“There is only one Jewish people, whether in Israel or in the many nations of the world,” asserted ‘Philip Klutznick, in an address given last night at the Arlington Park Towers to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Aleph Zadick Aleph, the boys’ component of the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization.
“The problems of Israel are our problems,” he added. “We cannot be asked to achieve solidarity with Israel if Israel herself is divided.” Klutznick, second international president of AZA, a former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and local land developer, made his remarks as part of a tribute to Sam Beber, Chicago philanthropist, who founded the first chapter of the international organization for young Jewish men in 1924. AZA, along with B’nai B’rith Girls, has grown over the span of the past five decades to become the largest Jewish youth organization in the world, it was reported.
AZA held its first international golden anniversary reunion this weekend with representation from many communities throughout the world. “AZA was born to unite young men in the pursuit of the dream for human betterment,” Klutznick added. “The Jewish people have undergone challenges of life and death, yet they have persisted in their purpose to be one people in a world torn by differences in political, economic and social spheres.” he said.
In addressing the 300 alumni assembled, Klutznick said that, “the Jewish people may be relatively small in numbers but our ambitions can soar to the very heights of human salvation. This then should mark the hope of AZA for the next 50 years, thereby giving meaning and depth to the rich past.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.