Dr. Mordecai Katz z”l

MORTY, THE PERSON

Mordecai “Morty” Katz was born in New York in 1932. Morty attended Talmudic Academy for high school, graduating in 1948. At age 19, while simultaneously teaching math as a member of the faculty, he received a bachelor’s degree from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in 1952. He then received a master’s degree in electrical engineering from MIT (the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in 1953 and another master’s degree in industrial management from the Polytechnic Institute in 1961.

From 1963 to 1967, Morty served as the director of corporate planning at Kollsman Instrument Corporation, an aircraft instrumentation manufacturing corporation. He was also president of Kollsman Motors, a subsidiary of Kollsman Instrument, from 1967 to 1970, eventually promoted to vice president of the entire corporation.

Shifting professions, Morty decided to enroll in law school and received a juris doctorate from New York University in 1978. Upon graduation from NYU Law, he was an associate for three years at Fried Frank, a major New York City law firm, before transitioning into yet another profession as a private investor – with a home office, enabling him to spend more time with his family.

Morty’s personal journey for life-long learning and development was reflected in his legacy of commitment to education and academic development for others. He received two honorary doctorates, in 1993 from Yeshiva University and in 1999 from Bar-Ilan University.

Morty married Dr. Monique Katz (Nicky), a Belgian-born radiologist, and together they raised four children: Dr. Rachel Katz (Dr. Robert Sidlow), Michael Katz (Elissa), Gail Katz (Mayer Bick) and Debra Katz (Yechiel Newman), all of whom were blessed to add many grandchildren to the loving Katz family.

Morty Katz passed away at the age of 88 on March 18, 2021. His legacy lives on in all who had the honor and privilege to know him, benefit from his generosity or share in his wisdom.

MORTY, THE LEADER

Drs. Mordecai and Nicky Katz have been dedicated members of the Bar-Ilan family for nearly three decades. During this time, Morty served on the Board of the American Friends of Bar-Ilan (AFBIU), both as a member and a Vice President, and on the Global Board of Trustees of the university. From 2004-2016, Morty was the Chairman of the Global Bar-Ilan University Board of Trustees and continued to serve as the Chairman emeritus until 2021.

Morty’s tenure as Chairman of the Board was one of the most exciting periods in Bar-Ilan’s history; he oversaw the development of the north campus, the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine and the growth of the university to include eight Faculties. Under Morty’s guidance, the university celebrated its 50th Jubilee anniversary, launched the Returning Scientists program and saw six new buildings built.

During Morty’s tenure, the university added such critical and innovative programs as the Faculty of Law’s International Program for foreign students; the School of Communication BA for international students; the Otzmot (Empowerment) Program, which offers higher education for students with Down’s syndrome and other intellectual disabilities; the Israel Experience one-year program for gap year students; the Shaindy Rudoff Graduate Program in Creative Writing; an MA in Linguistics in Clinical Research; and the Interdisciplinary BA in Social Sciences – Micro & Macro Tracks; to name a few.

The university’s vast expansion and development can be accredited in large part to the tireless dedication of its leadership and administration, in which Morty played an integral role.
For more than twenty years, Morty served as an exemplary role model for both philanthropy and leadership. From the time he first joined Bar-Ilan’s Board of Trustees and throughout his term as Chairman of the Board, he was always the “Nachshon ben Aminadav” – the one who took the initiative and the lead. When new campaigns were announced at board meetings, it was Morty Katz’s hand that went up first.

The Talmud (Tractate Chagiga) teaches us “ נאה דורש ונאה מקיים ” which very roughly translates to the adage, “You’ve got to practice what you preach,” and Morty lived and breathed by that rule.

Bar-Ilan University recognizes with great appreciation the largesse and generosity of Drs. Mordecai and Monique Katz and their family. The following Bar-Ilan programs represent a proud testimony to the Katz family philanthropy:

• The Interdisciplinary Studies Building
• The Information and Technology Building
• Azrieli Faculty of Medicine
• Multiple Scholarships
• Keren Chessed
• Schupf Program Scholarships
• Doctoral Program at the Midrasha
• Summer Science Research Internship Program

MORTY, THE PHILANTHROPIST

Outside of Bar-Ilan, Morty Katz’s generosity was known throughout his community in New Jersey and the broader Jewish community worldwide, aimed specifically towards Jewish education, health initiatives and academia.

Some of Morty Katz’s most notable positions and support include:

• The Katz School of Science and Health at Yeshiva University (formerly the Katz School of Graduate and Professional Studies)
• Chair of the Board of Overseers of the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies of Yeshiva University
• The Mordecai D. Katz and Dr. Monique C. Katz Dean of the Undergraduate Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Yeshiva University
• Mordecai D. and Monique C. Katz Scholarships for Jewish Educators at Yeshiva University
• The Rachel Katz and Robert Sidlow Scholarship Fund (Einstein Medical School) at Yeshiva University
• Member of the Board of Overseers of the Azrieli Graduate School of Yeshiva University
• Vice Chairman of the Board of the Orthodox Union
• OU-JLIC programs at Bar-Ilan and Tel Aviv University
• The Dr. Monique C. Katz Campus at Nishmat in Jerusalem
• The Monique C. Katz “Bet Midrash Chevrati” at Nishmat: A forum for Jewish values and social responsibility
• The Monique & Mordecai Katz Academic Studies Program and Yachad Program at Ohr Torah Stone
• The Dr. Monique C. Katz Interventional Radiology Unit at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem
• The Mordecai & Monique Katz Academic Building at the Frisch School in New Jersey
• Support for UJA-Federation
• Support for NCS

 

View a Video Tribute to Dr. Mordecai Katz z”l