Jack Brown

By Jack Brown

(This article first appeared in the Kansas City Jewish Chronicle on Dec. 16, 1927 and was written by former Two’s Godol Jack Brown.)

Nearly four years have now elapsed since the first chapter of the Order of Aleph Zadik Aleph of the Independent Order of B’nai B’rith was granted its charter. The Kansas City, Missouri, Chapter of the Order takes pride in the fact that it was the second chapter to be instituted in this great brotherhood which, through yet in its infancy, has grown from but seven chapters into a nationwide organization embracing over 65 chapters, extending into all parts of the United States.

Little do we stop to ponder over the wonderful significance of this national youth movement, this offspring of that international Jewish stronghold – the Independent Order of B’nai B’rith.

While the Jews in the United States have been forming organizations to combat the bigotry and hatred that have been manifested against the people of Israel throughout the ages, organizations for young men were seriously neglected.

But why may we say this was a serious neglect? For youth is a builder, a dreamer. He thinks always of the future and endeavors to build toward the realization of his dreams. The hope of the world is its youth. The hope of youth is the future of the world. Jewish youth, thinking proudly of his past, and knowing the possibilities of the world about him, is possessed of a new born hope.

The dynasties of Rome, of Greece, of Troy, of Babylon, have long since gone the road to destruction. For these peoples, powerful though they were, had not the faith which the Jews possess. To this great faith in God and man, the children of Israel owe their continued existence.

Israel, scattered, misunderstood, despised and hated, lives on in anticipation of the day when the hope of youth will be realized. With patience born of age-old suffering, being driven from land to land, the Kew prays and hopes for the day when all men will acknowledge the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God.

But the realization of our goal cannot be attained unless our Jewish youth is prepared to combat that bigotry which is caused by more ignorance.

Thus, out of the efforts of that powerful organization, the B’nai B’rith, there has been built a fraternity based upon lofty ideals, the A.Z.A. To be associated in the enterprise that the A.Z.A. represents is a privilege – an opportunity for red-blooded boys to have a good education in vigorous, wholesome, body-building sport, and to train their bodies and minds to stand up under the physical and mental struggles in the battle of life. It offers a means whereby youth can go far in the broadening of the vision, elevating the thoughts, and purifying the souls of itself and world about it. Above all, it presents an unexcelled opportunity for the Jewish boys of this continent to be of service to their people and to civilization by showing the way up the rocky path of determination and effort to the beauteous and peaceful mountaintop of tolerance, brotherhood and goodwill.

(Jack Brown attended Kames School and Manual High School in Kansas City. In 1928, Brown served as Aleph Godol of Two’s. In 1929, he was elected Grand Aleph Mazkir. He later attended the University of Kansas and the University of Michigan, graduating in 1933 from the latter with an LLB degree.)