[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 28, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATING THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF RABBI BARUCH J. COHON
_____
HON. JUAN CISCOMANI
of arizona
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Mr. CISCOMANI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the
100th birthday of Rabbi Baruch J. Cohon.
Rabbi Cohon has led a remarkable life. Over the years, he has been a
world-class Cantor, served in the U.S. Navy as a sonarman during World
War II, worked as a TV producer and composer, and served as an ordained
Rabbi, among many other pursuits. He truly has an exceptional legacy.
In his time in television, he worked as a producer and writer for
well-known shows like Sea Hunt and Cisco Kid and taught Gene Wilder how
to pray in the traditional Jewish style for the film, The Frisco Kid.
Rabbi Cohon has also been a concert artist, choir conductor and
arranger, recording artist, published author and editor, a university
and seminary professor, philanthropist, and held leadership roles both
locally and nationally.
His published article on the structure of Jewish music remains the
standard for understanding it on an academic level.
Rabbi Cohon moved to Southern Arizona in 2019, having previously
served as a visiting rabbi and teacher at several Southern Arizona
congregations throughout many visits over the years.
He is a highly respected figure in the Jewish community here who is
still very much active, regularly assisting in leading services and
reading the Torah nearly every Shabbat and festival.
Additionally, Rabbi Cohon established the Cohon Memorial Foundation
in memory of his own parents, which provides a large annual gift to
those whose work benefits the Jewish community as a whole.
Dearly devoted to his family, Rabbi Cohon spends as much time as he
can with his four children, seven grandchildren, and five great-
grandchildren.
I thank Rabbi Baruch J. Cohon for his decades of service in so many
different capacities. I wish him a very happy 100th birthday.
____________________