The doyen of Glasgow’s Zionist movement, Denis “Bonchy” Cohen, has died at the age of 93. His son David, president of the UJIA and a member of the Jewish Leadership Council, said: “For him, charity was what you did. If you have it and others do not, it is your responsibility to share it with care and common sense.”

Mr Cohen, the youngest of seven, was known as “Bonchy” from the age of two for his curly hair, and the affectionate nickname stuck.

A Zionist from his early teens, Mr Cohen joined Glasgow Young Zionists in 1933 and was first chairman of the Joint Palestine Appeal and then Glasgow JIA for 15 years.

His family business, D & H Cohen, of which he was managing drector and latterly chairman, was one of Marks & Spencer’s main clothing suppliers.
He had lived in London since 1989 and was a member of St John’s Wood Synagogue.

Last summer he was honoured by Israel for his 60 years of work for the state.