Rabbi Morton J. Cohn Collection, 1925-1990 | Special Collections & University Archives

By Bonnie M. Harris, Laurel Schwartz, and Helene Idels

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Collection Overview

Title: Rabbi Morton J. Cohn Collection, 1925-1990

Primary Creator: Cohn, Morton J. (1910-1991)

Extent: 26.76 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 08/28/2017. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Congregation Beth Israel (San Diego, Calif.), Jews--California--San Diego

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The collection consists of materials collected from Cohn's school days until his death. Included are correspondence; over 2000 sermons; plays; personal documents; photographs and materials relating the various congregations he served. There are scrapbooks and newspaper clippings regarding both Cohn and his wife Sally and current events, index cards, pamphlets, research notes and plaques.

Biographical Note

Rabbi Morton Jacob Cohn was born January 12, 1910 in Detroit, Michigan and was ordained as a reform rabbi in 1934. After serving pulpits in various cities, he enlisted as a Navy Chaplain during World War II with the Southern Pacific Fleet and continued in the Naval Reserve for many years. In 1946 he settled in San Diego where he became rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel and remained there until 1964 when he left to found Temple Emanu-El, whose religious school bears his name.

Rabbi Cohn was meticulous in preserving anything relating to his career, the San Diego Jewish community, Judaism and currents events involving Jews, making his collection a comprehensive picture of San Diego Jewish life during his almost 50 years here. As rabbi of the largest Jewish congregation in San Diego, he was a formidable leader in the Jewish and secular communities. He was one of three rabbis, (Cohn, Levens, Stern) who lead the San Diego Jewish community from the years after WWII until the 1970’s. He was very involved in interfaith activities, gave a weekly radio sermon, created and participated in musical parodies for holidays, rabbinical conventions and special occasions. He maintained a card catalog of life cycle events at which he officiated and a bibliographical file of research materials. Part of this collection is material regarding his wife, Sally Cohn, who was very involved in women’s groups and the sisterhoods of the congregations Cohn served. She started the San Diego Women's Association for the Salk Institute. They had two children Jane and Morton Cohn Jr. Rabbi Cohn died in 1991; Sally Cohn died in 1994.

Subject/Index Terms

Congregation Beth Israel (San Diego, Calif.)
Jews--California--San Diego

Administrative Information

Repository: Special Collections & University Archives

Accruals: 2017-043

Access Restrictions: This collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions: The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Requests for permission to publish must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.

Acquisition Source: Jewish Historical Society of San Diego

Related Materials:

Adat Ami Synagogue Collection

Lou Dunst Collection

Mark Freeman Papers

Deborah Horwitz and Paul Nierman Collection

Rose Neumann Collection

Elena Saad Collection

Irving Salomon Collection

Tifereth Israel Synagogue Collection

Abbe Wolfsheimer-Stutz Collection

Preferred Citation: Identification of item, folder title, box number, Rabbi Morton J. Cohn Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, Library and Information Access, San Diego State University.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Box 7],
[Box 8],
[Box 9],
[Box 10],
[Box 11],
[Box 12],
[Box 13],
[Box 14],
[Box 15],
[Box 16],
[Box 17],
[Box 18],
[Box 19],
[Box 20],
[Box 21],
[All]

