the Official Publication of the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization AZA-BBG-BBYM-BBYW 25TH YEAR SEPTEMBER, 1948 Send address changes to The Shofar. 1746 M St. N. W., Washington 6, D. O. YM, YW MEETINGS END New National Presidents ERS BECOMES BOOKER NAMED AZA, BBG Conventions BBYW MOTTO YM PRESIDENT Delegates to the BBYW Representative from Now Meeting National Convention began BBYM chapters in the their meetings on July 4 at United States and Canada As this issue goes to press, the Hotel Tuller in Detroit. the National Conventions of met in Detroit, Mich., the During the three days of AZA and BBG are meeting weekend of July 4. The OC- business sessions and dis- casion was the third annual at Camp Achim in Michigan. cussions, the young women Upon the completion of set up active plans for the National Convention of BBYM. BBG business on Aug. 29, coming year. AZA takes over the camp RS-Education, Recrea- The delegates reviewed tion, Social action-became past progress and mistakes. for their meeting. The AZA Convention was to begin the slogan of the Conven- They planned the future tion. The delegates mapped course of the organization. Aug. 31 and end on Sept. 3. Beginning on Aug. 26, a program to carry out the New concepts were added three phases of the motto to the BBYM program and BBG divided its three-day convention into two parts: they adopted. They planned previously adopted policies two days to be spent in to integrate all phases of were further implemented. seminars and workshops, the BBYW activity so that one Meeting at the same time other time to be devoted to Alvin Booker would not be separated from as the BBYW National Con- Ruth Cohen another. Their assumption vention, the representatives business sessions. This separation of business and Trained Leaders YM Heads Record was that one well-rounded enjoyed joint sessions with workshops was planned so activity could include all the girls, had several social that attendance at one would three facets of ERS. events with th em, and to- not interfere with other ac- Elected by YW Long Affiliations Ruth Cohen, past Presi- gether searched for their tivities. Each delegate was dent of District 6 BBYW, responsibilities as Jewish to be assigned to workshops Heading the list of na- Big, affable Alvin Booker, was elected National Presi- youth in a seminar. All the in order to keep the groups tional officers of BBYW for dent for the coming year. meetings of both groups who was elected to the na- small and to separate them the coming year is Ruth tional presidency of BBYM, She succeeds Helene Fish- were held at the Hotel Tul- according to urban and rural Fagan Cohen, National has a long record of achieve- bein, who presided over the ler, July 4-7. interests. President. She is the past business sessions. The Na- Alvin Booker was chosen ment in BBYM. As National The AZA Convention president of District 5 BBYW Secretary last year, he dis- tional Vice-President will be to head the national organ- features include seminars, and a member of the Frances played tireless interest in all Charlotte Waterstone of De- ization for the coming year. Slanger chapter in Wash- phases of the program, serv- troit, Mich. Helen A. Umans, Booker is a Philadelphian oratory and debate finals, softball games and plenty of ington, D. C. In 1946, she ing as chairman of several New York City, is the Na- and is past secretary treas- time for newspaper, arts and was co-chairman of the Na- national committees as well. tional Treasurer and Dor- urer of BBYM. Elected to crafts and dramatics work- tional Convention Planning othy Gordon, Pittsburgh, the office of vice-president Al is a Philadelphian and a shops. A campfire was to be Committee and was chair- member of Frankford Pa., is National Youth Com- was Nathan Rosen of Los the attraction on the last man of the Constitution missioner. Ruth has ap- Angeles. BBYM. He began his career night of the camp meeting in BBYM offices as Secretary pointed Anna Frances Stark The national secretary- Committee at the National with a speaker discussing Convention this summer. of his chapter. of Pittsburgh as secretary. treasurer of BBYM this year the current Palestine situa- Candid and sincere with A graduate of Temple BBYW met jointly with will be Arthur Henle of New University, Booker continued BBYM, who met simul- York City. Joseph Abra- tion. associates, Ruth attacks a (See AZA, BBG, Page 12) (See