Spotlight on CLAL Archive
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New Chairman Appointed At CLAL
Thomas O. Katz, Esq. to Lead the Organization into the New Century
By Judy Epstein, Director of Public Affairs
Thomas O.
Katz , Esq., a partner at the law firm of Ruden, McClosky, Smith, Schuster & Russell,
P.A. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was recently named the new Chairman of the Board of
Directors of CLAL – The National Jewish Center for Learning
and Leadership. His two-year term takes
effect as of January 1, 2002. Mr. Katz
succeeds Barbara B. Friedman as Chairman of the organization.
“This is a very
exciting moment for the organization,” said Rabbi Irwin Kula, President of CLAL.
“With Tom Katz’s appointment, CLAL can continue to expand in new and vital
directions. He provides the leadership,
vision, and creativity that are pivotal at this time.”
Mr. Katz has
served as a CLAL Board Member for more than a decade and as an Associate Board Chair since
1998. Through his guidance and support, Mr.
Katz was instrumental in creating CLAL’s leadership training programs in Broward
County, Florida and the Jewish Public Forum at CLAL, a think tank that generates fresh
ideas about the social, political, cultural and technological trends affecting ethnic and religious identity and community building.
“I’m
very honored to be elected Chairman of this dynamic organization,” said Mr. Katz. “CLAL continues to
find new ways to connect Jewish tradition to modern life.
It speaks to contemporary experience in an era of change, and is a central
player for individuals and communities exploring what it means to be Jewish and American
in the 21st century.”
Long involved
in civic activities, Mr. Katz serves on the governing boards of a variety of local, state
and national charitable organizations. A frequent lecturer on planned charitable giving
for donors and organizations, Mr. Katz was selected by his peers as a “Leading
American Attorney” in Business Tax Law. He
is also listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in American Law. Volunteer commitments include the Community
Foundation of Broward (Member, Board of Directors), and The Donor’s Forum (Member,
Board of Directors). He also serves as
General Counsel of the
“Tom Katz
brings tremendous insight, experience and skill during a challenging time for many
organizations and businesses across America,” said Donna M. Rosenthal, Executive Vice
Chairman of CLAL. “We are fortunate to
have his leadership in such a moment of transition.”
Mr. Katz is a graduate of The
Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and received his law degree from
Georgetown University Law Center. He is
Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Tax Law. He
resides with his family in Boca Raton, Florida.
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