100 Years Ago
(From the May 8, 1925 issue of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle)
The order of the Aleph Zadek Aleph for Young Men reports that it has received notice that action was taken at the National Convention of the B’nai B’rith at Atlantic City, recognizing it as the only junior organization affiliated with them. Details for expansion of their work have been placed in the hands of a national committee.
This action is the culmination of the desire of the young men to enlist with the B’nai B’rith in inculcating the principles and purposes of Ben Brithdom in the younger generation. This also marks the recognition of the senior order of the rapid growth and phenomenal progress of the young men as lauded in a spirited speech by Mr. Henry Monsky, a candidate for national president of the B’nai B’rith at their convention.
Kansas City established in 1923 the second chapter of the Aleph Zadek Aleph. The mother chapter was organized in Omaha, Nebraska. Since its entry, 13 chapters to similar groups in various parts of the United States have been granted. Ten other cities have applications awaiting action. Leaders of the B’nai B’rith are now endeavoring to bring the order into European countries. …
At the oratorical contest held at Ivanhoe Temple where the winner of the Midwestern Zone was chosen. Max Kroloff, a member of the AZA of Sioux City, Iowa, was granted first place and became the representative of this section of the country in the national contest to be held in Washington, D.C. Lewis Sutin, of this city, and a fraternity brother of Koloff’s, won second place in this district. The oratorical contest of the YMHA was also won by a member of the order of Kansas City, Zolley Lerner.
The achievements of the members of the Kansas City chapter reached far beyond the forensic honors. Phil Copland, the star of Central High School’s basketball team, was likewise the star of the team that won the national honors at the AZA’s basketball tournament at Omaha, Nebraska. Julius Peltzman received second high honors at the high school music contest. Harry Levine was awarded the gold medal at Northeast for his prize-winning declamation. Lewis Sutin received the same award at Central’s Inter-Society Literary Contest for his oration. Isaac Rabinowitz took a prize in the short story.
If these accomplishments are a criterion of the power and abilities of the coming Jewry of Kansas City, we are assured of capable leaders and active participants in city, state, and national affairs. Such work is worthy of the fullest support and interest of the community.
90 Years Ago
(From the May 10, 1935 issue of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle)
K.C., Mo. Chapter AZA will hold a reception Sunday, May 12, 3 p.m. at The Center for their parents, in observance of International AZA Parents Day. The public is also invited. Scout Troop 340 will usher. Those taking part in the program are: Nathan Stein, Nathan Brown, Bob Schultz, Stanley Yukon, Melvin Gershon. Leonard Greenberg, Jack Louis, Leon Sedler, Jack Mable and Leonard Belove. … A dinner dance will be held in the evening at Sni-A-Bar Gardens to celebrate Chapter No. 2’s 11th anniversary. The championship basketball team will receive its award at that time. The Aleph Club No. 200 will also be installed. … The Supreme Advisory Council of AZA in Omaha granted a temporary charter to the newly organized Chapter No. 200 of the AZA. The club will be formally installed by Jack Brown, Field Secretary of AZA District 2 (and AZA #2 alumnus), Sunday night, May 12, at Sni-A-Bar Gardens. Jack Louis is Aleph Godol.
70 Years Ago
(From the May 6, 1955 issue of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle)
Nathan M. Mnookin, 54, of 6969 Valley Road, died Monday, May 2 at Menorah Hospital after suffering a heart attack in a motor car while returning home from work. Mr. Mnookin was one of the inventors of Thiokol, an artificial rubber. He was president of Chemical Commodities, Inc., Olathe.
Mnookin was born in Russia and came to the United States in 1906 with his parents, who settled here. He was a graduate of the University of Kansas in 1922 with a degree in chemical engineering.
He was a member of the Congregation B’nai Jehudah, formerly was president of B’nai B’rith Lodge No. 184, and was a founder of AZA, a national Jewish youth group. Mnookin also was a member of the American Chemical Society. He served as a major in World War II in the Chemical Warfare section of the Rocky Mountain arsenal at Denver.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 4, in the Louis Chapel. Burial, Rosehill cemetery.
