100 Years Ago
(From the Oct. 17, 1924 issue of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle)
Reorganization of the Council of Clubs of the Y.M.H.A. was made complete with the adoption of a new constitution. This document was the work of a committee consisting of Joe Rosenweig, chairman; Albert Coppaken and Irving Ungerman. The new constitution became the law of the Council at the last meeting, which was held at the “Y” October 9. Miss Sarah Sarofsky, president of the Council, presided. Under the mew rules of the organization, all clubs belonging must pay semi-annual dues of two dollars. … Final plans for installation have been complete. The date of the installation is Thursday, October 23. The place is the Auditorium of the “Y.” The time is 7:30 p.m. All members of the clubs in the Council are invited to attend…. A committee to take charge of the Council of Clubs Literary Contest was appointed. Phil Klutznick, Order of Aleph Zadik Aleph, chairman; Miss Pearl Silverstein, Muta Society; Joe Rosenweig, Sholom Aleichem Club; and Miss Esther Brenner, Cameon Society. The next meeting will be held the second Tuesday in November at the ”Y” building.
75 Years Ago
(Editorial from the Oct. 14, 1949 issue of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle)
It is a pleasure for us to extend our congratulations to B’nai B’rith on the celebration of its 106th birthday, which occurred Thursday, October 13. To be active and flourishing at the age of 106 is no small accomplishment for any organization and when one considers that today B’nai B’rith is the largest Jewish mass membership body in the world, the conclusion is inevitable that its program must be sound and its purpose possessed of a dynamic quality.
Perhaps one of the best secrets of B’nai B’rith is its identification with democracy. It is democracy in action, as it is Judiasm in action for in their ground-rock significance, both democracy and Judaism are one.
From its earliest days, B’nai B’rith pioneered in cultural and social programs which would help integrate Jewish immigrants into the American scene. Through widespread educational programs it underlined the meaning of democracy and stressed the need for active participation by all citizens in the affairs of city, state and nation.
Its Anti-Defamation League has become one of the most effective instrumentalities for democratic action and the safeguarding of human rights in the United States. Its Vocational Service Bureau renders immense aid to young Jewish boys and girls seeking to find the right careers so that they can make the finest contributions to their country – and to themselves.
Its Hillel Foundations keep 150,000 Jewish students on nearly 200 college campuses within the mainstream of Jewish religious and historical experience. Its Youth Organizations bring these same all-important values to more than 25,000 youngsters of pre-university age. Its Americanism and Veterans Commission fulfills a tremendous need on altogether different levels.
B’nai B’rith, as one of the members of the Coordinating Board of Jewish Organizations, a non-governmental body with consultative status with United Nations, has championed the cause of human rights for all peoples everywhere, regardless of race, creed or national origin.
As advocates of democracy, B’nai B’rith stands 350,000 strong – men and women who belong to its 1,600 lodges and chapters throughout the United States and Canada. They are its strength, its inspiration, and its resources. May their numbers ever increase, and the good they do multiplied time and again.
50 Years Ago
(From the Oct. 18, 1974 issue of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle)
Norman Bassin will be installed as commander of the Mnookin-Brown American Legion Post No. 468 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Officers Club of Richards Gebraur Air Force Base in Grandview. The annual installation of officers will be held at the dinner-dance.
(Norman Bassin was Shotare Godol and Kohane Godol of Two’s in the mid 1930s)
25 Years Ago
(From the Oct. 15, 1999 issue of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle
Community service is a key component of BBYO. B’nai B’rith Girls, the girls arm of BBYO, and Aleph Zadik Aleph, the boys arm, hold community service as one of the cornerstones of well-rounded chapter programming. Throughout the year, each group participates in community service projects on an ongoing basis. Chapter projects have included collecting food for community food pantries, visiting the elderly, raising money for various charities, collecting clothing for the homeless and hurricane victims, painting a women’s shelter, yard work for non-profit organizations and more.
Summer 1999 saw a major community service effort by BBYO… The highlight og the summer’s BBYO community service activities was BBYO Mitzvah Day. On Sunday, Aug. 29, more than 50 AZA and BBG members turned out for a major community-service involvement effort. One contingent went to the Don Bosco Center in Kansas City, Mo., where they did yard work for several elderly residents. Giant weeds and unkempt yards resulted in plenty of sore muscles.
A second contingent of BBYO members (including members of Two’s AZA) went to Camp Shawnee of the Campfire Boys and Girls in Waldron, Mo., where they painted wagons used at the camp. The teens and the wagons were well painted at the end of the day. (The group of Two’s members that volunteered at Camp Shawnee included: Daniel Wajcman, Jake Schanzer, Sam Loren, Ari Krigel and Sam Hopkins, and is pictured above.)
