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Abraham K. Cohen: First Jewish Judge in Massachusetts

Abraham K. Cohen (1869–c.1957)

"...to the end that the declaration 'I am an American' shall be synonymous with the words 'I am a believer in and an aggressive advocate of the inherent rights of humanity'." — Abraham K. Cohen, Statement on Fair Employment Practices, c.1945

Portrait of Abraham K. Cohen in judicial robes
Abraham K. Cohen in judicial robes
First Jewish Judge in a Massachusetts Court of Record
Special Justice, Municipal Court of Boston (1912-1943+)
Click to open full size

Abraham K. Cohen (November 22, 1869 – c.1957) was a pioneering American jurist, attorney, and Jewish community leader who broke barriers as the first Jewish judge to serve on a court of record in Massachusetts. Over a career spanning more than sixty years, he served as Special Justice of the Municipal Court of Boston, led the Associated Jewish Philanthropies as President, chaired the WWI Draft Appeal Board for Boston, helped codify the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and emerged as a passionate voice for civil rights and interfaith understanding in post-WWII America.

He was my great-great-grandfather.

The lineage: Abraham K. Cohen → his daughter Selma Cohen → her daughter Sally Anne Bernkopf → her son John B. Frank → me.

A newspaper profile celebrating his 85th birthday captured his central role in Boston civic life:

"Boston is 'The Hub.' For over 60 of his 85 years the hub of the Hub has been... Cohen. For over 40 years Chairman of the Hospital Committee, and now Honorary Chairman, Trustee since 1894." — "Hub of the Hub," c.1954

His legacy extends through his descendants: his granddaughter Sally Bernkopf married Dr. Howard Alvin Frank, the co-developer of the implantable cardiac pacemaker, connecting two remarkable Boston families united by medicine, law, and public service at Beth Israel Hospital.

See also: Original documents and photographs from Abraham K. Cohen's papers

Table of Contents

  1. Family Origins
  2. Education
  3. Legal Career
  4. Judicial Pioneer: First Jewish Judge in Massachusetts
  5. World War I Service: Draft Appeal Board
  6. Civic and Legislative Work
  7. Philanthropic Leadership
  8. Civil Rights Advocacy
  9. Statement on Fair Employment Practices: Full Transcript
  10. Professional Affiliations
  11. Personal Life and Family
  12. The Cohen-Bernkopf-Frank Connection
  13. Legacy
  14. Career Timeline
  15. Primary Source Documents

Family Origins

Parents

Abraham K. Cohen was born on November 22, 1869, in Roxbury, Massachusetts, a neighborhood of Boston that was home to a thriving Jewish community in the late 19th century.

From his 1943 Who's Who entry:

Place of Birth: Roxbury, Massachusetts Father: Simon K. Cohen Mother: Fannie Bennett

Relationship Name
Father Simon K. Cohen
Mother Fannie Bennett

A Life Rooted in Boston

Cohen spent his entire life in the greater Boston area:

"[He] was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, on November 22, 1869 and has made all of his home life in Boston."

His residences over the decades included:

His office remained at the Tremont Building, 73-79 Tremont Street, Boston throughout his career.

Education

Abraham Cohen's education followed the path of Boston's public school system before entering the legal profession:

"Public Schools of the City of Boston; English High School; studied law in the office of Sprague & Washburn, Boston, Massachusetts."

"Complete elementary education in Brookline schools... attended the college high school in 1889. He formally graduated from Boston University Law School in 1890."

Institution Years Notes
Boston Public Schools c.1875-1885 Elementary education
English High School c.1885-1889 One of Boston's premier public high schools
Office of Sprague & Washburn c.1889-1890 Legal apprenticeship under established Boston attorneys
Boston University Law School c.1889-1890 Graduated 1890

Cohen was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in July 1894 at age 24.

Law Practice

After admission to the bar, Cohen established himself as a practicing attorney in Boston:

Abraham K. Cohen Attorney at Law - Member of firm of A. K. Cohen-Max E. Bernkopf 1125 Tremont Building, Boston, Massachusetts

The firm A. K. Cohen - Max E. Bernkopf, Attorneys at Law represented a partnership between Cohen and his son-in-law. A biographical entry for Max Bernkopf describes the firm:

"...now senior member of the firm of A. K. Cohen - Max E. Bernkopf, Attorneys at Law, the firm consisting of A. K. Cohen, Max A. Bernkopf, Alton H. Grausman and Sylvan A. Goodman."

