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60-764: On June 19, 2001, the movement split from B'nai B'rith International , which had been its parent organization, to become incorporated as B'nai B'rith Youth Organization Inc. BBYO is organized into local fraternity- and sorority-like chapters. Male chapters are known as AZA chapters and their members are known as Alephs and female chapters as BBG chapters, and their members are known as BBGs. AZA and BBG were independent organizations (beginning in 1924 and 1944 respectively) before becoming brother and sister organizations under B'nai B'rith . In some communities, there are co-ed BBYO chapters that borrow traditions from both organizations. AZA's original advisor, Nathan Mnookin, soon left Omaha for his hometown of Kansas City , where he started

120-465: A brother or – usually in a religious context – frater or friar . Today, connotations of fraternities vary according to context including companionships and brotherhoods dedicated to the religious, intellectual, academic, physical, or social pursuits of its members. In modern times, it sometimes connotes a secret society especially regarding Freemasonry, Odd Fellows, various academic, and student societies . Although membership in fraternities

180-477: A "six-fold program", is considered a significant undertaking and is particularly special. AZA is administered internationally by BBYO, Inc. 's professional staff in the international office in Washington, D.C. Organizational units outside of North America are affiliated with BBYO, Inc. but are operated independently. In North America, the organization is broken down into 43 geographic regions, each of which has

240-582: A charter a week later. By the end of the month, new chapters had been launched in Lincoln, Nebraska , and Des Moines, Iowa . The first AZA convention was held that summer at the Jewish Community Center in Omaha, July 4–6, 1924. Over two-thirds of the new organization's membership was present to elect their first-ever Grand Aleph Godol (international president). In a tight race that required

300-527: A committee report affirming its approval of the organization under B'nai B'rith's jurisdiction. Immediately following the convention, the B'nai B'rith Executive Committee met and officially adopted AZA, which then became known as the Aleph Zadik Aleph of B'nai B'rith. In 1944, after a few past failed attempts to begin a Jewish youth group for young women, B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG) became officially recognized and adopted by B'nai B'rith . Anita Perlman

360-428: A former national. These national associations were developed, in part, to prevent this practice. The vast majority of US collegiate institutions recognize fraternities, ranging from a benign tolerance to active support. In Canada, fraternities are only rarely given official recognition, but rather, exist in the campus orbit as independent organizations. A few US campuses have historically banned fraternity participation,

420-727: A fraternity and any other form of social organizations is the implication that the members are freely associated as equals for a mutually beneficial purpose rather than because of a religious, governmental, commercial, or familial bond – although there are fraternities dedicated to each of these fields of association. On college campuses , fraternities may be divided into four different groups: social, service, professional, and honorary. Fraternities can be organized for many purposes, including university education, work skills, ethics, ethnicity, religion, politics, charity, chivalry, other standards of personal conduct, asceticism, service, performing arts, family command of territory, and even crime. There

480-427: A full-time staff, but in other cases the members will cook their own meals. Maintenance is typically performed by members, although on some campuses the host institution handles capital improvements. Sorority chapters tend to be larger, with a business model that includes more formal maintenance and support. Properties may be independently owned by housing corporations, and in the case of some schools these will provide

540-547: A handful of active groups, while the largest will manage in excess of 300 active chapters. Alternatively, some fraternities remain as local units, often retaining a literary society model that was more prevalent in the 19th century. Fraternities offer a wide variety of services: National chapters and locals may or may not have buildings, and while many are residential, some have properties that are meeting halls only. Fraternities which provide residential space exhibit an array of services and sizes. Meals may be catered, or served by

600-472: A major subsection of the whole range of fraternities. In Europe, students were organized in nations and corporations since the beginnings of the modern university in the late medieval period, but the situation can differ greatly by country. In the United States, fraternities in colleges date to the 1770s but did not fully assume an established pattern until the 1820s. Many were strongly influenced by

660-495: A massive restructuring at the turn of the 21st century in response to the changing face of North American Jewry. As a result, what was then the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization split from B'nai B'rith and, on June 19, 2001, it was incorporated as B'nai B'rith Youth Organization Inc., a separate nonprofit organization . The new organization received substantial funding from the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies , and it

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720-398: A matter that was met with separate lawsuits in federal and Massachusetts courts. Often, Greek chapters that are suspended or banned will continue as sub rosa organizations. Since at least the 1940s, fraternities have received increased scrutiny in the United States from incidents of hazing or racism that have received national attention, and on some campuses, such as Florida State ,

