Abba Cohen

Last updated
Rabbi
Abba Cohen
Abba Cohen portrait.jpg
Vice President for Government Affairs of Agudath Israel of America
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 2019 (2019-02)

Abba Cohen (born 1955 or 1956 [1] ) is an American rabbi who serves as Vice President for Government Affairs and Washington Office director of Agudath Israel of America. [2] He acts as an advocate for the Orthodox Jewish community in Washington, D.C., and has worked with seven presidential administrations and 19 Congresses. [3]

Biography

Cohen attended Johns Hopkins University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree, the Columbia University School of International Affairs, where he received his graduate degree of Master of International Affairs, and Georgetown University Law Center, where he received his law degree of Juris Doctor. [1] [2] He also received a Bachelor of Talmudic Law and rabbinic ordination from the Ner Israel Rabbinical College. [2]

He began his career at the Anti-Defamation League as an Associate in the Latin American Affairs Department from 1979 to 1981. He then served as Assistant Director in the Middle Eastern Affairs Department from 1981 to 1985, [2] before joining Agudath Israel of America. [1] In May 1989, [4] [5] he was appointed as its Washington Office director by Moshe Sherer. [6] [7] In February 2019, he was appointed to the wider position of Vice President for Government Affairs. [6] [8]

Cohen's work focuses on issues such as combating antisemitism, religious freedom, and yeshiva education. [3] [9] His efforts have increased awareness about the needs and concerns of Orthodox Jewry within the federal government. [3]

Cohen was honored by the Transportation Security Administration in 2016 for helping to "enhance the traveler experience and ensure the traveling public is treated in a fair and lawful manner by educating the workforce about assisting the Jewish community." [10]

In June 2015, Cohen was appointed as a member of the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad by President Barack Obama. [4] [11] In January 2021, he was appointed to serve on the Department of Homeland Security’s Faith-Based Security Advisory Council. [12] [13]

In February 2025, the Agudah announced Cohen would be stepping down from the organization. [3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Ultra-Orthodox Community's Man In Washington". The Forward . 2017-11-01. Archived from the original on 2024-07-20. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
  2. 1 2 3 4 USCPAHA (2024-12-12). "Rabbi Abba Cohen". U.S Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad. Archived from the original on 2025-02-06. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Agudath Israel Announces Impending Retirement of Rabbi Abba Cohen, Longstanding Washington Office Director". Matzav.com. 2025-02-26. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
  4. 1 2 "President Obama Announces Another Key Administration Post". whitehouse.gov. 2015-06-05. Retrieved 2025-03-01.
  5. ↑ Abba Cohen on LinkedIn
  6. 1 2 "Rabbi Abba Cohen Named Agudah's Vice President For Government Affairs". The Yeshiva World . 2019-02-20. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
  7. ↑ "Leading Orthodox group praises Supreme Court ruling on school prayer". Israel National News . 2022-06-29. Archived from the original on 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
  8. ↑ "Jews Say Permanent Daylight Saving Time Threatens Morning Prayer". Washington Post . 2022-03-31. Archived from the original on 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
  9. ↑ Nahmias, Omri (2019-11-06). "Coffee Break with Rabbi Abba Cohen". Mishpacha Magazine . Retrieved 2025-02-26.
  10. ↑ "Rabbi gets US Homeland Security award for airport screening aid". The Jerusalem Post . 2016-01-11. Archived from the original on 2023-02-03. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
  11. ↑ Kampeas, Ron (2015-06-08). "Agudah's Abba Cohen named to U.S. preservation commission". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Archived from the original on 2024-08-04. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
  12. ↑ "Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf Approves Appointments to the Faith-Based Security Advisory Council | Homeland Security". www.dhs.gov. Archived from the original on 2025-02-22. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
  13. ↑ Dinowitz, Judith (2021-01-12). "Rabbi Abba Cohen Appointed to DHS Faith-Based Security Advisory Council". Agudath Israel of America . Archived from the original on 2025-01-17. Retrieved 2025-02-26.
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