Message from the GRAND ALEPH the SH FAR GODOL Official Publication of AZA and BBYM of the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization 24TH YEAR Y, 1947 Send address changes to The Shofar, 1746 M St. N. W., Washington 6. D. C. True AZA Spirit By EARL POLLOCK This month, we observe HENRY MONSKY MOURNED the twenty-third anniver- sary of the founding of AZA. Since that time back Most of Program B.B. President in 1924 when Sam Beber organized our first chapter For YM Meet Stricken Suddenly in Omaha, AZA, through its ever-expanding membership After Conference and activities, has grown IS Planned immensely. Today, our Henry Monsky, National Order occupies the imposing A partial convention and pre- President of B'nai B'rith position of America's lead- convention program .for the na- and Chairman of the B'nai ing Jewish youth organiza- tional BBYM convention has been tion. drawn up and will include serv- B'rith Youth Commission, ices, dances, sessions, seminars, died suddenly of a heart at- What has been respon- and a banquet, Marcus Brown, tack in New York City on sible. There convention chairman announced in Washington Friday, May 2. Mr. Monsky can be little doubt that The program as it stands was was stricken shortly after planned in St. Louis when the one of the leaving a meeting of the convention chairman met with main factors International Committee of Harold Rhein, National BBYM behind this President, and representatives of the American Jewish Con- remarkable chapters in the host city. ference, of which he was growth has While the convention itself will one of the organizers, and been "that not get under way until Monday chairman of its Interim AZA spirit." morning, July 7, all delegates are Committee. Although expected to arrive by Sunday One of the outstanding Earl Pollock probably im- night, July 6. with many of them pulling in on the Fourth Thus leaders in American, Jewish possible to plans were made accordingly, life, Mr. Monsky was a define, we easily recognize Co-Chairmen for Hospitality native of Omaha, Nebr., and it at our meetings and COI- After the trip, Brown clarified a a prominent attorney in that ventions, in our AZA hand- statement that Dan Friedman and community. He became ac- shake and "Up, You Men," Ray Schoenfeld would be co- tive in B'nai B'rith while and in other symbols of chairmen of the hospitality com- HENRY MONSKY still a young man and rose AZA fraternalism. See YM Meet, Page 3 to the national presidency However, AZA spirit through a series of local and means much more than national offices. simply cheering and singing BBYO Seder Programs Mr. Monsky had always and ordinary club loyalty. been concerned with youth It is what that loyalty problems and welfare. He represents that makes this during throughout the years. Probably Set Record was instrumental in B'nai spirit SO meaningful and en- B'rith's adoption of Aleph Zadik Aleph as a junior First of all, the AZA order in 1925 and became spirit stands for a fellow- ship based on the assump- Successes Reported Aeon AZA Praised the first chairman of the Project Head Asks B'nai B'rith Youth Com- tion that AZA is open to all Jewish young men. And cer- From All Over; For Red Cross Aid mission upon its formation New BBYM Effort in 1944. He was also the tainly it would be a viola- chairman of the U.S. Attor- 100 Seders in N.Y. "I congratulate you on having tion of that spirit if we were ney General's Conference on ever to follow the poor these young men as members of For Libraries Juvenile Delinquency and a examples of other organiza- your organization, and in turn member of the board of tions which restrict their A new record probably thank the B'nai B'rith for the won- Father Flanagan's famous was set this year for BBYO With the end of the current ac- membership to youths of a Boys' Town. derful influence it must have to tive year for many BBYM chapters particular economic status group participation in Pass- An eminent leader in na- produce men of this type." approaching, Alex Raider, national or social class. We are a over programs on the basis project chairman, urged all units tional and international af- fraternity in the true sense Those were the words Mrs. Mar- of the organization to redouble fairs, Mr. Monsky had been of reports received at the of the word, but we dis- garet Cornell, chairman of the their efforts to complete the pres- frequently honored for his tinctly are not and can not national office up to press Outremont District Red Cross ent project successfully. contributions to the war be a "frat," with its multi- time. Campaign in Montreal, used in The organization's Executive effort and the organization farious exclusive practices. Approximately 2,500 BBYO referring to the aid she received Committee decided in February to of a lasting peace. He acted Secondly, the AZA spirit members of the New York Region undertake establishment of li- from Aeon AZA. She enthusiasti- as a consultant at the organ- alone took part in more than 100 braries in the district and regional stands for the traditional ization conference of the cally reported the AZA part in the offices where none exist and to Five-Fold-and-Full program. Third Seder programs this year United Nations in San Fran- campaign in a letter to Baruch strengthen and enlarge those that This program, incorporated This was more than double the (Abe) Rabinowitz, Montreal Di- were in existence. Chapters were cisco. The meeting which into AZA in 1928 and now number of Gotham programs re- urged to contact their respective Mr. Monsky was attending ported a year ago. The rest of rector. adopted as the official pro- directors for suggestions on build- just before his death gram of all BBYO, aims at Halfway through the latest Red ing or establishing libraries. concerned with the current providing each Aleph with Additional news of special Cross drive for funds, Mrs. Corneil Goal of the project was set at meeting of the United Na- wide range of activities. Passover rites and another pic- found that many cards had not providing program, reading, and tions General Assembly ture will be found on Page 12 reference material for BBYO which include athletic and been given to canvassers. Some- Mr. Monsky had been of this issue. members as close to their homes one suggested that Stanley Hyman, revealed by a recent poll to social affairs as well as com- as possible. Few field offices had be the best-known Jewish a member of Aeons, might be adequate libraries at the beginning munity service projects and the organization seemed to be able to help. Mrs. Cornell called of the drive, but BBYM hoped that organizational leader in the religious and cultural func- headed for new heights, too. all offices would have a good se- United States. His sudden tions. With such an excel- Pre-Seders in Los Angeles, St. upon Hyman and he immediately lection of books and magazines death aroused expressions Louis, and other cities were spon- replied that he could organize a when the drive closed. of shock and sorrow from lent program, our AZA sored by chapters and councils group of solicitors. In asking that chapters go all leaders and simple citizens loyalty and enthusiasm gain from two weeks to one day before Of the campaign these boys con- out in the closing weeks of the the beginning of the ancient holi- throughout the country. far greater significance. ducted Mrs. Cornell said: I drive, by conducting money-rais- day marking the exodus of the cannot too highly express my ing affairs and by soliciting, Now, as we embark upon Jews from Egyptian bondage. Six The news of Mr. Monsky's Raider said, "I know the drive our twenty-fourth year, my Los Angeles area chapters joined thanks and appreciation for the tragic death came too near will not fail. Our organization has in one Seder, which was attended brother Alephs, let us con- wonderful help they gave me. press time to include a full always tried to serve all BBYO, by 150 alephs, and three joined story of his life and his con- stantly strive to strengthen Their contribution was $292.89, and this drive was undertaken in in another program. All 15 BBYO tributions to B'nai B'rith and groups of St. Louis took part in but the courteous and efficient line with that policy. hope every this AZA spirit. We dare not BBYO. This material and oth- the mammouth Pre-Seder there. manner in which they handled this chapter of BBYM will work with er news in connection with his rest on our laurels; there is vigor to write 'success' to another In addition there were two St. assignment could not be reckoned loss to BBYO will be in the job do! worthy campaign for our organi- See SEDER, Page 10 in dollars and cents." next issue. zation."