South Endorses Label A. Katz for National Presidency of B’nai B’rith

Labei A. Katz of New Orleans, nationally known Jewish leader and currently chairman of the B’nai B’rith Youth Commission, was unanimously endorsed as a candidate for national president of B’nai B’rith by the executive committee of District Grand Lodge No. 7, which is composed of seven Southern states. The resolution endorsing Mr. Katz’ candidacy was adopted by the executive committee at its meeting held in New Orleans. Philip Klutznick, present B’nai B’rith president, has announced that he will not run for another term.

Describing Mr. Katz as “one of the outstanding national leaders on the American Jewish scene today,” Robert Banks, B’nai B’rith district president, said that “there are few who possess such rich and varied background of top level experience in Jewish affairs as does Mr. Katz.” He cited as evidence Mr. Katz’ membership on the National Cabinet of the United Jewish Appeal, the executive committee of the National Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, and national chairman of the B’nai B’rith Youth Commission; in which capacity he is serving his fourth term. “It is natural for Mr. Katz to chair the B’nai B’rith Youth Commission,” Mr. Banks stated, “for he started his B’nai B’rith career as a teenager in the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, where he won prominence as a national debater.”

Mr. Banks stated that Mr. Katz is recognized as a leader. He pointed to his having been elected for three terms as president of the New Orleans Jewish Welfare Fund, as well as having served as chairman of the Welfare Fund campaign, and to his presently serving as a member of the boards of the New Orleans, Jewish Federation, the Urban League of Greater New Orleans, and the United Fund, as well as a member of the Mayor’s Committee on Housing Improvement and Rehabilitation. He is a former member of the board of the Jewish Community Center.