YW LEADERS, Page 10) (See YM OFFICERS, Page 8) taneously at the Hotel Tul- (See YM MEET, Page 4) ler, on several occasions. The o groups joined in BBYO to Join B'nai B'rith discussions of "The Role of YM, YW MERGER Jewish Youth in the World Today." Their discussions TO BE STUDIED In "Aid to Israel" Campaign were inaugurated in a key- note address by Manheim A joint national committee has (See ERS, Page 9) been established by BBYM and "Aid to Israel" is a top B'rith request that this a few of the many. Each BBYW to investigate possibilities priority project these days project should not detract chapter should contact its of merging the two organizations, of the entire B'nai B'rith from the United Jewish Ap- sponsoring B'nai B'rith Swords, Plowshares The committee was set up by the peal and that the general Lodge and do what it, can delegates to the two National Con- family. Coming at a time After a representative of Ma- public not be contacted for to aid this campaign. This ventions in response to recommen- terials for Palestine visited Mc- when supplies are desper- assistance, the chapters, al- drive affords an exceptional dations made by both National Keesport, Pa., a concerted drive Presidents. ately needed by the civilian ready involved in the project, opportunity to help our to collect garden tools and army Such a merger has been favored population, the B'nai B'rith have worked out plans with Israeli brothers. We can uniforms was inaugurated by the project to provide auto- the adult B'nai B'rith groups adult and youth groups. Members by members of both BBYO units capitalize on our oppor- for some time. It is felt that the motive equipment, clothing in their areas to give them tunities by making the neces- of B'nai B'rith, AZA, zionist and two organizations are bound by and toilet articles for the assistance and to act jointly sary contacts immediately synagogue organizations can- vassed homes for these materials common interests and goals. They Israelim provides an oppor- on this program. and getting AZA into th e so that no fund raising was nec- have cooperated in many common tunity for BBYO members to The National Community drive as soon as possible. It undertakings on all levels. in the essary. cooperate with B'nai B'rith Service Committee of AZA is already under way, so all Several truckloads of the tools past and the recommendation was Lodges and Women's chap- is encouraging full participa- time is precious." and clothing were transported to prompted by a desire to avoid du- ters in a worthy activity. tion in this activity among Copies of lists of materials the Pittsburgh office of Materials plication of efforts and to combine Although much of the AZA chapters. In a letter to desired and instructions as for Palestine, where they were strength. then sent on to New York. The committee will be directed project involves raising his committee members, to their shipment were re- A tuck convoy will leave soon by Alvin Booker, National Presi- money for purchasing trucks Dick Brownstein, National ceived by all BBYO district from Detroit, Mich., on its way to dent of BBYM, and Ruth Cohen, and clothing in bulk, many Community Service chair- and regional offices, as well Materials for Palestine in New National President of BBYW. Its BBYO chapters have found man, wrote: as all B'nai B'rith Lodges. York. Ten of the members of the purpose will be to ascertain the ways to cooperate with the "There are numerous ways Those participating in this McKeesport AZA chapter have possible effects of such a merger, Lodges and Women's chap- in which AZA might aid the project are asked to report volunteered to meet the convoy studying the advantages and dis- ters by assembling and in Pittsburgh and help drive it to advantages of such action. After Lodges. We can make phone their activities to both their New York, Some of the trucks gathering the information, the packing toilet article kits, calls, pick-ups and deliver- local BBYO directors and the will carry clothes that were col- committee will report their con- acting as secretaries, and ies, package, and sponsor National Program Depart- lected in Detroit; others are being clusions to the next National Con- collecting donations. the drive within all the ment of BBYO, 1746 M St. transported for shipment to Pales- ventions for action by the dele- Cognizant of the B'nai BBYO groups, to name only N. W., Washington 6, D. C. tine. gates.