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Name: Deborah Cohn

Occupation: Administrator and archivist for Jewish Historical Society of Central N.J.

Address: Highland Park

Family: Married 38 years this August to Joseph Cohn, a mohel and board certified family practitioner for 26 year in solo practice. Daughter Beth is an artist and beekeeper who lives in Newark, Del. Sister Amee Sousa works for IBM and is married to Jim Sousa, a structural engineer. They live in Highland Park with son Ben, a freshman at Penn State. Mother Ann Brottman lives in Highland Park and mother-in law Coloria Cohn, the widow of the late Frederick Cohn, lives in Monroe.

Community activities: Current president of Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple, New Brunswick, who sings in the Temple's adult choir and teaches and Introduction to Tanakh class on Shabbat mornings. "I'm involved in basically everything that happens at Anshe Emeth focusing now on the upcoming celebration of the congregation's 150th anniversary this fall, creating a blog for the temple."

Hobbies: "I've been doing a lot of research on Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple's history in New Brunswick. I enjoy RV-ing, blogging, scrapbooking, singing, bridge, reading, and Sudoku."

Self-portrait: "I am really a 'what you see is what you get' person. I'm friendly and practical and passionate about my temple, the community it represents, and the work it does."

Motto: From Rabbi Tarfon, Pirkei Avot. "You are not required to complete the task, yet your are not free to withdraw from it."

Greatest Accomplishment: "Getting my MA in Tanakh from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1997 and becoming president of Anshe Emeth this past May."

Bad habits: "Procrastination is my worst habit, but I'm working to overcome it."

Favorite TV programs: "I don't watch much TV except as background noise while doing housework but I like old sitcoms and am fascinated by 'The Apprentice'."

Favorite food: "My husband bakes the best bread in the entire world. His salt stick rolls are irresistible!"

People don't know that I... "have had a valid motorcycle license since I was in college."

Last book I read: "Broken for You," by Stephanie Kallos. "It is a book about how we are healed and redeemed when we reach out to heal others."

Biggest asset in the local Jewish Community: "The huge variety of Jewish opportunities there are in this area. No matter what interests you about Judaism, there is some way for you to learn more or experience more."

Biggest problem in the local Jewish community: "Two many Jews don't actively connect themselves with the Jewish community. We didn't survive this long by being disinterested in our heritage. People who shrug it off are ignoring a precious gift."

If I had more time I would... "spend several years traveling through the U.S. with my husband in our RV, write a book about the history of Anshe Emeth, refresh my Hebrew speaking skills, and exercise more."