Cornell Hillel's Board of Trustees has announced that Cornell alumni Abby Joseph Cohen and David M. Cohen, who is also a vice-chair on the Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life Board of Directors, will be the recipients of the Tanner Prize for their significant contributions to the Jewish people and to Cornell. The prize will be given to the couple at a luncheon April 26 at the Cornell Club in New York.

The visionary philanthropist and communal leader Harold Tanner, Cornell Class of 1952, will present the prize bearing his name to the Cohens. Cornell's Interim President Hunter R. Rawlings will introduce Tanner and pay tribute to him as well.
"Abby and David Cohen are exemplary Cornellians who, like Harold Tanner, combine devotion to Cornell with a commitment to the enhancement of Jewish life across multiple dimensions," said Rawlings. "I am delighted that Cornell Hillel has chosen Abby and David as the recipients of this year's Tanner Prize, and I look forward to congratulating them in person at the April award luncheon."

The Tanner Prize, established by Cornell Hillel's Board of Trustees in 2004, is awarded annually to a person, couple or family who has made significant contributions to both Jewish life anywhere in the world and to Cornell.

"While the recipient need not have any connection with Cornell Hillel, exceptional service to Cornell Hillel alone would satisfy the two-prong test for a Tanner Prize recipient" said Seth M. Siegel, the chair of the Cornell Hillel Board of Trustees. "The Cohens exceed the requirements for this award with flying colors. Their extraordinary leadership, involvement and support of Cornell Hillel, as well as their incredible service to Cornell University and the Jewish people, demonstrate that they are truly an exceptional match for the Tanner Prize."

"As the ideal role models of commitment to Cornell and the Jewish community, David and Abby are perfect recipients for the Tanner Prize. That they have chosen to devote so much of their time, energy, and resources to the advancement and growth of Cornell Hillel and Jewish student life on campus is a source of pride for us all," agreed Cornell Hillel Executive Director Rabbi Ed Rosenthal.

"Both Harold Tanner and [previous recipient] Barbara Friedman set the highest possible standards for service to Cornell and the Jewish community. It is an honor to follow their lead and their example," Abby Joseph Cohen said.

The Cohens' involvement in Cornell Hillel stems from David's leadership position as the organization's Board of Trustees chair from 1998 to 2003, and his service continues as chair emeritus. The Cohens' Cornell involvement is extensive. Abby has served on the Cornell University Board of Trustees since 1997, and she also sits on the Board of Overseers of the Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. David serves on the University Council as well as on the School of Industrial and Labor Relations Dean's Advisory Council. The Cohens also are the proud parents of two Cornellians.

For more information about the awards luncheon, contact Cornell Hillel Development Director Jennifer Hoos at 607-255-8454.

Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life will also honor the Cohens at a gala dinner in New York on Tuesday, June 6. For more information, contact Uri Cohen at 212-279-6300 x17 or ucohen@hillel.org.