The first edition of The Shofar, the newspaper of the AZA, came out in November 1925 with a call from its editor-in-chief, Kansas City’s Phil Klutznick: “Every chapter must be intent on building up its activities. Lay a solid foundation so that future building will give something to rest on … We must build from within, but we must not forget that we are part of and parcel of our respective Jewish communities. Let each chapter resolve that it will be a force for the better in its community, and that will do everything possible to propagate the interest of Judaism in its own circle…”

In other words, follow the lead of the boys of Kansas City AZA #2.

The Alephs of 1925 not only helped lay the foundation, but they set the bar. In February, Sidney Magazine edited the first edition of the chapter’s newspaper, The Lazy A. Two’s proved its dominance in athletics and in debate, winning AZA’s first national tournament. Julius Peltzman received second high honors at the high school musical contest. Harry Levine was awarded the gold medal at Northeast High School for his prize-winning declamation. Lewis Sutin received the same award at Central’s Inter-Society Literary Contest for his oration. The Grand Aleph Godol of AZA was one of our own.

On May 8, 1925, The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle wrote: “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.”

Although there was no International Best Chapter Award (that wouldn’t start until 1926), there was no question who the best chapter was in 1925.

1Realizing the need for constant and interesting activity, the Council arranged for the first annual basketball and debating tournament to be held in Omaha, Neb., on March 21-22. At the first tournament, eight chapters were in attendance. Kansas City Chapter No. 2 carried off honors in both events. Its basketball team composed of Sidney Magazine, Lewis Sutin, Julius Peltzman, Philip Copland, Harry Kaufman and Isadore Pesmen defeated the Gary five (Gary, Ind.) in the final round, 31-24.  Copland led Two’s with 14 points. Sidney Magazine added 11 points. Copland and Magazine were named on the All-Star team picked by The Omaha Bee. (Julius Peltzman made honorable mention.) “The Missouri performers unleashed a bewildering running attack that fairly hurled the Indiana leather pushers off their feet,” The Omaha Bee wrote.

In debating, the Kansas City team composed of William Horowitz and Phil Klutznick won a unanimous decision over the Council Bluffs team, consisting of Joe Krasne and Abe Katelman, in the finals. The question for the debate was: “Resolved, That Religious Instruction Be Given in Public Schools.”

By winning the first annual tournament, the basketball team secured possession of the Malashock Cup and the debate team acquired the Simon Memorial Cup.

2An unusually large attendance was on hand at the regular meeting of Kansas City Lodge, No. 184 I.O.B.B. on Monday, April 6, 1925. Following the regular order of business, a program was presented by members of Kansas City AZA #2 and their lady friends. The program included piano and violin solos, orations by Zolley Lerner and Lewis Sutin, and songs by Harry Levine and Jack Moskowitz.

A few weeks later, Sam Beber attended the National Convention of the B’nai B’rith in Atlantic City, N.J., with the goal of gaining recognition from B’nai B’rith as the only junior organization affiliated with them. “Beber worked feverishly among the delegates, lining up support before and during the convention,” Max Baer writes. “He knew that if his efforts failed, he would have to wait another five long years.”

In an article titled, “The Birth of AZA: As I Remember It,” Beber writes that there were arguments against recognition and sponsorship of AZA. “Lodges in other Districts, principally Denver, had a successful club even older than our year-old AZA called the Junior B’nai B’rith,” Beber said. “However, we pointed out to the delegates we buttonholed, all the those other groups were single units, unaffiliated with each other. AZA, thanks to our feverish recruiting drive of the past year, was now a nationwide organization of about a dozen chapters.”

Shortly after the convention, on April 24, 1925, the Executive Committee adopted the historic motion recognizing the Aleph Zadik Aleph as the junior auxiliary of the Order and renaming it the Aleph Zadik Aleph of the B’nai B’rith.

3From July 5-7, Kansas City was the host of the second AZA National Convention. In all, 150 delegates attended the convention, representing 13 chapters. The Y.M.Y.W.H.A. was the convention headquarters. The convention included a Kansas City sightseeing tour, business meetings, a talk by Mayor Albert I. Beach and the second annual convention dance on the roof garden of the Ambassador Hotel. The three-day convention concluded with the annual banquet; Two’s advisor Nathan Mnookin was the toastmaster. Abe Babior of Omaha’s Mother chapter presented a gift to Mnookin for his work as the originator of the AZA and as first advisor of the Omaha chapter. Adair Freeman entertained with toe dancing, singing and reciting. The program was “continually stopped to permit the chapters to sing their songs and give their yells,” and concluded with singing by Lillian Benkowitz and Jack Moskowitz. Two’s Aleph Harry Levine was the general chairman of the convention and the principal speaker of the convention.

4Perhaps the single most important event of 1925 was the election of Phil Klutznick at the 1925 National Convention. On the first ballot of the voting for the office of Grand Aleph Godol, with 14 chapters voting, Klutznick received 11 votes and Horowitz’s three. Max Baer writes: “William Horowitz, having been nosed out of the contest for the first Grand Aleph Godol, was expected to be so elected at this convention. However, he was defeated by a member of his own chapter – indeed, the man who was his University of Kansas roommate and the teammate with whom he had just won the first national AZA debating tournament. The second Grand Aleph Godol was Philip Morris Klutznick.” Despite this unexpected turn of events, the two remained close, lifelong friends. Horowitz later reflected, “Had Phil Klutznick not been elected Grand Aleph Godol in 1925, he very probably would have been co-opted for leadership in one or more nonsectarian causes. And the Jewish community would have lost one of its great personalities.”

Following his tenure as Grand Aleph Godol, Klutznick laid the foundation of AZA as its first Executive Secretary. His achievements as a Jewish leader are the stuff of legend: International president of B’nai B’rith; president of the World Jewish Congress; founder of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations; and president of the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture. He would serve the federal government under seven U.S. presidents, from Franklin Roosevelt to Jimmy Carter. In 1997, The Omaha Jewish Press named him, “Man of the Century.” Said Klutznick: “The outcome of the election for Grand Aleph Godol set my life on a new course, but neither Bill nor I ever forget that 1925 contest for Grand Aleph Godol.”

5Kansas City AZA #2 carried the momentum from National Convention into the second half of the year. On Aug. 16, the chapter helped organize The Talmud Torah’s annual frolic at Electric Park. Later in the month, Two’s held its fifth semi-annual installation of officers at the Sni-a-Bar Gardens, in the form of a dinner dance; Two’s advisor Nathan Mnookin was toastmaster. Lewis Sutin, retiring Aleph Godol; Philip Copland, incoming Aleph Godol; Zolley Lerner, Aleph S’gan; Philip Klutznick, Grand Aleph Godol; and Abe Margolin, chairman of the installation dinner dance, gave speeches. Singing and recitations were furnished by Lewis Sutin, Isaac Rabinowitz, Jack Moskowitz and Zolley Lerner. In November, the chapter hosted a Thanksgiving Frolic dance at the “Y.” On Sunday afternoon, Nov. 29, Two’s ritual team (accompanied by eight other Two’s Alephs) installed the St. Joseph, Mo,. chapter.  Later that evening, the St. Joseph chapter entertained Two’s with a dance, which was attended by 35 couples. The year ended with the chapter’s second annual Collegiate Hop on Dec. 29, at the “Y.” Attendees dressed in collegiate style, with a prize awarded for the best dress. The idea of a Collegiate Hop, a homecoming welcome for the Two’s college boys, was originated by Ben Lerner, chairman of the entertainment committee.