Memory Lane: Rav Meir Cohen, Menahel of Agudas Horabonim

Within the annals of Agudas Harabonim—the organization to which most of America’s orthodox Rabbanim belonged to for more than a century—the name of Rav Meir Cohen occupies a prestigious place. In addition to his brilliance in Torah, Rav Cohen was a major klal activist, who earned the reverence of Gedolim and simple folk alike.  

For decades of his life, Rav Meir Cohen resided in Boro Park, where learned incessantly when he wasn’t doting on his grandchildren and interacting with Boro Park’s Gedolim. 

From Europe to America 

Upon arriving in America, he entered Yeshiva Rabbeinu Yitzchok Elchanan, learning under the Maitcheter Iluy, receiving semichah from him in 1927. That was when he became a Rav at Chevra Bnei Israel, in Asbury Park, N.J. To this day, there are Asbury Park natives who remember his enormous influence on their families. In 1932, he married Itka Gershman, a descendant of Rav Chaim Rosen, author of Nezer Hakodesh on Kodashim. 

His Rabbanus in Asbury Park continued until 1949—when he became the menahel of Agudas Harabanim. In this capacity he became the trusted confidante to the Gedolim of America, and was an integral part of the important gatherings and meetings that were held. 

He led the organization in what could perhaps be called the “glory days” of Agudas Harabonim. When the dais at meetings and dinners were graced by both senior Rabbonim who had arrived here in the early 1900’s (such as Rav Yehuda Leib Zeltzer and Rav Yisroel Rosenberg), more recent emigres (such as Rav Aharon Kotler), and Rabbonim from the postwar influx. 

Rabbonim who recalled his tenure would describe his tremendous qualities of leadership, patience, lending a listening ear, while never compromising on his values and convictions. “Rav Cohen does not strive—as other leaders of organizations do—to appear at the head of the dais; at most events he could be seen, quietly, determinedly walking quietly around the periphery of the hall,” recalled a Rabbinic colleague. 

From Asbury Park to Boro Park

He authored the sefer Chelkas Meir on Rambam, with approbations by Rav Eliezer Silver, Rav Henkin, and Rav Moshe Feinstein. 

His grandson, Baruch Cohen, an attorney in Los Angeles, recalls the days when he would come to visit Zaidy from their home in Far Rockaway, where his father served as a rov. “He was always learning or talking with big Rabbonim.  Then he’d see little Baruch’l come in and he gave me his full attention,” he recalls. 

He relates that Rav Cohen would frequent the shul of the old Skulener Rebbe, zt”l. “They quite obviously enjoyed each other’s company,” he remembers. Two leaders—from such different backgrounds, fiercely dedicated to the well-being of Klal Yisroel, and their rebirth on American shores. 

One final anecdotes that Mr. Cohen relates: “Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, used to call him every Erev Yom Tov to receive his birchas Kohein.” 

Rav Meir Cohen was niftar on 8 Cheshvan, 1979, leaving behind generations of Torah families—with his three sons, and his son-in-law serving as Rabbonim, following in the footsteps of an illustrious patriarch whose career spanned from a hamlet in Ukraine, the New Jersey suburb of Asbury Park, and as a trusted confidante of American Jewry in Boro Park of yesteryear.