Cohen contributed to legal literature throughout his career, writing "many articles for law magazines on general law questions."

Business Directorships

Beyond his law practice, Cohen served on corporate boards:

Teaching

Cohen also served as a lecturer at Boston University Law School.

Judicial Pioneer: First Jewish Judge in Massachusetts

Abraham K. Cohen's most historic achievement was becoming the first Jewish judge to serve on a court of record in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Historical Record

A document in the collection explicitly establishes this milestone:

First Jewish Judge in a Court of Record in the State

Roxbury District Court - March 12, 1907 Curtis Guild, Jr.

Municipal Court Suffolk - October 16, 1912 Eugene Foss

Judge Philip Rubenstein appointed in 1906 to the Juvenile Court but that is for children and is not a court of record.

— Historical notes

This document carefully distinguishes Cohen's appointment from that of Judge Philip Rubenstein, who was appointed to Juvenile Court in 1906. The Juvenile Court, being a specialized tribunal for children, was not considered a "court of record"—a court whose proceedings are officially documented and whose decisions carry precedential weight.

Roxbury District Court Appointment (1907)

Detail Information
Court Roxbury District Court
Position Special Justice
Date Appointed March 12, 1907
Appointing Governor Curtis Guild, Jr.
Historical Significance First Jewish Judge in a Court of Record in Massachusetts

Governor Curtis Guild, Jr. (1860-1915), a progressive Republican, made this historic appointment.

Municipal Court of Boston Appointment (1912)

Cohen's own account of his judicial career:

"Appointed in March, 1907 as Special Justice of the Municipal Court of the Roxbury District of Boston and there served until 1912, resigning to accept appointment in October, 1912, of Special Justice of the Municipal Court of the City of Boston which position is still held..." — Who's Who entry, 1943

Detail Information
Court Municipal Court of the City of Boston
Position Special Justice
Date Appointed October 16, 1912
Appointing Governor Eugene Foss
Years of Service 1912 – at least 1943 (31+ years documented)

The 1943 Who's Who entry confirms that Cohen's position "is still held" as of that date, indicating more than three decades of continuous judicial service.

Length of Service

A biographical document emphasizes the extraordinary duration of his judicial tenure:

"He has presided over its private matters at his present... has the award of several justice of the District Court of the City of Boston. Boston, the for twenty years. Thereafter as the Judge of Courts..." — Biographical document

World War I Service: Draft Appeal Board

During World War I, Cohen was appointed to a critical role in the Selective Service System. His Who's Who entry describes this service:

"...World War I, was Chairman of District Board #4 of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, being the so-called Draft Appeal Board covering the local boards of the City of Boston." — Who's Who entry, 1943

Another document elaborates on the scope of this responsibility:

"...he was Chairman of the [Draft Appeal Board] of the District Service Act, having jurisdiction over the 27 local boards of the Massachusetts Service." — Biographical document

Position Chairman, District Board #4
Jurisdiction City of Boston
Scope 27 local draft boards
Years 1917-1918
Function Draft Appeal Board

The "Boston Code"

One newspaper clipping credits Cohen with helping develop standardized Selective Service procedures:

"Service Chairman... he was Selectee over 25 [or 27] local boards in Boston, and is one of the authors of a Code which is considered a model for state government." — "Hub of the Hub" newspaper article

Civic and Legislative Work

Commissioner to Consolidate Massachusetts Laws (1919-1921)

Following World War I, Cohen was appointed to one of the most significant legislative projects in Massachusetts history:

"...one of the Commissioners to Consolidate and Arrange the Statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1919..." — Who's Who entry, 1943

Another document describes the outcome:

"He was appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts to sit on the Committee of Massachusetts, formulating what are now called the General Laws of the Commonwealth." — Biographical document

Position Commissioner
Commission Commission to Consolidate and Arrange the Statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Years 1919-1921
Achievement Codification of the General Laws of the Commonwealth

The General Laws of the Commonwealth remain the foundational statutory framework of Massachusetts law to this day.

