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Johanna Cooper Obituary

COOPER, Johanna (May 30, 1955-July 10, 2008) Beloved wife of Samuel Jason; devoted mother of Max and Eva; cherished daughter of Al z"l and Norma Cooper; valued friend to all who knew her. Services at 2:00 p.m., July 11, 2008, Mount Sinai Hollywood Hills. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to SOVA or Mazon.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Times on Jul. 11, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Johanna Cooper

Sponsored by The Effros Schwartz Family.

26 Entries

Helene Feder

August 5, 2025

I´m sorry to hear of this loss. My sympathies to the family. I´ll miss being able to speak to her again.

Barbara Effros

July 17, 2017

We miss you Chani ( Johanna Cooper). You will always be a light, inspiration and laughter for our family and all whom knew you.

Gordon Lustig

August 2, 2008

I don't remember meeting Chani, I only remember knowing her because she welcomed me instantly into her world family and full on. I worked with her on "One People, Many Stories" for NPR and we ate bagles, drank tea and hot chocolate, hung out with the kids and the "business" part never actually felt like business, only pleasure. I'm sad now and I think I'll just stare at my blank computer screen for awhile.

mark Rittenberg

July 26, 2008

It does not seem possible that you are no longer with us. You were in my dreams- tonight---laughing speaking of new projects-.-Dreams of coming to South Africa soon after the treatment was completed.

You are in our hearts my sweet Chani--our last conversation was the good news on our project--Somehow everything seems unimportant other than love. You will always be my good friend--thanks for all of the times in Jerusalem and New York City--you saved me more than once. I would have never done the Charlotte Project in 1982 had it not been for your belief in me.

My heart goes out to all of the family and friends who will love you forever--Sam, Eva, Max, my darling Norma, Benson, and Danny.

When I think of you --all i see is smiles and love.

Marco

Aaron Paley

July 24, 2008

We mourn the passing of our friend, colleague, past board member and inspirational guide, Johanna Cooper.

Her love for Yiddish was woven into her love of Judaism and the Jewish people. She joined the Yiddishkayt board in 2002 and remained an active advisor and friend of the organization right until her untimely death.

I met Johanna in 1994 when she was shooting video for the yet to open Skirball Museum. She was looking for different people to talk on camera about their own Jewish identity – a subject near and dear to her heart. She ended up putting me into the opening exhibit at the Skirball where I remained, on screen, for many years. It was the beginning of a warm friendship whose importance for me was far out of proportion to the quantity of time we were able to spend together.

Five minutes with Johanna were enough to make you feel happy, excited, loved and ready for life. Whenever we were together or talked on the phone, she wanted to know exactly what I was up to and she was always brimming over with new projects we would collaborate on. With her close friend, Abbie Phillips, also a Yiddishkayt board member, we dreamt up radio programs, podcasts, streaming video and other new media ideas that would bring Yiddish to a new generation.

She attended the Kugl Kukh-Off on June 1 of this year and she looked great. I will always remember that last exchange with her in the lobby of the Center. There was a line of people checking in their kugls and I was running around, like always, working on the many details of the day. We hugged - I thanked her for coming and worried aloud that we didn't have more people and more kugl. But I told her how we were documenting the entire day and that we planned to make a film based on the event. She seemed genuinely surprised by my concern with the turn-out. "This is fantastic Aaron!" she told me and her beautiful eyes beamed. And I knew it was true.

We plan on finishing the kugl documentary as soon as we can and dedicating it to Johanna’s memory. I also hope that we will be able to set up a new media program for Yiddishkayt that will enable her dreams for Yiddishkayt to be realized.

In loving memory of a wonderful mentsh.
Aaron Paley
Founder/Chair, Yiddishkayt Los Angeles
President, Community Arts Resources

Aimee Bender

July 24, 2008

So sad to hear this news. Chani was a great supporter of writers and artists of all kinds, an incredibly warm and loving person. I feel lucky to have met her and known her a little bit.

Dennis Hackin

July 17, 2008

To Live In Hearts We Leave Behind, Is A Blessing. Peace & Love & Happy Neighborhood Memories Of Johanna and You, Sam...And the Kids..Once Upon A time...

