The History of the B'NAI B'RITH GIRLS

In 1925, a prominent Jewish organization called B’nai B’rith adopted the Aleph Zadik Aleph as its auxiliary program for young men. 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. New groups emerged as early as 1926 in Seattle, Washington and 1927 in Newark, New Jersey; unfortunately, these groups dissolved quickly.

 

However, the movement was not defeated, and efforts to create a sisterhood for Jewish young women continued. Rose Mauser organized the first permanent chapter of what is now BBG in December of 1927 in San Francisco, California. Mattie Olcovich and Essie Solomon served as the first advisors.

 

Unlike AZA, which began in Omaha in 1924 and then spread to become an international Order, chapters of girls sprung up throughout the United States and Canada in response to spontaneous local forces but without any central pattern of structure or policy and without professional supervision. “B’nai B’rith Girls” was only one name in a long list of names given to the early chapters. The age levels of the members also ranged anywhere from 12 into the 30s.

 

BBG chapter activities consisted mostly of programming that was modeled after the AZA “Five Fold and Full” program created by Dr. Boris D. Bogen in 1928. The emphasis was primarily on social and community service activities, with the inclusion of educational, religious, and recreational activities.

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Due to the lack of an organized uniform structure, some of the young women’s chapters also adopted national AZA observances. As Regional and District associations began to emerge, BBG’s programming also developed a broader base.

 

The development of the girls’ groups was directly related to the strength of the B’nai B’rith Women (then also known as B’nai B’rith Auxiliaries). The women’s groups served as both a guide and support for the developing girls’ groups. The word “sister” was even adopted from the adult organization. Eventually, the women’s auxiliaries began sponsoring the Junior Auxiliaries by collecting dues from the girls for the operations of their programs.

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The appointment of Anita Perlman as Chairwoman of the B’nai B’rith Girls was a major step in bringing structure to the loosely organized chapters. Though much dedication and hard work has gone into the building of the girls’ groups over a period of decades, no woman has put as much of herself into this work as Anita Perlman. Within the first year of her appointment, and with a $600 budget, she was able to keep up correspondence with the leaders of B’nai B’rith Women and BBG while developing invaluable program resources for the new group.

 

BBG was officially established as an international Order 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 chapters 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 individual identities of BBG and AZA have always thrived within BBYO. Both are very strong entities that have been bringing fun and meaningful opportunities to their members, both independently and together.

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ALL TEXT ON THS PAGE COMES DIRECTLY FROM http://bbyo.org/azabbg/history_of_bbg/ AND IS NOT MADE BY SHD BBYO OR ITS EDITORS.