Box 12

Folder 1: 20th year Anniversary of the Ordination of Rabbi Morton J. Cohn, May - June 1954: Assorted letters, telegrams, and notes related to Rabbi Morton J. Cohn's 1954 20th anniversary of his ordination as Rabbi including Rabbi's thank you notes.
Folder 2: 25th year Anniversary of Ordination of Rabbi Morton J. Cohn, March 27 & 28, 1959: Items regarding the 1959 25th ordination anniversay of Rabbi Morton J. Cohn - note of congratulations and programs for Friday evening Sabbath Service and Saturday evening Testimonial Banquet.
Folder 3: Testimonial Dinner (Retirement of Founding Rabbi) - RSVP Correspondence, April - May 1978: Invitation card and congratulatory correspondence (RSVP's & regrets) from others regarding invitation to testimonial dinner on May 13, 1978 hosted by the Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood for Rabbi Cohn's retirement and elevation to Founding Rabbi and Founding Rabbitzen of Temple Emanu-El.
Folder 4: Temple Service and Testimonial Dinner Programs and Rabbi's Sermons, May 12 & 13, 1978: Programs for Temple Emanu-El Friday night testimonial service and invitation and program for Saturday night testimonial dinner for Rabbi and Sally Cohn relating to his retirement and elevation to Founding Rabbi and Founding Rabbitzen of Temple Emanu-El. Announcements and Order of Processional Bio for Rabbi Joseph Asher who gave Friday tribute sermon Rabbi Cohn's sermons ("Response") for testimonials
Folder 5: 50th Anniversary of Ordination, November 16 & 17, 1984: Items relating to celebration of 50th Anniversary of Ordination: Temple Emanu-El Testimonial Dinner programs, copies of Rabbi Cohn's thank you letters, invitation list, letter of congratulations from Pete Wilson (California Senator), congratulatory correspondence, list of Scroll Names, Alfred Gottschalk bio, guest speaker tribute remarks, Rabbi Cohn's "Response [sermon] at 50th Anniversary Dinner", Shabbat Service programs.
Folder 5.1: 50th Anniversary of Ordination - Book of Tribute, November 16 & 17, 1984: Book of Tribute Presented to Rabbi Morton J. Cohn, D.D. on the Occasion of his 50th Anniversary of Ordination. Given by Rabbi Martin and Anita Lawson. Contains letters of congratulations.
Folder 6: Recognition and Award, 1978: Recognition award letter from Board of Education, San Diego Unified School District for Rabbi Cohn's 32 years of spiritual leadership for the San Diego Jewish community. Congressional Record House of Representatives (April 27, 1978) recognition and tribute to Rabbi Cohn for 32 years as the founder and spiritual leader of Temple Emanu-El.
Folder 7: Retirement, 1974-1988: Following items: - Brochure on Rabbinical/Congregational Relationship - Retirement Announcement correspondence - Resolution to membership concerning retirement - Retirement of Irving Salomon Speech - Retirement party invites
Folder 8: Proposed Life Tenure Agreement, 1968: Proposed life tenure agreement between Rabbi Cohn and Temple Emanu-El. Rabbi Cohn's response to proposed agreement. Memorandum regarding Rabbi Cohn's retirement.
Folder 8.1: Rabbi Cohn and Rabbi Lawson - Temple Emanu-El (1983), 1983: Memorandum regarding relationship between Senior Rabbi (Lawson) and Founding Rabbi Emeritus (Cohn) with regards to themselves and the Congregation at Temple Emanu-El.
Folder 9: NAORRR - National Association of Retired Reform Rabbis, 1982-1991: 1982 agenda for committee on retirement; 1985 agenda for general meeting of NAORRR and newspaper article; correspondence; 1991 convention program; Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) correspondence; certificate of membership into NAORRR's Society of Octogenarians.
Folder 10: Rabbinical Pension Board, 1945-1967: Items relating to Rabbinical Pension Board (RPB): receipts; invoices; statements; brochures; correspondence; life insurance policies; budgets; proposed resolution; Statement of Benefits; reports.
Folder 11: Rabbinical Pension Board, 1970-1991: Items relating to Rabbinical Pension Board (RPB): receipts; invoices; statements; brochures; correspondence; life insurance policies; premiums; budgets; newsletters.
Folder 12: Pacific Insurance Agency/Pacific Indemnity Company, 1948-1962: Items relating to liability policy with Pacific Indemnity Company (Pacific Insurance Agency).
Folder 13: Veterans Administration Insurance Benefits, 1943-1971: Items relating to policies and life insurance through Veterans Administration; certificates of renewals; beneficiary designations.
Folder 14: New York Life Insurance, 1989-1992: Items relating to life insurance benefits with New York Life
Folder 15: Social Security Benefits, 1977-1985: Items relating to Federal Social Security benefits.