Fredrica Duke

July 17, 2008

Johanna, I will miss your beautiful face, the same enchanting face I remember from Beverly Vista all those years ago.....I loved always seeing you in Gelsons or other places around our hood, love, Fredde Duke

Susan Gordon

July 17, 2008

I met Chani through my dear friend Suzie Rosenberg, after I moved from the east coast to Los Angeles 20 years ago. We were both journalists and got together occasionally to talk about story ideas--Chani was prolific. Everybody in L.A. (or at least in west L.A.) listens to KCRW, and whenever I heard the announcement that a story by Johanna Cooper was about to unfold--or turning on the radio in the middle of one, I heard her unmistakable voice--I would stop whatever I was doing to listen, inevitably, to one of Chani's what they refer to at NPR as "driveway stories"--a report so compelling and engrossing that you can't get out of your car until it's over, usually in tears. Well, it turns out that Chani's own life story is a driveway story. But if the meaning of life, as my rabbi says, is to love and be loved, we can take some comfort in knowing that Chani knew the meaning of life.

Dana (Roberts) Washofsky

July 17, 2008

Chani Cooper was my counselor at camp swig in 1972. I've never forgotten what a special, loving and fun person she was. While we weren't in touch through the ensuing years, the tributes posted here and on other websites are no surprise to me. I will always remember her as a wonderful person who I have been enriched by just for having known her. My deepest sympathies to her loving family.

linda gattmann ravid

July 17, 2008

We knew her as Chani, I met her as a 12 or 13 year old camper and since then our lives weaved in and out of one anothers'. At camp, in college years, in New York, LA, most recently over breast cancer .... we bonded, we laughed, we struggled, we shared and supported each other. Her sky blue eyes, honesty, enveloping warmth, her positive energy remain with us. Thank you Chani-All my family sends our love, our hugs, and our condolences to Eva, Max, Sam and to Norma, Benson and Danny.

CHORUS
Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

Yesenia Medina

July 16, 2008

I was blessed to worked for Johanna and being her babysitter for many years. Together we share many special moments seing the kids doing their first steps hearing their first words. It was amazing how wonderful mother and friend she was. I will always remember her smile her kindness, she was an inspiration on my life since I meet her my life change tremendously. I love you Johanna I'll never forget you. You'll be remain in my heart always. I'll miss her. Rest in Peace. my condolences to Sam, Max, Eva and other family.

Amy Madnick

July 15, 2008

I always thought I would see Johanna again, even if it wasn't in the gym where we shared so many wonderful conversations over the years. (We were all in awe of the way she continued to show up during her treatments.) One of the pleasures of living in our little community is the running into neighbors and friends and getting a chance to catch up. It's been a few months since I ran into Johanna in the market, the bookstore or while walking. I had heard she was doing well. I can't believe that there won't be that next time. There are so many of us here in our community whose lives were touched by Johanna’s and are grieving so terribly along with her family and countless friends. Johanna had such a kind way about her. She brought out the best in those around her. I am so sad that I never got to spend more time with her. While she was recuperating the first time, she wanted to come to the Spanish (speaking) breast cancer support group I facilitate in East LA to work on one of her radio projects. (She always had so many wonderful projects in the works.) But before we could make firm plans, she wasn't well again. And we talked about it over the months, but it never happened. I will always remember Johanna and her incredible spirit, even in the face of such a terrible unrelenting disease. And I will keep her family in my prayers. May her memory be a blessing.

carol sanborn

July 15, 2008

It always made we so happy to see your smiling face when, after pushing my own kids out the door for school and filling my water bottle, I walked through the door of the gym and found you already working hard. You were so persistent, even after you lost your hair and had to be tired from your treatment. It was so much fun to talk to you and share stories about kids, politics, or just life in the Palisades. It isn't the same without you. I will continue to pray for your peace and your family's comfort. It was a gift to have known you.

YESENIA FUENTES

July 15, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Norma and Johanna - Sept, 2006

July 15, 2008

Anya Ciccone

July 15, 2008

Dear Chani,

I've known you my entire life. I guess it makes sense that I can't imagine my life without you.
My love and thoughts are with Sam, Max, and Eva.

