Newspaper Page Text
the SOUTHERN ISRAELITE
17
A Review Of The A. Z. A.
Atlanta Chapter Completes Successful Year
By SIMON WENDER
SIMON WENDER
President
The Atlanta chapter No. 134,
Order of A. Z. A. of the B’nai
B’rith has completed its first
year of service in training the
Jewish youth of Atlanta to be
come Jewish leaders. In its first
year the Atlanta chapter of
A. Z. A. has gathered a wealth
of experience and publicity
through its many outstanding
works and accomplishments.
In commemorating its first
anniversary, Atlanta A. Z. A.
can look with pride to the fol
lowing achievements: the send
ing of a delega
tion of basket-
ball players,
debaters, and an
orator to the
southern A. Z. A.
finals at Mem
phis, Tenn.; the
fact that two
Atlanta debaters represented the South at the
international finals at St. Louis; the observance
of international A. Z. A. Day and Parents’ Day;
participation in two Friday night services at
synagogues; taking over the sponsorship of Boy
Scout Troop 27; the establishment of headquarters
at the former Hebrew Orphans’ home; and a series
>f successful social events. In addition, many of
the Alephs have brought fame to A. Z. A. by their
individual distinctions.
What is the Order of Aleph Zadik Aleph and
what are its purposes? A. Z. A. is a Jewish youth
movement dedicated to the mental, moral, and
physical development of all desirable Jewish young
men between the ages of 16 and 21. It purports
t<> strengthen Jewish affiliations, abate race preju
dice, and stimulate interest in humanitarian, edu
cational, and philanthropic endeavors as its spon
soring order, the B’nai B’rith.
Starting in 1924 with chapter No. 1 in Omaha,
Neb., A. Z. A. today embraces more than 140
hapters throughout this country and Canada with
an enrollment of more than 4,000 Jewish youths
—a remarkable growth in seven years!
District and international tournaments for bas
ketball, oratory, and debating; an international
NATHAN GERSHON
Vice-President
HENRY A. ALEXANDER
Advisor
spring of 1930 in forming the
nucleus of such an organization.
The Atlanta chapter No. 134
was officially installed by Julius
J. Cohn of Chattanooga, second
vice-president of the Supreme
Advisory Council of A. Z. A.,
on September 16, 1930, at a
banquet given by the B’nai
B’rith at the Standard club.
Nineteen Alephs were installed
as charter members. The instal
lation dance, one of the high
lights of the social year, was
held at the Standard club on
October 16.
Following the
installation the
Atlanta chapter
really began its
growth, quantita
tively and quali
tatively. A series
of lectures and
round-table discussions was planned. Among those
who have addressed the Alephs in this capacity are
Edward M. Kahn, Henry A. Alexander, Rabbi
Harry H. Epstein, Samuel Rothberg, Rabbi David
Marx, David N. Meyer, and Dr. Beth-Lahmy.
Attendance at Friday night services was urged.
In December, the Shearith Israel congregation
sponsored a special youth program, Harold Hirsch
being the principal speaker. Aleph Isadore Kunian-
sky spoke briefly for A. Z. A. by explaining its
purposes and achievements.
Fifth international A. Z. A. Day was commemo
rated on December 21 by Atlanta Alephs with the
presentation of the Judas Maccabeus second degree
by the degree team under the direction of Aleph
Paul Goldman. Rabbi David Marx and Henry
Alexander, advisor of the chapter, were the prin
cipal speakers.
The Atlanta chapter No. 134 was well repre
sented at the southern district tournament held in
Memphis, Tenn., in February of this year.- ^Phe
debating team, consisting of Alephs Leonard Green-
baum and Nace Cohen, won the southern finals.
The subject was “Resolved, that Parochial Schools
are necessary for the preservation of Judaism in
ssay contest; the observance of an A. Z. A. Day, an A. Z. A. America.’’ Aleph Sidney Parks made an excellent showing in the
Parents’ Day, and an A. Z. A. Sabbath; the sponsorship of oratorical contest with his oration “The Jew in World Peace.”
distinct cultural activities' the encouragement of social and Atlanta’s basketball team, handicapped by the removal of three
athletic events all these varied activities and interests are men on fouls early in the game, went down to a fighting defeat.
offered by A Z A Culturallv morally and physically, A. Z. A. The team was composed of Alephs Sam Altman, captain, Ralph
is outstanding for‘its work Hillman, Louis Klein, Albert Ungar, and Israel Gold.
Realizing Atlanta’s
need for such an or
ganization, the B’nai
r ith chapter in
Atlanta appointed a
ommittee to organ
za an A. Z. A. chap-
er * This committee,
insisting of Harold
* I arcus, chairman,
’^ n ry A. Alexander,
Edward M. Kahn,
‘d L. J. Levitas,
ueceeded in the
RAYMOND HIRSCH
Asst. Sgt.-at-Arm* .
NACE COHEN
Debating
LEONARD GREENBA1M
Debating
ARTHUR GOTTESMAN
Publicity
JOE BLASS
Seeretarjr
Alephs Leonard
Greenbaum and Paul
Goldman represented
Atlanta and the
South at the inter
national debating fi
nals held in St. Louis
during March. After
a splendid debate,
they were defeated
in the second round.
A. Z. A. Sabbath
was observed (Please
turn to page 44)