American Jews and the Civil War

Robert (Bob) A. Cohn program will explore the experiences of a few of the over 10,000 Jewish

soldiers and civilians serving the Union and Confederate armies during the

Civil War.   Among others Cohn will

talk about Joseph Pulitzer and how his service in the Union Army made it

possible for him to move to America and found the St. Louis Post Dispatch.  Cohn will also address how Southern Jews

could reconcile owning slaves with the Passover narrative of freedom from

bondage.



Cohn serves as the Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of the St. Louis

Jewish Light, the local Jewish community newspaper. He is an award-winning

journalist and winner of numerous local awards and honors for his

journalism and community service.  He authored "The History

& Growth of St. Louis County, Missouri" (1974), and the entry on

the History of the Jewish Community of St. Louis for the most recent edition of

Encyclopedia Judaica.   Cohn is a graduate of University City

High School and a member of its Hall of Fame.  He is also a graduate of

Washington University with degrees in English, Philosophy and Political

Science and a Doctor of Law degree.  Most recently, in recognition of his

distinguished career in journalism, Cohn was inducted into the St. Louis

Media Hall of Fame.

Cohn’s presentation will begin at 2 p.m. followed by a question-and-answer

session.  Tickets for the lecture cost

$10 in advance, and entitle the ticket-holder to a $10 credit toward a purchase

of $10 or more in the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site sales area on the

day of the event.  Reservations can be

made by calling 314-842-1867 x230, or in person at the park’s visitor center.