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Records of Richard Cohen Associates, Inc. (1979-2000)

 Collection
Identifier: I-314

Scope and Content Note

The Richard Cohen Associates Records consist of material produced and collected by the firm that relates to its clients and journalism contacts. The records also contain biographical information on the founders Richard Cohen and Aphrodite Clamar-Cohen, and publications written by Richard Cohen.

Richard Cohen Associates served a wide diverse range of clients. The firm’s records therefore documents a great span of events, issues and concerns regarding the American Jewish community. Literally every significant event in contemporary Jewish history, particularly those events occurring in Israel, United States, and Russia are documented within its records. The records are also valuable for their insight into the public relations field.

Although it is difficult and somewhat unjust to base research value on quantity, extensive areas represented in the records include the Union of American Hebrew Congregations; Appeal of Conscience Foundation; Presidential Campaigns in the years 1980, 1984; news clippings relating to Israel and Arab/Palestinian relations; Soviet Jewry; Jewish Braille Institute of America; Committee for the Economic Growth of Israel; Cantors Assembly; and Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Researchers should be careful to not overlook less represented areas of the collection. Among the interesting areas covered are Orthodox feminism, homosexual rights, African-American and Jewish relations, Christian and Jewish relations, Jewish arts, and Holocaust remembrance. Researchers should pay careful note to the Miscellaneous News Clippings folder located in Series III: Subject Files, Subseries D: Other, Box 13 and the Richard Cohen Associates folders located in Series IV: Press Releases, Folders 236-239. Both of these folders contain miscellaneous news clippings and press releases that may prove of great interest to researchers.

The collection is primarily composed of press releases and news clippings. Other types of material include correspondence, publications, books, programs, greeting cards, invoices, promotional mailings, reports, speeches, surveys, memorandum, photographs, and 3¼” computer disks.

Dates

  • Creation: undated, 1961-1999

Access Restrictions

The collection is open to all researchers, except items that may be restricted due to their fragility, or privacy.

Use Restrictions

No permission is required to quote, reproduce or otherwise publish manuscript materials found in this collection, as long as the usage is scholarly, educational, and non-commercial. For inquiries about other usage, please contact the Director of Collections and Engagement at mmeyers@ajhs.org.

For reference questions, please email: inquiries@cjh.org

Historical Note

Richard Cohen Associates, Inc., was founded in 1979 by Richard Cohen and Aphrodite Clamar-Cohen. A public relations firm based in New York City that served a wide variety of commercial, non-profit and individual clients, it was known particularly for its role in promoting the political and social views of the Jewish community.

The firm’s focus was on articulating a liberal and secular Jewish voice. It served major Jewish organizations, such as the American Jewish Congress, World Jewish Congress, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and the American Zionist Movement. It was a significant promoter of Reform Judaism in the United States. A primary client of the firm since its inception was the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. Its involvement in liberal issues included Jewish homosexual rights, disabled rights, Orthodox feminism, and interfaith relations. Its clients included the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, the Jewish Braille Institute of America, and the International Conference on Feminism & Orthodoxy. It was an important publicist for the arts, marketing the work of filmmakers, writers, sculptors, painters and musicians. Among its projects included publicizing the Steven Spielberg film Schindler’s List, and the work of the Russian artist Ernst Neizvestny.

A core of the firm’s work was concerned with the State of Israel. Interested in all aspects of Israel, Richard Cohen Associates provided public relations for both American and Israeli organizations and individuals committed to Israel’s welfare. These aspects included working with Zionist groups, fundraising organizations, economic promoters, and political lobbyists. A small sample of the diversity of clients contains Pioneer Women/Na’amat, American Friends of the Israel National Museum of Science, Committee for Economic Growth of Israel, and the Zionist Organization of America.

The strength behind the firm’s success laid in the diverse backgrounds offered by its founders. Richard S. Cohen (1923-1994) began his public relations career in 1945 as a publicity writer for the Joint Distribution Committee in Paris. He returned to New York in 1955 where he worked for the American Jewish Congress, hosted a television program called “Jewish TV Chronicle,” served as chief press officer for three World Conferences on Soviet Jewry (1971, 1976, 1983) and for plenary assemblies of the World Jewish Congress (1975, 1981, 1986), and wrote for various magazines. He also served on the staff for several Democratic presidential campaigns. These include Senator George McGovern in 1972, Jimmy Carter in 1976, Senator Edward M. Kennedy (primary) and Carter re-election in 1980, and Gary Hart (primary) and Vice-President Walter Mondale in 1984. His wife, Dr. Aphrodite Clamar-Cohen is a clinical psychologist who also worked as a management consultant and a faculty member of Columbia University and Yeshiva University. She has published widely and made radio and television appearances. Dr. Clamar-Cohen served as President and CEO of Richard Cohen Associates until it closed on January 1, 2000.

