This chapter explores the roots of Robert Moses’s character by examining his maternal lineage and the environment that shaped his early years. At the center of this story is Bella Moses, Robert’s mother, whose formidable intellect and determination were themselves inherited from her own mother, Rosalie Silverman Cohen. Rosalie, who emigrated from Bavaria, stood out as an unconventional and commanding presence. She cared little for traditional expectations of motherhood, preferring philosophical pursuits and speaking her mind without concern for social niceties. Her husband, Bernhard Cohen, was a gentle and respected civic leader known for championing public parks in New York, but he was often eclipsed by Rosalie’s dominant personality. This pattern of strong-willed women paired with more accommodating men became a recurring theme in the family’s history.
Rosalie remained a force well into her nineties, impressing those around her with her sharp intellect and independence until her sudden death at ninety-three. Among her children, Bella distinguished herself not through beauty or a strategic marriage, but through her intelligence, kindness, and quiet strength. After marrying Emanuel Moses, Bella found life in New Haven stifling and eventually moved her family to New York, where she immersed herself in the Settlement House movement. Her activism was driven by both genuine idealism and a sense of superiority common among affluent German Jews of the time, as she worked to “Americanize” poorer Eastern European immigrants. Bella’s approach to philanthropy was hands-on and meticulous; she demanded the best facilities and personally managed projects, quickly earning a reputation for her assertiveness and exacting standards.
Within her own household, Bella’s authority was unmistakable. She directed every aspect of her children’s upbringing, from their education to their social interactions, and insisted on a secular, ethical environment, steering the family away from religious traditions despite her husband’s preferences. The Moses children grew up surrounded by privilege and the comforts of New York’s German-Jewish elite, enjoying close family bonds, especially with their grandmother. However, Bella’s strict control left its mark: her daughter Edna became withdrawn, while her sons, particularly Robert, flourished under her demanding expectations. Robert’s personality, ideals, and even his mannerisms closely reflected Bella’s, suggesting that his later legendary drive and arrogance were deeply rooted in his maternal heritage. Ultimately, the chapter presents Robert Moses as the product of a family shaped by strong, intellectually ambitious women and the complicated mix of privilege, expectation, and personal will.