90 Years Ago

(From the May 17, 1935 issue of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle)

The AZA/Council of Clubs Literary Contest finals are set for Monday night, May 20th, at 7:30 in the Center Playhouse. Final declamations and orations will be heard and judged at that time, winners announced and rewarded, and the victorious club presented with a handsome trophy. Competing poems and essays are in the hands of the judges, winners of which will also be announced. The contest committee was composed of Jack Sokolov (AZA #2) and Ralph Sokoloff, co-chairmen; and Hanan Wedlan, Frank Schlozman, Frances Zurovsky, Ethel Haskin and Paul Brown.

80 Years Ago

(From the May 18, 1945 issue of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle)

AZA Chapter 2 will hold its 21st annual all-day meet Sunday, May 20, in commemoration of its founding, May 21, 1924. There will be bowling, miniature golf and a banquet. The chapter will participate in the swimming meet May 20 at the Center. Preliminary plans for 12th annual Sweetheart Dance are being drafted. On Mother’s Day, roses were sent to all chapter mothers. … The program which was to have been held with a round-table discussion on Zionism has been postponed.

40 Years Ago

(From the May 17, 1985 issue of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle)

Aleph Zadek Aleph (AZA) Chapter #2, Kansas City’s oldest chapter and the second-oldest boys’ chapter in the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization. has been declared officially defunct and inactive.

According to BBYO Director Alice Blue, eight local chapters will now serve the organization’s 300 teen-aged boys and girls.

“When kids are no longer interested in a chapter, it’s time for it not to be anymore,” said Ms. Blue. “Throughout BBYO, it’s natural for some chapters to fold and for others to start up.”

The chapter’s charter will not be disposed of. That way the chapter could be revived if interest eventually were generated. Ms. Blue said. She added that current members of Chapter #2 will be transferred into other chapters.

“The big thing that hurt us was the lack of pc1rental involvement,” said AZA #2’s advisor, Andy Hilvitz.

All four of Hilvitz’s children have been active in local BBYO chapters. A BBYO advisor for one year, Hilvitz said he felt more input was needed from parents.

“Me and my wife are just as guilty,” he qualified. “It’s easy to give your kids over to others to take care of them. That may be fine in school, but it’s not in terms of the Jewish community.”

Alan Edelman, executive director of the Jewish Education Council, pointed out that the number of Jewish teenagers in the metropolitan area is substantially lower than 10 or 15 years ago, so fewer chapters are needed to service the community. In 1970, there were 14 BBYO chapters serving boys and girls in Greater Kansas City, compared to today’s eight.

Edelman added that there has been a rise in temple and synagogue sponsored youth organizations over the last 10 years, creating another outlet for Jewish youth.

Temple B’nai Jehudah sponsors a Temple Youth Organization, Congregation Beth Shalom a United Synagogue youth chapter, and Temple Beth El has Temple Youth Group. Ms. Blue said that many of today’s BBYO members hold memberships in other Jewish youth groups.

“I think that dual memberships strengthens our group,” said Ms. Blue. “Our members have impressive leadership qualities.”

Originally, chapter numbers were assigned in AZA in the order of their being chartered. Although #2 has officially been declared inactive, Ms. Blue said she believed that most of the other original chapters also have folded.

AZA’s original chapter is AZA #1 of Omaha. Neb.

With AZA #2 declared inactive, organizers hope to retain the traditional flag and trophies for a future group of interested teens. As Kansas City’s oldest chapter, #2 is rich in tradition.

Hilvitz said he hoped that AZA #2’s tradition could soon be revived. “Here we’ve got a chapter waiting for a group of boys and hopefully some parents.”