780-480: A meeting of friends and associates in the area on May 3, 1924, where they reached an understanding of goals and formed the first Supreme Advisory Committee (SAC) consisting of seven men, and officially founding the Aleph Zadik Aleph for Young Men. The new organization's first chapter charter was granted to the existing AZA group in Omaha, dubbed "Mother Chapter" with Mnookin's second chapter in Kansas City receiving

840-562: A position from which several have backtracked in the face of alumni criticism or ongoing student demand. For example, sororities (only) were banned at Stanford University in 1944 due to "extreme competition", but brought back in response to Title IX in 1977. Colby College , Amherst College , and a few others are the outliers, where these bans persist. The College of Wooster adopted a Greek ban 100 years ago, but fraternities and sororities there have continued as local organizations. In 2017 Harvard University attempted to ban single-sex clubs,

900-554: A professional staff that reports to the international office. Some regions may be further split into councils and cities depending on their size and geography, and each of these may also employ staff. The final level is the chapter, which employs volunteer advisors, and reports to their local staff. All members belong to a single chapter. Some BBYO programs (such as summer programs in Israel) do not require membership in BBYO. The organization

960-562: A referral to the SAC to break a tie vote, Charles Shane emerged victorious. In other business conducted, the boys chose to commit a third of their membership dues (at that time $ 3) to charity. AZA became an official junior group in 1925. By the second annual convention, held in Kansas City, AZA in July 1925, membership had ballooned to 250, and new chapters were inaugurated in eight more cities. Philip Klutznick , among AZA's most accomplished alumni,

1020-639: A response to the fact that the Jewish community was, for the most part, not allowed into the Greek fraternities. The letters were chosen to spite the fraternity the Alephs were denied, Alpha Zeta Alpha, by naming their fraternity the Hebrew counterparts. However, others maintain that AZA was not founded as a form of protest against Greek fraternities. Rather, conversations with the founding members years later revealed that

1080-491: A similar group with the same name. The Omaha group selected a new advisor, Sam Beber, who soon laid out his plans for an international youth movement based on the local AZA model. On May 3, 1924, the Aleph Tzadik Aleph for Young Men, now an international Jewish fraternity, was formed according to Kubo's plan, with the Omaha and Kansas City chapters receiving the first two charters. Four chapters were in attendance at

1140-539: A song contest. It was composed by Heinie Krinsky and Wes Bercovich from Oakland, and in modern times is sung both at a fast pace as a rally song, and sometimes in a slow and somber tone as a brotherhood song. "Come Join Us In Our Song" is a popular song to be sung at conventions and summer programs. It is the longest of the AZA songs. It was originally called "Meyer Levin's Marching Song" and was written for AZA Invite by

1200-574: A time when there was no welfare state , trade unions or universal health care . Various secret signs and handshakes were created to serve as proof of their membership allowing them to visit guilds in distant places that are associated with the guild they belong. In London and other major cities, some Guilds (like the Freemasons and the Odd Fellows) survived by adapting their roles to a social support function. Eventually, these groups evolved in

1260-477: A top-down organization, with standardized marketing materials and directives. BBYO has reached into the online market with its b-linked.org website, into the middle school market with its BBYO Connect programs, and the adult market with its Friends & Alumni Network. On February 15-19, 2024 BBYO held its Intentional Convention in Orlando, Florida. This convention marked its 100th year as a youth organization for

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1320-460: Is almost always an explicit goal of mutual support, and while there have been fraternal orders for the well-off there have also been many fraternities for those in the lower ranks of society, especially for national or religious minorities. Trade unions also grew out of fraternities such as the Knights of Labor . The ability to organize freely, apart from the institutions of government and religion,

1380-400: Is credited with the development of BBG as Sam Beber is credited with the AZA. For the first time, AZA and BBG were united under a single organization, officially cementing their relationship and brother and sister organizations. Combined, the two youth movements were called the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization, and BBYO was born. After more than 75 years of general prosperity, B'nai B'rith began

1440-475: Is expressly sanctioned in law. There have been hundreds of fraternal organizations in the United States, and at the beginning of the 20th century the number of memberships equaled the number of adult males. (Due to multiple memberships, probably only 50% of adult males belonged to any organizations.) This led to the period being referred to as "the Golden age of fraternalism ." In 1944 Arthur M. Schlesinger coined

1500-561: Is noted for writing the widely sung cheer "AZA All the Way." Other official songs include "Stand Together," "Tomorrow and Today," "This Is Our Order", "No Man Is An Island", and "The General". There are Seven Cardinal Principles through which all AZA members (Alephs) are expected to conduct their lives. These principles underline the intent and character of the organization. They are patriotism , Judaism , filial love , charity , conduct, purity, and fraternity . These principles are inscribed on