-Historical note was compiled from the Records of Richard Cohen Associates, I-313, Box 1.

Extent

16 Linear Feet (30 manuscript boxes and 4 half manuscript boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Yiddish

Additional Description

Abstract

The Records of Richard Cohen Associates, Inc. contain papers concerning the firm and its clients, as well as personal papers and writings of Richard Cohen and his wife, Aphrodite Clamar-Cohen. The collection consists of extensive press releases and newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, articles, publications, books, computer disks, and other formats. Topics featured include various issues pertaining to the American Jewish community, as well as those which concerned Israel and Russia. Prominent organizations in this collection include the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, the Committee for the Economic Growth of Israel, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, as well as many others. Some of the numerous subjects documented in this collection include Soviet Jewry, Arab/Palestinian relations with Israel, Orthodox feminism, homosexual rights, Holocaust remembrance, and African-American and Christian relations with Jews.

Arrangement

Material originally came primarily in chronological order, with some subject and organizational separation. For access reasons, it was decided to separate the material purely by subject or organization. The original order, therefore, has been modified greatly. Press releases have been arranged by organization name, and news clippings have been categorized into subject files. Folder titles that are not original have been put in brackets. Staples have been removed and replaced with inert plastic clips and news clippings have been copied onto acid-free paper. Photographs, substituted by separation sheets, have been put into its own series. Forty-seven books also came with the records. 4-5 books written or co-authored by Richard Cohen, were transferred to Series I. Personal. The rest of the books have been cataloged and transferred to the American Jewish Historical Society’s library. An appendix listing these books is available at the end of the box inventory.
  1. Series I. Personal, undated, 1961, 1966-1999
  2. Series II. Individualsand Organizations (non-press release material), undated, 1961-1999
  3. Series III. SubjectFiles, undated, 1961-1999
  4. Series IV. Press Releases, undated, 1979-1999
  5. Series V. Photographs, undated, 1993-1994
  6. Series VI. Electronic Media, undated, 1987-1994

Provenance

Donated in accretions, from 1998 to 2000, by Dr. Aphrodite Clamar-Cohen.

Related Material

American Jewish Historical Society:

  1. Records of the American JewishCongress
  2. Records of the American Jewish Press Association
  3. Records ofthe Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds
  4. Records of theNational Conference on Soviet Jewry

American Jewish Archives, Cincinnati, OH:

  1. Papers of Alexander M. Schindler
  2. Records of the CentralConference of American Rabbis
  3. Records of the Union of AmericanHebrew Congregations
  4. Records of Women of Reform Judaism
  5. Records of the World Jewish Congress
  6. Records of World Unionfor Progressive Judaism

John F. Kennedy Library, Boston, MA:

  1. Papers of Edward M. Kennedy

    (closed)

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, DC:

  1. Collection of Dr. Joseph and Sheila Tenenbaum [AmericanJewish Congress, American Zionist Federation, World Jewish Congress, ZionistOrganization of America]

Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN:

  1. Federal Election Commission campaign finance reports for Presidentialcampaigns, 1984-1987 [Gary Hart Campaign]
  2. Papers of Walter F. Mondale

State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI:

