Born during the Holocaust

Les was born in Budapest, Hungary, during the Holocaust when life was very difficult for Jews. With the family on the brink of starvation, Les’ mother risked her life to go out for food. She was stopped by an SS officer and begged him to let her go. In a moment of compassion, the officer turned his back so she could pass. The family survived the occupation and made their way to Austria and then to the United States. Edit Credit: Alison Jacques

KEYWORDS:

• Les Cooper
• Susan Cooper
• Holocaust
• Holocaust survivor
• Jewish
• Los Angeles Jewish Health
• LAJ Health
• Concentration camps
• Labor camp

To hear Les's full recording you can listen here.

We partnered with the Los Angeles Jewish Health, home to seniors, to record eleven stories by Holocaust survivors. To learn more about the Los Angeles Jewish Health facility please click here: LAJHealth.org

If you would like to know more about the Holocaust please visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Here are additional stories by Holocaust survivors:

• Caroline Weingarten
• Eva Perlman
• Frieda Thompson
• Helene Kapel
• Joseph Neustadt
• Mireille Lister
• Mariam Bauch
• Martha Marcus
• Oscar Szmuch
• Paulina Castiel