Downtown in Muncie in Delaware County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Benjamin V. Cohen
1894-1983
courtesy of Indiana Historical Bureau
1. Benjamin V. Cohen Marker
Attorney Benjamin Cohen was born in Muncie to Jewish-Polish Immigrants who owned a wholesale store here. He was involved in the Paris Peace Conference and later entered private practice. Cohen joined Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Brain Trust" in the 1930s. A key architect of New Deal legislation. He promoted workers' rights and helped stabilize the stock market.
Cohen wrote the Lend-Lease Act, which enabled the U.S. to provide aid to Great Britain prior to official American entry in WWII. He represented the U.S. during peace talks and promoted the creation of the State of Israel. He helped draft the United Nations charter and civil rights legislation. Cohen lectured on disarmament and opposed U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
Erected 2026 by Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, Indiana Historical Bureau, Indiana Jewish Historical Society, and Delaware County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics.
Location. 40° 11.369′ N, 85° 23.24′ W. Marker is in Muncie, Indiana, in Delaware County. It is
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Central Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Passing of the Buffalo (within shouting distance of this marker); Mattie Coleman (within shouting distance of this marker); 2003 (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1989 (about 600 feet away); Jones Block 1903 (about 600 feet away); 1985 (about 600 feet away); 1940's-1970's (about 600 feet away); 1946 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Muncie.
Also see . . .
1. Benjamin V. Cohen. (Submitted on October 8, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)
2. Lawyer Who Helped Save the Frierdiker Rebbe Honored.
courtesy of Indiana Historical Bureau
2. Benjamin V. Cohen Marker
Cohen’s quiet diplomacy started a chain that ran from the Secretary of State to Berlin, and then to German military intelligence. It ended with Ernst Bloch, the German officer who found the Rebbe and escorted him to safety. The Rebbe arrived in New York on 9 Adar Sheni 5700 (March 19, 1940).(Submitted on October 8, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)
“Many people had a part in that rescue, but Benjamin Cohen’s was a crucial link,” Rabbi Grossbaum said. He noted that Chabad historian Rabbi David Eliezrie sees Cohen’s role as the most crucial of all.
3. The Nazi Who Saved the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson went on to become the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, one of the most influential figures in the history of postwar American Judaism. As professor Menachem Friedman said, “After the war the western world was a different place. And in this world Lubavitch found a very central and important niche, so much so that if Chabad didn’t exist, someone would have had to create it.”(Submitted on October 8, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)
4. The Nazi Who Saved the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson went on to become the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, one of the most influential figures in the history of postwar American Judaism. As professor Menachem Friedman said, “After the war the western world was a different place. And in this world Lubavitch found a very central and important niche, so much so that if Chabad didn’t exist, someone would have had to create it.” (Submitted on October 8, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)
5. Lend-Lease Act: How the U.S. Helped Win WWII.
Lend-Lease Act: How the U.S. Helped Win WWII: The Lend-Lease Act allowed the United States to supply weapons, food, and materials to Allied ...(Submitted on October 8, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 8, 2026, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Larger, clearer photos of the marker. • Wide shot of the marker in context. • Can you help?