Barbara Franklin

July 13, 2008

Just heard this terrible news. My condolences to Sam, Max, Eva, Norma and other family and friends. There isn't a soul who knew Chani who surely is not grieving terribly now. Everything everyone has written about Chani is so true - she was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister and dear friend. Warm, creative, generous, kind, loving, passionate and hilarious. We shared the attic of a house in Berkeley as undergrads, and later lived in New York a few blocks apart during graduate school. She had come to study social work at Columbia, but journalism - radio - was quickly becoming her passion. In the past several years we'd not been in contact but she was often in my thoughts and I missed her. Chani - I am sorry I could not say good bye. You were always there for me, and I know for others too. Thank you for your inspiration and helping me in countless ways. I will never forget you.

Barbara Effros

July 13, 2008

Johanna (Chani), mother of Max & Eva
life partner/wife of Sam, daughter,
sister, and deep friend of mine and countless others.

You illuminated our lives! You made us laugh, even when the going got tough.

Your Kavannnah(spirit) was/is so strong and will always be honored.

We met at New Jewish Agenda Conference 1979.

I was blessed to share so many life cycle events together. Sam and you, David and I, married a year apart. We shared
our 1st pregnancies. Sam would always
tease us - "the pregnant curlyheads". We planned our weddings, kids birthdays, (Max born 10 days after my twins), the B'nai Mitzvot and more recently the health challenges.

You were a warrior when it came to the
cancer, not letting it slow you down with
your creativity and constant giving to family and friends.

I miss the days of camping and hiking
with you and our families. You knew
how to live life - making every day count by giving so much.

May all who love you be comforted with the mourners of Zion.

mark Rittenberg

July 12, 2008

The tears and memoires are overflowing. Working on the book with you was such an honor. We had great fun--like the old days at Berkeley.
And we just received wonderful feedback on the first part.

I will miss you my little sister--no one will ever take your place--you were such a woman of dignity and courage--never bothering anyone with your struggles--only caring about others.

I love you and the my world will never be the same. You were the most wonderful mother--your kids have been given the gift of your presence for as long as that was,
My heart goes out to Sam, Max, Eva, Danny and your beautiful mother Norma--a second mother to so many of us.

Love,
Marco

Ann Brown

July 11, 2008

Johanna and I forged a friendship before we ever met. She edited and produced a few of my stories for public radio and we spent hours on the phone - me in Oregon, she in LA - discussing themes of forgiveness, miracles, faith, purpose, while she expertly whittled my tomes down to five minute radio stories. When we finally met in person, we already looked familiar to one another. I miss her already.

Joyce Michaelson

July 11, 2008

I was friends with Johanna when we were young girls at Camp Hess Kramer. I never forgot her.
She was warm, bright, funny, fun. I have thought about her since then as a mentch, a truly good person. My condolences to you.

David Novak

July 11, 2008

Ha Makom yenahem otchem. . . I am devastated to hear this news. I wish I could be in Los Angeles with you now. Johanna's smile could light up the universe, her sense of humor was quick, and her talents were boundless. She will surely be missed by her family and friends.

JoAnn Cheslow

July 11, 2008

To all of Channi's family and friends, this is such a tragedy and profound loss. She was always a bright light and you loved her. As Sandy said she was charismatic and vivacious. At UCSC she was such a nice person!! She will remain in my heart always. What a loss to the world. I will miss her.

Julie Kaye

July 11, 2008

Johanna and I went to High School together. She had a wonderful voice, a great smile and someone for whom you just were glad to have known. Rest in Peace friend

Sandy Samuel

July 11, 2008

Chani was a college friend of mine at Santa Cruz and Berkeley. Later we lived in the same neighborhood in New York.
Although I was not in direct contact with her over the years, I have kept in touch with with some of what was going on in her life through mutual friends.
Chani was perhaps one of the most charismatic and gifted people I have ever met. Always kind and very interested in what others had to say, she charmed all those who interacted with her. She epitomized life. She was instrumental in building community.
I send my sympathy and warmest thoughts to her children, family and husband- and indeed to all who loved her. I know that Chani's passing is a real loss to our world.
May her name be for a blessing.
Sandy Samuel

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