Folder 16: Insurance Plans, 1962-1991: Items pertaining to various insurance plans: 1. John Hancock receipt 6-1-62 2. Blue Ridge Insurance policy change notice 8-2-89 3. GAF Insurance claim form 10-16-91 4. Blue Cross forms
Folder 17: Cohn Family Real Estate, 1946-1964: Cohn Family Real Estate Items pertaining to properties: inventories, appraisals, payment receipts, realtor listings, tax bills, correspondence, deeds, probate and estate distribution of Jacob Cohn (father of Rabbi Cohn), title documents, various notes.
Folder 18: Correspondence: Family and Personal, 1956-1989: Personal correspondence between family members; Rabbi Cohn's appreciation letter to physicians; items regarding daughter Jane Cohn's college scholarship; grandson David Elbogen's resume and commencement program from UCSD Warren College (1979); Mort Jr to parents Mort & Sally.
Folder 19: Rabbi Cohn: Birth and Death Certificates and Passport, 1910, 1959,1991: Copies of Rabbi Morton Jacob Cohn birth and death records. Passport issued May 28, 1959
Folder 20: Condolences, Bios, Obituaries, Eulogy re Rabbi Cohn Passing, 1991: Article and obituary about the death of Rabbi Cohn Condolence letters from Joseph Glaser and from Jonas Salk Eulogy by Rabbi Martin S. Lawson In Memoriam delivered by Rabbi Michael P. Sternfield at Temple Emanu-El Multiple copies of biographical sketches Memorial Record Book including guests at his funeral moved to Box 14
Folder 21: Rabbi Cohn Mortuary and Burial Records, 1980, 1991: Items pertaining to Rabbi Cohn's burial at Home of Peace Sancturaries at Cypress View Mausoleum October 6th, 1991; correspondence and statements/invoices regarding purchase of burial crypt.; Memorial Record Book and Memorium program.
Folder 22: Shirley Chisholm - Obituary, Eulogy, In Memoriam, 1/1/1998: Shirley Chisholm - Secretary to Rabbi Joel S. Goor at Congregation Beth Israel and to Rabbi Michael P. Sternfield: Obituary; Eulogy by Rabbi Goor; In Memoriam by Rabbi Sternfield.
Folder 23: Rabbis: Jewish Statistical Bureau - Surveys, Census, Deaths, 1950's-1960's: Rabbis: Jewish Statistical Bureau - Surveys, Census, Deaths ("Necrology of Rabbis")
Folder 24: Marriage Anniversaries: Reflections and Renewal, 1972 and 1975: Sermon: "Reflections on a Good Marriage", Apri 7, 1972. Rabbi Cohn's 37th wedding anniversary. Sermon: "Reflections on Forty Years Together". Rabbi Cohn's 40th wedding anniversary. April 1975. Certificate of Marriage - 40th Anniversary Renewal. April 25, 1975. With signatures of family and friends.
Folder 25: Newspaper and Newsletter Articles and Clippings, 1942-1949: Newspaper and newsletter articles and clippings dating 1942-1949 either pertaining to Jewish activities and issues and to Rabbi Cohn (by or about) or for research material for Rabbi Cohn's sermons from: Niagara Falls Gazette San Diego Union Southwest Jewish Press The Bulletin San Diego Journal Oceanside Daily Blade Tribune-Sun Clippings include the "Your Chaplain Says" and "Chaplain's Corner" columns from Rabbi Cohn's service as a Navy Chaplain. Includes articles about the Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood's musical comedy. Includes obituary and articles pertaining to passing of Rabbi Moise Bergman who preceeded Rabbi Cohn at Temple Beth Israel.
Folder 26: Newspaper and Newsletter Articles and Clippings, 1950-1956: Newspaper and newsletter articles and clippings dating 1950-1956 either pertaining to Jewish activities and issues and to Rabbi Cohn (by or about) or for research material for Rabbi Cohn's sermons from: San Diego Union and Evening Tribune Southwest Jewish Press East Bay Labor Journal Includes articles about 75th anniversary celebrating founding of Temple Beth Israel and founders such as Louis Rose. Includes articles about dedication of Temple Beth Israel's new Temple House. Includes articles about Fiesta del Pacifico. Includes articles about Jane Cohn, daughter of Rabbi and Sally Cohn. Includes articles about the Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood's musical comedy.
Folder 27: Newspaper and Newsletter Articles and Clippings, 1957: Newspaper and newsletter articles and clippings dating from 1957 from the San Diego Union and Evening Tribune and the Southwest Jewish Press and the Arizona Daily Star either pertaining to Jewish issues and activities and to Rabbi Cohn (by or about) or for research material for Rabbi Cohn's sermons. Includes articles about Fiesta del Pacifico. Includes articles about Jane Cohn, daughter of Rabbi and Sally Cohn. Includes articles about the Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood and Women of Valor. Includes many articles about the United Fund Drive campaign. Includes wedding announcement of Rabbi Cohn's niece Carol Applebaum (to Harold Borovetz).
