Gerson David Cohen
City College of the City University of New York
Columbia University
Emblem of Columbia University
Jewish Theological Seminary
Emblem of Jewish Theological Seminary
City College of the City University of New York
Jewish Theological Seminary
Columbia University
Emblem of Columbia University
Emblem of Jewish Theological Seminary
(An epitaph to the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry Hundreds of...)
An epitaph to the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry Hundreds of years before the Inquisition, the Almohade invasion of Spain wiped out many of the Spanish Jewish communities in Muslim Andalusia ending the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry. Thousands of Jews fled north to Christian Spain, where they had to live among Karaite Jews very different from themselves. Philosopher Abraham ibn Daud responded to this upheaval by writing The Book of Tradition, known as Sefer ha-Qabbalah. This epic on Jewish history from ancient times to the 12th century eulogized Spanish Jewry and reminded readers of a once-thriving culture. No one before had ever attempted to write such a broad history of Jewish civilization. The Book of Tradition is unique and one of the first examples of Jewish historiography. In JPS’s edition of this classic work, first published in 1967, renowned scholar Gerson D. Cohen presents his translation of ibn Daud’s entire text, as well as commentary and an extensive introduction that masterfully provides context for the reader. An epitaph to the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry Hundreds of years before the Inquisition, the Almohade invasion of Spain wiped out many of the Spanish Jewish communities in Muslim Andalusia ending the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry. Thousands of Jews fled north to Christian Spain, where they had to live among Karaite Jews very different from themselves. Philosopher Abraham ibn Daud responded to this upheaval by writing The Book of Tradition, known as Sefer ha-Qabbalah. This epic on Jewish history from ancient times to the 12th century eulogized Spanish Jewry and reminded readers of a once-thriving culture. No one before had ever attempted to write such a broad history of Jewish civilization. The Book of Tradition is unique and one of the first examples of Jewish historiography. In JPS’s edition of this classic work, first published in 1967, renowned scholar Gerson D. Cohen presents his translation of ibn Daud’s entire text, as well as commentary and an extensive introduction that masterfully provides context for the reader.
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Tradition-Sefer-ha-Qabbalah/dp/0827609167
(This anthology of addresses and essays by former Jewish T...)
This anthology of addresses and essays by former Jewish Theological Seminary Chancellor Gerson D. Cohen is written in a popular style and is intended for a wide audience. The pieces offer an overview of Gerson D. Cohen's thoughts on such topics as the centrality of religion to Judaism, eschatology, Jewish history in its cultural context, Jewish scholarship and Zionism. In the book's Foreword, Rabbi Gillman writes: "I envy the readers who will encounter Gerson Cohen for the first time through the pages of this book."
https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-History-Destiny-Moreshet-V/dp/0873340744
(Book by Cohen, Gerson D.)
Book by Cohen, Gerson D.
https://www.amazon.com/Studies-Variety-Rabbinic-Cultures-Gerson/dp/0827603835
(The rise of Zionism, and particularly its first major dipl...)
The rise of Zionism, and particularly its first major diplomatic success during World War I, posed a serious problem tor the Catholic Church, for the Church held that the passing of Jewish sovereignty was testimony to the truth of Christianity. Dr. Feldblum deals with one facet of the Catholic response to the challenge of Zionism. In this dispassionate and critical study, she surveys the evolution of American Catholic opinion on Zionist issues from the Balfour Declaration until the Suez War. Drawing extensively upon Catholic periodicals, Dr. Feldblum has illuminated the complex interplay of theological and political considerations in the development of American Catholic policy. Her thoroughly researched study is important reading for anyone interested in Jewish-Gentile relations, American Jewish and Catholic history, and Zionism.
https://www.amazon.com/American-Catholic-Press-Jewish-State/dp/087068325X/ref=sr_1_3?d
(Judaism Journal, Summer 1977: Conservative Judaism on Its...)
Judaism Journal, Summer 1977: Conservative Judaism on Its Ninetieth Birthday, An Evaluation by Leaders in Conservativism, Orthodoxy, Reconstructionism, Reform [Robert Gordis, Louis Finkelstein, Gerson D. Cohen, Stanley Rabinowitz, Mordecai Waxman, Wolfe Kelman, Benjamin Z. Kreitman, Ben Zion Bokser, Joseph A. Lookstein, Shlomo Riskin].
https://www.amazon.com/Judaism-Journal-Summer-1977-Reconstructionism/dp/9906540117/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&qid=1612450409&refinements=p_27%3AGerson+D.+Cohen&s=books&sr=1-4-catcorr
(Aliyah: Text to Salvador Dali's Aliyah [Cohen, Gerson D].)
