Michael T. Cohen

In addition to his duties as Global NIL Consultant/Educator for Zak Ivkovic Consultants out of Belgrade, Serbia, Mike continues his effort to bring the NYC Basketball Hall of Fame to its deserved glory as its Chief People Person.

A 40+ year veteran reserve officer in an elite special-forces counter-terrorism unit, Mike earned his first basketball coaching certification at age 14 from Israel's Wingate Institute of Physical Education. He is also certified as a personal life and business coach and narrative therapist, and has worked behind the scenes in Israeli and American politics and business since his teen years.

Mike has edited several books on peace and security in English and Hebrew and is currently working on "Where There Is No Vision, People Die" (Proverbs 29:18), alongside a children's book telling his mother's survival story as a small child in war-torn 1940s Europe. He is the Hebrew, Bible, and Middle East history & conflict resolution teacher for a number of global church networks.

Called to consult for members of both the U.S. Congress and the Israeli Knesset, Mike has addressed Jewish and Christian organizations across sports, philanthropy, education, business, and counter-terrorism. He was honored with Israel's "Reserve Shield" award by the Minister of Defense in 2008, and received a lifetime honorary membership from the United Chaplains of New York State in 2010.

Assigned as a reservist to Israel's National Emergency Response & Negotiation Team in Bethlehem during Operation Defensive Shield in April/May 2002, Mike helped manage the crisis surrounding the Church of the Nativity's takeover. More recently, he facilitated the creation of the Druze Veterans High-Tech Empowerment Center and the rebirth of the NYC Basketball Hall of Fame.

Mike is happily married to Elana and is the proud father of Noa (19), Uriel (18), and Natan (13). He coaches Natan's little league team, the Beit Shemesh Jackals, and leads tours for the Elah Valley Tour Company. The Cohens regularly welcome dignitaries, friends, and groups visiting Israel into their home overlooking the hills of Judea.