[2][3] It arose as a response to the fact that the Jewish community was, for the most part, not allowed into the Greek fraternities.

Rather, conversations with the founding members years later revealed that the organization's name was chosen specifically in an attempt to mimic Greek fraternities.

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.

Beber called 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.

[4] 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 a referral to the SAC to break a tie vote, Charles Shane emerged victorious.

[5] Philip Klutznick, among AZA's most accomplished alumni, was elected as the 2nd Grand Aleph Godol.

[4] 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.

[9] The password "Ami" (My People) to enter an AZA meeting is now widely known and is used for ceremonial and traditional purposes only.

[9] 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.

"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.

Other official songs include "Stand Together," "Tomorrow and Today," "This Is Our Order", "No Man Is An Island", and "The General".

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, the Supreme Advisory Council.

In North America, the organization is broken down into 43 geographic regions, each of which has a professional staff that reports to the international office.

The organization is steered by a democratically elected board of officers on the international, regional, council, and chapter levels.

At the first AZA international convention in 1924, it was resolved that the organization should seek affiliation with B'nai B'rith.

A fellow Omaha resident, Monsky brought the issue of adopting "junior auxiliaries" to the forefront of the organization.

[4] B'nai B'rith lodges often adopted AZA chapters, collaborated on joint programming, and served in an advisory capacity.