Citizens' Flood Relief Committee (1947)

Even in his late seventies, Cohen continued active civic service:

"Mr. Cohen is a citizen of Boston in the sense of religion, he participated in the affairs of his city. In 1947 he was made chairman of Citizens' Flood Relief Committee." — Biographical document

Additional Civic Roles

From various biographical documents:

Philanthropic Leadership

Abraham Cohen devoted more than sixty years to Jewish philanthropic organizations in Boston. The "Hub of the Hub" article captures the remarkable duration of this service:

"For over 60 of his 85 years the hub of the Hub has been... Cohen. For over 40 years Chairman of the Hospital Committee, and now Honorary Chairman, Trustee since 1894." — Newspaper article, c.1954

Beth Israel Hospital (1894-1957)

Cohen's association with Beth Israel Hospital began the same year he was admitted to the bar and continued for over six decades:

"Judge Cohen has been engaged in charitable work... to such organizations as the Beth Israel Hospital, the latter as First Vice-President from the death of its Incorporation in 1880, until 1945... He was elected President in April, 1945, and served as such for many years. He has been... Honorary President for Life." — Biographical document

Role Years
Trustee 1894 – c.1957 (60+ years)
Chairman, Hospital Committee 40+ years
First Vice-President Multiple terms, until 1945
President Elected April 1945
Honorary President for Life Conferred on 88th birthday (1957)

The "Hub of the Hub" article notes:

"At 85, Trustee Cohen has diverted himself. Recently he resigned as Association of Associated Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Massachusetts Commission of the Beth Israel Hospital Association on his 88th birthday. He is Honorary [President for Life] on his 88th birthday. He is continuing his efforts in our behalf." — Newspaper article

Associated Jewish Philanthropies

Cohen rose to lead one of the largest Jewish federated charitable organizations in America:

"President of the Associated Jewish Philanthropies of Boston." — Biographical entry

"First Vice-President and Member of Board of Directors of Associated Jewish Philanthropies, Inc. of Boston" — Biographical document

Federated Jewish Charities of Boston

"President and Member of Board of Directors of Federated Jewish Charities of Boston" — Biographical document

Greater Boston Community Fund

Cohen also served non-sectarian charitable organizations:

"He has been connected with the Greater Boston Community Fund as director since it began its work, and has served there as director." — Biographical document

Temple Israel, Boston

"For many years, he was a member of the Council of Trustees of Temple Israel, and was elected as Honorary President in January, 1949." — Biographical document

Civil Rights Advocacy

Cohen emerged as a significant voice for civil rights, interfaith understanding, and opposition to antisemitism and fascism.

Massachusetts Committee of National Conference of Christians and Jews

From his Who's Who entry:

"President of Associated Jewish Philanthropies, Inc.; member of Executive Committee of Massachusetts Committee of National Conference of Christians and Jews; Managing Trustee of Trustees of English High School Association; Trustee of Temple Israel, Boston." — Who's Who document

Governor's Committee for Racial and Religious Understanding

Cohen worked closely with this governmental body, as he describes in his own words:

"The Governor's Committee for Racial and Religious Understanding of which Dr. Julius S. Warren, State Commissioner of Education, is Chairman and with which committee this Massachusetts Committee Catholics, Protestants and Jews closely cooperates..." — Statement on Fair Employment Practices

Anti-Defamation League

Cohen served the ADL for more than three decades:

"...Commissioner for the Eastern District of the Anti-Defamation League for more than 30 years." — "Hub of the Hub" article

Massachusetts Fair Employment Practice Commission

"...member of Organizations Massachusetts Fair Employment Practice Commission." — Newspaper clipping

Statement on Fair Employment Practices: Full Transcript

Among the most significant documents in this collection is a four-page typed statement Cohen delivered at a racial relations event in the mid-1940s. This speech provides direct insight into his philosophy on civil rights, democracy, and the fight against fascism.

The document bears the notation "AKC/A" (Abraham K. Cohen's initials) and references approval by a "Racial Relations" committee with a date in January 194[?].

