Adath Israel Country Showcase Brings Down the House
CINCINNATI – On May 31, congregants and friends gathered at Adath Israel to honor Mitch Cohen’s retirement as Communications Director — and to celebrate the music that defined his nearly two decades of service.
Cohen taught Bar and Bat Mitzvah students for over 19 years, and while he held several roles at the synagogue, music remained at the heart of his work. He noted some changes along the way, including adapting to “Zoom mitzvahs” during COVID, and compared the experience to his days as a soccer coach. Looking back, Cohen said he is most appreciative of his relationship with Rabbi Wise and watching his children grow through their participation at Adath.
Among his fondest memories was teaching music alongside his wife in her class. “She’s an awesome teacher,” he said. The two collaborated on a puppet show — though Cohen admitted the script was not without debate. Cohen was also a longtime member of the choir, a commitment he has no plans to abandon. “I’m not retiring from the choir,” he quipped.
Looking ahead, Cohen noted that incoming Rabbi Scott Shafrin is musical, and he anticipates more music-driven services in Adath’s future. “I’m excited to come to those as a congregant,” he said.
The evening’s musical guest, Joe Buchanan, was no stranger to Cohen. The two had previously met at a “Songleader Bootcamp” — a forum for musicians to gather, often late into the night, to practice and develop new material. Cohen said he has long admired the way Buchanan brings out the best in the artists he works with. Buchanan, in turn, noted that he has watched Cohen grow significantly as a songwriter.
Buchanan’s musical roots run deep. Growing up, it was country music that shaped his ear. “Country music was always about people and their struggles,” he said. Rock also found its way into his sound, and when he teaches, he points to Ray LaMontagne as a touchstone — finding that a few simple chords are often all it takes to move people. That philosophy has served him well on the road, where Buchanan spends much of his year building what he calls organic connections with audiences. He describes the experience warmly: “Meeting family I haven’t met yet.” Buchanan converted to Judaism after his wife suggested it, and that sense of belonging clearly resonates in how he approaches his craft.
His ultimate ambition? To create the first Jewish music category at the Grammy Awards.
