Neil & Sherry Cohen Honoree Profile

HONORING

SHERRY & NEIL COHEN

VISIONARIES. LEADERS. SUPPORTERS. MENSCHEN.

BY ALEX GOLDSTEIN Sherry and Neil Cohen have always been passionate about the importance of a strong Jewish education.

They have long recognized that teaching children the values of Torah, mitzvot, and Judaic heritage is critical to developing committed Jews who are responsible for and responsive to the broader community. And they understand that the pursuit of knowledge and intellectual rigor leads to a lifelong love of learning and future success in any field students may choose.

By far, the Cohen’s most significant contribution to Ramaz is their daughter Beckie ‘16, who attended the school from the time she was three years old. Through their words, actions, and deeds, the Cohens have helped Ramaz grow and thrive.

“Sherry and Neil have been incredibly responsive to the needs of Ramaz in numerous ways,” said Rabbi Haskel Lookstein ‘49, Principal Emeritus of Ramaz. “We could not have chosen more appropriate honorees to represent Ramaz and for all which it stands.”

Ramaz was lucky to hire Sherry as a first-grade teacher in 1995. She was known for greeting everyone she met—students, parents, fellow teachers, administrators, and staff—with a bright smile and warm hello. And she always took the time to get to know the children and their needs.

“Teachers should accept children for who they are, recognize their strengths, and show them how they can succeed,” said Sherry. “My goal was to teach each individual child and play a role in their growth and development.”

Since joining the Ramaz community, Sherry and Neil have been key supporters of the school’s mission. Sherry was a beloved teacher and Neil has tirelessly served on numerous committees.

Together they established the Science Research Program in the Upper School and named the Lower School Library.

“I had the privilege of calling Sherry a treasured colleague,” said Carol Ochs Wurzburger ‘66 (Morah Chaya), who taught kindergarten at Ramaz for 25 years. “She excelled at motivating her students to do their best and enjoy learning.”

Even when Sherry retired from teaching after Beckie was born, she could not stay away from Ramaz. She often visited the Early Childhood Center to read to a class and give the teachers a short break. It is still unclear who enjoyed the visits more, Sherry or the children! Sherry was

also Chairperson of the Ramaz Dinner for four years, using her expert organizational skills to plan the school’s successful annual fundraising event.

“Sherry’s selflessness and dedication to the community is only matched by the sheer magnitude of Neil’s continuing efforts on behalf of Ramaz,” said Jacob Doft ‘87, past Chairman of the Ramaz Board of Trustees. “I have never observed anyone who served Ramaz with more skill, wisdom, and determination as Neil. I was blessed to work alongside him.”

Watching her parents generously give of themselves to Ramaz and other organizations has greatly impacted Beckie, a sophomore at Johns Hopkins University.

“Their philanthropy knows no bounds, and their commitment to Ramaz and various institutions comes from their love for all humanity,” said Beckie. “They have taught me lifelong lessons on how to help others and improve the world.”

Beckie is grateful that her parents sent her to Ramaz, which became her second home.

In addition to serving on the Ramaz Board of Trustees for 10 years and chairing various committees that have supported the school’s mission in numerous ways, Neil has committed his time and expertise to the Orthodox Union’s Teach New York State effort. He is the Chairperson of this critically important advocacy group, which secures government funding for non-public schools in New York.

Neil has helped bring millions of dollars into the parochial school system, with a special emphasis on helping Jewish day schools.

“My involvement with Ramaz has provided me with an understanding of the issues that all Jewish day schools face,” said Neil. “Through our work with Teach NYS, we are trying to make Jewish education more affordable to anyone who wants it.”

“Ramaz made me the person I am today and will always be a part of who I am in the future,” she said. “It helped me find my passions and desires, and instilled in me the idea that I could do whatever I dreamed.”

“Sherry and Neil can always be counted on to help in any way possible and provide smart, thoughtful and sound advice,” said Pamela Rohr ‘78, a charter trustee on the Ramaz Board.

“They love Ramaz and everything it does for students, especially its focus on chesed and menschlichkeit and actively engaging with the outside world.”

“Ramaz is so important to us,” said Sherry. “We are committed to doing our share, leading by example, and doing anything we can to make Ramaz better for our students. There is never an end to that.”

According to Neil, “Ramaz taught Beckie that she could meet any challenges and how to be a mensch with a strong connection to Judaism. To me, menschlichkeit is a requirement for anything you do in life. It is essential that we instill this in our children.”

Added Sherry, “Ramaz provided Beckie and continues to offer all its students the finest secular and Jewish education. Most important, the school teaches kids what it takes to work hard and succeed on their own terms.”

Continuing to improve Ramaz for the benefit of its students—current and future—is a major priority for the Cohens.

Dr. Phil Wilner ‘75, Chairperson of the Ramaz Board of Trustees, summed it up perfectly. “Neil and Sherry embody chesed and menshlichkeit in everything they do. Sherry is second to none in her generosity and love to the older or isolated people in our community. Neil has devoted himself to supporting Jewish day school education for all students. Watching their daughter Beckie follow in their footsteps is a source of enormous pride for Neil and Sherry and the entire Ramaz community. I am privileged to know them and grateful for their commitment to Ramaz, its mission and its programs.