See also: View original handwritten and typed documents

Full Transcript

[PAGE 1]

This citation is accepted by me in all humility and with deep appreciation that it has been worthwhile. I hope that whatever may be done, particularly at this time, to stimulate any sense of fellowship and good will which is absolutely necessary for the preservation of our democracy.

It has been said by many that the [goal] for a common bond of fellowship [is both] gentleman[ly] and inspirational. But to one who, by [long] standing, brings [together] all the resulting numerous different groups and [knows] that therefore nothing, I fully realize, [can come easily] in the direction of lasting [change], the difficulties that all [must overcome] to [achieve] any [measure] of a perfect attainment of the goals we seek [may never] be reached, [but] if some degree of success may be [achieved by] enough people of good will and with vigorous efforts, [that is enough]. Then too the [struggle for] mental and spiritual endeavor [must] be pursued.

The Governor's Committee for Racial and Religious Understanding of which Dr. Julius S. Warren, State Commissioner of Education, is Chairman and with which committee this Massachusetts Committee [of] Catholics, Protestants and Jews closely

[PAGE 2]

cooperates, is very firmly of the opinion that to build for a permanent future of mutual understanding there should be a thorough plan of inter-cultural education of adults and more particularly of children beginning with their earliest years when impressions made in their minds in the formative period... [ensure] that the rights of all... will be preserved irrespective of race, religion, or [creed and] shall be observed.

We would not for one moment question the Bill of Rights guaranteed by our Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. But what is "freedom" — it is no absolute [right]. There are simply limitations to some rights, [when they conflict with other] interests.

There is pending in our Legislature what has been loosely termed an anti-discrimination bill which [provides that] it is not intended to interfere with [individual] rights [but that] there shall be no [discrimination in] employment [based] on religion, color, or race. Among other [provisions], this bill now agreed upon by proponents for consideration by the proper legislative committee provides

[PAGE 3]

for a thorough study, by the commission to be appointed under the bill, of all of these matters pertaining to such legislation as proposed. If this legislation is enacted and if this commission to be provided is [properly constituted] and [the] problem[s] presented will be carefully [considered], [it will] probably [be] far more beneficial than [doing nothing]... [the] laws will [improve any] condition [that is] unsatisfactory...

Cases of these have been brought [to light] in the operation by our Governor's Committee, as a result of the bitter philosophy of Hitlerism which we have known [—] those denunciations of the millions of persons [that] include not only Jews [but] hundreds of thousands of Catholics, Protestants, men and children [and] persons... of every religious faith.

Such horrors must never be permitted to take place in this country.

All of us [here] this evening should dedicate ourselves to the task

[PAGE 4]

of overcoming the subversive activities of Moran, of Gerald Smith, of Joseph McWilliams and of Pelloy, and of all other advocates of divisive policies — to the end that the declaration "I am an American" shall be synonymous with the words "I am a believer in and an aggressive advocate of the inherent rights of humanity".

AKC/A

Herein contained [...] Approved [...] at the [...] Racial Relations on date of January [...], 194[?]

Yours very truly,

Historical Context: The American Fascists Cohen Named

Cohen specifically called out several prominent American fascists and antisemites active in the 1940s:

Cohen's willingness to name these figures publicly—and to explicitly connect their ideology to "the bitter philosophy of Hitlerism"—demonstrates remarkable moral courage in the immediate post-war period.

Professional Affiliations

Bar Associations

From the Who's Who documents:

"American Bar Association; Massachusetts Bar Association; Bar Association of the City of Boston." — Who's Who entry

Organization Status
American Bar Association Member
Massachusetts Bar Association Member
Bar Association of the City of Boston Member; Trustee

Educational Organizations

Fraternal Organizations

Cohen held leadership positions in B'nai B'rith, the oldest Jewish fraternal organization in America. In February 1915, at the sixty-third annual convention of District 1 I.O.B.B. in Worcester, Massachusetts, he was elected First Vice President of the district.

