A

ri Katz of West Bloomfield, 
nominated as a “36 under 36” 
candidate for his charitable 
work in fighting ALS, is a true a car 
nut. He has attended the Detroit Grand 
Prix every year since 1992. He marvels 
over the cutting-edge technology her-
alded each year at the Detroit 
auto show while still babying 
a rare 1970’
s muscle car in his 
garage. 
Katz, a financial planner, 
knows there are other car 
enthusiasts out there in the 
Jewish community and within 
the Temple Israel family.
That is why, with the help of 
Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny, Katz 
will be revving up a new group 
called Cars and Kibitz, an auto-
motive enthusiast club to bring 
Metro Detroit Jews together to 
enjoy all things cars, including 
panel discussions with automotive 
experts, car shows for the community 
and family-friendly car-themed events. 
Cars and Kibitz will hold its kick-
off event in April with David Zenlea, 
deputy editor of Road and Track mag-
azine, who will speak about how the 
Jewish community has impacted the 
automotive industry. One interesting 
issue to be discussed is the fate of the 
19th-century Beth Olem Cemetery, 
which rests on the grounds of the 
Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant, 
should the plant shutter this year. 
Katz also plans to interview local 
rabbis for their perspective on how 
Jewish law will be interpreted in 
regards to riding in automated vehicles 
on Shabbat and holidays. 
Katz said he’
d like the group to bring 
car shows to Jewish Senior Life and 
possibly to other Jewish organizations, 
such as Friendship Circle and Kadima. 
“Cars are produced for the masses; 
but, in many ways, owners can style 
the cars of their choosing to their 
individual styles and tastes — even the 
noise level they make when you rev 
the engine,
” Katz said. “Detroiters see 
themselves as part of the automotive 
industry. They see and identify them-
selves when they spot that favorite 
model driving along the road.
”
The car that tugs the most at his 
heartstrings: the 1978 Datsun 280z 

“Black Pearl.
” Katz remembers when 
his late father, Steven Katz, drove it 
home, one of only about 1,500 ever 
produced, in the summer of that year. 
Forty years later, Katz still has the 
Black Pearl and keeps it in pristine 
condition. Over the years, the Katz 

family has displayed it at many car 
shows, including the Concours d’
Ele-
gance of America and EyesOn Design, 
held each year at Grosse Point Shores. 
Most importantly, the car is a 
constant reminder of his father, who 
passed away from ALS in 2003. Ever 
since, Katz has been an active member 
of the ALS Michigan chapter, partici-
pating in walks and other fundraisers. 
“That Black Pearl is the closest con-
nection I have to hang onto the memo-
ries of my father,
” Katz said. 
Katz enjoys taking in the cutting- 
edge automotive technology at the 
Detroit auto show. But he may skip it 
this year, as it is hard to do with very 
small children. 
“It may be a bit of a challenge to 
maneuver the crowds with a toddler 
and a baby,
” Katz said. “But I do look 
forward to the possibility of the show 
being moved to the summer, where 
it will be timed with other local car 
events. 
“The show in the summer will allow 
for outdoor as well as indoor exhibits 
(and maybe even opportunities for test 
drives), which will attract more tour-
ism and industry enthusiasts and exec-
utives who would prefer warm weather 
over the cold. Let’
s face it: Why would 
an automotive exec from Los Angeles 
want to visit Detroit in January?” ■

20 January 17 • 2019
jn

A Jewish Gearhead

Ari Katz plans ‘
Cars 
 and Kibitz’
 for car nuts like him. 

jews d
in 
the

STACY GITTLEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER 

Ari Katz with his late father’
s 1978 Datsun 280z “Black Pearl”

2211420

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