Shotar The B'nai B'rith Youth Organization Tishri/Cheshvan 5746, October 1985 Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG) International Convention Explores The Game of Life They called it "The Game of Life is Hard to pioneer. While Andrea relished in the excitement Play," for this was the convention where There were business meetings and Shab- of her new position, an honor was bestowed nearly 400 youth from around the world. bat electives, song and dance activities, a upon a former N'siah. Phyllis B. Brotman, the would tackle some of life's more difficult talent show, and life membership eighth International N'siah of BBG and a issues. Among the issues were the introduc- ceremonies. current advertising and public relations tion of two international programming This convention also marked the dedica- specialist, was awarded the Anita Perlman thrusts in areas that could potentially affect tion of the AZA and BBG Members Memorial, Distinguished BBG Alumna Award. the participants' lives in one way or another a plaque affixed to the Klutznick Building at received here acceptance as a young- -missing children and teenage suicide. Camp Perlman bearing the names of ster," said Brotman. "I give credit to BBG for It was the six-day annual convening of the BBYOers who have died since 1983 while giving me confidence to get up before peo- AZA and BBG International Conventions at members of the organization. ple, make a statement, and not be afraid." the B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp in Starlight, Guest lecturers were on hand to help with Noted television and film star Leonard PA. Coordinated by Andrea Jaron of South- the kick-off efforts of BBYO's two new pro- Nimoy, received the Sam Beber Distin- field, MI and Donald Tobin of Columbia, MD, gram thrusts: Awareness for the Rights of guished AZA Alumnus Award. Although, the event drew BBYOers from the 37 regions Children (ARC) and BBYO/Friends for Life. Nimoy could not be in attendance at the throughout North America in addition to Addressing the convention body for the ARC convention, he stated in his acceptance let- those from Districts 14 (Israel), 15 (Great program was Donald W. Mathis, associate ter, "The wide range of activities in AZA put The Game Life Britain and Ireland) and 19 (Continental director of the National Network of Runaway me in touch with people and ideas which Europe). and Youth Services, Inc. Myra Herbert, helped me to focus my interests and my In the traditional format of this event, the Coordinator of School Social Services in the energies and have had an enriching effect on is Hard to Play convention focused on a variety of issues Fairfax County, Virginia Public Schools Sys- my life and my work to this day." and programs and included a number of tem spoke on teenage suicide prevention For many participants, convention served guest speakers. and how BBYOers could play an active rote as amending There were addresses by Aaron Gross- in the BBYO/Friends for Life Program. BBYO programs or to an affiliation with man, chairman of the B'nai B'rith Youth Elections were held, and Jeffrey R. Acker- BBYO as college quickly approached. But for Commission and Dr. Sidney Clearfield, inter- man of Denver, CO and Andrea Gordman of equally as many convention served as a national director of BBYO. There was even a Omaha, NE were elected the 61st Grand successful ending, helping them to leave surprise 80th birthday party for Anita Perl- Aleph Godol of AZA and 41st International their summer's experience behind while man, AZA international sweetheart and BBG N'siah of BBG, respectively. feeling like winners in the Game of Life. Phyllis B. Brotman Named as The Convention Coordinators Distinguished Alumna The role of convention coordinator, an appointed position for both AZA and BBG, begins months prior to the actual conven- Brotman, who served as International tion. During that time period the coor- N'siah of BBG (1952-53), received the award dinators meet with Al Freedman, the con- from Anita Perlman and Betsy Winnick, In- vention director, to discuss plans and for- ternational N'siah at the time. mulate ideas. They also exchange commu- President of Image Dynamics Inc., a nication with the other youth leaders who Baltimore based advertising and public re- will take an active role in the convention lations firm, she serves as a member of the activities. American Association of Advertising Agen- This year the role of coordinators was cies and the American Association of Polit- filled by Andrea Jaron of Michigan Region ical Consultants. Aside from that, she has and Donald Tobin of Northern Region East. maintained an active membership on the Both are graduating seniors, and the con- state and national levels of the Public Rela- vention served as a closing activity for tions Society of America. their involvement in BBYO. She is a member of the Board of Trustees Andrea began her BBG affiliation as a of the University of Southern California's founding member of Shemesh BBG #156 of School of Politics and Government, a which she later served as the first N'siah. Phyllis B. Brotman, at right, enjoys a member of the Board of Trustees of Loyola She continued on to become the Mid- moment with Anita Perlman prior to College of Baltimore, a member of the Atlantic Machon coordinator for Michigan receiving the Distinguished Alumna Board of Visitors of Towson State Univer- Region and Regional Katvanit/Mazkirah. Award. sity, and a member of the Board of Direc- Her other positions included serving as tors of the Mary Washington College winter regional convention coordinator, a Phyllis B. Brotman, an advertising and Foundation. member of the local BBYO Board of Direct- public relations specialist from Baltimore, Her Jewish communal activities have in- ors, International Contest Chairperson, and became the recipient of the 1985 Anita cluded service as a B'nai B'rith Youth International S'ganit. Perlman Distinguished BBG Alumna Award Commissioner and memberships in the Na- Continued on Page 2 Donald Tobin and Andrea Jaron at BBYO's International Convention in tional Council of Jewish Women, the Asso- August. ciated Jewish Charities, the Baltimore He- The award, named in honor of the na- brew Congregation, B'nai B'rith Women and tional organizer of BBG, is given annually Leonard Nimoy Receives Distinguished Hadassah. Brotman was also a founding to the alumna who has distinguished her- member of Balmas BBG in Baltimore. Alumnus Award self in her professional life as well as in her Brotman has also received recognition contribution to the Jewish people. from "Who's Who of American Women," Leonard Nimoy, noted for his famed roles and has made a "significant national con- Past recipients include the honorable "Foremost Women in Communications," in television and film was named the 1985 tribution" to the Jewish community, the Zita Lesson Weinshienk, U.S. District Judge "Who's Who in the East," and "Women in recipient of the Sam Beber Distinguished general community, or his chosen from Colorado; U.S. Representative Bobbi International Business." In 1980, she was AZA Alumnus Award. profession. Fiedler, (R-Calif.) and Evelyn Wasserstrom, chosen as "Outstanding Woman Executive" The award, named in honor of the The award is designed also to provide past international president of B'nai B'rith by the International Organization of founder of AZA, is given annually to the inspiration to current BBYO members to Women. Women Executives. alumnus who has achieved national stature Continued on Page 2