Cooper Family Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 1023

Staff Only

Finding aid note: Forms part of the Joan and Stanford Alexander South Texas Jewish Archives. Stored off-site at the Library Service Center and requires 24-hour notice for retrieval. Please contact the Woodson Research Center at 713-348-2586 or woodson@rice.edu for more information.

Content Description

Two boxes of photographs, awards, event materials, yearbooks, news clippings and newsletters, family genealogy materials, and memorabilia document the Cooper Family's history and their activities in the Houston Jewish community from 1911 to 2013. Of particular interest is an interview with Leon Cooper where he discusses his experience during the Holocaust.

Forms part of the Joan and Stanford Alexander South Texas Jewish Archives.

Dates

Creation: 1911 - 2013

Conditions Governing Access

This material is open for research.

Stored offsite at the Library Service Center and require 24-hour notice for retrieval. Please contact the Woodson Research Center at 713-348-2586 or woodson@rice.edu for more information.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from the Cooper Family Papers must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library. The Woodson Research Center use policy is that researchers assume sole responsibility for any infringement of privacy, literary rights, copyrights, or other rights arising from their use of the archival materials. In addition to any restrictions placed by donors, certain kinds of archival materials are restricted for the life of the creator plus 50 years. These materials include, but are not limited to, student grades, transcripts, and any job applications or recommendations.

Biographical / Historical

Leon Cooper was born Leon Kupczyk in Poland, near the German border. In September 1942, the Nazis "liquidated" Cooper's home town, sending his mother and sisters to Belzec, and him and his father to Plaszow. After having been transferred several times to other camps, he was at Theresienstadt in 1945 when it was surrendered to the Red Cross. When the Soviets came to the camp in May, Leon was 16 years old. In January 1947, Leon immigrated to Houston, then later married his wife, Shirley, with whom he had 2 daughters.