New York Times article from February 10, 1915
The New York Times, February 10, 1915

From The New York Times, February 10, 1915:

WORCESTER, Mass., Feb. 9.—The sixty-third annual convention of District 1. I. O. B. B., the oldest fraternal Jewish order in America, which has been meeting here since last Sunday, closed today after donating $1,000 to the American Zionists toward the relief ship which is to go to Palestine. The Rev. Dr. Joseph Silverman, President of the district, reported that $12,000 had been subscribed already by various lodges to help the war sufferers. A special committee was appointed to assist in the relief work of the indigent and the unemployed in New York. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Herman Asher of New York, Grand President; Abraham K. Cohen of Boston, First Vice President; Joseph Rosenzweig of New York, Second Vice President; Solomon Sulzberger of New York, Treasurer, and the Rev. Dr. Bernard M. Kaplan of New York, Grand Secretary.

— The New York Times, February 10, 1915

Additional affiliations from the American Jewish Congress form: Givril, B'nai B'rith Ado. A. Unit, Free Sons of Israel.

Social Clubs

Personal Life and Family

Marriage

"Married June 19, 1894 to Sadie Rosnosky, of Boston; one child, of said marriage, Selma C. Bernkopf, wife of Max E. Bernkopf, of Boston."

Detail Information
Spouse Sadie Rosnosky
Marriage Date June 1894
Marriage Location Boston, Massachusetts
Duration 60+ years

Sadie Rosnosky was the daughter of Isaac Rosnosky, the first Jewish person elected to public office in Boston.

Children

Abraham and Sadie Cohen had one daughter:

Name Spouse Notes
Selma Cohen Bernkopf Max E. Bernkopf Law partner's wife; mother of Sally Bernkopf Frank

Grandchildren

Name Parents Later Spouse Notable Achievement
Sally Bernkopf Max & Selma Bernkopf Dr. Howard Alvin Frank Grant Administrator, Children's Hospital/Beth Israel; Afghan Hound champion breeder

Residences

Later in life, Cohen resided in Swampscott, Massachusetts. Earlier addresses included the Hotel Lafayette, 333 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.

The Cohen-Bernkopf-Frank Connection

The intertwining of the Cohen, Bernkopf, and Frank families represents a remarkable convergence of Boston's legal and medical elite, centered on Beth Israel Hospital.

The Law Firm Partnership

Abraham K. Cohen and Max E. Bernkopf formed a law partnership that united father-in-law and son-in-law. The firm biography states:

"...the firm of A. K. Cohen - Max E. Bernkopf, Attorneys at Law, the firm consisting of A. K. Cohen, Max A. Bernkopf, Alton H. Grausman and Sylvan A. Goodman. Director of Economy Grocery Stores Corporation and Leopold Morse Company; managing trustee of the English High School Association..." — Biographical document

The Family Tree

Abraham K. Cohen (1869-c.1957) ─┬─ Sadie Rosnosky (m. 1894)
   Judge, Philanthropist         │     daughter of Isaac Rosnosky
                                 │
                                 └── Selma Cohen ─────────┬─ Max E. Bernkopf
                                                          │  Attorney, Law Partner
                                                          │
                                                          └── Sally Bernkopf ─────┬─ Dr. Howard Alvin Frank
                                                              (1922-2015)          │  Pacemaker Co-Developer
                                                                                   │
                                                                   ┌───────────────┼───────────────┐
                                                                   │               │               │
                                                               Anne Greene    Edward Frank II   John Frank
                                                               (1948-2025)
                                                               Prof. of English
                                                               Wesleyan Univ.

The Beth Israel Hospital Connection

Both the Cohen and Frank families were deeply connected to Beth Israel Hospital across generations:

Family Member Beth Israel Role
Abraham K. Cohen Trustee (60+ years), President, Honorary President for Life
Max E. Bernkopf Prominent attorney; patient of Dr. Howard Frank
Sally Bernkopf Frank Grant Administrator, Beth Israel Hospital
Dr. Howard A. Frank Attending Surgeon (62 years), Clinical Professor
Dr. Edward D. Frank Head of Peripheral Vascular Surgery

The Romance

According to Sally Frank's obituary, she met her husband through a patient-physician relationship: "Following her graduation from Smith College, Sally married 'her father's surgeon.'" Max Bernkopf was a patient of Dr. Howard Frank, and through this connection, Howard met his future wife—the granddaughter of the hospital's Honorary President for Life.