1560-406: Is one of the central symbols of Judaism. The menorah has a hexagonal shape in its center, with each side of the hexagon and the base of the menorah containing one of the 7 Cardinal Principles. In the center of the hexagon is a Magen david (Star of David), and inside it are the Hebrew letters Aleph Zadik Aleph. The password "Ami" (My People) to enter an AZA meeting is now widely known and

1620-457: Is steered by a democratically elected board of officers on the international, regional, council, and chapter levels. The officers elected may vary from one level to the other and between different chapters and regions. A group of elected officers is often referred to as the "executive board" or just simply the "board". Elections are typically held annually or semi-annually. The executive board positions that are elected at an international level (and

1680-399: Is used for ceremonial and traditional purposes only. When members ("Alephs") are inducted into the organization, they receive a pin containing the AZA logo. This pin is to be worn at all AZA functions (including meetings, programs, and conventions) as a way of visually displaying one's membership in the organization. It is supposed to be worn on one's shirt, over the heart, to symbolize that

1740-729: The Mithraic Mysteries of ancient Rome . The background of the modern world of fraternities can be traced back to the confraternities in the Middle Ages , which were formed as lay organisations affiliated with the Catholic Church . Some were groups of men and women who were endeavoring to ally themselves more closely with the prayer and activity of the church; others were groups of tradesmen, which are more commonly referred to as guilds . These later confraternities evolved into purely secular fraternal societies, while

1800-700: The Western concept developed in the Christian context, notably with the religious orders in the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages . The concept was eventually further extended with medieval confraternities and guilds . In the early modern era, these were followed by fraternal orders such as Freemasons , the Rosicrucian Society of England , and Odd Fellows , along with gentlemen's clubs , student fraternities , and fraternal service organizations. Members are occasionally referred to as

1860-948: The AZA (Boys) and 80th year for BBG's (girls). The organization is active in more than seventy regions in Europe, South Africa, Australia, and North America. As of 2024, BBYO has more than 700 chapters in fifty counties, with 70,000 members and over 350,000 alumni. BBYO's core values or pillars are Inclusivity, Jewish Identity, Active Leadership, and Tradition. BBYO is organized into local fraternity- and sorority-like chapters. Male chapters are known as AZA chapters and their members are called Alephs. Female chapters are known as BBG chapters, their members are called BBGs. AZA and BBG were independent organizations (beginning in 1924 and 1944 respectively) before becoming brother and sister organizations under B'nai B'rith . In some communities, there are co-ed BBYO chapters that borrow traditions from both organizations. Aleph Zadik Aleph The Grand Order of

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1920-548: The AZA logo. They are often recited during opening rituals of business meetings. The Motto is "More Jewish Teens, More Meaningful Jewish Experiences" Six programming "folds", or considerations, are used as the basis for all program planning. In 1928, Dr. Boris D. Bogen , one of the founders of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee , presented his ideas for the original "Five-Fold-and-Full Plan" to AZA's governing body,

1980-465: The Aleph Zadik Aleph ( AZA or אצא ) is an international youth-led fraternal organization for Jewish teenagers. It was founded in 1924 as the male wing of BBYO Inc., an independent non-profit organization. It is for teens starting in 8th grade, through 12th grade. AZA was founded on May 3, 1924, in Omaha, Nebraska , by a group of 14 Jewish teenagers between the ages of 15 and 17. It arose as

2040-408: The B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG) into what would become known as the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO). As the male wing of BBYO , AZA continued to maintain its unique character, traditions, and rituals, even though it was administered jointly with BBG under the BBYO umbrella. BBYO split from B'nai B'rith in 2002 and was re-formed as an independent non-profit organization. Chapters are located across

2100-682: The Freemasons and Odd Fellows. These organisations were segregated and Black organisations were founded that were based on the white ones such as Prince Hall Freemasonry , Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America , Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World , as well as original fraternal organisations such as the Independent Order of St. Luke . Fraternities have a history in American colleges and universities and form

2160-462: The Mazkir and Gizbor merged into one position: The MazGiz. AZA's sister organization, for teenage girls, is the B'nai B'rith Girls . The connection between AZA and B'nai B'rith dates back to AZA's earliest days when Sam Beber was simultaneously serving as the AZA advisor and as the vice president of the B'nai B'rith lodge in Omaha. Soon thereafter, the new organization was able to secure funding from