Folder 28: Newspaper and Newsletter Articles and Clippings, 1958: Newspaper and newsletter articles and clippings dating from 1958 from the San Diego Union and Evening Tribune and the Southwest Jewish Press either pertaining to Jewish issues and activities and to Rabbi Cohn (by or about) or for research material for Rabbi Cohn's sermons. Includes articles about the Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood and Women of Valor and Sally Cohn. Includes articles about the United Fund Drive campaign.
Folder 29: Newspaper and Newsletter Articles and Clippings, 1959-1962: Newspaper and newsletter articles and clippings dating 1959- 1962 either pertaining to Jewish activities and issues and to Rabbi Cohn (by or about) or for research material for Rabbi Cohn's sermons from: San Diego Union and Evening Tribune Los Angeles B'nai B'rith Messenger Tucson Daily Citizen The San Diego Rabbinical Association Southwest Jewish Press Vallejo Times Herald Includes articles about anniversary celebration of Rabbi Cohn's ordination. Includes articles about the Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood and Women of Valor. Includes articles about the United Fund Drive campaign. Includes article about anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Handlery (founder of Handlery Hotels).
Folder 30: Newspaper and Newsletter Articles and Clippings, 1963-1964: Newspaper and newsletter articles and clippings dating 1963-1964 either pertaining to Jewish activities and issues and to Rabbi Cohn (by or about) or for research material for Rabbi Cohn's sermons from: San Diego Union and Evening Tribune Southwest Jewish Press San Diego Southern Cross La Jolla Journal The Sentinel La Jolla Light Includes many articles about the Salk Institute. Includes articles about the passing of Pope John XXIII.
Folder 31: Newspaper and Newsletter Articles and Clippings, 1965-1966: Newspaper and newsletter articles and clippings dating 1965-1966 either pertaining to Jewish activities and issues and to Rabbi Cohn (by or about) or for research material for Rabbi Cohn's sermons from: San Diego Union and Evening Tribune Southwest Jewish Press The Independent Includes articles about the Gentlemen of Distinction awards given by the Women's Guild of Temple Emanu-El. Includes articles about the Bishop Francis J. Furey of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego invited as a guest speaker to preach at Temple Emanu-El.
Folder 32: Newspaper and Newsletter Articles and Clippings 1967: Newspaper and newsletter articles and clippings dating 1967 either pertaining to Jewish activities and issues and to Rabbi Cohn (by or about) or for research material for Rabbi Cohn's sermons from: San Diego Union and Evening Tribune Southwest Jewish Press The Independent Includes articles about the Gentlemen of Distinction awards given by the Women's Guild of Temple Emanu-El.
Folder 33: Newspaper and Newsletter Articles and Clippings, 1968: Newspaper and newsletter articles and clippings dating 1968 either pertaining to Jewish activities and issues and to Rabbi Cohn (by or about) or for research material for Rabbi Cohn's sermons from: San Diego Union and Evening Tribune Southwest Jewish Press The Independent Jewish Press Heritage San Diego Southern Cross Includes articles about the Gentlemen of Distinction awards given by the Women's Guild of Temple Emanu-El.
Folder 34: Newspaper and Newsletter Articles and Clippings, 1969-1977: Newspaper and newsletter articles and clippings dating 1969-1977 either pertaining to Jewish activities and issues and to Rabbi Cohn (by or about) or for research material for Rabbi Cohn's sermons from: San Diego Union and Evening Tribune Southwest Jewish Press The Jewish Post Includes numerous articles about the Gentlemen of Distinction awards banquet given by the Women's Guild of Temple Emanu-El. Includes articles about Sally Cohn, wife of Rabbi Cohn, being honored as Woman of the Year, 1972.
Folder 35: Newspaper and Newsletter Articles and Clippings, 1982-1985 and 1990-1991 and no dates: Newspaper and newsletter articles and clippings dating 1982-1985 and 1990-1991 and no dates either pertaining to Jewish activities and issues and to Rabbi Cohn (by or about) or for research material for Rabbi Cohn's sermons from: San Diego Union and Evening Tribune Israel Today San Diego San Diego Jewish Times The Niagara Falls Gazette Includes articles about Rabbi Cohn being honored for 50 years as a rabbi. Includes article about passing of Rabbi Cohn, 1991.
Folder 36: Scrapbook: Hebrew Union College Graduation Exercises Program, Class of, 1934: Scrapbook: Hebrew Union College Graduation Exercises Program, Saturday, May 26th, Class of 1934
