Irvine AZA #2341 Chapter History

 

          In 1983 Irvine AZA was started, after Sampson AZA lost it's charter.  Sampson AZA covered Tustin, Santa Ana, El Toro, Newport Beach, and Irvine. Sampson AZA was # 2122.  It had mainly seniors who did not educate their younger members to take care of business when they were gone.  Alephs such as Scott Lezinsky started Irvine AZA #2341, after Sampson AZA folded do to lack of member ship as a result lost there charter.  They were given the name Irvine AZA in 1984 and a meeting was healed and they decided to keep the name Irvine AZA.  Irvine AZA has a long history of great events including; Battle of the Bands, Hypno Dances, Casino Nights, Butt Auction, and other crazy events.  Irvine AZA's chapter Mascot is Schmedley the Shark (The correct spelling), and our chapter colors are Blue and White, and our chapter paper is The Irvine World Jews. Irvine AZA won chapter of the term in Summer Term 1987, with a record breaking 22 members at the beginning of their term to 45 members at the end of their term.  During that year Irvine AZA also had a R.A.G., and the Council Godol from their chapter.  With Kevin Solomon as their Godol, they beat all records.  That term Irvine AZA had the best events that summer.  In 1993-1994 Irvine AZA won back to back Chapter of the Term Awards.  With Mike Sarkin as our Winter Term Godol, we had a record number of eighth graders and a great Battle of the Bands, which included some of the top talent in Orange County, as well as a Christian Band, that handed out Christian demos afterwards, and we kicked their asses.  In 1994 Summer term, we had Geoff Tipper as our Godol, and we again had an incredible term.  We had the first beach party, and it rolled in three hundred dollars.  We had seniors graduate such as Doron Shinar, Ed Aaron (a former Council Moreh), Dave Espana, and Geoff Margo (The first winner of the most dedicated Aleph award, that hasn't been on Council or Regional Board.  This award is named after him "The Geoff Margo Senior Award")  In 1995-1996 Warren Berzack as Irvine AZA Godol, the chapter again won Chapter of the Term.  The chapter accomplished some of its most incredible feats this term.  With a count of 16 members at the end of the term, the Morim, Josh Feldman and Sandy Merein, and Nathaniel Huebsch (The newly elected freshmen Membership Chair) tripled our membership with the help of Brad Berzack to 46 members.  We had incredible AIT's this term adding up to 13 a new SWR record.  At Convention '96, we took home almost every major award given out, including Council and Regional Chapter of the Term.  We also had a record for Irvine AZA of 20 Alephs attending the Convention.  We had 8 delegation votes, and also had 2 delegation votes on Council with Sandy M. and Warren B., and Cliff Sarkin as Regional Maz/Giz.  At that Convention the new Regional Board was elected, and it included two Irvine AZA'ers; Josh F. as R.A.G., and Jason Rosenberg as R.A.S..  Also on Council Board Warren B. was elected Orange County Council Godol, and Sandy Merein as O.C.C. Moreh.  Also Irvine AZA took its ninth Henry Monsky in a row with this term.  They had such memorable events as; Cabbage Picking (Courtesy of Shaliach Ian Shwimmer), and many Carwash with the help of Jason R. and Shaun Miller, we became the new Broomball champs by beating Orange Coast (3-1), and many other events planned by their S'gan Steven Suppe.  This term also was the start to a new board.  Irvine AZA elected a freshmen board (including the positions of Godol, S'gan, and a Moreh) to involve freshmen in planning and decisions making processes.  They also wrote this song:

 

We are Irvine AZA

We fight for the blue and white,

Every single day,

Our friendship's very tight,

We're Irvine AZA.

 

Chapter first and foremost,

Fraternity all the way,

Leadership we can boast,

We're Irvine AZA.

 

We've got the bite of a shark,

We're a chapter on our way,

Our spirit lights a spark,

We're Irvine AZA.

