Moe Katz Collection

Moe Katz (1900-1982), a Jewish banker, real estate developer, and retailer, moved with his family from New York City to Daytona, Florida, in 1922. Two years later, the Katz Family moved again to their final destination, Fort Lauderdale. At the beginning, he started a business in clothing retailing in Fort Lauderdale and joined the Chamber of Commerce in 1925. Moe Katz involvement in property appraising and real estate made him joined the Board of Directors of First Federal saving and Loan Association of Broward County in 1935. Soon after, he became the First Federal's Chief Appraiser and Executive Vice President. For more than 50 years, Katz was an active member of the Fort Lauderdale's Board of Realtors.

In 1937, he established the first synagogue in Broward County, Temple Emanu-El, a reform temple, and became its first president. Katz also joined other organizations such as the city's Planning and Zoning Board, the Board of Trustees of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, and the Fort Lauderdale Easter Seal Rehabilitation Clinic Elks, Masons, Shriners. In 1980, he was honored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews for his service to the community.

The Moe Katz Collection includes bills, financial deeds related to Temple Emanu-el, newspapers clippings, and photographs.