Norman Katz
Interviewed by Sharon Alterman
November 21, 2013
Max M. Fisher Federation Building, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Norman Katz
Video 01:08:34
Norman Katz
Audio 01:08:34
Abstract
In this interview, Norman Katz talks about his mother and father’s immigration to the US. He tells the story of his mother meeting a man from HIAS when she arrived in the country looking for her sister. He also talks about his father’s immigration with his own father and how both of his parents ended up in Detroit where they met and got married.
When he speaks about his childhood, Katz mentions that it was unique because though he did not consider his family religious, they were proud and knowledgeable about being Jewish and were Labor Zionists. Katz talks about the experiences he had while having the opportunity to travel to the villages both of his parents came from.
In his memories of childhood, Katz mentions the predominantly Jewish neighborhood he grew up in, learning to speak Hebrew, and the hobbies he enjoyed as a young man. Moving on, Katz talks about his college days at Harvard, then finding an entry level job as a graduate.
Katz then talks about meeting his wife, and how he became involved with the Federation. He speaks about how he began in the Junior Division, then became a solicitor, and talks about some other projects he had been involved with, such as being the president of United Hebrew Schools and committee member of Partnership 2000.
He speaks more about he and his wife, their life together, and their children. He talks about the importance of Jewish education, and how to keep people interested after bar mitzvah.
Briefly, he mentions his non-Jewish involvements such as the YMCA’s Indian Guide and the Detroit Historical Commission. He talks about the issues he has seen in his life within the Jewish community, and finally speaks about some of his current hobbies and activities, like teaching English as a second language.
History of Narrator
Norman Katz was born in Detroit, Michigan to Joseph and Bertha “Bessie” Katz. He attended Wayne University and then Harvard Law School.
Active in the Jewish community, Katz served as chair of the Allied Jewish Campaign, was a member of Federation’s Executive Committee, chaired the Campaign major gifts section and Federation’s Culture and Group Services Planning Division.
He is a past president of United Hebrew Schools and of Federation’s Young Adult Division. He has served on the board of Resettlement Service, the Jewish Home for Aged, Jewish Vocational Service and the American Jewish Committee.
Katz, who has been long involved with the Labor Zionist Movement, also served on the education committee of Congregation Shaarey Zedek and the community relations committee of the Jewish Community Council. In addition, Katz was a commissioner with the Detroit Historical Commission.
Transcript
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Credit as: Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives. Norman Katz Oral History Interview, Thursday, November 21, 2013