Heroes focus on Rabbi Henry Cohen and everyday heroes

By Ida Margolis, GenShoah Chair

The theme of “Heroes, Heroines and Helpers” was introduced as the program theme for the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center and GenShoah SWFL. In addition to many films, lectures and programs centered around the theme, each month, the GenShoah e-newsletter and the Federation Star will highlight famous and unsung heroes.

In earlier editions of the Federation Star, the featured heroes included Freidl Dicker-Brandies, the beloved and heroic art teacher in Terezin, and WWII hero Master Sgt. Roddy Edmonds, who risked his life while in charge of Jewish POWs in Germany. (The Holocaust Museum will be presenting a program about Edmonds by his son on Nov. 11).

During this eighth month of the pandemic and after seeing many media stories focus on unsung or “everyday” heroes, I thought that would be appropriate for this column. Interestingly, a virtual program is being planned in March for the Jewish Community Relations Council by Ken Goldstein, with focus on a group of everyday heroes, specifically on the work of clergy during the pandemic.

Goldstein states, “During this turmoil, we have been reminded of who our heroes are. They are the medical doctors, nurses and EMTs. They are also the men and women who are on the front lines. They are the grocery workers, delivery people and neighbors helping each other in communities throughout our country. They continue to be our military and police, who have to balance maintaining peace and safety with constitutional guarantees of all citizens.”

A panel of clergy will be recognized for their efforts, including how they brought comfort and faith when churches, synagogues and mosques were closed, and how they dealt with life cycle events.

While considering all the challenges the clergy have had, I happened to read the story of Rabbi Henry Cohen of Texas. I had never heard of this rabbi, who was known not only for service to the needy, Jews and non-Jews, but also for his service to the Galveston, Texas community for over 60 years.

As a young rabbi, he dealt with a huge challenge, being the Galveston rabbi during the “storm of the century,” when a tropical storm nearly destroyed Galveston in 1900, killing approximately one-quarter of the city’s citizens, estimated between 6,000 to 10,000 people. Rabbi Cohen assisted Clara Barton and the Red Cross to meet emergency needs. He distributed food and gave comfort to those who lost homes and family members. While many people left Galveston, Rabbi Cohen stayed.

Along with other works, he was instrumental in the Galveston plan to help Jewish immigrants who left Eastern Europe during pogroms. From July 1907 to September 1914, approximately 10,000 Jews entered the U.S. through Galveston. Only about 300 stayed, along with Rabbi Cohen, who dedicated his life to continuing good works, prison reform, civic life and spirituality.

Rabbi Cohen retired in 1949 at the age of 86, having served Congregation B’nai Israel in Galveston for just over 61½ years. After his funeral, flags in Galveston and Houston were flown at half-staff. There is much more to the story of Cohen, which you can find online or in the book, “Kindler of Souls: Rabbi Henry Cohen of Texas.”

I found the story of Rabbi Cohen inspirational and heroic, as I do the work of many everyday heroes that I learn about during this pandemic. When we have the opportunity, let’s thank our everyday heroes and let them know that they are appreciated more than ever.