Hall of Fame

Two’s introduced a new honor at the Third Annual Marty Awards: the Mnookin Memorial AZA #2 Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is named in memory of Kansas City chemist Nathan Mnookin, the founder of the AZA movement and the adviser of AZA’s first two chapters, whose vision and dedication paved the way for countless young Jewish leaders.

The inaugural class of AZA #2 Hall of Famers are:

Philip Klutznick, William Horowitz, Lewis Sutin and Abraham Margolin. These four founding members of AZA #2, who gave themselves the nickname, “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse,” played pivotal roles in shaping the AZA’s core values and mission.
The 1925 AZA National Basketball and Debate Champions. AZA #2 won the first ever AZA national basketball and debate tournament, held on March 21-22, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. The debate team consisted of: Phil Klutznick and Bill Horowitz, college roommates at KU. The basketball team consisted of: Phil Copland, Sidney Magazine, Julius Peltzman, Lewis Sutin, Is Pesmen, and Harry Kaufman.

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Nathan Mnookin

Nathan Mnookin was the first advisor and one of the founders of Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA), and a beloved mentor whose guidance shaped generations of Jewish youth. Born in Russia and raised in Kansas City after immigrating in 1906, Mnookin graduated from the Kanas University School of Engineering and Chemistry in 1922. After graduation, he moved to Omaha to work for Cudahy Packing Company. That same year, 15 boys organized themselves into a group they called Aleph Zadik Aleph, and Mnookin agreed to serve as their advisor. He played a vital role in developing the organization’s identity, including the name “Aleph Zadik Aleph.”

Full Bio

Philip Klutznick

Philip Klutznick was many things in his life: a visionary builder, a diplomat, a philanthropist, and a civic leader. Klutznick took on his first leadership role in Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA), when he helped charter the second AZA chapter, Greater Kansas City, in 1924. The following year, as the organization expanded, he was elected to be the second Grand Aleph Godol. Klutznick served under seven U.S. Presidents. His three-month term as a United Nations delegate eventually led him to the rank of Ambassador on the UN Economic and Social Council in 1960. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter selected Klutnick to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, in part for his role in the Arab-Israeli peace talks.

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William Horowitz

William Horowitz is a distinguished figure in the history of the Aleph Zadik Aleph, having made a lasting impact as the organization’s first-ever Grand Aleph S’gan. Horowitz was the first Godol of Kanas City AZA #2. He was initiated into AZA #2 on September 1, 1923. He was elected as the first ever Grand Aleph S’gan at the AZA National Convention, after losing in a runoff to Charles Shane for the Grand Aleph Godol election. In March 1924, he was elected president of The Y.M.H.A. Council of Clubs. In March 1925, Horowitz and Philip Klutznick won the first ever AZA debate tournament in Omaha., Neb. The team 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.”

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Lewis Sutin

Lewis Sutin, a distinguished judge from Albuquerque, New Mexico, hails originally from Kansas City, Missouri. During his high school years, he captained the Central High School debate team, leading them to victory as city champions. His early involvement in Jewish youth organizations was equally notable; he was a charter member of Kansas City AZA #2, initiated on September 1, 1923. Sutin served as Aleph S’gan in 1924, in addition to serving as Mazkir (secretary) and sergeant-at-arms. He was a key member of the chapter’s debate team. Notably, he was the starting center for the Kansas City AZA #2 basketball team, which secured the first AZAA basketball championship in March 1925, winning the Malashock Cup with teammate Sid Magazine, Philip Copland, Julius Peltzman, Harry Kaufman, and Is Pesman.

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Abraham Margolin

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.

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1925 AZAA Champions

When AZA announced plans for the first ever national basketball and debate tournament in 1925, the legendary Phil Klutznick and Kansas City AZA #2 boasted to Sam Beber that they would win in both events. Two’s carried out on their promise, bringing back to Kansas City the Malashock Cup for basketball and the Simon Memorial Cup for debate. AZA established the first basketball and debate tournament in 1925 after realizing the need for “constant and interesting activity.” The tournament was held on March 21-22, 1925, in Omaha, Neb. BBYO was still in its infancy but growing quickly. At the first tournament, eight chapters were in attendance. “By the time the tournament was held, we had real competition,” says Klutznick.

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