Katz Family Passes Down Commitment To Service
- By Stephen Maloney
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- 15 Sep, 2022
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Generations In Service Through Jewish Federation of New Orleans
New Orleans, La - September 2022
- As the Jewish Federation of New Orleans Board of Trustees Chair, Brian Katz is always actively working to help serve the Jewish community.
But that constant service isn’t a fluke in the Katz family. Brian grew up watching his parents Morton and Carole Katz dedicate years of their lives to the Federation and its associated charitable efforts.
“I don’t know that I really realized how involved my folks were growing up,” Brian said. “It wasn’t until I looked back at what they had done over the years where I realized that with my mother being president of ORT and dad being president of the JCC and being involved in other organizations that I think it kind of instilled in me through osmosis to become involved.”
Morton took to service early, having realized the value of the different organizations he joined as an active youth, from the teen center at the JCC to the weight room and sports teams he joined.
Today, three generations of the Katz family can often be seen working out at the JCC or volunteering at various events. Brian said the habit of service to the Jewish community is something he was proud to pass on to his children.
“I think the most rewarding part is that my children get to see me being involved and me being a leader in the community, and hopefully bestowing upon them the same things my parents bestowed upon me in terms of being involved in the community,” he said.
For Morton, passing on that instinct to get involved and help out is the best part of his years of service. Beyond that, he said helping the community is one of the best things anyone can do to make themselves feel better.
“You get such a better feeling if you are involved in helping others and giving money to help others,” Morton said. “I think that’s the way to go.”
But that constant service isn’t a fluke in the Katz family. Brian grew up watching his parents Morton and Carole Katz dedicate years of their lives to the Federation and its associated charitable efforts.
“I don’t know that I really realized how involved my folks were growing up,” Brian said. “It wasn’t until I looked back at what they had done over the years where I realized that with my mother being president of ORT and dad being president of the JCC and being involved in other organizations that I think it kind of instilled in me through osmosis to become involved.”
Morton took to service early, having realized the value of the different organizations he joined as an active youth, from the teen center at the JCC to the weight room and sports teams he joined.
Today, three generations of the Katz family can often be seen working out at the JCC or volunteering at various events. Brian said the habit of service to the Jewish community is something he was proud to pass on to his children.
“I think the most rewarding part is that my children get to see me being involved and me being a leader in the community, and hopefully bestowing upon them the same things my parents bestowed upon me in terms of being involved in the community,” he said.
For Morton, passing on that instinct to get involved and help out is the best part of his years of service. Beyond that, he said helping the community is one of the best things anyone can do to make themselves feel better.
“You get such a better feeling if you are involved in helping others and giving money to help others,” Morton said. “I think that’s the way to go.”
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