PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires announces the appointment of Mark Cohn as its development officer. 

 

In this capacity, Mark will be responsible for working in partnership with the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and the Development Committee to plan and implement Federation's annual campaign and major gifts fundraising effort.

 

Cohn, an ordained Reform Rabbi, previously served as rabbi of Temple Emanuel in Winston-Salem, NC, where he was honored with the title Rabbi Emeritus upon concluding his service. He also served as the assistant rabbi of Congregation Schaarai Zedek in Tampa, Fla.

 

"Having spent my professional life in the Jewish community, working at the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires is home, even in its newness to me," said Cohn. "I have already seen how this Federation serves a beautiful and important role in connecting synagogues and individuals, social services and families to one another so that we, collectively, may strengthen Jewish peoplehood and the surrounding community." 

 

Originally from the San Francisco Bay area, Cohn earned his B.A. in History from UCLA and an M.A. in History from Lehigh University. In 1998, he received his rabbinic ordination through Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion having studied in Jerusalem and Cincinnati, OH.

 

Cohn has two children, his son Eitan, 25, and daughter Harli, 20. In 2022, he married Rabbi Amy Wallk, who serves as the rabbi of Temple Beth El in Springfield.

 

Mark Cohn, development officer of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, can be reached by email at mcohn@jewishberkshires.org or by calling (413) 442-4360, ext. 19.