Aleph Zadik Aleph

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Aleph Zadik Aleph is an international youth-led fraternal organization for Jewish teens in high school. The organization is often usually referenced in its abbreviated form, AZA. The order is part of BBYO, Inc. (B'nai B'rith Youth Organization), an independent non-profit organization. AZA is the brother organization to B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG).

Contents

[edit] History

AZA was founded in 1923 as a response to the anti-Semitism of the many Greek fraternal societies of the time. As a result, the founding members chose to use Hebrew letters to name their organization, rather than Greek ones. A group of 15 boys elected Abe Baboir as their first president, and obtained Nathan Mnookin, a local chemist, as their first advisor.

It wasn't until the next year that the organization became more serious, and took the form by which it still exists today. In 1924, Nathan Mnookin moved to Kansas City. Now without an advisor, the boys approached Sam Beber to replace him. Beber agreed to advise the chapter only under the condition that they accept his proposal for a much more wide-reaching organization. The boys accepted, and on May 3, 1924, the International Order of the Aleph Zadik Aleph came into existence.

The original AZA chapter in Omaha is still named "Mother Chapter AZA #1." When Mnookin moved, he started another chapter in Kansas City, which is now known as "Greater Kansas City AZA #2." By 1925, the organization had expanded to include seven chapters in the Omaha area. Sam Beber, who had been named Grand President of the Supreme Advisory Council, went to the national convention of B'nai B'rith, to seek sponsorship of the growing organization. Despite strong opposition to the proposal , future B'nai B'rith President Henry Monsky delivered a stirring speech which led to the approval of the proposal and the adoption of AZA as B'nai B'rith's youth arm. This partnership lasted 77 years, until the organizations split in 2002.

For the first twenty or so years of its existence, AZA membership was open to older high school and college age teenagers. During the 1940s, however, the military draft for World War II pulled many AZA members away from their home communities. To ensure the organization's continuity, the minimum age for membership was lowered to fourteen. Since then, AZA has evolved into an organization exclusively for high school age teenagers. Notable members include: Sam Bherman, All the members of the musical group OAR, (who began producing music in Israel, though they had met in their college years), Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, and US Congressman Rob Davidson.

[edit] The Seven Cardinal Principles

These are The Seven Cardinal Principles that were laid out by the founding members of AZA to define the ideals of the Aleph Zadik Aleph:

  1. Patriotism: Loyalty to my homeland, to its laws, to its principles, to its ethics. To die for it if need be, but primarily to live for it.
  2. Judaism: Always to observe the tenets of my faith; ever to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord my God.
  3. Filial love: Ever to honor and love my parents. To be considerate of my elders and to respect age.
  4. Charity: To give of myself and my substance for all worthy causes; to be kind and generous to all in need, regardless of race or color.
  5. Conduct: Never too bold, never too forward, ever humble, ever observing the principles of gentlemen.
  6. Purity: To keep my soul pure, my mind active, and my body healthy.
  7. Fraternity: A spirit of sociability, of cooperation, and of friendship toward all AZA's that shall make of us one fellowship; a love of and a loyalty to AZA and its ideals.

[edit] The Five Folds of Programming

The Five Folds are used as the basis for all program planning. In 1928, Dr. Boris D. Bogen presented his ideas for a Five-Fold-and-Full Plan to the Supreme Advisory Council. The Five Folds are:

  1. Social - The most common type of event, it provides an opportunity for members to meet and have fun with other members, and sometimes even with people outside the organization. Social events are often held in conjunction with BBG chapters. Examples include dances and brotherhood sleepovers.
  2. Athletic - Any event that involves participation (including as a spectator) in an athletic event or any type of physical activity. Examples include playing in a flag football game, or attending a minor league baseball game.
  3. Community Service/Social Action - This fold has become increasingly important in recent years, as teens become more interested in giving back to the community. Examples include helping out at a local food bank, and participating in Race For The Cure.
  4. Education - Programs in this fold run the gamut from silly to serious, and can be anything where people learn something. Examples include hunger awareness and learning about the history of AZA.
  5. Judaic - As a Jewish organization, this fold is often incorporated in many forms. Examples include coming together to celebrate Jewish holidays and learning about current events in Israel.

