Mobilization of B’nai B’rith student youth for all-out participation in the various civilian defense activities was the key-note struck at the War Service Convention of Aleph Zadek Aleph, which concluded here this week, re-electing William V. Suckle as president.
The 175 delegates promised to purchase $750,000 worth of war bonds and stamps; voted unlimited aid to the Red Cross blood bank units, to which 1,400 AZA members have already donated blood, and pledged all aid to the national salvage drive, the Office of Civilian Defense and the Red Cross fund-raising efforts and first aid classes. Other actions taken by the convention and the Supreme Advisory Council included approval of the planned national youth conference to be convened by the National Conference of Christians and Jews to further inter-faith amity among young America; ratification of the merger of the AZA and the B’nai B’rith Youth. Organization program in Chicago; and approval of a program for expanding AZA efforts in furthering Boy Scouting.
Julies Bisno, Executive Director of AZA, reported a national active membership of over 13,000 organized in 489 chapters in 279 communities. More than 1,000,000 pounds of scrap metal and old automobile license plates have been collected by AZA salvage units, he said. Of the 24,100 active members and alumni, 2,500 are in the armed forces of the United States and Canada, he pointed out. Among those too young for active service, 10,250 are enrolled in voluntary civilian defense jobs, he added. Bisno also reported that AZA members had collected 250,000 books for the national victory book drive and that funds contributed by AZA boys are now caring for 32 British children under the age of five in a Red Cross nursery in England.
The dramatic highlight of the convention was the memorial service for the seven members of AZA who have died in the active armed forces of the United Nations. The memorial address was given by Henry Monsky, B’nai B’rith president.
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