July 8, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Local Holocaust Survivors Launch Book, ‘How We Survived’:

Six years ago, the Los Angeles chapter of Child Survivors developed an idea for a book to tell the stories of dozens of holocaust survivors.

On Sunday, the book “How We Survived” was officially launched at the Museum of Tolerance with several of the 52 contributing authors residing in Santa Monica.

Many of the authors were infants during the Holocaust. Lya Frank was one of those.

A family member read a section of her heartbreaking and uplifting story.

“What we’re working on is my life before… the war, which was totally wonderful,” Frank wrote. “I was my grandmother’s favorite, which is an envious place to be. And during the war I was hidden and my sister and myself were the only ones that survived from our immediate family.”

Frank was also featured in a short documentary made by an LMU student who interviewed authors, as 18 of the Holocaust survivors were paired with 18 students to help get their stories down on paper and polish the book.

Several of these students attended the book launch, including Raya Haddad who worked with Lya Frank.

Haddad spoke about the experience and how it affected her.

“I thought I was going to go in there and help someone write something,” Haddad told the audience. “I didn’t know exactly what I was going to get out of it, but I feel like I’ve learned so much, not just about the Holocaust, but more about the personal aspect of it and about myself and how people survive and how they move on.”

Hundreds of friends, family, and community members attended the moving book launch, which was also a celebration of the lives of those who survived.

Child survivor Marie Kaufman, managing editor of “How We Survived” and president of the Los Angeles chapter of Child Survivors of the Holocaust, said its primary goal for writing in their own voices was to inspire hope and empowerment to the readers of the stories – particularly students in all educational venues.

“The experience was life-transforming for the students and the larger community to become witnesses and guardians of our legacy in a personal and intimate way,” Kaufman said.

The book is available for purchase at the Museum of Tolerance, which is located at 9786 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles.

For more information, call 310.553.8403 or go to museumoftolerance.com.

in News
<>Related Posts

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

(Video) Hundreds of Drones Light up the Sky for Palisades to Celebrate July 4th

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The Event Marked One of the First Large Gatherings Among Palisadians Since the January Wildfires. The Event Marked One of...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

Santa Monica Home Defies Convention: Architect Eric Owen Moss Debuts Shape-Shifting Design

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Pistachio-Colored Marvel Boasts Curving Walls, Sharp Angles, and Challenging Design A striking residence in Santa Monica is turning heads with...

Caitlyn Jenner’s Friend and Former Foundation CEO Dies in Malibu ATV Crash

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

ATV Plummeted 350 Feet After Rear-Ending Vehicle in Malibu Sophia Hutchins, former CEO of the Caitlyn Jenner Foundation and longtime...

New SaMo Bridge Program Refers 56 People in First Month; 37 Connected to Services

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

According to city officials, the program is on pace to meet its goal of serving 260 individuals annually Santa Monica’s...

Multi-Family Venice Property on Rare Double Lot Lists at Over $5M

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

In total, the four units provide 5,398 square feet of living space A multi-family property located one block from Venice...

Hama Sushi Hosts Weekly Music and Comedy Open Mics

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The venue, a Venice Beach staple since 1979, has recently expanded its legendary happy hour to the entire patio Hama...

Connections Breakfast to Network Local Business Professionals in Malibu

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The event, sponsored by Malibu Country Mart, will feature a breakfast mixer where attendees can meet new contacts  A Connections...

12th Annual Gopher Scramble Golf Tournament to Benefit Venice Heritage Museum

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The museum opened to the public in March 2024 at the Main Street Design Center with its inaugural exhibition, “This...