Benjamin and Freda Cohen’s Charitable Contributions to New Haven and Israel
Benjamin and Freda Cohen were longtime members of Young Israel of New Haven, supporters of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven Annual Campaign, as well as numerous Jewish and non-Jewish charities, both in New Haven and in Israel. Ben was born in New Haven and attended Yale University. In World War II he served in the South Pacific and then worked in Puerto Rico. Ben returned to New Haven because he wanted to live an observant Jewish life and find a Jewish wife and felt that at that time, he could not do that in Puerto Rico.
Ben enjoyed dinner at Slifka and talking with young people. Together, Ben and Freda started MANPOWER, a temp agency. For as long as they were together, they spent time in Israel every winter.
Ben passed away in 2010 and Freda in 2008. Together they established designated endowment funds at the Jewish Foundation for the benefit of Hebrew High School of New England, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, the Jewish Foundation, Young Israel of New Haven, Jewish Family Service, the Center for Jewish Life and Learning (formerly the Department of Jewish Education of the Jewish Federation) and to benefit the Jewish frail and elderly. In addition, through the Jewish Foundation they made charitable distributions to numerous national and Israeli Jewish charities including ARMDI, Yad Sarah, Amit, American Friends of Sanz Medical, JNF, American Friends of Ilan, the National Yiddish Book Center, National Institute for Jewish Hospice, and the Jewish Museum in New York. They also partnered with the Jewish Foundation to provide for numerous local charities including the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen, St. Raphael’s, Connecticut Hospice, and the American Cancer Society.
Ben are Freda are survived by Ben’s sister, Natalie Schain, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The endowment funds they created will help fund our community for many, many generations. Their legacy and their names will truly continue and be a blessing.