Katz Family Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0872

Staff Only

Finding aid note: Forms part of the Houston Jewish History Archive. Stored offsite at the Library Service Center and require 24-hour notice for retrieval. Please contact the Woodson Research Center at 713-348-2586 or woodson@rice.edu for more information.

Scope and Contents

One box containing personal photographs, a play written about Ben Katz, Beth Yeshurun programs, a VHS recording, and materials about the history of Beth Yeshurun documents some of the activities and interests of the Katz family within the Houston Jewish community from 1939 to 1991. Of particular interest is a video tape titled, "100th Anniversary" of Beth Yeshurun recorded in 1990.

Dates

Creation: 1939 - 1991

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research. Stored offsite at the Library Service Center and require 24-hour notice for retrieval. Please contact the Woodson Research Center at 713-348-2586 or woodson@rice.edu for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from the Katz Family Papers must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library.

The Woodson Research Center use policy is that researchers assume sole responsibility for any infringement of privacy, literary rights, copyrights, or other rights arising from their use of the archival materials. In addition to any restrictions placed by donors, certain kinds of archival materials are restricted for the life of the creator plus 50 years. These materials include, but are not limited to, student grades, transcripts, and any job applications or recommendations.

Biographical / Historical

Abraham and Gertrude Katie Platt Katz immigrated from Russia to the United States in 1891, with their children: Israel, Jacob, and Bertha. Their fourth child, Sara, was born in the United States. The family settled in Galveston and later moved to Houston. Gertrude died in 1831 and Abraham died in 1832. Both are buried at Beth Yeshurun Cemetery in Houston.

Jacob Katz was born in 1885 in Russia and immigrated with his parents and siblings to the United States in 1891. He married Anna Kalmans in Houston and the couple had three children: Minnie (1913-1999), Leah (1915-1999), and Benjamin. Anna had also immigrated from Russia with her parents, Max (1857-1937) and Fannie Getz Kalmans (1861-1951), and siblings. Jacob was a proprietor of a grocery store in Houston when he died unexpectedly in 1921. Anna Katz died in 1992, and both she and Jacob are buried at Beth Yeshurun Cemetery in Houston.

Benjamin Lee Katz was born November 12, 1919, in Houston. A graduate of San Jacinto High School, he enlisted in the Army in April 1942 and served in the Philippines until the end of World War II. He returned from the war and worked for Battlestein's and Southern Coffee Company before taking the position as Executive Director of Congregation Beth Yeshurun in 1957. Mr. Katz held that position for 30 years and was also an active leader of B'nai Brith, the National Association of Synagogue Administrators, and the Houston Chapter of the National Association of Church Business Administrators.

Ben married Hortense Levinson in December 1947. The couple had two children: Jean (1950-2017) and Martha, born 1952. Hortense died in 1984 and Ben died in 2016 at the age of 96. Both are buried at Beth Yeshurun Cemetery.

Extent

.25 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection consists of personal photographs, a play written about Ben Katz, Beth Yeshurun programs, a VHS recording, and materials about the history of Beth Yeshurun that document some activities and interests of the Katz family within the Houston Jewish community from 1939 to 1991.