Folder 37: Scrapbook: Congregation Children of Israel Photograph and Programs (Memphis), 1938: Scrapbook: Photograph and Programs, 1938: Photograph - Congregation Children of Israel, Memphis, June 5, 1938 (Harry Gerstel Studio) Program - Sam Schloss Lodge of the B'nai B'rith First Cultural Meeting and International A.Z.A. Day, Children of Israel Temple, Morton J. Cohn, Junior Rabbi, Wednesday, October 19, 1938 Program - Festival of Confirmation, Congregation Children of Israel, Morton J. Cohn, Rabbi, Sunday, June 5, 1938 Program - Junior Congregation Children of Israel Election Supper Dance and Joseph Newburger Memorial Cup Award, Sunday, May 29, 1938
Folder 38: Scrapbook: Photographs (Memphis and Niagara Falls), 1940: Scrapbook: Photographs, 1940: Photograph - Confirmation Class, Memphis, June 12, 1940 Signatures on back of photo. (Harry Gerstel Studio) Photographs - Sukkos display with Rabbi Cohn and unidentified woman pictured in synagogue chapel at Niagara Falls, NY, 1940.
Folder 39: Scrapbook: Farewell Banquet Invitation (Niagara Falls) & Hanukah Breakfast Program (Chicago), 1943: Scrapbook: Invitation and Program, 1943 Invitation - Farewell Banquet by Zionist Organization of Niagara Falls, NY upon Rabbi Cohn's departure to become U.S. Navy Chaplain, Sunday, May 30th. Includes tear-off RSVP card and a newspaper article clipping published the day after the banquet. Program - Chicago Women's Division, American Jewish Congress Seventh Annual Hanukah Breakfast, Monday, December 27, 1943. Invocation by Chaplain Morton Cohn, U.S.N.R. Thank you notation inscribed by M. Ticktin.
Folder 40: Scrapbook: Programs (Chicago), 1944: Scrapbook: Programs, 1944: Program Invitation - Commissioning of the U.S.S. "LSM ~ 330", Chicago, November, 1944. Program - Forty-Fifth National Encampment Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Memorial Service, First Methodist Church of Chicago, Monday, August 21, 1944.
Folder 41: Scrapbook: Photographs, U.S. N.A.S, Glenview, IL, 1944: Scrapbook: Photographs, U.S. N.A.S, Glenview, IL, 1944: Rabbi Cohn at pulpit leading service (4 pictures) (September, 1944) Torah on display in open case at pulpit (1) (September, 1944) Servicemen in uniform posed in group photo (1) (undated)
Folder 42: Scrapbook: Photographs, Rabbi Cohn Services as Navy Chaplain, 1945: Scrapbook: Photographs, Rabbi's Services as Navy Chaplain, 1945: Photographs of Rabbi Cohn and unidentified servicemen reading from the Haggadah at Passover Seder and dinner. Some people identified on backs of photos. Photograph of Navy Day 1945 P.H. Unidentified. Photographs of Rabbi Cohn and unidentified servicemen at Yom Kippur afternoon services at Midway Chapel and Yom Kippur night supper at Midway Island. Some people identified on backs of photos. Photographs of wedding ceremony with Rabbi Cohn officiating. Unidentified bride and groom and guests. Memorial Day Exercises Ceremony, May 30, 1945. Unidentified. Rabbi Cohn and other U.S. and foreign dignitaries, Feb. 25, 1945. Identified on backs of photos. 23 photographs
Folder 43: Scrapbook: Programs and Bulletins, 1946: Scrapbook: Programs and Bulletins, 1946: Invitation - Congregation of Beth Israel of San Dego to Installation Ceremnony of Rabbi Morton J. Cohn. Friday, September 6,1946. Officiated by Chaplain Joshua Goldberg, Commander, U.S. Navy The Bulletin of The San Diego Scottish Rite Bodies, October, 1946. Feast of Tishri, October 9, address given by Rabbi Morton J. Cohn. Program - In Memoriam: Our Honored Dead ~ Who Were Lost at Sea in the Present War. San Diego, CA, October 27, 1946. Litany of Remembrance - Chaplain Morton Cohn, USNR Program - United Thanksgiving Observance: A Patriotic Celebration Conducted by Catholic, Jewish, and Protetant Chaplains. U.S. Naval Training Center, San Diego, CA. November 28, 1946. Benediction - Chaplain M. J. Cohn, USNR
Folder 44: Scrapbook: Programs and News Clippings, 1947: Scrapbook: Programs and News Clippings, 1947: Bulletin - The San Diego Unitarian monthly bulletin, The First Unitarian Church, February, 1947. Brotherhood Week presentation by Rabbi Morton J. Cohn of Temple Beth Israel. Program - Josef Meier as the Christus in The Black Hills Passion Play at Russ Auditorium, sponsored by the Welfare Foundation of the San Diego Lions Club, March 5-9, 1947. News Clippings - SD Journal 1/21/47, "Rabbi [Cohn] Decries Evangelistic 'Distortions'" SD Union 2/16/47, "Brotherhood Week Programs Arranged"
Folder 45: Scrapbook: Photographs, no dates, No Dates: Scrapbook: Photographs, no dates: Various unidentified photographs (several stamped as "Official U.S. Navy Photograph" or "Photo by Les Hamm") - Rabbi Cohn leading services as USNR Chaplain. Rabbi Cohn, Navy officials and other military personnel, and civilians.