08/19/2026
Campaign Chair Seeks to Keep 'Fostering that Enthusaism'
Cohen
Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News
by Casey Swinarski
For Pepper Pike resident Lynne Cohen, the mission of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland was not something that she had to read to learn. Rather, the mission was demonstrated to her by both sets of grandparents growing up, and was echoed by her mother in everyday life.
“I really grew up watching my mother, Lois Marcus, lead by example,” Cohen told the Cleveland Jewish News. “She really believed in the (Federation’s Campaign for Jewish Needs). She believed in the power of bringing people together around a shared responsibility for our community.”
Cohen, a congregant of B’nai Jeshurun Congregation in Pepper Pike, will serve as the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s 2027-28 chair of the annual Campaign for Jewish Needs. That example, Cohen said, continues to inspire and shape how she approaches leadership today.
“I feel really fortunate to build on that legacy, but also bring my own experience and perspective to the work,” she said. “Jewish Cleveland is just so deeply important to me and my family today, and has been throughout generations. I believe really strongly in the Federation’s mission and I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to help them inspire others to get involved and make a difference.”
When asked about how she wants to approach the campaign, Cohen said that her top priority is making sure that it continues to meet the “evolving needs” of Jewish Cleveland’s community, as well as putting a strong focus on building relationships with both longtime and new donors.
“Our community is incredibly generous, and I want people to feel connected to the impact of their giving and understand that they are truly our partners in this work,” Cohen said. “Throughout the year, whether I’m meeting with donors, attending events or just talking with people in the community, I see an incredible sense of pride in what we built together.”
Cohen, who described Jewish Cleveland as both resilient and generous, told the CJN that she has already visited and met with many of the Federation’s beneficiary agencies – such as JFSA, Camp Wise, the Mandel JCC and more – to both understand their needs and see the community’s “dollars in action.”
“It makes me even more excited to raise these dollars for our community, because I understand the needs and how important it is to continue to grow our Cleveland community and make it even better than it already is,” she said.
Of note, Cohen said that she would like to continue “fostering that enthusiasm” and encourage people to take advantage of opportunities, like the Mandel Match, to maximize their impact.
She said the Mandel Match, supported by the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, will provide a dollar for dollar match on any donation increase of 10% or more from previous years, as well as a dollar for dollar match on all new gifts. The Mandel Match, now in its third consecutive year, will support applicable gifts that are made by Nov. 1.
“It’s a very lucrative match that we hope our donors will take advantage of and give by Nov. 1,” she said.
With nearly 20 years of involvement with the Federation, previously serving as chair of the PACT Committee and chair of the Overseas Connections Committee, Cohen said that she is excited for the opportunity to further her impact in a community that she feels is already so supportive of one another, a sentiment that she hopes will continue to expand through the course of her two-year term as campaign chair.
“Time and again, our community steps up for one another, whether they’re helping a neighbor across town or supporting Jews halfway across the world,” she said. “Our community understands that a strong campaign puts us in the best possible position to respond to whatever challenges come next, so I am incredibly grateful to the donors and volunteers whose commitment makes that possible.”
Cohen’s father, Marty Marcus, is a past board chair of the Cleveland Jewish Publication Company and her brother, Greg Marcus, is a longtime director and current officer of the CJPC.
Last year, Super Sunday raised $1,700,298 from 1,275 donors.
Click here to learn how to volunteer at Super Sunday and donate to the 2027 Campaign for Jewish Needs.
