Howard (z'l) was one of my dearest and closest friends. From 10th grade on, from the Uptown Trolley until today he was an important part of my life and the lives of so many other people. His congregation in the Bay Area of California will miss his spiritual guidance and uplifting voice. My family will miss his insight, his understanding and his unconditional love. I'm having a difficult time understanding a world without my dear friend in it. I don't know if I can. His friendship, love, respect and support are irreplaceable in my life and I will miss him.
I first met Howard when I joined Uptown Trolley, the folk singing group at Cleveland Heights High School. When I arrived for the meeting, there, among a sweet group of people was its leader, Howard Cohen. Working with bookings, music choices, coordinating with the high school advisor, arranging rehearsals, M.C. duties, managing so many people and of course, singing, with that fabulous voice - all at the grand old age of 16!
Later, when we attended Ohio University together, Steve and I, who were engaged by that time, spent many hours together. Steve and Howard doing imitations of Fire Sign Theatre, talking about what we would do in the future. When he left for his junior year abroad in France, we planned an independent study and met him there in the spring quarter.
What a gracious and generous host Howard was to us! He relished introducing us to the best that French culture could offer (always well aware of the anti-Semitism of the centuries). From the breakfasts of coffee and croissants and the grandeur of the famous chateaus, he guided us through wine caves and foreign casinos and introduced us to his French relatives, who lived in Paris. Howard’s excellent French unlocked door after door into the real France for us! Steve and I became devout Francophiles.
28 years later, Steve, my son Nathaniel and I met Howard in France. This was his first visit since his year abroad. We walked into a café. Steve and I ordered our coffees with our American accents and then Howard spoke rapidly with the waitress. “Ah,” she said, “You speak a real French!”
During this visit, Howard , now a cantor in San Francisco, was in France for a Congregant’s bat mitzvah and we were privileged to be guests. We were amazed to hear him use only Hebrew and French during the service!
He was always my role model for resourcefulness, and chutzpah. Often when I was stymied by a project, I would think, how would Howard handle this? Sometimes it would mean finding funding that was nonexistent or, sometimes, it would mean pressing my nose pathetically against a store window to gain access as it was closing. Howard could always find a way.
He so loved his family, Mary, Josh, Jen and Joleena, He was very proud of Josh’s career progress. And, oh -how he loved Joleena. He spoke to me about the great joys of being a grandfather many times! He doted on little Joleena!
Finally, Howard was a great friend of ours. So many people grow up with negative, critical tapes in our heads and become judgmental. Howard was never like that. He always went out of his way to tell people the wonderful things he thought of them at every opportunity. He even would remind me of how sweet my father, a Holocaust survivor, had been. That meant so much to me because today hardly anyone remembers my Dad. Howard was also always supportive of our careers through the years. When Nathaniel became interested in becoming a singer –songwriter, Howard continually encouraged him. Even going to hear him play at a small club in San Francisco a few weeks before he passed away.
Howard was a great guy, a fellow member of the Fraternal Order of Bass from the Heights Choir, and a member of the group I was proud to be section leader for.
We experienced some great music together, and you can't get many better memories than that. Rest well, friend.
Marci Sherell Zabell
Howard (z'l) was one of my dearest and closest friends. From 10th grade on, from the Uptown Trolley until today he was an important part of my life and the lives of so many other people. His congregation in the Bay Area of California will miss his spiritual guidance and uplifting voice. My family will miss his insight, his understanding and his unconditional love. I'm having a difficult time understanding a world without my dear friend in it. I don't know if I can. His friendship, love, respect and support are irreplaceable in my life and I will miss him.Anne L. Lukas
I first met Howard when I joined Uptown Trolley, the folk singing group at Cleveland Heights High School. When I arrived for the meeting, there, among a sweet group of people was its leader, Howard Cohen. Working with bookings, music choices, coordinating with the high school advisor, arranging rehearsals, M.C. duties, managing so many people and of course, singing, with that fabulous voice - all at the grand old age of 16!
Later, when we attended Ohio University together, Steve and I, who were engaged by that time, spent many hours together. Steve and Howard doing imitations of Fire Sign Theatre, talking about what we would do in the future. When he left for his junior year abroad in France, we planned an independent study and met him there in the spring quarter.
What a gracious and generous host Howard was to us! He relished introducing us to the best that French culture could offer (always well aware of the anti-Semitism of the centuries). From the breakfasts of coffee and croissants and the grandeur of the famous chateaus, he guided us through wine caves and foreign casinos and introduced us to his French relatives, who lived in Paris. Howard’s excellent French unlocked door after door into the real France for us! Steve and I became devout Francophiles.
28 years later, Steve, my son Nathaniel and I met Howard in France. This was his first visit since his year abroad. We walked into a café. Steve and I ordered our coffees with our American accents and then Howard spoke rapidly with the waitress. “Ah,” she said, “You speak a real French!”
During this visit, Howard , now a cantor in San Francisco, was in France for a Congregant’s bat mitzvah and we were privileged to be guests. We were amazed to hear him use only Hebrew and French during the service!
He was always my role model for resourcefulness, and chutzpah. Often when I was stymied by a project, I would think, how would Howard handle this? Sometimes it would mean finding funding that was nonexistent or, sometimes, it would mean pressing my nose pathetically against a store window to gain access as it was closing. Howard could always find a way.
He so loved his family, Mary, Josh, Jen and Joleena, He was very proud of Josh’s career progress. And, oh -how he loved Joleena. He spoke to me about the great joys of being a grandfather many times! He doted on little Joleena!
Finally, Howard was a great friend of ours. So many people grow up with negative, critical tapes in our heads and become judgmental. Howard was never like that. He always went out of his way to tell people the wonderful things he thought of them at every opportunity. He even would remind me of how sweet my father, a Holocaust survivor, had been. That meant so much to me because today hardly anyone remembers my Dad. Howard was also always supportive of our careers through the years. When Nathaniel became interested in becoming a singer –songwriter, Howard continually encouraged him. Even going to hear him play at a small club in San Francisco a few weeks before he passed away.
We will miss him deeply.
Anne Lukas
Jack Perry (Perry)
I only regret it took me so long to post this.
Howard was a great guy, a fellow member of the Fraternal Order of Bass from the Heights Choir, and a member of the group I was proud to be section leader for.
We experienced some great music together, and you can't get many better memories than that. Rest well, friend.