Aliyah: Text to Salvador Dali's Aliyah [Cohen, Gerson D].
https://www.amazon.com/Aliyah-Text-Salvador-Dalis/dp/B0007FCOK2/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&qid=1612450409&refinements=p_27%3AGerson+D.+Cohen&s=books&sr=1-12-catcorr
chancellor educator Rabbi historians
He was born on August 26, 1924 in New York. Son of Nehama. He had a sister, Hadassah Gordis, and a brother, Yehudi. Gerson Cohen was born to a Hebrew-speaking family in the Bronx and began taking classes at the Jewish Theological Seminary as a teen-ager.
Gerson David Cohen graduated from City College of New York in 1944. Cohen received his bachelor's degree, master's degree, and rabbinic ordination (1948) from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He received his Ph.D. in Semitic Languages at Columbia University in 1958.
Cohen served as Gustav Gottheil Lecturer at Columbia University, became a lecturer in Semitic Languages and director of the Center for Israel and Jewish Studies. His posts at the Seminary included Librarian (1950-1957), Lecturer (1957-1960), Visiting Assistant Professor (1961-1964), Visiting Professor (1964-1970), and Jacob H. Schiff Professor of History (1970-1991). In 1972 he was appointed chancellor, serving until 1986. During his tenure Cohen oversaw the rebuilding of the Seminary library which had been severely damaged by fire in 1966. The seminary, which is just north of Columbia University in Morningside Heights, also has campuses in Jerusalem and Los Angeles.
During his tenure as chancellor he oversaw the rebuilding of the seminary library, which was destroyed by fire in 1966. In 1983, after a major fund-raising drive, the library reopened and fast became one of the major repositories of Judaica in the world.
Dr. Cohen also expanded the seminary's campus and presence in Israel, establishing the first Conservative rabbinical program in Jersusalem, and led the fight to have Israel recognize the autority of the non-Orthodox movements.
Cohen received his bachelor's degree, master's degree, and rabbinic ordination (1948) from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He received his Ph.D. in Semitic Languages at Columbia University in 1958.
Gerson Cohen received an Honour degree of Divinity from Princeton University in 1976.
He received his Doctor of Humane Letters degree from New York University in 1978. He received the same degree from the City University of New York in 1979.
Gerson Cohen received his Doctor of Divinity from Trinity College in 1983.
He received his Doctor of Divinity from Yale University in 1984.
Gerson Cohen received his Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the Hebrew Union College.
He received his Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Brandeis University in 1987.
(The rise of Zionism, and particularly its first major dipl...)
(An epitaph to the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry Hundreds of...)
(Judaism Journal, Summer 1977: Conservative Judaism on Its...)
(A Critical Edition with a Translation and Notes of The Bo...)
(This anthology of addresses and essays by former Jewish T...)
(Aliyah: Text to Salvador Dali's Aliyah [Cohen, Gerson D].)
(The blessing of assimilation in Jewish history.)
(Review article: Netanyahu, B., The Marranos in Spain [Coh...)
(Book by Cohen, Gerson D.)
(The Jews in Egypt and in Palestine under the Fatamid Cali...)
Cohen is especially noted for ordaining the first female rabbi in Conservative Judaism in 1985. As Chancellor, he appointed a special commission to study the issue of ordaining women as rabbis in 1977.
When he became chancellor in 1972, Dr. Cohen subscribed to the traditional Jewish view that women could not serve as rabbis because they did not have the full religious obligations of men, like prayer three times daily. He agreed, however, to set up a commission to study the issue. Same Obligations as Men.
As a result of his own inquiry and the work of the commission, Dr. Cohen ruled that women could be ordained if they assumed the same obligations as men. He said that the change was consistent with the philosophy of the Conservative movement, that Jewish law could change to meet contemporary issues.
Two years later he bestowed the title rabbi on Amy Eilberg of Bloomington, Ind., who became the first woman ordained in the movement. Reform Judaism, the major liberal movement, began ordaining women in 1972. The more traditional Orthodox movement does not ordain women.
Physical Characteristics: Dr. Cohen died of a disease of the nervous system, according to a spokeswoman for the seminary.
Gerson Cohen married Naomi. They had a son, Jeremy, and a daughter, Judith Rosen. In addition, Gerson Cohen has seven grandchildren.
