David Cohen | Social Work (B.S.W.), 2023

From counseling at-risk youth to supporting soldiers in crisis, JMC alumnus David Cohen has built a career dedicated to helping others.

Raised in a traditional Haredi family in Jerusalem, David spent his early adult years studying in yeshiva before discovering a passion for social work. He began working with at-risk youth, eventually becoming a coordinator and supervisor, and later returned to the yeshiva world as a counselor for students facing personal challenges.

Recognizing that he needed professional training to better support those he served, David enrolled in the Social Work program at the Strauss Campus of the Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College (JMC), where he was able to pursue an academic degree in a fully Haredi learning environment while continuing to work.

Following the events of October 7, 2023, David felt called to contribute to Israel’s wartime response. Drawing on both his professional training and the encouragement of a former JMC lecturer, he joined the IDF welfare corps and began supporting soldiers coping with trauma and personal crises.

Today, David oversees welfare and mental health services for several IDF battalions. He credits his education at Strauss with providing the skills and foundation that made his career possible.  “Actually,” he says, “everything I do today is connected to what I learned at Strauss.”

We are proud to spotlight David Cohen — a member of the JMC alumni community whose career reflects compassion, service, and a commitment to strengthening Israeli society.