Remembering those we lost in 2024

The USC Shoah Foundation mourns the passing of members of our community in 2024, including survivors who have given testimony, Yehuda Bauer, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Dana Schwartz, Abner Delman, Rena Ferber-Finder, Michele Cohen-Rodriguez, Robert Badinter, Sara Rus, Ben Stern, Martin Greenfield, Lily Ebert, and Peter Fleischmann. We especially remember our dear colleagues, Steve Cozen, Ita Gordon and Kia Hays, whose passion, dedication, and brilliance continue to impact all that we do.

We are grateful that so many survivors, partners, friends, and family members have entrusted us to share their stories for future generations, and for the passion and dedication they brought in support of our mission.

May their memories be a blessing.

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We Mourn the Passing of Steve Cozen

Steve's passion for fighting antisemitism and educating the next generation led him to join the Board of Councilors in 1997 when the organization was in its infancy. He has remained committed to our mission, serving as Chair of the Board of Councilors from 2015 to 2019.

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A Tribute to Professor Yehuda Bauer

Yehuda Bauer (z”l) was much more than his many well-deserved titles, including (but not limited to) Professor Emeritus of History and Holocaust Studies at the Avraham Harman Institute of Contemporary Jewry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Academic Advisor to Yad Vashem, and Honorary Chair of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. He was also a friend and mentor.

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Ita Gordon, 84, Brought Passion and Expertise to Her Work with Testimony

The USC Shoah Foundations mourns the passing of friend and colleague Ita Gordon, an indexer, translator, mentor, and researcher who, for nearly thirty years, channeled her passion for testimony into diligent care and expertise that helped the organization become a world leader in collecting, preserving, and sharing Holocaust survivor testimony.

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Remembering Dr. Ruth Westheimer

The USC Shoah Foundation mourns the loss of Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer, a Holocaust survivor who fled Nazi Germany without her parents at the age of 10 and went on to become a renowned and beloved sex therapist and media personality. She was 96 years old.

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Holocaust Survivor Dana Schwartz, 89, Recorded Interviews with More Than 125 Survivors

We mourn the passing of Dana Schwartz, 89, a Holocaust survivor and dedicated interviewer for the USC Shoah Foundation, who died on May 9 in Los Angeles. Dana, who later became a teacher and marriage and family therapist, was four when the Second World War started. She and her mother escaped the Lwów ghetto and survived in hiding.

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Dr. Abner Delman, 93, Husband of Survivor, Supported Holocaust Education

The USC Shoah Foundation mourns the passing of Dr. Abner Delman, a cardiologist and longtime supporter of the USC Shoah Foundation. He was 93. Abner's wife, Ilse-Lore Delman, was a Holocaust survivor who fled her hometown to escape Nazi persecution at a young age. She spent three years in hiding. In 1998, Ilse recorded her testimony with the USC Shoah Foundation, and soon after, the couple became involved with the organization.

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Remembering Kia Hays

When one works in the field of Holocaust memory, you tend to find that your colleagues are a mission driven, self-effacing, highly dedicated bunch. We work with hard subjects, care deeply and build strong bonds with one another as we cope with the challenging, yet abundantly meaningful work. We were blessed here at USC Shoah Foundation to have formed those strong bonds with the brilliant and compassionate Kia Hays.