AN EDITORIAL Democracy's Triumph By separate legislative actions at their 1956 Inter- national Conventions this past summer both AZA and the SH FAR BBG have developed membership policies which place them among the most democratic youth organizations in the nation. Both organizations now permit all those interested in joining to become members on a first come Official Publication of the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization -first-served basis-without vote-in those chapters AZA-BBG-BBYA where there is room for more members, as defined by local B'nai B'rith Youth Committees and staff. 33rd YEAR 6 NOVEMBER, 1956 Office of Publications, Baltimore, Md. Send address changes to The Shofar, 1129 Vermont Ave., N.W., Washington 5. The importance of this history-making step taken by AZA in its move to outlaw discriminatory member- ship selection practices in the organization is empha- sized by Grand Aleph Godol Lefcoe in a letter to all new BBYO Membership Hits alephs: "The International convention has passed a democratic membership policy. Because we believe firmly in equality of All Time High Of 32,796 opportunity and because voting on prospective members leaves room for us to select our members on an unequal basis (our friend before the guy we do not know too well, the top pitcher before the poor right-fielder, etc.), we have eliminated voting on prospec- All Districts tive members. (For unsatisfactory attendance and participation in the AIT program, and by two-thirds vote of the chapter, an Show Gains AIT may be dropped.) From this year forward AZA chapters admit members on the basis of the date of application for mem- BBYO's spiralling mem- bership. First come, first served. bership has hit a new all- "Not only do we hope to eliminate voting on prospective time mark, Youth Commis- members, but we intend to encourage all organizations, clubs, sion chairman Label A. Katz fraternities in our communities to do the same. We realize that any type of selectivity can backfire. It is selectivity which brings reports this month to the the "Gentiles Only," "No dogs, children, or Jews allowed," B'nai B'rith Board of Gover- "Negroes Seat From Rear," signs. As we believe discrimination nors meeting. practiced against minority is undemocratic, so we believe dis- crimination against individuals seeking AZA membership is The order's membership as of undemocratic. August 31, 1956 stood at a grand "We stand on record for democracy, for equality of oppor- total of 32,796. The new figure tunity for all. And this has particular meaning for alephs in represents a net gain of 2,180 America's Clintons." members over the same 12-month The actual legislation reaffirms that an Aleph-in- period for last year. It is also the Training cannot be kept out of the chapter for failure fifth consecutive year in which to pass the AIT Evaluation. It states that the AIT, at membership has shown a signi- the end of his orientation period, becomes a member ficant increase. '.The net gain HELPING HAND FOR BELLEFAIRE, in the form of a $1000 check automatically that voting is unnecessary. Tradition- since 1951 in BBYO membership," ally, AZA has opposed hazing or humiliation of Alephs- is presented by District 2 aleph godol Les Miller (second from left) on behalf of AZA to Alan S. Geismer, Bellefaire president. Others Mr. Katz says, "has been 9695, In-Training. pictured, left, Leon H. Richman, Bellefaire executive secretary, or almost 42 percent." BBG, at its conclave, reaffirmed its traditional view and right, Frank E. Joseph, chairman of the executive committee. A breakdown by orders shows that membership is open to all girls in the community Miller went to Bellefaire to represent AZA at the executive com- the current registration figures who meet the age requirements. The BBG membership mittee meeting of the child center. (Story, page 3). to be: program provides that-as long as there is room for AZA-14,316 members-any girl may become a Member-In-Training CHICAGO HOST CITY BBG-16,372 (MIT). The Constitution states that even while going BBYW-1,124 BBYM-984 through her orientation period, the MIT is a full-fledged member and is "entitled to any and all privileges of BBYA To Hold Its Only and Canada membership". No voting should take place at any time. Mr. Katz's report points out Service Rally Dec. 28-30 that the record registration figure The delegates and officers of both orders are to be includes only those members reg- congratulated on their splendid actions. Their decisions istered in BBYO's 1251 chapters were vigorous triumphs for democracy. Chicago Hospital, Denver, Colo. BBY annual Service 2. Henry Monsky Foundation, which is erecting a new B'nai BBG Execs Consider Bas Fund Rally will be held here They're First B'rith headquarters building in Dec. 28-30, it was announced Washington, D. C. For 1956-5 this week by international presi- 3. Anita Perlman Scholarship Mitzvah Theme for 1957 Fund. Four chapters share honors dent Larry Schwimmer. Purpose 4. B'nai B'rith Children's Home for being the first to register of the three-day