Mike Katz
Title
Mike Katz
Identifier
MIKE_KATZ
Creator
Jacob Schlitt
Description
Remarks given in honor of Mike Katz's birthday. "Was it 25 years ago, or maybe closer to 30, when I first met Mike and Linda? I can’t remember."
Date
2015-03-26
Format
application/pdf
Type
text
Language
en
Text
MIKE KATZ
Was it 25 years ago, or maybe closer to 30, when I first met Mike and Linda? I can’t remember. I came to Boston in 1979, and had transferred my membership from the Washington DC branch of the Workmen’s Circle to one of the Boston branches. I think it was branch 700. Some time in the early ‘80s, we hired Herman Brown as half-time director, and he did his best to expand the Workmen’s Circle, and to develop exciting programs and activities. I remember he reached out to the newly arrived Russian-Jewish community, and established a Russian branch but it didn’t catch on. Most of those who joined thought of it as a place from which to take, not to give, or be a part. Very few of our new Russian members felt comfortable as part of the Workmen’s Circle.
But soon after, Herman struck gold. Several young people, led by Mike Katz, worked with Herman to create a home for secular, progressive, socially concerned young Jews, who were also interested in Yiddish. A new branch was created—branch 2001. And our shule, which was on its last legs, became transformed, and was reborn. And Mike played an important part in that as well, as did his kids, Perele, and Ben. It actually was a reaffirmation of the formation of the Arbeter Ring by Veltlikhe Yidn.
I shook my head and said to myself, this boychik is the answer to our prayers. I was so excited by this new presence, I switched my membership to branch 2001. I felt certain that if the Arbeter Ring, which I have been a part of since I attended a shule on Beck Street in the Bronx in 1935, is to survive., it is going to take the youth, the energy, the dedication and the innovation of people like Mike. A few years later, he led the way to our creating a New England Yiddish Culture Festival, complete with T shirts. He and Linda established the first Yiddish Vinkl in their home in Somerville. They created the monthly Yiddish Sing (which is what Mike assumed was taking place here tonight) and Mike did the schlepping of the song books and helping Linda in leading the singing. I suspect Mike was a major factor in creating our remarkable Yiddish chorus, A Besere Velt,
For several years, Mike and I alternated as the Boston Workmen’s Circle delegate to the NEB. I have retired, but thankfully Mike is still going strong. And we have a new crop of leaders of what is now called BWC, who are now trying to lead National by example.
I cannot talk about my tayere khaver Mike without talking about our politics. It is also a part of who we are, and we are both proud of our heritage. Times have certainly changed, and the struggle between the two factions within the Jewish left is now history. The Sotsialistn and the Communistn. The Forverts and the Freiheit. Camp Kinder Ring and Camp Kinderland. Not exactly a NY Yankees--Boston Red Sox rivalry.
It was a historic coming together when the national Workmen’s Circle, recognizing that the Call wasn’t doing its job, made Jewish Currents its official organ for a time. The fact is, to me, the marriage of Mike and Linda represents the successful merging of the two factions: Linda’s Arbeter Ring and Mike’s IWO-JPFO. Today, WC is the only game is town, and no one is working harder to make it successful and meaningful.
Personally, I am crazy about Mike’s T shirts, his beard, his “Good Morning,” his energy, his family. I was delighted when his folks moved into the neighborhood, and Mike’s father Leiber joined our Brookline Yiddish Vinkl. He was a charming, knowledgeable man, his Yiddish was certainly better than most of ours, and he had wonderful stories. His passing was a loss to all of us.
Last summer, I was honored to be honored by the Boston Democratic Socialists of America, in this very room, and it was Mike who welcomed everyone and said nice things about me and my dedication to democratic socialism, and civil rights. I was touched and grateful, and tonight I am happy to reciprocate, to say nice things about him, and to wish him a very happy, healthy birthday.
Tsu Dayn Gebortstog. Biz a hundertsvantsig.
Jake
Was it 25 years ago, or maybe closer to 30, when I first met Mike and Linda? I can’t remember. I came to Boston in 1979, and had transferred my membership from the Washington DC branch of the Workmen’s Circle to one of the Boston branches. I think it was branch 700. Some time in the early ‘80s, we hired Herman Brown as half-time director, and he did his best to expand the Workmen’s Circle, and to develop exciting programs and activities. I remember he reached out to the newly arrived Russian-Jewish community, and established a Russian branch but it didn’t catch on. Most of those who joined thought of it as a place from which to take, not to give, or be a part. Very few of our new Russian members felt comfortable as part of the Workmen’s Circle.
But soon after, Herman struck gold. Several young people, led by Mike Katz, worked with Herman to create a home for secular, progressive, socially concerned young Jews, who were also interested in Yiddish. A new branch was created—branch 2001. And our shule, which was on its last legs, became transformed, and was reborn. And Mike played an important part in that as well, as did his kids, Perele, and Ben. It actually was a reaffirmation of the formation of the Arbeter Ring by Veltlikhe Yidn.
I shook my head and said to myself, this boychik is the answer to our prayers. I was so excited by this new presence, I switched my membership to branch 2001. I felt certain that if the Arbeter Ring, which I have been a part of since I attended a shule on Beck Street in the Bronx in 1935, is to survive., it is going to take the youth, the energy, the dedication and the innovation of people like Mike. A few years later, he led the way to our creating a New England Yiddish Culture Festival, complete with T shirts. He and Linda established the first Yiddish Vinkl in their home in Somerville. They created the monthly Yiddish Sing (which is what Mike assumed was taking place here tonight) and Mike did the schlepping of the song books and helping Linda in leading the singing. I suspect Mike was a major factor in creating our remarkable Yiddish chorus, A Besere Velt,
For several years, Mike and I alternated as the Boston Workmen’s Circle delegate to the NEB. I have retired, but thankfully Mike is still going strong. And we have a new crop of leaders of what is now called BWC, who are now trying to lead National by example.
I cannot talk about my tayere khaver Mike without talking about our politics. It is also a part of who we are, and we are both proud of our heritage. Times have certainly changed, and the struggle between the two factions within the Jewish left is now history. The Sotsialistn and the Communistn. The Forverts and the Freiheit. Camp Kinder Ring and Camp Kinderland. Not exactly a NY Yankees--Boston Red Sox rivalry.
It was a historic coming together when the national Workmen’s Circle, recognizing that the Call wasn’t doing its job, made Jewish Currents its official organ for a time. The fact is, to me, the marriage of Mike and Linda represents the successful merging of the two factions: Linda’s Arbeter Ring and Mike’s IWO-JPFO. Today, WC is the only game is town, and no one is working harder to make it successful and meaningful.
Personally, I am crazy about Mike’s T shirts, his beard, his “Good Morning,” his energy, his family. I was delighted when his folks moved into the neighborhood, and Mike’s father Leiber joined our Brookline Yiddish Vinkl. He was a charming, knowledgeable man, his Yiddish was certainly better than most of ours, and he had wonderful stories. His passing was a loss to all of us.
Last summer, I was honored to be honored by the Boston Democratic Socialists of America, in this very room, and it was Mike who welcomed everyone and said nice things about me and my dedication to democratic socialism, and civil rights. I was touched and grateful, and tonight I am happy to reciprocate, to say nice things about him, and to wish him a very happy, healthy birthday.
Tsu Dayn Gebortstog. Biz a hundertsvantsig.
Jake
Original Format
application/msword
Citation
Jacob Schlitt, “Mike Katz,” Autobiographical stories & other writing by Jacob Schlitt, accessed March 22, 2025, https://tsirlson.omeka.net/items/show/337.