  1. Federal campaign finance reports, 1979-1991 [Gary Hart]

Bibliography of Books Transferred to the AJHS Library

  1. American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors. From Holocaust to New Life: A Documentary Volumedepicting the Proceedings and Events of the American Gathering of JewishHolocaust Survivors, Washington, D.C., April 1983. New York: AmericanGathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, 1985.
  2. Aron, Isa and Sara Lee and Seymour Rossel, ed. ACongregation of Learners: Transforming the Synagogue Into a LearningCommunity. New York: UAHC Press, 1995.
  3. Bamberger, Bernard. The Torah:Leviticus. New York: Union of American Hebrew Congregations,1979.
  4. Belin, David. WhatJudaism Offers For You: A Reform Perspective. New York: UAHC-CCARCommission on Reform Jewish Outreach, undated
  5. Bennett, Alan D. Journey Through Judaism: TheBest of Keeping Posted. New York: UAHC Press, 1991.
  6. Bial, Morrison David. Your JewishChild. New York: Union of American Hebrew Congregations,1978.
  7. Bogot, Howard I. and Robert J. Orkand. AChildren’s Haggadah. New York: CCAR Press, 1994.
  8. Bohm, Lenore. Rosh Chodesh Guide: Resources forSisterhood Study and Celebration. New York: Women of Reform Judaism,1997.
  9. Borowitz, Eugene B. Understanding Judaism. New York: Union of AmericanHebrew Congregations, 1979.
  10. Bretton-Granatoor,Gary M. and Andrea L. Weiss. Shalom/Salaam: A Resourcefor Jewish-Muslim Dialogue. New York: UAHC Press, 1993.
  11. Brickner, Balfour and Albert Vorspan. Searching the Prophets For Values. New York: Union ofAmerican Hebrew Congregations, 1981.
  12. Bush,Lawrence. Rooftop Secrets and Other Stories ofAnti-Semitism. New York: Union of American Hebrew Congregations,1986.
  13. Chernow, Ron. TheWarburgs: The Twentieth-Century Odyssey of a Remarkable Jewish Family.New York: Vintage Books, 1993.
  14. Cohen, Barbara. David. New York:Clarion Books, 1995.
  15. Comay, Joan. Who’s Who in Jewish History: After the Period of the OldTestament. New York: David McKay Company, 1974.
  16. Commission on Reform Jewish Outreach of the Union of American HebrewCongregations and the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Defining the Role of the Non-Jew in the Synagogue: AResource for Congregations. New York: Union of American HebrewCongregations, 1990.
  17. Cone, Molly. Listen to the Trees: Jews and The Earth. NewYork: UAHC Press, 1995.
  18. Feigenson, Emily H. Beginning the Journey Toward a Women’s Commentary onTorah. New York: Women of Reform Judaism, 1998.
  19. Fields, Harvey J. A Torah Commentary For OurTimes. Volume Two: Exodus and Leviticus. New York: UAHC Press,1991.
  20. Fields, Harvey J. A Torah Commentary ForOur Times. Volume Three: Numbers and Deuteronomy. New York: UAHC Press,1993.
  21. Freehof, Lillian. Bible Legends: An Introduction to Midrash. New York:UAHC Press, 1987.
  22. Gordon, Sol. When Living Hurts.New York: UAHC Press, 1985, and reprint 1994 (2 copies).
  23. Hirt-Manheimer, Aron, ed. The JewishCondition: Essays on Contemporary Judaism Honoring Rabbi Alexander M.Schindler. New York: UAHC Press, 1995.
  24. Keeping Posted. Vol 24, no. 1. September, 1978.New York: UAHC.
  25. Kendall, Jonathan P. My Name isRachamim. New York: Union of American Hebrew Congregations,1987.
  26. Kushner, Lawrence. The Book of Miracles: A Young Person’s Guide to JewishSpirituality. New York: UAHC Press, 1987.
  27. Levin, Sunie. Mingled Roots: A Guide for JewishGrandparents of Interfaith Grandchildren. Washington D.C.: B’naiB’rith, 1991.
  28. Lewin, Kurt. Field Theory in Social Science. New York, Evanston& London: Harper & Row, 1951.
  29. Lewin, Kurt.Resolving Social Conflicts. New York, Evanston& London: Harper & Row, 1948.
  30. Lewin, Kurt.Principles of Topological Psychology. New York:McGraw Hill Book Co., 1936.
  31. Lewin, Kurt. A Dynamic Theory of Personality. New York,Toronto & London: McGraw Hill Book Co., 1935
  32. Lowel, C. Stanley. The Great State-ChurchFraud. Washington D.C. & New York: Robert B. Luce, Inc.,1973
  33. Marks, Susan and Bruce Black. Seven Blessings: Our Jewish Wedding Book. NewYork: UAHC Press, 1997.
  34. Marrow, J. Alfred. Making Waves in Foggy Bottom. Washington, D.C.:National Institute, 1974.
  35. Marrow, J. Alfred. Changing Patters of Prejudice. Philadelphia& New York: Clinton Co., 1962.
  36. Marrow, J.Alfred. How to Combat Discrimination. New York:Harper Brothers, 1951.
  37. Marrow, J. Alfred. Living Without Hate. New York: Harper Brothers,1951.
