Shara & Jonathan Cohen
Parents of the Year
Shara Weisser-Cohen, from Kew Gardens Hills, NY went to Queens college where she earned a B.A. in anthropology with a business minor. After college, she worked for 12 years as an analyst and records manager at The Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services in Manhattan. During that time, she decided to go back to school and graduated in 2015 with a Masters in Library Sciences. She then worked for 6 years as a reference librarian at Queensborough Community College where she really enjoyed helping students do research and teach information literacy. Shara currently works at a nursery school while taking classes to become a school library media specialist. She loves to stay busy and involved in the Jewish community, especially helping out at Schechter Queens whenever her schedule allows. Shara has been an active member of the PTA board for the past 8 years serving as VP of Communication and Publications, and currently as treasurer. She also has been an integral part of the mishloach manot collection program for the past 5 years.
Jonathan "Johnny" Cohen, from Kings Park, NY, is an artist and creative professional with over 25 years of experience in the advertising and marketing field. He pursued his interest in advertising art by enrolling in the Fashion Institute of Technology, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Design. After college, Johnny began his career in advertising where he eventually became an executive director. He has worked for some of the top advertising agencies in New York City, developing successful campaigns for major brands across a variety of industries. He is also an avid practitioner of the martial arts and for the past 20 years, training in Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate. He currently holds the rank of Sensei 3rd degree black belt. Johnny is a dedicated family man, devoted husband to his wife Shara, and proud father to his two sons, Reese and Asher. Johnny's commitment to his family and his passions has earned him a reputation as a well-respected and accomplished professional in both his personal and professional life.
Shara and Jonathan met on JDate in 2004, were married in 2008 at Congregation B’nai Zion, the southernmost synagogue in the US in Key West, and made a home in Kew Gardens Hills, Queens. Their two boys, Reese (Class of 2023) and Asher (Future Class of 2028) have been in Schechter Queens since 2014. Shara and Johnny love the Jewish and secular education, as well the warm community that Schechter Queens provides.