Interview with Ben Cohn, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Partial Transcript: Ben is part of a reform congregation. They are in the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. There was not a conservative movement in the community.

Partial Transcript: Many Jewish community members were involved in civic affairs. JD Rosenbloom was involved. He was born in Poland, came to America at an early age and settled in Illinois. In 1905 he moved to Chicago. In 1910 he came to Kenosha. He was a leader in the Jewish community.

Partial Transcript: Mr. Block and Louie Plass were prominent in the Kenosha community. Louie was the director of the chamber of commerce and the building and loan association. The same goes for Mr. Block.

Partial Transcript: Ben states that they were merchants and professional people. The population of the Jewish community in Kenosha is stable.

Partial Transcript: Ben is from Poland. He does not know if the Borowski family is from the same village. Ben's sister married a brother of Mrs. Borowski. That is how Ben and the family got acquainted.

Partial Transcript: The son and daughter of Rabbi Lefkofsky are in Kenosha.

Partial Transcript: They had an organized B'nai B'rith.

Partial Transcript: The non-Jews have been really friendly to the Jews in the community. Ben does not recount instances of anti-Semitism.

Partial Transcript: Early 1900's, there was a population of 16,000 people in Kenosha. Current day (time of interview), the population is 56,000. The Jewish and non-Jewish population grew together.

Partial Transcript: Ben organized the Jewish cemetery in Kenosha. They have their own plot at sunset ridge.