Born Glasgow, January 1, 1916. Died London, January 13, 2009, aged 93.
March 5, 2009 12:16Leader of Glasgow’s Zionist movement, Bonchy Cohen was a successful businessman and industrialist, who channelled his formidable talents and prosperity into helping Israel and the Jewish community.
He and his twin sister, Libby, grew up with six older siblings. He lost his formal first name, Denis, at the age of two, when his tangle of curls earned him his lifelong nickname, Bonchy.
At 17 he joined the Glasgow Young Zionists and never lost his enthusiasm for the Jewish state. At 19 he joined the family business, D & H Cohen, suppliers of clothing to Marks & Spencer for over 50 years.
He loved the business, visiting and monitoring the Glasgow factories with meticulous organisation. Concerned for his staff’s welfare as well as their work quality, he enjoyed a high reputation for integrity among employees and businessmen alike. He was managing director from 1946-83, with a long overlap as chairman from 1958-87, when the business was sold.
His belief that money earned should be money shared was central to his charitable behaviour. He gave generously but quietly and responsibly to dozens of charities, including the Glasgow Jewish Board of Guardians.
He first visited Israel in 1952. In 1958 he became chairman (later joint chairman) of Glasgow JPA (later JIA) and was a highly effective fundraiser for 15 years. When JIA launched Project Renewal in 1978, to rebuild Ashkelon, he joined in wholeheartedly. He was active in similar projects in Dimona and the Galilee in the 1980s and 90s.
He made three visits a year to keep track of developments and maintain contacts with the communities. Travelling with his wife, Sheila née Sagman, whom he married in 1943 at Giffnock Synagogue, he met Israel’s leaders but always kept a low profile.
Fastidious in his person and organisation, he loved Scotland, the arts and travel. He kept files of his far-flung visits, noting points of Jewish interest.
With a wry sense of humour, he told his son and nephew, as they left the house to take out two young ladies: “You can tell them your family has been in the oil business for a long time — the fish oil business in Lithuania.”
He moved to London in 1989, joining St John’s Wood Synagogue, but always retained his Glasgow connection. In 2008 he was among 20 UJIA members honoured by Israel’s ambassador, Ron Prosor, for dedicating over 60 years of their lives to supporting Israel.
Predeceased by his wife in 2006, he is survived by a son, David; daughter, Lucy; and six grandchildren.