By Eileen Wingard
SAN DIEGO–As a teenager growing up in her native Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Myrna Cohen was already soloing with the Conservative Synagogue Choir where her mother, Goldie, an opera singer, was a hired professional. Myrna was the soloist at her confirmation and went on to teach music at religious schools and Jewish camps. The director of Camp Sabra was Ed Robbins, who recognized Myrna’s outstanding capabilities that, when he was appointed director of the San Diego Jewish Community Center on 54th Street, he invited Myrna to come to San Diego to be his employee. Myrna arrived in 1976 and began working with the JCC’s senior citizens. Her warmth and compassion endeared her to them, and the seniors enjoyed participating in all the activities she planned with them.
One day, while Myrna was on a ladder in the JCC lobby, putting up holiday decorations, the young, handsome assistant physical education director passed by and introduced himself. Myrna slipped and fell off the ladder. She also fell for Michael Cohen and they were soon married. A second pairing that was “beshert” was the youthful new rabbi of Temple Emanu-El, Martin Lawson, attending the JCC’s Chanuka celebration where Myrna led the singing. So impressed was Lawson with her music that he invited Myrna to teach music in the Temple Emanu-El religious school and lead junior services. Her roles soon expanded to cantorial soloist for Shabbat and holidays, singing for life cycle events, preparing bat and bar mitzvahs, teaching pre-school music, leading children’s choir and, currently, coordinating a 30-voice adult choir.
Myrna’s activities were not confined to Temple Emanu-El. She also continued her strong ties with the JCC, where today her husband Michael is the executive director and daughter Laura works at their North County branch. Leading high holiday services for UCSD Hillel was also part of her community contributions. Meanwhile, she and Michael raised three children. In addition to daughter, Laura, there is their eldest, son Ryan, an attorney, working for a non-profit, and younger son, Gregory, still in college, majoring in business.
Nine months ago, Ryan and his wife made Myrna and Michael grandparents. Myrna babysits little August Sydney Cohen three times a week and it has become her favorite job.
“She is very musical,” comments Grandma Myrna. “Whenever I sing, she starts dancing to the music.”
Myrna reflected on her many years of work in the San Diego Jewish Community, “I have been so privileged to do music for a job. The community has enriched my life.”
In gratitude for Myrna Cohen’s long years of service, Temple Emanu-El will be honoring her at its annual spring gala Saturday evening, May 4, 6:00 p.m. at the Marriot Mission Valley, 8757 Rio San Diego Drive, San Diego. For further information: www.teesd.org.
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Wingard is a freelance writer and retired violinist for the San Diego Symphony. She may be contacted via eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com