THE CITIZEN REGISTERS

Here’s what I think

The
citizen
registers
Here’s what I think

Anthology of Letters to the Editor

by

Abraham Cohen
 THE CITIZEN REGISTERS
Here’s what I think

Anthology of Letters to the Editor

of the

The citizen register

by

Abraham Cohen
of

Ossining, New York

 THE CITIZEN REGISTERS
Here’s what I think

Table of Contents

Israel and Zionism 190-228 ,162 ,1-68

Anti-Semitism 277-284 ,69-84
Replace the Eilat Fund 85
National Affairs 234-254 ,86-127
Ethical Questions 229-233 ,128-138
Local Affairs ,139-161,163-189
255-276
Editor’s Obituary
Statistics
THE CITIZEN REGISTERS
Here’s what I think

Statistics
 THE CITIZEN REGISTERS
Here’s what I think

Subject Count Percent

Zionism 108 38
Anti-Semitism 23 8
Replace the Eilat Fund 1
National Affairs 63 22
Ethical Questions 16 5
Local Affairs 74 26
Total 285

This anthology is a compendium of authentic and original documents authored by

Abraham Cohen of Ossining, NY, during the years 1963 - 1987. A study of these
documents throws light on the bilateral relationship of a citizen vis-a-vis the Press and
give a unique glance into the mentality an eastern European immigrant Jew in American
society of the Twentieth Century.

The literary form chosen by the author is the “Letter to the Editor”. Abraham Cohen
wrote letters in both English, addressed to “The Citizen Register” daily, local newspaper
of the Gannett Westchester Newspapers, the Jerusalem Post, and the Bnai Brith Reporter,
and in Yiddish, addressed to “Forward” (Forvertz) #67,68. The local paper was the
preferred form of communication in the suburban village of Ossining during the period in
question. National papers, like the New York Times, were for intellectuals or commuters
with City business interests. Internet and cables did not exist yet. Community television
and radio broadcasts were still to be developed. The local paper brought the activities of
real neighbors and friends into the home. The paperboy was a household utility. In
addition, there was a personal friendship between the author and the editor, as witnessed
in the special obituary written by the Harry Donsky.
 THE CITIZEN REGISTERS
Here’s what I think
The author utilized the Letters to the Editor column, called “ The Citzen Registers” or
“Here’s what I think” for various purposes. The column was an opportunity to express
beliefs and feelings, sometimes to convince others, and sometimes evolving from an
internal drive to go on record for his own truth. However, Abraham Cohen treated the
Press as an interactive system by reacting to news articles or other letters to the editor, by
causing others to react to the views he express in his letters, or by generating news
articles on subjects that he raised in letters.

The author identified himself in varying forms: usually A. Cohen or Abe Cohen, but also
Abraham Cohen and even Rae Cohen. Titles also vary: Manager of Cohen’s Kosher
Market, Proprietor of Cohens Broadcorner Kosher Market, President of Saul B. Young
Zionist District, President Tri-Community Lodge Bnai Brith, Congregation Sons of
Israel, or for the Conference of Soviet Jews. Addresses also are varied: usually 23 Forest
Avenue, but also 138 Spring Street and just Ossining.

Israel and Zionism

The subjects with the letters deal can be sorted into the following classifications: Israel
and Zionism, Anti-Semitism, Replace the Eilat Fund, National Affairs, Ethical Questions,
and Local Affairs. The letters can be divided roughly into one half “Jewish” subjects and
one half “American” subjects. Obviously the Jewish identity of the author was very
strong, while his interest in the American aspects of his identity was also very active.

As far as Israel and Zionism were concerned, the author is a proud defender of the Jewish
State. He attacks anti-Israel decisions in the UN, condemns Arab militarism and terror
#13, defends annexation of territories #1, denounces cooperation with the Arab states by
European powers #4 and the Pope #3, mourns the deaths of Liberty sailors #6, and
vehemently deprecates the policies of the Soviet Union #8. The author constantly
endeavors to create and change public opinion in order to change US government
policies.

The Bible is often quoted to strengthen the author’s position #16. His personal
experiences in Czarist and Soviet Russia and mentions of his visits to Israel lend
believability to his presentation. There is also a use of Russian language to convince his
virtual readers #66.

Anti-Semitism
Apart from the author’s defense of the Jewish State, he stands on record as a defender of
the Jewish religion and battled for the continuing existence of the Jewish people. Any
hint of Nazism and neo-Nazism in society or government policy, either American or
foreign, was strongly condemned. It must be noted that Abraham Cohen recommended
psychological counseling for Holocaust survivors and their children #73. The common
purpose of the mono-deistic religions was noted in one Christmas-Chanukah letter #75.
Of course, any derisive remarks on Jewish ritual slaughter, Shechitah, was sorely rebuked
 THE CITIZEN REGISTERS
Here’s what I think
#78,79, both as a proud Jew and as a Kosher butcher for 45 years. His total support for
freedom for Soviet Jewry was a natural outcome of his personal biography.

Replace the Eilat Fund #85

The correspondence on the “Replace the Eilat Fund” is a special case, which exhibits
how a letter to the editor can blossom into a popular movement. The author donated the
office of the fund. Local Jewish organizations, such as Bnai Brith and the Fraternity
Lodge of the Masons, headed by the author, backed the appeal. Elected officials such as
village mayor, town supervisor, state Senator, state Representative and US Senator all
publicly announced their support of the movement. In this case, local press published an
opinion in a letter to the editor, and the growing support was published as news.

National Affairs
The author showed a long-term interest in the mechanism of the price of oil #86,87 and
agricultural products #100. OPEC policies were held to task. He also attacked political
contributions by interest groups. Foreign policy and Military aid to foreign governments
#106,109 were often criticized. Hostage release policy was deemed inefficient #104. In
one letter there is an expression of anti Viet Nam War feelings by the author #106,109.
Another letter derides traffic accidents. High Taxes were criticized #112.

Ethical Questions
Industrial safety was a very important problem for the Abraham Cohen. Inter-race
relations #129,176, behavior of financiers #131, student affairs #132, price of medicines
#133, price fixing and movie morality #136 are also mentioned.

Local Affairs
The author’s letters give evidence of a close friendly relationship with local government
and police. He did not fear to criticize when necessary. The author had very fixed ideas
regarding urban development, ecology and road construction which he often expressed.
There is one letter in favor of greater participation by women in local government #175.
Another letter derides voter apathy #177. On several occasions Abraham Cohen lauds
local personalities #167, 182, candidates #181 and officials #173, 174.

To this anthology, have been added a special article by the editor of the Citizen Register,
a life-long friend, and the obituary published in the Citizen Register.

It is obvious that Abraham Cohen, a natural social activist, was very friendly with the
media and its opinion makers, especially the local press. Although an immigrant, he
achieved competence in the English language to be able to express his views
convincingly. Although from personal experience the undersigned bears witness that all
the English letters were re-written in cursive script by his wife, Rae. Meanwhile, he kept
up his other language skills in Yiddish and Hebrew. He exploited his personal prestige in
the Community and positions heading various Jewish organizations to promote his
ideologies in diverse Jewish and American subjects. He was definitely a pillar of his
community and a fine representative of his people.
 THE CITIZEN REGISTERS
Here’s what I think
Zvi Peretz Cohen
May 2005