About Simon Atlas
Our chapter, Simon Atlas AZA #126, often shortened to “SiAt”, was founded in 1930 by a group of Jewish teens in the Silver Spring area. We are now based in the Rockville area. Our chapter is named after Simon Atlas, a noted philanthropist and synagogue president. We pride ourselves on our history and tradition, with SiAt having been the 126th chapter in an order of thousands.
Simon Atlas is a chapter of the international order of the Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA). AZA is the male wing of BBYO. Simon Atlas is a youth-led fraternity and remains the oldest chapter in D.C. Council and Northern Region East (NRE). Winner of chapter of the year, Simon Atlas is strong in brotherhood, Judaism, responsibility, respect, and other traits young Jewish teens need to learn before becoming men.
Most Saturdays and Mondays (and often Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays) throughout the school year, we, as a fraternity, get together and go through member-made programs, self-run meetings about the upcoming schedule, sports, and fundraisers.
Our youth run this chapter and actively seek to protect it. We build friendships with other members so strong, others have called it brotherhood. SiAt is a place where Jewish teens can make lifelong friends who become like family, providing them with a sense of belonging and home.
Simon Atlas AZA #126 