The Cohen Family

Power of Perseverance

Photographed by Emily Scher

The Cohen family confirms what we’ve known all along—America remains a land of opportunity. This is especially true when you combine the power of perseverance with self-sacrifice and a vision of success. 

Dr. Sagi Jacob Cohen immigrated to the United States from Israel as a young boy in 1989. His wife, Shlomit Cohen, Ph.D., was raised in Woodland Hills. They both grew up in the San Fernando Valley, where they continue to give back to the communities they love. They also possessed a clear picture of what their lives could be like. Today, that includes sharing their lovely Encino home with their beautiful family, two boys and two girls—Harel, 18; Leah, 15; Natalie, 13; and the light of everyone’s life, Kobe, age 2. Two regal and affectionate Rhodesian ridgebacks and two Siberian huskies complete the picture.

The pandemic didn’t slow down this dedicated doctor; it only deepened his commitment to serving his community in its time of need. As a board-certified internal medicine physician, Dr. Cohen provided patient care at Providence Tarzana Medical Center, offering a calm and reassuring presence during the crisis. In October 2022, while maintaining his affiliation with the hospital, Dr. Cohen relocated his practice, Calabasas Medicine Group, to Calabasas.

To provide a more personalized and comprehensive healthcare experience, he adopted the concierge model. This approach enables him to dedicate more time to each patient, offering thorough and attentive care that surpasses the standard of traditional practices. Patients benefit from expanded healthcare services, non-rushed visits, expedited appointments, and highly customized preventive medicine.

Shlomit graduated from UCLA and earned her doctorate in Organizational Psychology from Alliant International University-Los Angeles. She has worked with Adtalem Global Education, a company operating universities within the medical and healthcare fields, for 17 years. Additionally, she has taught organizational psychology part-time for 12 years. Before that, she was employed at Blake Management, a business and artist management firm in Calabasas. Ambitious by nature, this renaissance woman also freelances as an illustrator at Forever Legendz.

Of course, the couple’s number one passion project is their kids, who continue to thrive. Eldest son, Harel, attends CSUN as a business and real estate major. Like his father, Harel has a broad love of sports, ranging from basketball and football to martial arts, and weightlifting. He looks forward to trying out for the CSUN basketball team and continuing his passion for Jiu-Jitsu mixed martial arts at a local private studio. His sister Leah attends Calabasas High School, where she excels as an honor student and a two-sport athlete, playing on both the volleyball and basketball teams. She plans to attend USC after graduation. Leah hopes to follow in her dad’s footsteps and become a physician. Natalie currently goes to Chime Charter in Woodland Hills. She clearly inherited her mom’s love of art, spending much of her time sketching and taking photos. Natalie plans to attend art school in the future to turn her cherished hobbies into a lifelong career. And then there is sweet 2-year-old Kobe, named after the legendary basketball player, who enjoys books, movies, learning, and playing with his friends at his Montessori school. 

“Both of us, as parents, are first-generation college graduates who’ve overcome many obstacles,” notes Jacob. “We raise our kids to demonstrate integrity, respect all religions, and become lifelong learners. We’ve also adopted Kobe Bryant’s “Mamba” mentality—do your absolute best, work hard, and get better every day.” Jacob and Shlomit also teach their kids the importance of giving back to their community. 

When not working or attending school, the family vacations in such idyllic spots as Oahu, lounging on pristine beaches and visiting iconic landmarks, including the Diamond Head Monument and Pearl Harbor Memorial. The proud parents also love attending their children’s myriad sporting events. Jacob also coached his son’s basketball team at Tarzana Park Recreation Center for a few years. An avid collector of shoes and sports memorabilia, Jacob’s hobbies include mountain biking, hiking, weightlifting, and playing basketball. Both parents cherish spending quality time with their kids. Whether they are enjoying a movie night at the Calabasas Commons, savoring a meal at Tel Aviv Grill in Woodland Hills, exploring the scenic trails of Malibu Creek, or relaxing under the sun at Zuma Beach, Jacob and Shlomit cherish every moment spent together. Their love for each other and their shared experiences have only grown stronger over the years. This August 29, they celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary, marking two decades of companionship, love, and countless cherished memories and family. 

“We value a sense of community and togetherness,” explains the couple. “It gives us an opportunity to connect with people and feel part of something greater than ourselves. We strive to share the joys of life with those around us.”