 

Recruiting members is what we do,

Number 2 3 4 1,

Out to reach every teenage Jew,

Our fraternity is never done,

Irvine AZA (Shout)   

 

Written by Jason R. and Sandy Merein...

if a term is honored in any fashion, it is a custom to add a new end verse.  The Winter 1995-1996 term.

 

Chapter of the Term

That's all we have to say

We're the best chapter

We're Irvine AZA

Yeah (Shout)

 

         

          In the Summer Term 1996, Clifford Sarkin was Godol of Irvine AZA, with Cliff as Godol, Irvine AZA was picked by Shir ha'melot to be their youth representatives. Meaning we can use their Temple for event and services and anything else we want free of charge.   We had an incredible Fifth Grade Night event that had over 150 people attending, a Butt Auction that raised just enough money to cover expenses, and a P.I.T. that had 85 participants (25 Alephs and 60 Adults).  Warren Berzack and Nathaniel Heubsch sent invitations, made a video, and continuously called parents.  The P.I.T. had lots of Adult speakers discussing AZA, Fraternity, the Torah, and being an advisor to the best chapter around. We ended this term with the most members in Irvine AZA history 52!!! This term raised lots of money for newspapers, donations for Shir ha'melot and the JCC.   Robert Cohen also became our Advisor this term, after a year of having an inactive advisor.  Past advisors have included Larry Sheck, Steve Fainbarg, and Brian Clausman. Robert was a member of Mogen David AZA in Long Beach during his High School days.   The winter term of 97 had Aleph Godol Sandy Merin.  He leaded our chapter fearlessly.  He put his mind and energy into his term, even though he also had responsibilities of the council Aleph Moreh.  We had a successful council close night called Tribute to Music.  It was lead by Aleph S'gan Nathaniel Huebsch.  There were way over 150 people by there.  As the term came to an end our chapter was strong but yet not prepared for the bump in the road ahead.  Aleph Josh Herbstman started his tem with a good attitude which slowly shrunk.   The summer of 97 was a slow time for the hole region and Irvine AZA's were get ready to graduate.  We had good events, but we were not hitting the G spot like we were in the past. Our council close night was called Schmedley's Barmitzfa.  The next term began with Aleph Godol Daniel Catalimotto, we started off back in action and had many some kick ass events.  We had a successful council close night called The 80's Night.  Unfortunately our chapter became two sided.  We worked on our communication problems and we soon were back on the way up.  Wit our problems behind us we started a new term with Aleph Godol David Strich.  Our chapter was back on the track and ready to kick ass.   We had many freshmen these new freshman gave the Irvine Alephs a new challenge to work towards.  The term had many AIT's lead by Nathaniel Huebsch and Dave Ben- Barak.  The chapter was back in motion with AIT's, beach parties, sleepovers, meetings, and good ideas.  Irvine AZA was proud to se Aleph David Strich elected as Council Aleph Godol and Aleph Nathaniel Huebsch elected for Regional Aleph Godol.  The next term was winter term 98-99 with Aleph Brad Berzack as Godol.  Our chapter started a new journey.  The term began with AIT's, a council Close night called A Night on The Town with over 150 people, 12 guys at Kallah, chapter meetings every 2nd week, a garage sale, community serves, new papers, new T-shirts, banners, and tons of ruach.  Our chapter was kicking ass with 56 perspectives, and 38 members and great enthusiasm.

 

Southwestern Region AZA:

          As far as we know, used to be District #4, which covered three states.  We later then became Southern Region, which consisted of three councils: us, Greater L.A. (PCR), and the Valley Region.

          In 1961, the three councils split into three Regions.  We then became Southwestern Region #42.  Our first Regional Aleph Godol was Harvey Knell, whom our "Chapter of the Term" award is named after.  Our greatest strengths were seen in the 70's, but for the most part, we've always been a strong Region.  Our region is no doubt the most Fraternal Region in the Order, and will hopefully remain that way forever.

          In 1983-1984, our Regional Board adopted the idea of having Regional Board Nicknames beginning with a new letter each year.  Our mascot is "Willy the Walking Penis, and our Regional Colors are Blue and White just like our Chapters, Israel's, and University High School's.