Label A. Katz Dead at 56

Funeral services were held Friday for Label A, Kats, a life long activist in Jewish affairs who as president of B’nai B’rith in the early 1960s led the first protest campaigns in behalf of Soviet Jews. Mr. Kats died Thursday at his home here following a stroke at the age of 56. He was a native of New Orleans, He was elected head of the B’nai B’rith in 1959 at the age of 40, one of the youngest presidents in the 131-year history of the Jewish service organization.

He served two three-year terms and, following a visit behind the Iron Curtain in 1961 to observe the status of Jewish life there, traveled widely urging the restoration of religious and cultural freedom for Jews in the Soviet Union. In Moscow, he presented B’nai B’rith’s representations in unofficial conferences with Soviet authorities.

In meetings with Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson, with Popes John XXIII and Paul VI, with India’s Prime Minister Nehru, Archbishop Makarios of Cyprus and other government, religious and education leaders throughout the world, he sought their “diplomatic interventions” with Soviet and other regimes that restricted Jewish life.

Mr. Katz continued his efforts despite ailing health. He suffered from diabetes, and the pace he set for himself, against the advice of doctors, led to the loss of his sight 10 years ago. The handicap notwithstanding, he retained an active interest in Jewish affairs until a stroke last year left him bedridden.

Mr. Katz was also chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and of the World Conference of Jewish Organizations, an international assembly concerned with issues affecting Jewish communities throughout the world. He also served on the national boards of the United Jewish Appeal, Israel Bond Organization, American Association for Jewish Education and other groups.