OUR Previous DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI Annually, since 1951, the AZA International Convention has examined the roster of alumni to see if there is one individual who has so ex- celled in his chosen field that he is worthy of receiving AZA's highest honor for an alumnus - THE SAM BEBER DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD. PHILIP M. KLUTZNICK, 1951 A former Ambassador to the United Nations rently, he serves as chairman of the executive Economic and Social Council, former Commis- committee of Urban Investment and Development sioner of the Federal Public Housing Authority, Co., a national real-estate investment and devel- Honorary President of B'nai B'rith, former Presi- opment firm with headquarters in Chicago. His dent of the AZA Supreme Advisory Council (fore- most widely acclaimed accomplishments in this runner to the Youth Commission), AZA's second field include the development of the new town of Grand Aleph Godol, and first executive of AZA, Park Forest, Illinois, and the development of the Mr. Klutznick is rightfully viewed as one of the most first three major regional shopping centers in the outstanding leaders in the world Jewish community. Chicago area. Besides his accomplishments in service to the Mr. Klutznick is also active in many other com- Jewish community and to the government, Mr. munal activities including the Committee for Eco- Klutznick is also a leader in urban planning. Cur- nomic Development. LEO M. CHERNE, 1952 ing to rescue large numbers of Jews from Nazi As Executive Director of the Research Institute Germany as Board Chairman of the International of America, Leo Cheme advises more than 75,000 Rescue Committee. business concerns which are members of the Re- A noted economist, author, lecturer, and sculp- search Institute. The Institute is the largest private tor, Mr. Cheme is perhaps best known for his industry-supported business advisory organization sculpture. Three Presidents have requested his in the world. bronze bust of Lincoln for the White House, he In 1931, Mr. Cheme won the AZA International was commissioned by the City of Berlin to sculpt a Oratory Contest with his oration on "The Peace portrait of John F. Kennedy, and he presented a Mission of the Jewish People." During the Nazi bronze bust to President Johnson in 1966 at the reign of terror, he operated his own mission, help- annual Freedom House Award. JULIUS BISNO, 1953 the first Assistant Executive Secretary of AZA. He As Associate Executive Director of the Jewish later served as Editor of the Shofar and, for twelve Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles, Julius years served as National Executive Director of Bisno has responsibilities for the development and AZA. He has been a member of the B'nai B'rith growth of one of the nation's largest centers of Youth Commission for nearly twenty years. Jewish population. Besides serving as Associate Executive Director Mr. Bisno has been associated with AZA almost of the Los Angeles Jewish Federation Council, Mr. from the beginnings of the organization. A found- Bisno is Executive Director of the United Jewish ing member of Memphis AZA, Mr. Bisno became Welfare Fund of Los Angeles. 22 THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY SHOFAR