On Nov. 20, a century-old tradition returned to life as Two’s AZA hosted a chapter debate at the Jewish Community Center chapel. The event commemorated the 100th anniversary of Two’s historic victory in the first-ever AZA national debate championship.

The team of Rex Hebberd and Will Widman were the winners of the debate, defeating the team of Jason Persky and Rhys Pabst in the finals. However, in recognition of individual performance, the judges named Persky the overall winner of the debate.

The final debate question was: “Resolved, Michael Jordan is the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all-time).” Hebberd and Widman argued on the negative side; Persky and Pabst the affirmative. Widman and Hebberd argued that Jordan had better teammates while Lebron played with “bums.” They also argued that Lebron plays more physical and has the edge in longevity.

The final debate question reflected a contemporary and widely discussed topic: “Resolved, Michael Jordan is the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all-time).” Persky and Pabst argued the affirmative, defending Jordan’s legacy, while Hebberd and Widman took the negative, advocating for LeBron James as basketball’s true greatest player.

Hebberd and Widman centered their argument on context and longevity. They contended that Michael Jordan benefited from stronger teammates throughout his career, while LeBron James often played with, as they described it, “bums.” They also emphasized LeBron’s durability and longevity, arguing that his ability to perform at an elite level over a longer and more physically demanding career gives him a decisive edge.

The judges in the final round were Two’s Advisor David Wexler, Josh Snitz and Ethan Kucherovsky.

In the first round, Pabst and Persky were victorious over the team of Micah Kramer and Elliot Spizman, and Widman and Hebberd defeated the team of Josh Snitz and Ethan Kucherovsky.

Two’s all-state debater Shaefer Spizman, a junior at Shawnee Mission South High School, was unable to attend the debate. He was competing in the 2025 Glenbrooks Speech and Debate Tournament in Chicago.

From the earliest days of AZA, Two’s has set a standard of excellence in debate. In September 1923, the chapter chose its first debate teams and challenged any debate team to a debate on any current topic. The first team was composed of William Horowitz, Abe Margolin, Philip Klutznick and Heim Wolberg; the second team was composed of Joseph Levy, Sidney Magazine, Lewis Sutin and Henry Zinn. Two’s held competitions against clubs such as The Maccabaeans, Tafruth and The Sholom Alechim Club.

In March 1925, AZA #2 captured the first-ever AZA national debate tournament, held in Omaha, Neb. Representing Two’s in debate were Horowitz and Klutznick (college roommates at the University of Kansas), who delivered a commanding performance in the finals. They won a unanimous decision over the Council Bluffs team of Joe Krasne and Abe Katelman on the resolution: “Resolved, That Religious Instruction Be Given in Public Schools.” With that victory, AZA #2 earned the Simon Memorial Cup.

The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle wrote the following about the winning team of Klutznick and Horowitz: “Both are experienced speakers, and their forceful delivery, superior rebuttals and better material assured them of a comparatively easy victory. William Horowitz made the varsity debate team at the University of Kansas this year, while Philip Klutznick is a member of the freshman squad at the same school.”

Chapter Two remained a national force throughout the 1920s and 1930s. In 1927, Jacob Brown and Joseph Rosenzweig advanced to the national finals, where they finished as runners-up to the Omaha team. Two years later, in February 1929, David Taylor and Arthur Zurovosky claimed the district debate championship. Sidney Glazer and I.J. Mnookin were national debate champions in 1931 and won second place at the 1930 national tournament. In May 1932, Sol and David Taylor won the the AZA city-wide debate contest, defending the negative of the question, “Resolved, That Jewish Nationalism is Preserving Force in Judaism.” At the 1938 regional convention, Barney Goldberg and Yudell Luke won the regional debate tournament.

Beyond debate, Two’s achieved notable success in AZA oratory competitions, a longstanding highlight of BBYO conventions. Members earned honors at the district, regional and international levels. Lewis Sutin placed second in the district oratory contest in 1925, while Zolley Lerner won the Y.M.H.A. Oratory Contest that same year. In 1928, Jack Brown earned second place in the International Oratory Contest, followed by Jack Sokolov’s victory in the District Oratory Contest in 1935. Leonard Belove captured the national championship at the 1937 International Oratorical Contest. Decades later, Frank Melton won the 1970 Regional AZA Oratory Contest, and Eddie Bigus claimed first place in the 1975 International Oratory Contest after advancing through the city, regional and district levels.