Beber, Sam

When one of the original leaders of the Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) social club, Nathan Mnookin, moved away the year after its founding, the group approached Sam Beber to be their advisor. Beber, then 22-years-old and a graduate of Creighton University Law School, accepted the responsibility under one condition: Beber wanted the organization to be more than just a social organization but rather a global movement dedicated to traditional Jewish values and serving others.

The group agreed, and on May 3, 1924, the International Order of Aleph Zadik Aleph was formally founded with a new constitution and bylaws. Beber was selected as the first Grand President of the Supreme Advisory Council, the group's policy-making body. The next year, while serving as the youngest member of the B’nai B’rith National Board, Beber helped persuade the organization to oversee AZA as a Junior Auxiliary.

As a successful attorney, Beber was active in civic and philanthropic organizations. He served on the national boards of the Jewish Welfare Board, the United Jewish Appeal, and the Boy Scouts. He also headed Omaha’s Federation of Jewish Service and helped establish Omaha’s Beth El Synagogue. During World War II, Beber helped Jews flee from Nazi Europe. After the war, he contributed to the building of Park Forest, Illinois, a community of over 20,000, initially established to meet the needs of soldiers returning from the war. He also developed the planned community of the Port of Ashdod in Israel. 

Beber’s dream to provide a meaningful experience to Jewish teens has spread across the world and shows no signs of slowing down.

Beber passed away in 1976. Today, AZA honors distinguished alumni with the National Sam Beber Award.