Monsky, Henry

One of the outstanding leaders in American Jewish life, Henry Monsky was a native of Omaha, Nebraska, and became a prominent attorney in the community. Monsky joined the Omaha Lodge of B’nai B’rith in 1911 and graduated with his Bachelor of Laws degree from Creighton University in 1912. One year later, he became president of his B’nai B’rith Lodge. Influential in the Omaha B’nai B’rith, Monsky was instrumental in B'nai B'rith's adoption of the Aleph Zadik Aleph in 1925 and became the first chairman of the B'nai B'rith Youth Commission upon its formation in 1944. His leadership was instrumental in securing B'nai B'rith's financial backing and support of the B'nai B'rith Youth program. 

As chairman of the B’nai B’rith National War Service Committee, Monsky was honored for his contributions to efforts during World War II and for establishing an organization of lasting peace. He founded Omaha’s Community Chest and served in numerous communal roles including the Director of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, President of the Nebraska Conference of Social Work, President of the Omaha Council of Boy Scouts, and Member of the Omaha Welfare Fund. As a supporter of social justice causes, he led protests against the British opposition to Jewish immigration to Palestine. He later met with President Roosevelt to advocate for U.S. action against the Nazis.

Today, outstanding AZA chapters are rewarded with the Henry Monsky Chapter Excellence Award of the Aleph Zadik Aleph, the most prestigious honor an AZA chapter can earn.