[edit] Geographic Structure

[edit] International

The International level encompasses and governs the entire organization, including all of its regions, councils, chapters and members. At its most basic, AZA is the brotherhood of Jewish teens throughout the world, and the International level of the organization represents and brings together all of them under one banner. The officers elected at this level are referred to the Grand Aleph Board.

[edit] Regions

Regions are the most basic geographic division used to bring the organization to a more local level. There are currently over 40 regions in North America, as well as countries in Europe, Asia and South America which comprise their own regions. Officers are elected on the regional level, with the responsibility of supervising their chapter counterparts within the region as well as representing the region at international events. Some regions, depending on size and geography, are further split up into councils.

[edit] Councils

Councils function almost exactly the same as regions, and are used to further split up regions that are larger (either in membership or geography). Regions that contain councils usually elect officers on the council level in lieu of the regional level. In this case, the regional level exists mainly to bring together the various councils for regional events. Regions containing councils are said to be "council-dominant."

[edit] Chapters

The chapter is the original form through which AZA was founded, and it continues to be the most specialized level in the organization. The majority of AZA functions are performed at the chapter level. Chapters are formed based on locale. In areas with larger Jewish populations that can support multiple chapters in the same geographic areas, chapters often develop unique personalities that differentiate them from the others. All members belong to a single chapter, and all chapters belong to a single region (and council, if it exists in the region).

[edit] Members

The member is the most basic unit of AZA. The organization exists for its members, and its members are what drive the organization forward. A member is often referred to as an "Aleph" (which is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet). Membership is open to all Jewish boys in high school.

[edit] Officers

Each level of the organization is steered by a democratically elected board of officers. The officers elected may vary from one level to the other and between different chapters and regions. A group of elected officers is often referred to as the "executive board" or just simply the "board." Elections are typically held annually or semi-annually.

The major executive board positions that are typically universally elected and their job responsibilities are:

  • Aleph Godol (President): supervising and representing the organization. The Aleph Godol chairs meetings, and communicates with advisors and staff.
  • Aleph S'gan (Programming Vice-President): overseeing or planning all programs, and ensuring that the Five Folds are adhered to.
  • Aleph Moreh (Membership Vice President): recruitment of new members, retention of existing members, and the education of all members.
  • Aleph Mazkir (Secretary): taking minutes at meetings and distributing communications on a regular basis. Sometimes responsible for promoting summer programs.
  • Alpeh Gizbor(Treasurer): collecting dues and keeping track of finances, as well as organizing fundraising activities.
  • Aleph Shaliach (Judaism Emissary): promoting Judaic and Israel-related programming, as well as community service and social action programs.
  • Aleph Sopher (Newspaper Editor): publishing a newspaper and coordinating publicity for events.
  • Aleph Shotare Godol (Sergeant-at-Arms): guarding the door at meetings and keeping members safe from intruders.
  • Aleph Shotare Katone (Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms) Assists the Shotare Godol in his duties.
  • Aleph Kohen Godol (Chaplain): offering advice and guidance to the chapter; this is an honorary position usually given to the immediate past president.

[edit] Positions Used in Some Regions

In some places, additional officers may be elected based on need.

The following positions, though not "official", are nonetheless crucial elements to some regions and chapters within the order.