  38. Orlinsky, Harry M. Notes on the NewTranslation of the Torah. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society ofAmerica, 1969.
  39. Pfeffer, Leo. God, Caesar and the Constitution. Boston: BeaconPress, 1975.
  40. Pfeffer, Leo. This Honorable Court. Boston: Beacon Press,1965.
  41. Pfeffer, Leo. Creedsin Competition. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1958.
  42. Pfeffer, Leo. The Liberties of AnAmerican. Boston: Beacon Press, 1956.
  43. Pfeffer, Leo. Church, State, andFreedom. Boston: Beacon Press, 1953.
  44. Plaut, Gunther W. The HaftarahCommentary. New York: Union of American Hebrew Congregations,1996.
  45. Plaut, Gunther W. TheTorah: A Modern Commentary. New York: Union of American HebrewCongregations, 1981.
  46. Plaut, Gunther W. The Torah: Genesis. New York: Union of AmericanHebrew Congregations, 1974.
  47. Plaut, Gunther W. The Torah: Numbers. New York: Union of AmericanHebrew Congregations, 1979.
  48. Rosman, Steven M. The Bird of Paradise and Other Sabbath Stories.New York: UAHC Press, 1994.
  49. Rothman, Jack. Minority Group Identification & IntergroupRelations. Chicago: Research Institute for Group Work in JewishAgencies, 1965.
  50. Ruthen, Marlene Lobell. My Bar/Bat Mitzvah. New York: Union of AmericanHebrew Congregations, undated
  51. Schoolman, LeonardA. Being a Religious Reform Jew. New York:Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1983.
  52. Seltzer, Sanford. Jews & Non-Jews GettingMarried. New York: Union of American Hebrew Congregations,undated
  53. Singer, Ellen with Bernard M. Zlotowitz. Our Sacred Texts: Discovering the JewishClassics. New York: UAHC Press, 1992.
  54. Sonsino, Rifat and Daniel B. Syme. What Happens After IDie? Jewish Views of Life After Death. New York: UAHC Press,1990
  55. Spitzer, Julie Ringold. When Love is NotEnough: Spousal Abuse in Rabbinic and Contemporary Judaism. New York:Women of Reform Judaism, 1995.
  56. Steinbock, StevenE. Torah The Growing Gift. New York: UAHC Press,1994.
  57. Syme, Daniel B. AnOverview of Reform Judaism. New York: Union of American HebrewCongregations, 1983.
  58. Syme, Daniel B. The Jewish Home: A Guide for Jewish Living. NewYork: UAHC Press, 1988.
  59. Syme, Daniel B. The Jewish Wedding Book: A Keepsake for Your SpecialDay. New York: UAHC Press, 1991.
  60. Syme,Daniel B. Why I Am A Reform Jew. New York:Donald I. Fine, 1989.
  61. Techner, David and JudithHirt-Manheimer. A Candle for Grandpa: A Guide to theJewish Funeral for Children and Parents. New York: UAHC Press,1993.
  62. Vorspan, Albert and David Saperstein. Tough Choices: Jewish Perspectives on Social Justice.New York: UAHC Press, 1992.
  63. Weitz, SoniaSchreiber. I Promised I Would Tell. Brookline:Facing History and Ourselves, 1993.
  64. Winer, Mark L. and Sanford Seltzer and Steven J. Schwager. Leaders of Reform Judaism: A Study of Jewish Identity, ReligiousPractices and Beliefs, and Marriage Patterns. New York: Union ofAmerican Hebrew Congregations, 1987.
  65. Wolff, MarionFreyer. The Shrinking Circle: Memories of NaziBerlin, 1933-1939. New York: UAHC Press, 1939.
  66. Women of Reform Judaism. Covenant of the Heart:Prayers, Poems, and Meditations from the Women of Reform Judaism. NewYork: Women of Reform Judaism, 1993.
  67. WorldGathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors. From Holocaustto Redemption: Bearing Witness: A Documentary Volume depicting the Proceedingsand Events of the World Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, Israel, June,1981. New York: World Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors,1984.

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Records of Richard Cohen Associates, Inc. (1979-2000), undated, 1961-1999 I-314
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Adina Wachman and Jason Schecter
Date
© November 2001.
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is in English.
Edition statement
This version was derived from RichardCohenAssociates1.xml

Revision Statements

  • 2004.: Updated from EAD 1.0 to EAD 2002; added new books to the Bibliography; by Tanya Elder.
  • January 2006.: Entities removed from EAD finding aid.
  • March 2021: RJohnstone: post-ASpace migration cleanup.

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the American Jewish Historical Society Repository

http://ajhs.org
Contact:
15 West 16th Street
New York NY 10011 United States

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