The Etty Hillesum Center in Deventer

Cohen-Board correspondance in 1945

Dear Mrs. Meeks,

Lex Rutgers gave me your e-mail address. The two attachments contain the letter of Dr. Johan Cohen to the council of the Deventer Jewish congregation, and the answer he received.

Cohen terminates his membership of the Jewish congregation, because he and his wife no longer feel attracted to “het kerkelijk leven” (ecclesiastical life). For them it has become a tradition without meaning. In the meantime they are prepared tot fulfill their obligations towards the Jewish community in a non religious sense.

The board is not pleased. It argues, that the termination of a membership is only valid through a legal written statement, officially signed. And anyhow, his financial obligations will not end until December 31. The board points out that the membership does not oblige to any ecclesiastical engagement, so there isn't any need to discontinue it.

It suggests, that Cohen and his family will no longer be registered as Jewish in the civil administration, so they will not be Jews any more. Under those circumstances, an obligation towards the Jewish community does not exist.

The letter ends with a plea to reconsider their decision: the termination of their membership will be another blow to de Jewish community, that just has lost 5/6 of her members.

Conclusion: In the argument, Cohen sees a distinction between “gemeente” (congregation) and “gemeenschap” (community). The Church board argues, that both notions cannot be seperated.

With kind regards,
Herman Vrielink