What might happen if we send a cantor into space? Arie Katz argues that sometimes you have to think out of this world to get people involved in the Jewish community. Katz explores how organizations use creative ideas to engage otherwise unaffiliated Jews. By sending a cantor into space, for instance, we encourage Jews to consider what Jewish life might look like on another planet, where God resides, as well as give Jews a common cause to root for.
Arie Katz is founder and Chair of the Orange County Jewish Community Scholar Program (“CSP”), where he has worked since 2001 to bring over 125 of the greatest Jewish thinkers, artists, writers and entertainers in the world to Orange County, CA. In addition, Katz is founder and leader of the Wandering Minyan, an egalitarian, participatory service that meets twice a month in the Newport-Irvine area and is affiliated with Congregation B’nai Israel of Tustin, CA. Katz is also the Sr. Vice President-Chief Real Estate Counsel of Fitness International, LLC, the largest operator of full service health club facilities in the United States. Before joining L.A. Fitness in 1997, Katz practiced corporate law as an attorney with Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault in Boston, MA and Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP in Orange County, CA, focusing on private equity finance, mergers and acquisitions and hi-tech venture capital. Katz holds BA in economics from Princeton University and JD (cum laude) from Georgetown University Law Center.
