZA is Organized

Levels of Organization

AZA is managed worldwide by BBYO, Inc.'s staff in Washington, D.C. Groups outside North America work with BBYO, Inc. but run themselves. In North America, AZA is divided into 43 areas called regions. Each region has staff who report to the international office.

Some regions are split into smaller councils or cities. These may also have staff. The smallest level is the chapter. Chapters have volunteer advisors and report to their local staff. All members belong to one chapter.

Leadership Roles

Members elect leaders at the international, regional, council, and chapter levels. These elected leaders are often called the "executive board." Elections usually happen once or twice a year.

The main leadership roles 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)
• Aleph Gizbor (treasurer)
• Aleph Sopher (publicist)

Some groups might have extra roles if needed. Each region, council, and chapter has its own rules for positions. These rules must follow the international rules. For example, Ruach AZA #2388 combines the Mazkir and Gizbor roles into one.

Affiliation with Other Groups

AZA's sister group for teenage girls is the B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG). AZA's connection to B'nai B'rith goes back to its early days. Sam Beber was an AZA advisor and also a leader in B'nai B'rith. Soon, B'nai B'rith helped fund the new AZA group.

In 1924, AZA decided to join with B'nai B'rith. B'nai B'rith officially adopted AZA as its youth group in 1925.

B'nai B'rith groups often supported AZA chapters. They worked together on programs and offered advice. AZA and BBG later combined to form the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO). AZA kept its unique traditions even while being part of BBYO. In 2002, BBYO became an independent non-profit organization, separate from B'nai B'rith.

Chapters Around the World

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

Notable Members

Some well-known people who were part of AZA include:

• Brad Cohen, a motivational speaker and teacher
• Morton Denn, a chemical engineer and professor
• Russ Feingold, a former United States Senator
• Michael Froman, president of the Council on Foreign Relations
• Philip Klutznick, a former U.S. Secretary of Commerce
• Ira A. Lipman, founder of Guardsmark

See also

In Spanish: Aleph Zadik Aleph para niños

• List of Jewish fraternities and sororities