Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO) B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG) The B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp B'nai B'rith Beber Camp Teen Connection CONVENTION 87: TACKLING A GENERATION'S CHALLENGES They came from nine countries, During the convention, delegates came to speak to the convention body. The next morning, as the delegates spoke four languages and had a host examined the many challenges facing On Friday evening, B'nai B'rith boarded the bus, the air was filled their generation. In a "bring back the International President Seymour D. with promises of soon-to-be letters, of backgrounds and opinions. But® even those differences could not stop thrusts" program, they gave presen- Reich told the delegates, "Many of phone calls and visits. the more than 400 delegates to the tations on Alzheimer's disease, you will be going on to college next As Melbourne, Australia's Karen 1987 BBYO International Convention drunken driving, teen suicide and year. You may or may not go into the Nagley said, "When I go home. I will from successfully evaluating the past other past BBYO programming Hillel building. I urge you to go there. be so tired that my eyes will be year and laying the path for the com- thrusts. Each presentation focused If you don't like it, make it the way it closed, but my mouth will be work- ing one. on how youth should deal with these should be. That's your theme, 'Tikun ing. I want to tell everybody about From August 18-24, the seemingly situations and relayed the up-to-date Olam-Making a Better World." what we have done here." tireless group participated in numer- information on the topics. Others addressing the convention ous events and activities. A small For the 1987-88 programming year, included BBG's founder, Anita Perl- both AZA and BBG unanimously man. Perlman thrilled the delegates sampling of the week's events in- adopted AIDS education "AIDS: We when she took off her sweater to cluded elections of international offi- Care" as the 1987-88 programming reveal a T-shirt emblazoned with: cers, awards ceremonies, a simulated thrust. "Anita Perlman Is Alive and Well." Israeli Parliament debate, business meetings, and speakers on AIDS and "Of all the issues facing youth in Perlman urged the youth to take ad- our age, none comes as close to being vantage of the leadership skills and sex education. Each program was designed to help as threatening as AIDS." Alan J. Sec- friendships that BBYO can give them. the delegates improve their lead- ter told his AZA peers. "This illness With delegates from Australia, ership skills, prepare for the 1987-88 comes from a virus that does not dis- Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Eng- programming year and gain a greater criminate in race, gender or religion. land, France, Israel, the United States understanding of how BBYO is help- We, as members of the world's most and Venezuela, the convention ing them prepare for the challenges foremost youth organization are obli- proved to everyone BBYO's important gated to take a stand on this issue. role in promoting contact and under- they will face. An entire day was devoted to the During the week, BBYO also standing amongst world Jewish Dr. Sidney Clearfield receives Sam elections. When the caucussing and launched its new international mem- youth. Beber AZA Distinguished Alumnus voting was over. it was announced bership program "Reach for the "I expected the overseas kids to be a Award. that Marc Nabin Blattner of Long- Stars." Through the program, as each little different, but they're just like wood, Fla. would be the 63rd Aleph chapter brings in new members, they us," said Stacey Goodman of Coral Zadik Aleph (AZA) Grand Aleph move up a five-level ladder from Springs, Fla. "But, we all have the BBYO Director Godol and that Michelle Mae Blu- steps of one person to 20 or more. same things in common; we all have menthal of Dallas, Texas would be the Each chapter will formulate and im- the same interest in BBYO." Named AZA 43rd B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG) Interna- plement a step-by-step framework to That seemed to be the consensus tional N'siah. do this. as the delegates endorsed "Project Distinguished Other AZA officers elected were: Receiving special honor was BBYO Yachad," BBYO's international rela- Brian Shcolnik, Grand Aleph S'gan; International Director Dr. Sidney tions program. "Project Yachad" is Alumnus Jeffrey S. Rabhan, Grand Aleph Clearfield, who was awarded the Sam designed to heighten awareness and Mazkir: Daniel J. Moskovitz, Grand Beber Distinguished Alumni Award. contact among Jewish youth around Although he has heard many Aleph Dovair: Brian T. Hafter, Grand Beber founded BBYO in 1924. the globe through pen-pals, newslet- touching reminisces at the Sam Clearfield, a former AZA member ters and other forms of contact. Beber AZA Distinguished Alumnus Aleph Kohen Godol: Warren F. Har- ris, Grand Aleph Shaliach (Districts); who has been the organization's di- During a break from the program- Award presentation, Dr. Sidney Clear- and Randall M. Stark, Grand Aleph rector for the past decade, used the ming, many reflected on what the field was visibly moved by this year's opportunity to thank his family and convention and BBYO means to them. Shaliach (North America). ceremony. That's because Clearfield, BBYO's Other BBG officers elected were: friends and to urge the delegates to "After this summer. I am more en- Sarah R. Edelman, S'ganit; Tracy E. continue their Jewish community in- thusiastic about BBYO than ever," International Director, was the 1987 Reichman, Mazkirah; Lisa E. Blech, volvement even after their BBYO said David Caplan of Winnipeg, Can- recipient. He received the award this Doveret; Suri Duitch, Madrichah; days. ada. "It has brought all of my lead- past August during the BBYO Inter- Natalie Hakon. Sh'Lichah (Districts); That same message the impor- ership skills to the surface: I have national Covnention, held at the and Jeni Regelhaupt, Sh'Lichah tance of involvement was echoed by made friendships here that will last B'nai B'rith Perlman Camp. (North America). the many B'nai B'rith dignitaries who forever." Named in honor of AZA's founder, The convention's final evening the award is given to the alumnus Remembering a Friend: Memories of was spent in the emotional "life who has made a "significant national ceremonies, where outgoing members contribution to the Jewish com- John Grauel spoke of how they will remember munity, the general community, or their time in BBYO. For many, it was his chosen profession." The 48-year- an emotional farewell to four years of old Clearfield has excelled in all three In a touching memorial ceremony, their rights violated," said Suri active involvement. categories. delegates to the 1987 BBYO Interna- Duitch, outgoing International tional Convention paid tribute to the N'siah. Continued on Page 3 Rev. John Grauel; a great friend of "He was never a man of great mate- BBYO and the Jewish people. Grauel, rial value; he was always more con- who had served as a crew member cerned about the welfare of others aboard the refugee ship the Exodus, than himself," she continued. "He passed away last fall. fought anti-Semitism, he fought The only non-Jew and non-refugee racism. Most of all, he fought igno- INSIDE THIS ISSUE aboard the ship, Grauel, was the fea- rance, for he believed it to be the root tured speaker at the 1986 Interna- of much that causes men to despise Convention Insert tional Leadership Training Confer- each other." The B'nai B'rith World Center in Leadership Letters Page 2 ence (ILTC). He spoke to the ILTC audience about his work with Jews Jerusalem helped arrange the Rev. Summer Programs Page 4,5 Grauel's burial in a Christian Ceme- Regional Updates Page 6.7 during and after the Holocaust, his tery in Israel. "We did this in large Throughout the Order Page 8 Zionist activities, and Israel's future Teen Connection part because of John Grauel's sup- Page 9 possibilities. "John Grauel was not a man to sit port of BBYO for many years," said Happenings Page 10,11 World Center Director Paul Shaviv. Potpourri and watch things happen, especially Page 12 if people were being hurt or having