Audio interview of Jerry Cohen, born 1938, by Dr. Justin Jaron Lewis at the interviewee's home in Winnipeg. 00:00 Interview begins with an introduction of the interviewer and interviewee, as well as location information; 01:05 Jerry has a photo album and talks about an important moment he had with Reb Zalman in June, 1961. Jerry states Zalman was a key person at his wedding and goes through wedding photographs; 04:27 Jerry talks about being an active member in the Hillel house although he does not come from a religious background. He states he became kosher after meeting Zalman. He continues to say that Zalman told Jerry and his then girlfriend to get married before they go to Israel together; 07:34 Jerry says his wife, Carol was stricken with cancer in 1996 and Jerry and Carol began talking to Zalman again. Zalman would send Carol relaxation tapes; 09:20 Jerry remembers less about his teaching and more about his persona. Jerry states you just always wanted to be around Zalman; 12:43 Justin asks Jerry what Zalman’s role was at Hillel. Jerry talks briefly about the programs. Jerry never thought about Zalman as a teacher but as the Hillel director who loved his charge; 13:48 Jerry tells a story about gathering at his parent’s house and Reb Zalman enjoyed singing to the tune of Christmas carols; 14:44 Jerry confirms that people called him Reb Zalman at the time; 18:58 Justin asks if Zalman was good with his hands and tinkering with things. Jerry states Zalman was a handy person; 21:00 Jerry talks about the north end and south end of Winnipeg; 23:00 Jerry talks about the high school he went to; 24:54 Jerry briefly comments on Zalman’s first marriage that ended. He continues to say he did not have a lot of contact with Zalman from the early 60s to 1975 when Zalman left; 27:32 Justin asks Jerry if he thinks his life would have been different if he did not know Zalman. Jerry states if any one person influenced him in a Jewish way it was Zalman; 31:16 Jerry comments that it was really nice to see Zalman when he visited about five years ago; 35:00 Jerry asks Justin what courses he teaches. Justin asks if Jerry has kept up with his Yiddish. They speak together in Yiddish; 35:56 Jerry tells a joke about a young man taking his mother to the doctor, part of the story is in Yiddish; 37:58 Justin asks if Reb Zalman ever told jokes and had a sense of humor. Jerry states he always smiled and was described as cultish; 39:52 Justin wraps up the interview and thanks Jerry.
description
Audio interview of Jerry Cohen, born 1938, by Dr. Justin Jaron Lewis at the interviewee's home in Winnipeg. 00:00 Interview begins with an introduction of the interviewer and interviewee, as well as location information; 01:05 Jerry has a photo album and talks about an important moment he had with Reb Zalman in June, 1961. Jerry states Zalman was a key person at his wedding and goes through wedding photographs; 04:27 Jerry talks about being an active member in the Hillel house although he does not come from a religious background. He states he became kosher after meeting Zalman. He continues to say that Zalman told Jerry and his then girlfriend to get married before they go to Israel together; 07:34 Jerry says his wife, Carol was stricken with cancer in 1996 and Jerry and Carol began talking to Zalman again. Zalman would send Carol relaxation tapes; 09:20 Jerry remembers less about his teaching and more about his persona. Jerry states you just always wanted to be around Zalman; 12:43 Justin asks Jerry what Zalman’s role was at Hillel. Jerry talks briefly about the programs. Jerry never thought about Zalman as a teacher but as the Hillel director who loved his charge; 13:48 Jerry tells a story about gathering at his parent’s house and Reb Zalman enjoyed singing to the tune of Christmas carols; 14:44 Jerry confirms that people called him Reb Zalman at the time; 18:58 Justin asks if Zalman was good with his hands and tinkering with things. Jerry states Zalman was a handy person; 21:00 Jerry talks about the north end and south end of Winnipeg; 23:00 Jerry talks about the high school he went to; 24:54 Jerry briefly comments on Zalman’s first marriage that ended. He continues to say he did not have a lot of contact with Zalman from the early 60s to 1975 when Zalman left; 27:32 Justin asks Jerry if he thinks his life would have been different if he did not know Zalman. Jerry states if any one person influenced him in a Jewish way it was Zalman; 31:16 Jerry comments that it was really nice to see Zalman when he visited about five years ago; 35:00 Jerry asks Justin what courses he teaches. Justin asks if Jerry has kept up with his Yiddish. They speak together in Yiddish; 35:56 Jerry tells a joke about a young man taking his mother to the doctor, part of the story is in Yiddish; 37:58 Justin asks if Reb Zalman ever told jokes and had a sense of humor. Jerry states he always smiled and was described as cultish; 39:52 Justin wraps up the interview and thanks Jerry.
Description
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