  • Aleph Machshev: Webmaster. Board member responsible for maintenance and upkeep of chapter web site.
  • Aleph Historian Shotare: Historian Sergeant-at-Arms. Board member responsible for keeping order at chapter gatherings, taking pictures at events, and creating the chapter banner and traditions packet.
  • Aleph Shaya: Board Member in charge of communicating with separate chapters of the same region.
  • Aleph Dovair: Board member in charge of religious (The Shaliach just is in charge of Social Action in some regions)
  • Aleph Achim: Board member in charge of brotherhood.
  • Aleph Haver-Sheli: Board member in charge of brotherhood and making chapter clothing.
  • Aleph Rakaz: Board member in charge of Athletic Programming
  • Aleph Katav: Board member in charge of making weekly newsletter to inform parents, alumni, alephs, and etc.
  • Aleph Metaksher: Board member in charge of keeping relations with alumni, members, parents, and etc.
  • Aleph MazGiz OR GizMaz or GizKir: Some chapters, councils, or regions may feel the need to contract the positions of Alephs Mazkir and Gizbor into a single, generic administrative position.
  • Aleph Yoshev Rosh: The Big Apple Region in New York City separates its region into three areas (Queens/Bronx, Brooklyn/Manhattan, and Staten Island), and each area elects its own Aleph Yoshev Rosh. The position acts as a liaison to the regional board from each area, and is responsible for area programming.

[edit] Some Background

Originally, the only board positions were Aleph Godol, Aleph Moreh, and Aleph S'gan. All programming was done by the Aleph S'gan and Judaism was intended to be integrated into every event. However, after World War II, Jews in America were faced with unwelcoming sentiments (i.e: being blamed for the internment of Japanese Americans) and so many Jews were less encouraged to embrace Judaism. As a result, fewer and fewer programs had Judaism incorporated in them. For this reason, the position Aleph Shaliach was created in the early fifties to handle religious programming.

[edit] Chapters

Main article: List of Aleph Zadik Aleph chapters

[edit] Songs and Cheers

[edit] Up You Men (Official pep song of the AZA)

<Chorus>
Up, you men, and sing to AZA,
Time will pass, and we'll be on our way,
As the years go by there will be,
Happiest of memories, ra ra ra
Stand, and then, we'll sing this song again,
All you loyal Men,
Sing the praises of our order,
Sing Up You Men of AZA
Up You Men of AZA

Brothers we'll be as we share our cares each day,
Happy and free though the years go on their way,
Starting anew, face to face with destiny,
Hearts beating true for our friends and loves to be
So,

<Chorus>

[edit] For Tomorrow and Today

For tomorrow and today,

We believe in the AZA,

With voices loud we'll say we're proud

Of the A Z, Aleph Zadik Aleph

We all know that Jewish life, {Jewish life!}

Has had its share of trouble and strife, (And Strife!}

So we'll never cease

To work for peace

In the A Z, Aleph Zadik Aleph

Brotherly Love, and Charity,

We cherish and promote {Promote}

Harmony and Democracy,

To these our lives devote, {Devote!}

Bnai Brith will never stray, {Never Stray!}

Jewish youth is on its way! {On its way!}

And it all began

With the Beber Plan

For the A Z, Aleph Zadik Aleph.


[edit] STAND TOGETHER

We are brother in the order called the AZA

So listen everybody to what we say

The aleph zadik aleph is going strong today, so

STAND TOGETHER (2X)


In omaha nebraska, it all began

14 jewish boys with a master plan

They asked sam beber to lend a hand, so

STAND TOGETHER(2X)


Men of AZA thats who we are

The seven cardinal principles have brought us far

Come join together in our song

The aleph zadik aleph will always be strong

So take a look aroung and look inside

We know our destiny can't be denied

Forever with our brothers side by side we'll

STAND TOGETHER(2X)

[edit] Others

  • "Come and Join Us in Our Song"
  • "Sweetheart Song"
  • "This is Our Order"
  • "No Man is an Island"
  • "Gentlemen"
  • "You Can Always Tell A BBG"
  • "The World of AZA"

NOTE: There is an expansive collection of chapter- or region-specific cheers, as well as a large variety of internationally known and utilized "unofficial" cheers and songs which are not accepted or condoned in any way by any official body of AZA or BBYO, but are however an integral part of the identity of the AZA.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] Regional Links

[edit] Chapter Links

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