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Hillel named for benefactors Cohn Jewish Student Center dedicated at KSU campus

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Diane Smith
September 25, 2009

 

Hillel at Kent State University recently dedicated its new building, the Cohn Jewish Student Center, with a celebration crowd of more than 400 students, alumni, community members, donors and visiting dignitaries from around the country.

The building was named in honor of Victor and Ellen Cohn of Moreland Hills in recognition of a gift from their son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Lisa Cohn.

Gary Cohn is the president and chief operating officer of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. He and his wife both grew up in Shaker Heights and now reside in New York City.

The center was officially dedicated Sept. 13.

“We were delighted to make this gift in honor of my parents and my dad’s involvement in Hillel,” said Gary Cohn of his gift. “With kids of my own ready to go off to college soon, I know how important it is to ensure they have a place to connect to their Jewish community with a home away from home.”

 

The dedication celebration started with student-led tours of the building for the more than 400 people who attended the event. The mezuzah-hanging was the central moment of the dedication. Vic Cohn, assisted by Keith Mirman of Akron, Hillel Executive Director Jennifer Chestnut, Gary Shamis of Solon and Rabbi Alan Lettofsky, a former executive director of Hillels of Northeast Ohio, affixed the mezuzah on the building’s main door, signifying the building as a Jewish home.

“Ellen and I are so touched by Gary and Lisa’s gift and honored that Hillel will carry our family’s name,” Vic Cohn said.  “We believe in Hillel at Kent State’s ability to truly strengthen and grow the Jewish community in Northeast Ohio. I’ve been coming to Hillel in Kent since the ‘70s. It’s truly a hidden jewel in our crown. More people need to recognize that it’s really in our backyard. These are our kids, and we need to take care of them.” 

The new Cohn Jewish Student Center is the first Hillel building to be built on campus property at a state school. 

The new building features a large student lounge and billiards room; three large multipurpose spaces, including one that serves as a chapel; Portage County’s only commercial Kosher kitchen; a dining room which seats 120; a laundry room; and administrative and student leadership offices. It is also equipped with state-of-the-art audio visual equipment including three flat screen HDTVs, free WiFi, Nintendo Wii, three projection screens and the ability to play an iPod throughout the building.  

Kent State President Lester Lefton noted that all college presidents love to dedicate new buildings, but that this particular building was especially important because of how meaningful it is to the students who use it. 

“For our students, it is a place to find friends and mentors,” he said. “It is a place for intellectual and spiritual sustenance. A place that increases the opportunities for students to take on the job of Tikkun Olam — repairing the world — and involving themselves in meaningful leadership roles.”

Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric Fingerhut also attended, along with several Hillel local and statewide dignitaries.

 




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