Judaism has always been at the core of Judith Cohen’s life, dating back to her youth in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. As a girl, she and her sister regularly attended meetings of the Zionistic organization Hashomer Hatzair. During the summer, young Judith attended the organization’s Camp Shomria, which introduced her to a communal lifestyle, much like a kibbutz, where she learned how to plant crops, live in army tents, and sleep out in the wilderness. At Camp Shomria, she learned Hebrew songs and developed a love of falafel and pita.

 

When Judith was in her teens, her family moved to Forest Hills. She eventually graduated from Queens College with a major in sociology. Following graduation, she worked on Wall Street as a Gal Friday for a stockbroker.

 

After her marriage to her beloved Irwin, Judith moved to Fresh Meadows.  Given her Jewish-oriented younger years, it was important that she belong to a synagogue. Judith’s family joined the Israel Center of Hillcrest Manor, where she was able to impart to her three children, Randi, Andrew and Joshua, her love of our faith. Randi, married to Jeremy, has three children, Julia, Jordan and Jonah. Son Andrew and his wife Angela have two children, Jasmine and Jacob. Jonah is married to Jessica; they have three children, Aliyah, Miles and Emmett.

 

Coming from a two-parent working household, Judith vowed her children would not become “latchkey” kids as she had been. She turned her love of office work into a cottage industry business, which became known as “Judy Cohen’s Typing Service,” operated out of her home; the business was successful for many years. When computers proliferated, Judith sought another place to use her talents.

 

On a trip to Israel, Judith and Irwin unexpectedly met her mother and aunt. She was impressed with the closeness of the Jewish world and began to be more involved on her return to the US. 

 

Her increasing involvement with ICCJ led to her becoming a member of the Sisterhood Board. In her position as Social Secretary, she keeps the lines of communication open with the Sisterhood membership by sending out annual anniversary and birthday greetings. Judith’s involvement has expanded as she uses her artistic capabilities to create the flyers for upcoming Sisterhood programs.