How do you explain the incredible impact one person can have on so many others? Mrs. Sarah Malkah Cohen, a”h, a resident of Kew Gardens Hills, was a magnet and an ima to so many. She was nifterah on Lag BaOmer, and so many people attended her l’vayah to pay tribute to someone so special. Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg, Rav of Congregation Etz Chaim, eulogized her and shared that many people sitting in this room would not be here except for Malkah (people called her Malkah). Perhaps he meant in a spiritual way, but maybe also physically and psychologically, as she encouraged and supported so many people going through all sorts of difficulties.
She was in many ways like Ruth, who embraced Judaism and who exhibited kindness, which is the hallmark of a Jew and the outgrowth of Torah observance.
Like Ruth, she was not born Jewish but came to embrace the beauty of Yiddishkeit.
At a young age, Malkah began asking questions and found truth in Torah. She was born in 1949 in Massapequa, New York, and she grew up there. She was someone who supported so many converts through their journeys.
Her son shared that when he was young, and he was the only child, he could remember sitting at the Shabbos table with so many guests who all called his parents Ima and Aba, and after brachos were given, he called out, “What about me?”
He also noted how people wanted to complete the burial for his mother, and when he asked one of these young girls why they did that, even though the rabbi said they could stop, she replied that “Malkah always accepted me. How could I not make her more comfortable?” Her son Yitz added that his mother and father always helped others and were accepting of others.
What a beautiful role model for us all!
Below are some tributes sent to the family, which really show how beloved she was.
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Miriam BenEzra (Friend):
I first met Malkah and Moshe in shul. I remember Malkah saying, “I don’t know you yet. You have to come to us for Shabbat.” And that turned into Sukkos, and that turned into an amazing relationship.
When I lived in Kew Gardens Hills, Malkah was the “Den Mother” for all the 20- and 30-somethings. We always had a place at her table, whether it was Shabbos, Yom Tov, Tu BiSh’vat, or a random “Here I am – I need a hug” moment.
She was a life coach, a friend, a mother, and she always had a different perspective to share. She could find the good in difficult situations, or she created the good for a new situation.
We learned together, we sang together, we mourned together. She was always there for a hug, for a cup of whatever beverage was available, for advice, for whatever.
The mold was broken after Hashem made Malkah, but Malkah made a point to teach, to make Torah fun, to share her love of Judaism at every turn.
It is hard to classify what my relationship to Malkah was, so I won’t even try. But it was special. The world is a much richer place for having her, her Torah, her influence, her advice, her everything.
We will miss her. I will miss her. But as long as we live to be the best versions of ourselves, Malkah will never be gone, even if it is a lot harder to access her love from here.
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Aurora Goldberger shared her heartfelt gratitude for a friendship of over 40 years. She said, “She was the most gentle, kind, intelligent, and caring human being who taught me so many things…”
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Tova Rivka Johnson Sanders:
Meeting Malkah Cohen was a turning point in my journey to convert to Judaism. I was introduced to her by my good friend Yiska. Malkah, a convert herself, welcomed me into her home and family, which included her husband, son, daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. Spending many Shabbats with them, I felt embraced by their warmth and hospitality.
Malkah became my guide through Judaism. She introduced me to her rabbi, who also became my rabbi. She shared her own experiences of conversion, highlighting both the challenges and the sweet rewards. Her encouragement and support were invaluable at every step.
Besides her spiritual guidance, Malkah shared her rich life experiences with me, including her education in music and other arts. This deepened our connection and made my journey even more meaningful. Becoming a part of Malkah’s family was unexpected but truly wonderful, enriching my path to Judaism in ways I never anticipated.
Additionally, Malkah introduced me to her circle of friends, expanding my support network and helping me feel even more connected to the community.