Legacy

Judicial Pioneer

Abraham K. Cohen's 1907 appointment as the first Jewish judge in a Massachusetts court of record opened doors for generations of Jewish jurists who followed. His more than three decades on the Municipal Court of Boston demonstrated that merit, not religion, should determine judicial appointment.

Philanthropic Institution Builder

Cohen's sixty-plus years of service to Beth Israel Hospital helped build it into one of Boston's premier medical institutions—the same hospital where his granddaughter's husband would help develop the pacemaker and where his great-granddaughter-in-law would work. His leadership of the Associated Jewish Philanthropies strengthened the organizational infrastructure of Boston's Jewish community.

Civil Rights Voice

Cohen's post-war advocacy for fair employment practices and interfaith understanding positioned him among the early voices for what would become the civil rights movement. His explicit condemnation of American fascists—naming Gerald L.K. Smith, Joseph McWilliams, and William Dudley Pelley—and his call for anti-discrimination legislation were progressive positions for the 1940s.

His words remain resonant:

"Such horrors must never be permitted to take place in this country. All of us... should dedicate ourselves to the task of overcoming the subversive activities of [those who advocate] divisive policies — to the end that the declaration 'I am an American' shall be synonymous with the words 'I am a believer in and an aggressive advocate of the inherent rights of humanity'."

Recognition in His Lifetime

Cohen received multiple honors during his long life:

Career Timeline

Year Event
1869 Born November 22, Roxbury, Massachusetts
c.1889 Graduated English High School
c.1890 Graduated Boston University Law School
1894 Admitted to Massachusetts Bar (July)
1894 Married Sadie Rosnosky (June)
1894 Became Trustee, Beth Israel Hospital
c.1895 Daughter Selma born
1907 Appointed Special Justice, Roxbury District Court (March 12) — First Jewish Judge in a Court of Record in Massachusetts
1912 Appointed Special Justice, Municipal Court of Boston (October 16)
1917-1918 Chairman, District Board #4 (WWI Draft Appeal Board)
1919-1921 Commissioner to Consolidate the General Laws of Massachusetts
c.1920s First Vice-President, Associated Jewish Philanthropies
1926 First inclusion in Who's Who Among American Jewry
1934 Biographical entry published
1938 Who's Who in American Jewry solicitation
1942 Solicited for American Jewish Cyclopedia
1943 Multiple Who's Who entries; 31+ years on Municipal Court
1945 Elected President, Beth Israel Hospital
c.1945 Delivered Statement on Fair Employment Practices
1947 Chairman, Citizens' Flood Relief Committee
1949 Honorary President, Temple Israel
c.1954 "Hub of the Hub" profile at age 85
1957 Honorary President for Life, Beth Israel Hospital (88th birthday)
c.1957 Death (per FamilySearch)

Primary Source Documents

This biography was compiled from 28 primary source documents from the Abraham K. Cohen papers, including biographical forms, Who's Who entries, newspaper clippings, and his civil rights speech.

View all original documents and photographs

Document Categories

Newspaper Articles and Clippings

Who's Who and Biographical Registry Materials

Extended Biographical Documents

Historical Notes

Statement on Fair Employment Practices (c.1945)

Membership and Affiliation Lists

Document Information

Field Value
Subject Abraham K. Cohen (1869–c.1957)
Author Peter Frank (great-great-grandson)
Version 2.0
Last Updated December 28, 2025
Research Method Researched, compiled, and drafted using ChatGPT Deep Research and additional AI-based research agents, with human curation and editing. Sources include OCR transcriptions of 28 primary documents from family papers (c.1926-1954).
Word Count ~6,000 words
Original Documents View archive

Acknowledgments

This biography was compiled from OCR transcriptions of primary source documents in the Abraham K. Cohen papers, preserved family papers spanning 1926-1954.

The connection between the Cohen family and the Frank family was documented in the biography of Dr. Howard Alvin Frank, which notes that Abraham K. Cohen was the "First Jewish judge in Massachusetts" and Sally Frank's maternal grandfather.

"...to the end that the declaration 'I am an American' shall be synonymous with the words 'I am a believer in and an aggressive advocate of the inherent rights of humanity'."

— Abraham K. Cohen, c.1945