BBYO's 80 Year History

The First 25 Years: 1924-1949

The first 25 years of BBYO was launched with the creation of the Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) in 1923 and the establishment of the B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG) in 1944. B'nai B'rith adopted both youth movements during this time and the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO) quickly spread around the world. From Omaha to Sofia to Cairo to Tel Aviv to London to Kansas City, it didn't take long for BBYO to be recognized as the premier Jewish youth movement of the global Jewish community.

1920s
The organization that was to become the Aleph Zadik Aleph was brought together early in 1923. A group of Jewish boys in Omaha, Nebraska, organized a fraternity and named it "Aleph Zadik Aleph," using the Hebrew letters as a protest against Greek societies, many of which were exlcusive of Jews. Abe Baboir is elected the first president and Nathan Mnookin is elected the first advisor. Later that year, Mnookin moves to Kansas City and with guidance from their new advisor Sam Beber, the AZA was declared an international organization on May 3, 1924.

As chapters began to form throughout the United States and Canada, International Conventions were held and International Officers elected. In 1925, the AZA was adopted by B'nai B'rith as its official youth program. The Shofar, the international newspaper of BBYO, is drawn up.

In 1926 the first national headquarters open in Omaha, Nebraska and in 1927, the first tournaments are established with debates and basketball trials. The organization truly becomes international with the establishment of the Canadian chapter International AZA #31 in Calgary, Alberta and officially chartered in 1929.

Dr. Boris D. Bogen introduced the Five-Fold Program in 1928, outlining the diverse program that would come to define the AZA.

Early BBG
Efforts began immediately to launch a program for Jewish young women that would serve as a sister to AZA in the B'nai B'rith family. Groups emerged as early as 1926 in Seattle, Washington and 1927 in Newark, New Jersey.  Unfortunately, however, these groups quickly dissolved. The movement was not defeated, and efforts to create an organization for young Jewish women continued.  Rose Mauser organized the first permanent chapter of what is now the B'nai B'rith Girls in December of 1927 in San Francisco, California.

1930s
By the tenth anniversary of the Aleph Zadik Aleph, over one hundred chapters existed in North America. The first overseas chapter of the AZA was founded in 1936 in Bulgaria, called Karmen, and chapters followed shortly in the United Kingdom, Halifax, Nova Scotia, throughout Europe, and in what was then Tel Aviv, Palestine. The first professional field staff members were hired to work with AZA chapters around North America.

In 1930, AZA Shabbat is launched as the first international program held simultaneously as well as AZA Founder's Day - both still observed around the world.

In 1931, a charter of laws for the Aleph Zadik Aleph is approved and an organizational partnership is struck with the Scouts of America and AZA. 1932 saw the first International Convention held in Canada.

In 1935, a Library of Freedom is created for movement to promote democracy and the Lapidus Forest in Israel is established. Three thousand dollars are raised for the forest in its first year. The age of recruitment is also lowered to fifteen years as the minimum.

In 1939, AZA coordinates the formation of a national conference that gathers together all of the Jewish youth groups.

1940s
During World War II, the Aleph Zadik Aleph sold more than $6 million in war bonds and committed countless human resources to the war effort. Because the war pulled so many AZA members away from their home communities, the minimum age for membership was lowered to fourteen.

BBG was officially established as an international organization at a meeting held on April 22-23, 1944.  A structure was defined at that time to include women from high school to the age of 25, but that system has shifted over time. The first ten BBG charters were issued at this time to San Francisco BBG #1; Oakland, CA #2; Linda Strauss, Los Angeles #3; Harrisburg, PA #4; Highland Park, LA #5; Worcester, MA #6; Lancaster, PA #7; Ramah, Chicago #8; Potsville #9; and Homestead, PA #10. The B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO) was born as the umbrella over both groups. The B'nai B'rith Youth Commission was established as BBYO's governing body.

In 1940, AZA raises $10,000 for a campaign against infantile paralysis in memory of member Jerry Safur.

In 1942, all AZA efforts turn toward assisting the victory of the war with sales of dilapidated cars and other community actions to raise funds and hospitality for the men in service.

The International Convention of 1943 was voted on en masse by letters from members all over the world.

BBYO is recognized in 1949 for 25 years of service to the Jewish community.