2220-513: The Supreme Advisory Council. He proposed the addition of the original five programming folds: Social, Athletics, Community Service / Social Action, Education, and Judaism (S.A.C.E.J.) In 2020, the 97th Executive Body voted to add a sixth programming fold, 'health'. It is expected that all AZA events fall into at least one of these folds, and it is encouraged that programs span multiple folds. A program that incorporates every fold,

2280-456: The United States and more than 40 other countries. Following is a partial list of chapters. Fraternal organization A fraternity (from Latin frater  ' brother ' and -ity ; whence, " brotherhood ") or fraternal organization is an organization , society , club or fraternal order traditionally of men but also women associated together for various religious or secular aims. Fraternity in

2340-487: The United States. In 1974, AZA was at its height with 40,000 members. Membership had declined to 15,000 in 2005. The letters Aleph Zadik Aleph and stands for Ahava (fraternal love), Tzedakah (benevolence), and Ahdoot (harmony). The letters were also the same as those of Alpha Zeta Alpha, a local fraternity in Omahah that banned Jewish members at the time. The AZA logo is a menorah , a seven-branched candelabrum, which

2400-485: The bulk of residential options for undergraduates; these properties may be on leased or privately held land. Other chapters, often new chapters, are housed in dorms and meet in rented halls. US fraternities formed in roughly three waves. The "old-line" fraternities are considered those that formed prior to, and during the American Civil War, all of which were Eastern or Southern. The next wave coincided with

2460-664: The early 18th century into more philosophical organizations focused on brotherly love and ethical living, with some elements inspired by organisations such as chivalric orders . Among guilds that became prosperous are the Freemasons , Odd Fellows and Foresters . Throughout the latter part of the 19th century and into the 20th century, many American fraternal orders such as the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks , Loyal Order of Moose , and Fraternal Order of Eagles implemented practices and rituals inspired from orders such as

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2520-465: The first convention in June 1924, and ten at the second convention the following summer. By 1925, AZA had expanded east with dozens of chapters across the country. At Beber's urging, B'nai B'rith took up the issue of officially adopting AZA as its junior auxiliary at their national convention in 1925. Supported by Henry Monsky , who himself was vying for the B'nai B'rith presidency, the convention adopted

2580-425: The forefront of the organization. Following B'nai B'rith's international convention, in which Monsky's committee recommended the adoption of AZA as the official youth organization of B'nai B'rith, the executive committee met and immediately adopted the recommendation. B'nai B'rith lodges often adopted AZA chapters, collaborated on joint programming, and served in an advisory capacity. AZA was eventually combined with

2640-448: The formation of national structures of governance where previously each nascent fraternity had been under the control of its first, often "Alpha" chapter. As fraternities grew larger they outpaced the capacity of volunteer management and began to employ staff, eventually requiring an administrative office. Today, hundreds of national fraternities account for roughly 15,000 active chapters. Some national groups remain quite small, with only

2700-439: The foundation for all other boards at all levels) are: In some places, additional officers may be elected based on need. Each region, council, and chapter may have its constitution detailing the positions to be elected and their specific responsibilities, so long as it does not conflict with the international constitution. Additionally, each chapter may have a different variation of the positions. For example, Ruach AZA #2388 has

2760-701: The members of Meyer Levin AZA in Chicago in 1964. The verses are sung to the tune of " The Ballad of the Greenland Whalers ", and the chorus is sung to the tune of "The Coast Guard Hymn". "Sweetheart of AZA", also composed by Krinsky and Bercovich, is traditionally recited when the sweetheart (a well-liked BBG member chosen to serve in the role at various levels) enters the room, although its use in modern times varies from region to region. Lastly, Simon Wiesenthal AZA #2524 in Central Region West

2820-551: The ones with religious goals continue to be the format of the modern Third Orders affiliated with the mendicant orders . Other yet took the shape as military orders during the Crusades , which later provided inspiration for elements of quite a few modern fraternal orders. The development of modern fraternal orders was especially dynamic in the United States , where the freedom to associate outside governmental regulation

2880-578: The organization's name was chosen specifically in an attempt to mimic Greek fraternities. The first chapter, formed in 1923, was Mother Chapter AZA #1, which continues to operate. The second oldest chapter also continues to operate out of Kansas City Council and is AZA #2. Abe Babior, the new group's first president, said that it was started "as a social and Zionist youth group." The group's meetings would usually feature speakers on several both Judaic and non-Judaic topics. The group held social events, including parties and dances. The group's first advisor