Malkah’s love for literature and Torah study was another significant aspect of our relationship. Her passion for reading and studying different authors in Torah greatly influenced me. She was always recommending books, articles, and posts for me to read, which helped me learn Hebrew and gain a deeper understanding of Jewish history and culture. This intellectual engagement added another layer of richness to my journey.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of becoming part of Malkah’s family was sharing our mutual passion for singing and music. We spent many wonderful moments singing together, which strengthened our bond and made my experience even more special.
I will always cherish the guidance, support, and love I received from Malkah Cohen and her family. My journey to Judaism has been profoundly enriched by their presence, and I look forward to continuing this journey with the same passion and dedication that Malkah has inspired in me.
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Kressel Housman (friend):
In Queens, Moshe and Malkah are that couple. That’s exactly how I met them the first time: at a Shabbos meal in their apartment. I took to them right away. They were so fun and chilled out! Their apartment wasn’t big or fancy, but between the conversation and the singing, it was the warmest, friendliest Shabbos meal I’d had since my Carlebach days. I went back many times after that. Sometimes, when there was a special occasion like a sheva brachos for a new bride and groom, there could be a few dozen guests there.
But of all the times I spent in their apartment, one stands out as a life-changer. The occasion was their son’s birthday party, and I was intrigued by another of the guests. He was dressed chasidish, but he was joking and hanging out with all my modern friends like it was the most natural thing in the world. Reversing the traditional approach to Jewish dating, I asked Malkah to become our matchmaker. I soon found out that the man who would become my husband had asked another guest for the same thing. Within weeks, we went out on our first date.
We became engaged pretty quickly – maybe a little too quickly. When we hit rough spots, Malkah coached us through them. I’m not going to share the details, but she spent hours one evening helping Motcha (my fiancé) and me communicate through the stresses of planning a wedding and future home. But we made it through, so then it was time for celebrating. Both my bridal shower and one sheva brachos were held at Moish-and-Malkah’s.
My husband’s employment was pretty shaky at the beginning of our marriage, but Malkah helped us there, too. She landed Motcha a steady job in her office, which he stuck with for the next five years or so. That job was an absolute lifeline, and it never would have happened without Malkah’s recommendation.
In our second year of marriage, we were hit by a different misfortune. We were living in an illegal apartment in the basement of a three-family home in Brooklyn. The whole building caught fire, and though living on the bottom meant we were spared the worst of it, we got plenty of water damage. The whole place was unlivable. We had to move, and because I had a four-month-old baby by then, Motcha and I had to rely on others to help us. The Queens chevrah (group of friends) absolutely came through, but Malkah led the charge. She stayed later than anybody, probably getting home very late that night…
To quote from the last verse of Eishes Chayil: “Give her the fruits of her hand and let her be praised in the gates by her very own deeds.”
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Karen Overin (her sister):
Memories of Sarah Malkah Cohen
Though I grew up with her, I had the pleasure of seeing her thrive and grow in her chosen religion. She studied and explored all aspects of how to be the best Orthodox woman she could be. When she told us she was moving to Queens, I knew she was going to succeed. She surrounded herself with learned people and shared freely of her home and her talents. She would write and teach how to cook properly and prepare her home for the High Holy Days and welcomed all. My best memories are when she would include my children and the joy and memories they experienced. They were taught how to prepare a proper Shabbat meal and Pesach repast and the reasoning of each segment and ritual. She wouldn’t “dumb it down” or make you feel foolish if you made a mistake; she would just gently guide you. She was always there when people needed her, even when she had her own health issues. She explained to us all the conflicts going on in Israel in a way that we could understand. Her joy and pride at her grandson going to Israel while concerned for the danger was empowering.
She also took on the responsibility of our elderly father in his final days when the rest of us could not. And she never once complained. She embodied the women of the bible Sarah and Hannah and was a true Proverbs 31 woman but would not even think “what is in it for me” but rather: “What do you need?”
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Her other sister, Lydia Dee, shared how when she was younger and being bullied, Sarah Malkah stood up for her.
Our community was blessed to have such a wonderful role model in our midst. May her beautiful legacy of kindness continue and blossom. May her family and friends be comforted with the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalayim.
