Milwaukeean Moshe Katz was 7 when the Six Day War broke out in June 1967. That war directly affected his life in several ways.
First, his family was on their way to Israel as tourists; and the war interfered with their plans. So they stayed for the war’s duration in Great Britain, touring England and Scotland.
But after Israel’s swift victory ended the war, his parents decided to resume their initial itinerary. So the Katz family was among the first foreign tourists to see the triumphant Israel.
“It was an incredible experience,” Katz said in a recent telephone interview. “I got to see an Israel that was so young and flying so high, it was pretty spectacular.”
So began a lifelong love for Israel, a passion that intensified through living there as a child and early teen for five years, through returning as a young adult to serve in its military, and through many years of pro-Israel activism in Milwaukee.
Some of that activism will be recognized on Tuesday, June 9, at The Pfister Hotel, when the Milwaukee office of the Development Corporation for Israel/State of Israel Bonds will honor Katz with its Builder of Israel Award at its 34th Tribute Award Dinner.
Among his many activities, Katz, a businessman and owner of Atid Properties, has been the local Israel Bonds’ campaign chair and general chair; and he currently serves as bond-financing chair.
To Katz, Israel Bonds is “the perfect melding” of his passion for Israel and his commitment to the local community.
Moreover, the organization’s work of selling investments in Israel’s economic development adds to the appeal. “Something about the fact that these are for-profit, valuable assets makes it that much better,” Katz said.
Indeed, the event will celebrate Israel Bonds as well as Katz, said Rosalie Gellman, general chair of the local organization.
“Israel Bonds has been a shining star in a time of horrible investments,” Gellman said in a telephone interview. “Nobody has lost a penny” invested in this way despite the present recession, she said. “It remains one of the safest investments, besides helping the country that depends on us for this support.”
Furthermore, said Gellman, “The response to the event has been very exciting because our honoree is so loved and highly regarded as a community leader, educator, businessman and compassionate friend.”
She particularly praised the way Katz is “very optimistic and courageous, both in easy times and hard times.”
Katz acknowledged that he is an optimistic person. “We’re living through tough times, the most difficult in my lifetime for sure,” he said. Nevertheless, “I’m very optimistic about where we live and who we are.
“I’m optimistic about the Jewish people. We’ve been around forever and there’s much greater reason for us not to be here than to be here, [yet] look at what we’ve done.”
In addition to his work for Israel Bonds, Katz is presently a vice president of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and its incoming campaign chair; and a vice president of the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center.
He teaches part time at the Milwaukee Jewish Day School and has taught adult education classes. He is a past president of the Milwaukee Jewish Council for Community Relations and a past chair of the Coalition for Jewish Learning, the federation’s education program.
He also has served on the boards of the Jewish Education Service of North America and the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education. He has been active in general Milwaukee community causes as well, serving on the boards of Independence First and Creative Sharp.
“I am so blessed that my life has been as good as it is,” he said. “I have to give back to the community and I enjoy doing so.”
In addition to honoring Katz, the Tribute Award Dinner will feature as guest speaker Zion Ozeri. He is an Israel-born photographer, educated in New York City, whose work has focused on Jewish communities throughout the world. He has published several books and his works have been featured in many museums.
The reception begins at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. Dinner chairs are Daniel Bader, Betsy Green, David Lubar, P. Michael Mahoney, David Marcus, Scott Sampson and Daniel L. Sinykin.
For information about the event, call the Israel Bonds office, 414-351-1777.
Formerly op-ed editor, Leon Cohen has written for The Chronicle for more than 25 years.
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