gathering will be in Israel. with the BBYO Washington BBG's international convention and leadership training to redeem pledges made by chap- $3500 Toward Goal headquarters office for the ters, regions and councils at International BBYA Treasurer 1956-57 year. institute for 1957 - its 13th annual event / will revolve BBYA's 1955 international con- Martin 'Levy of Chicago, report- First AZA chapter registra- around the order's Bas Mitzvah, denoting its 13th anniver- vention here last December. The ing on pre-rally activity, has tion to be recorded by the sary as an international organization. order's goal for the year is announced that $3500 of BBYA's Membership Office is James $5000.00. Manishen AZA of Manchester, This was one of the conclusions 1956 goal of $5000 has already reached by four of BBG's top top BBG executives live in rela- The rally will include seminars been pledged. New Hampshire. Jeffrey Gal- tively close proximity to each on all phases of BBYA's four- Although plans for the rally per is aleph godol of the group. officers at a weekend meeting in other. Anne and Cindy both live part Service Fund which encom- here have not yet been finalized, First honors for BBG go to Washington last month. The meet- in Silver Spring, Maryland, a passes: it is expected that speakers rep- three chapters whose registra- ing was the first of what inter- suburb of Washington, D. C. Deb- 1. Fight Against Disease, un- resenting all phases of BBYA's tions were received simultane- national BBG president Anne bie is from Philadelphia, a two- der which are the Leo N. Levi Service Fund will be on hand to ously. They are: Metropolitan Goldstein says will be a series of hour train ride to Washington. Memorial Hospital, Hot Springs, address delegates. BBG, Los Angeles, which has (see EXECS, page 5) Ark., and the National Jewish (see RALLY, page 2) 20 members, Sheryl Deutsch planning sessions throughout the president; San Francisco BBG, San Francisco, Calif., which year. In addition to the international Regionals May Draw 7500 has 46 members, Nadine Vuyas president; and Aviva BBG, BBG president, 1st vice president Toronto, Canada, which has 17 Debbie Getzik, 2nd vice-president Elaine Gilner and secretary Cindy An estimated 7500 BBYO' will take part this year in members, Carol Goodman, president Elaine Kiner. Included Towsner were in attendance. regional conventions throughout the order, a preliminary president. on the convention program were President Goldstein explained survey by SHOFAR this week showed. With only a few ex- seminars on such diversified topics that similar meetings are feasible as: "Segregation and Integra- throughout the United States and ceptions, the conclaves will be held during the winter school this year because four of the five tion," "Does Rock 'n Roll Music Canada. "Our registration figures vacation in late December. Virtually all gatherings will be Have a Bad Effect on Teen- do not reflect some 2500 members co-ed. Some parleys will take the form of Universities of agers?" and "Are Jewish Cus- outside of the United States and Canada, who do not pay dues to Where To Find It BBYO. toms and Rituals Outdated A Among the first of the regional highlight of the convention was our headquarters office," he says. to be geared to the order's MIT Aleph Godol's Message gatherings to be hela will be those program and the dozens of MITs a final night banquet-dance. Likewise, his report says, the expected to attend the parley. Elsewhere in District 1, the figure does not include members Message Page 3 of two New England regions BBG President's Tri-State AZA, at which 200 Some 200 delegates are expected only other region on which infor- now serving in the Armed Forces Message Page 5 alephs were expected to partici- mation is presently available is who pay no dues during their mili- to be on hand for the three-day BBYA President's pate November 2 through 4. Site event. Long Island Region which is plan- tary service. Message of the parley is Newton, Mass. District One's Southern On- ning for a co-ed BBYO Univer- Despite its steady growth, Mr. Page 2 Katz calls BBYO's membership Chapter Chatter Page 7 Among speakers scheduled were tario Regional convention, held sity, in place of the traditional convention, to be held some time rise "only a fraction of the poten- Names In The News Page 8 Warren Simon, District 1 DAG. late last month, saw some 200 around Dec. 2. tial." He cites limited resources Theme of the AZA conclave is alephs and BBG's at the three-day as the major obstacle to further On Tap Page 6 "Are We Jewish In Name Only gathering held in Toronto, Cana- District 2 Activity membership growth at this time. World Datelines Page 7 New England's Bay State BBG da. Speakers at the co-ed parley In District 2, the Greater Ohio Mr. Katz credits BBYO's ex- Shofar Feature Section Page 4 regional convention, November included District 1 DAG War- Council parley in Lorain, Ohio, pansion to a combination of "its 16-18, at Framingham, Mass., is ren Simon and District 1 BBG (see REGIONALS, page 8) (see MEMBERSHIP, page 6)