Creator Bio
Gerson D. Cohen
1924–1991
Born in New York, Gerson Cohen was a rabbi, professor of history, and the chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary. After receiving his ordination and a doctorate in history, Cohen became Gustav Gottheil Lecturer in Semitic languages and the director of the Center for Israel and Jewish Studies at Columbia University. Under his leadership at the Jewish Theological Seminary, the Conservative movement ordained its first woman rabbi.
Content by Gerson D. Cohen
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The Blessing of Assimilation in Jewish History
I trust that none of my remarks will be understood to say that assimilation is not now, or has not always been, a great threat to the Jewish group. In a sense, the problem of assimilation is as old as…
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The State of the Jews, 1982: Reflections on Jewish Normality, Agony and Glory
For two hundred years, Jews have obsessively sought to achieve two goals—the collective normality of the Jewish people, and the ability to control their own destiny. Since 1782, these goals have been…