Abraham E. Margolin, the first of four children, became active at an early age in the community. At the age of 17, he became a founding member of the AZA chapter of B’nai B’rith Youth Organization in Kansas City – Kansas City AZA #2.

Abe was joined by Philip M. Klutznick, who became chapter president and went on to national Jewish prominence as president of the International B’nai B’rith and the World Jewish Congress. This was the start and Abe never looked back in terms of the organizational work he would do over the coming decades.

He was initiated into AZA #2 on September 1, 1923. The next day, Margolin was elected as the chapter’s first Aleph S’gan (vice president). He was a key member of the chapter’s debate team.

Before AZA, he was a member of The Friendship Club (under advisor Sam Mnookin), brother of AZA #2 Advisor Nathan Mnookin.

Margolin, an attorney and community leader, dies on Nov. 17, 2007, having recently celebrated his 100th birthday at Village Shalom, where he lived. He was born to Rebecca and Jacob Margolin on October 16, 1907, in St. Joseph, MO.

Margolin attended Manual High School in Kansas City, Mo., and went on to Washington University for college and the School of Law. He graduated at the top of his law class from that institution in 1929.

He was founder and senior partner of the law firm Margolin & Kirwan, and in his later years, went on to join the law firm of Lathrop & Gage as a senior partner. His law career has spanned more than seven decades and earned him the respect of many attorneys throughout the country. He was a founding member of the U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society. Other professional memberships included the American Judicature Society, Heritage Foundation and the Cato Institute.

He went on to serve on many boards and in many leadership positions. He helped raise money and he gave money to all the varieties of organizations that existed in this community. Among his civic activities was serving on the boards of many organizations including: Children’s Mercy Hospital (former board president and life member); Truman Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center (former chairman of the board and life director); City Trust of Kansas City Board of Governors; Research Mental Health Foundation, Society of Fellows of the William Rockhill Nelson Gallery of Arts/Atkins Museum, the Kansas City Art Institute, State Historical Society of Missouri, Starlight Theatre Association and the American Royal Association.

Margolin continued to play an active role in the Jewish Community. He served as a vice president and board member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City and on the board of governors of the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy. He received the “Man of the Year” award of the Friends of the Jewish Theological Seminary. 

Margolin did not limit his volunteer activities to Kansas City. On a national level, he was involved with numerous organizations including Brandeis University (President’s Council and Fellow), B’nai B’rith Foundation (trustee), the Anti-Defamation League (member and on the advisory board), American Jewish Committee (national executive council), the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (national executive council), the World Jewish Congress and the American Jewish Congress.

Over the course of his life, Margolin received numerous awards for his efforts both inside the courtroom and out. He was named to the “Who’s Who in America”, “Who’s Who in American Law” and “Who’s Who in the World”. Abe was named a Distinguished Law Alumnus of Washington University. Other honors include the National Conference of Christian and Jews Brotherhood Citation, Community Service Award of the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and Affiliated Trusts, the National Council of Jewish Federations Endowment Achievement Award and B’nai B’rith’s Guardian of the Menorah Award.

Abe was married for 62 years to Florence Solow Margolin who passed away in 1993.