Rabbi Michael Joseph Cook, Ph.D.

January 15, 1942 - March 30, 2021

Rabbi Michael J. Cook, Ph.D., age 79, passed away on March 30, 2021, beloved husband of Rabbi Judy Chessin, devoted father of David (Helen) Cook, Ben (Iris Rosenstein) Cook, Maia Cook (Ted Crosson), Brett (Liora) Chessin and Chad Chessin, dear brother of Joel (Chris) Cook, loving grandfather of Sage, Isaac, Clara, and Jesse Cook, and Parker Chessin. The family will hold private graveside services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion (Cincinnati, OH) or Temple Beth Or (Dayton, OH). Rabbi Cook was the Sol & Arlene Bronstein Professor of Judeo-Christian Studies at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion (Cincinnati, OH) and the only rabbi in North America with a full-professorial chair in New Testament. He authored Modern Jews Engage the New Testament, a book intended to help Jews navigate a predominantly Christian culture and contribute to enhanced Judeo-Christian understanding. His legacy will endure through the countless rabbinical and lay students he taught in his 45 years of instruction. A shiva memorial service will be observed Monday, April 5 at 6:30 pm via Zoom.