2940-828: The organizations have been temporarily banned while administrators and national fraternities adjust to resolve these shared challenges. In Germany the German Student Corps are the oldest academic fraternities. Twenty-eight were founded in the 18th century and two of them still exist. Most of their traditions have not changed much for the past two centuries. These traditions include academic fencing duels with sharp blades while wearing only eye and neck protection, or regular hunting events, as can be seen in examples such as Corps Hubertia Freiburg , Corps Palatia Munich , Corps Rhenania Heidelberg or Corps Bavaria Munich . At Swedish universities, especially those of Uppsala and Lund , students have organized in nations since

3000-553: The patterns set by Freemasonry. The main difference between the older European organizations and the American organizations is that the American student societies virtually always include initiations, the formal use of symbolism, and a lodge-based organizational structure (chapters). The oldest active social American college fraternity is the Kappa Alpha Society founded in 1825 at Union College . Sigma Phi Society (1827) and Delta Phi Fraternity (1827) were founded at

3060-533: The period immediately after the Civil War until 1920, organizations normally modeled after the old-line fraternities. After WWII, the most recent wave of formation has largely been on ethnic or multi-cultural lines, which continues today. Prior to the formation of the NIC , NPC and other associations, whole chapters or schismatic groups of members would occasionally break away to form new fraternities as an offshoot of

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3120-617: The phrase "a nation of joiners" to refer to the phenomenon. Alexis de Tocqueville also referred to the American reliance on private organization in the 1830s in Democracy in America . There are many attributes that fraternities may or may not have, depending on their structure and purpose. Fraternities can have differing degrees of secrecy , some form of initiation or ceremony marking admission, formal codes of behavior, dress codes disciplinary procedures, very differing amounts of real property and assets. The only true distinction between

3180-407: The principles (which are inscribed on the AZA logo on the pin) are being kept close to one's heart. Aleph Pins are never to be worn straight, to represent that "no Aleph is perfect." Many of the AZA spirit songs date back to the earliest days of the organization. The most commonly sung song is "Up You Men", the official pep song of the organization which dates to 1931, when it was the winning entry in

3240-485: The regional B'nai B'rith lodge. At the first AZA international convention in 1924, it was resolved that the organization should seek affiliation with B'nai B'rith. Beber commenced communication, and at the executive committee meeting in January 1925, President Adolf Kraus appointed a committee to explore the matter, headed by Henry Monsky . A fellow Omaha resident, Monsky brought the issue of adopting "junior auxiliaries" to

3300-473: The same school and comprise the Union Triad . The women's fraternities, now more commonly referred to as sororities, formed beginning in 1851 with the establishment of Alpha Delta Pi as the first women's fraternity. Expansion to other schools by way of approved chapters operating under a charter or warrant has been the model whereby US fraternities have grown nationally and into Canada. This resulted in

3360-402: Was chaired by Lynn Schusterman . Traditionally, BBYO was a conglomeration of many largely independent regions. This was the result of the modification of B'nai B'rith's long-standing "district" model. As new forms of communication have brought the members and staff of BBYO in closer contact, and as the differences between geographic regions continue to deteriorate, BBYO has become much more of

3420-485: Was Nathan Mnookin. An accomplished chemist, he moved back to his hometown of Kansas City in November 1923 and immediately started a similar organization of the same name. Mnookin's departure paved the way for the next AZA advisor in Omaha, Sam Beber . As Beber continued to serve as an advisor for the local Omaha group, he also began planning for a much larger undertaking: an international Jewish youth group. Beber called

3480-611: Was a fundamental part of the establishment of the modern world. In Living the Enlightenment , Margaret C. Jacobs showed that the development of Jurgen Habermas's "public space" in 17th-century Netherlands was closely related to the establishment of lodges of Freemasons . The development of fraternities in England may have originated with guilds that were the forerunners of trade unions and friendly societies . These guilds were set up to provide insurance for their members at

3540-549: Was and mostly still is limited to men, this is not always the case. There are mixed male and female orders, as well as wholly female religious orders and societies, some of which are known as sororities in North America . Notable modern fraternities or fraternal orders include some grand lodges operating among freemasons and odd fellows. There are known fraternal organizations which existed as far back as ancient clan hero and goddess cults of Greek religions and in

3600-599: Was elected as the 2nd Grand Aleph Godol. During his term, he installed ten chapters in the eastern part of the country and oversaw the creation of The Shofar, the organization's international newsletter. Following his term in office, the organization rewarded him by making him, at the age of 19, their first executive director. By the third annual convention in July 1925, the group had 800 members and twenty chapters. In 1940, AZA had 21,152 members, 417 chapters, and 9,875. Chapters were located in Bulgaria, Palestine, Syria, and

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