More than 160 guests attended Two’s AZA’s third annual Marty Awards on May 10 at The J, shattering the event’s previous attendance record.

Attendees celebrated the achievements of KC BBYO, strolled down the red carpet, ate gourmet desserts and experienced the party’s “Roaring ‘20s” theme.

The chapter raised more than $11,000 in donations and ticket sales. Twenty-nine Two’s members were present.

The award winners were: Bryan Persky, Aleph of the Year; Gabby Sosland, BBG of the Year; Claire Rosen, Mensch of the Year; Justin Parmet, Senior of the Year; Judah Bassin; Underclassman of the Year; and Friendsgiving, Program of the Year. Ariel Palan was named Chapter Sweetheart; Senior Lucy Warner was named honorary Belle of the Ball.

“It absolutely blew my expectations,” said sophomore Will Widman, Two’s Mazkir.

This year, the Marty’s fell on the chapter’s 101st anniversary.

“It was amazing seeing so many people gathering to celebrate BBYO and Two’s 100 years later,” said sophomore Shaefer Spizman, Two’s Shaliach.

Celebrating 101 years
The night’s ceremonies kicked off with a video highlighting the chapter’s spring semester activities and programs, including Two’s 32-28 basketball victory over Nordaunian in April and the chapter’s two six-fold programs this spring.

The theme of the night was “Party Like It’s 1925,” honoring the past, present and future of KC BBYO. The gala featured gourmet cakes and cupcakes, a chocolate fountain, more than 100 old-fashioned craft sodas, cookies, macarons and mocktails.

“Tonight we will be transported 100 years back into the roaring 1920s, a time of innovation, resilience and, most of all, celebration,” sophomore Danny Martin said before introducing the hosts for the evening, Noah Bergh and Bryan Persky.

“This evening is all about honoring the outstanding accomplishments of my fellow Kansas City BBYO teens, alongside the amazing adults who keep BBYO running,” Martin said. “We will admire the dedication, leadership and resilience these individuals have brought forth. These are qualities which created the foundation 100 years ago. My great-grandfather, Julius Peltzman, an original Two’s member, was a person who embodied all these qualities. I am proud that today I am standing here before you wearing the same jersey he wore as starting point guard on the 1925 AZAA championship team.”

Spizman delivered a speech emphasizing the significance of “tikkun olam,” the Jewish value of repairing the world through acts of kindness and social responsibility. He highlighted how Two’s and the JFS Food Pantry are actively working to address food insecurity within the community.

Ken Sonnenschein spoke on behalf of Mitzvah Garden KC, a volunteer-supported nonprofit garden with 100% of its harvests going to local food pantries. Two’s members have been volunteering at the Mitzvah Garden throughout the year as part of the chapter’s BBYO Stand UP campaign, “If I Had the World to Give,” aimed at ending child hunger in the community. Two’s announced it would be making a $400 donation to the Mitzvah Garden.

Several skits were performed, including “Dad Jokes” with Micah Kramer and Jacob LaRoque; the annual “Funny Awards;” and a “Finish the Lyric” contest. The Marty’s also featured a raffle, with many guests walking away with prizes.

AZA #2 Hall of Fame
Two’s introduced a new honor at this year’s Marty’s: the Mnookin Memorial AZA #2 Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is named in memory of Kansas City chemist Nathan Mnookin, the founder of the AZA movement and the adviser of AZA’s first two chapters. Mnookin’s daughter, Diane Mnookin Arnell, age 92, and her family were present at the Marty’s.

“It was truly special that each member of Two’s AZA took the time to personally introduce themselves and express their gratitude to Diane, honoring her and her father Nathan Mnookin for his pioneering work as one of the founders of the AZA movement,” said Two’s Advisor David Wexler, a cousin of the Mnookin family.

The inaugural class of AZA #2 Hall of Famers are:
Philip Klutznick, William Horowitz, Lewis Sutin and Abraham Margolin, four founding members of AZA #2 who gave themselves the nickname “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” and played pivotal roles in shaping the AZA’s core values and mission.

The 1925 AZA National Basketball and Debate Champions. AZA #2 won the first ever AZA national basketball and debate tournament, held on March 21 and 22, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska. The debate team consisted of Phil Klutznick and Bill Horowitz, college roommates at KU. The basketball team consisted of Phil Copland, Sidney Magazine, Julius Pelztman, Lewis Sutin, Is Pesmen and Harry Kaufman.

Striving for excellence
The Marty Awards, which debuted on May 12, 2023, was the vision of Two’s Aleph Miller Brown, who envisioned creating an Oscars-style formal awards ceremony honoring the accomplishments and achievements of members of Kansas City BBYO. This year’s event was chaired by Jason Persky, Judah Bassin and Shaefer Spizman.

“I’m really proud of all our members, especially our younger members, who helped contribute and make the night as amazing as possible,” said Bryan Persky, Two’s Aleph Godol.

It was a big year for Two’s AZA: the chapter launched a new website (twosaza.com), resurrected the chapter newspaper, designed a new logo, unveiled new basketball jerseys, accepted 21 new members, planned three “six-fold” programs and was one of eight chapters in the world to win the BBYO International Stand UP Gemilut Chasidim Chapter Award for its work to better their community through civic action.

Bassin was named a BBYO Rising Leader Award winner; Eli Nathan received the Tree of Life Recruitment Award; and Wexler was a finalist for the international BBYO Advisor of the Year Award. Two’s sent a delegation of 10 chapter members to Denver, Colorado, for the BBYO International Convention in February, while 18 members attended the Spring Regional Convention last month.

“We have our eyes set on winning BBYO’s Maurice Bisgyer Chapter Excellence Award at next year’s International Convention,” Wexler said. “Two’s AZA is committed to striving for excellence and inspiring others to reach for greatness. No. 2 in the Order, No. 1 in our heart.”

Pictured at the Marty Awards are (from left) Will Widman, sweetheart Ariel Palan and Shia Kolb.