Mark Epstein -- A Jewish sniper against the Nazis

A remarkable story of survival, resistance and resilience. Mark Epstein was still a teenager when the infamous 900 day siege of Leningrad began in 1941. While members of his family and his classmates starved to death, Mark counted the days he until he’d be old enough to enlist in the Soviet Army. 

On his 18th birthday in 1942, he rushed to the enlistment office, was handed a rifle and in a few weeks, proved his mettle as a sniper on the front lines. 

Wounded in battle, it is a miracle Mark survived, but he made it to the end of the war, and like his wife Rose, began teaching in a technological school.

Even as he approached his 100th birthday Mark Epstein continued to meet with students, who never tired of hearing the exploits of this determined Jewish sniper.

A remarkable story of survival, resistance and resilience. Mark Epstein was still a teenager when the infamous 900 day siege of Leningrad began in 1941. While members of his family and his classmates starved to death, Mark counted the days he until he’d be old enough to enlist in the Soviet Army. 

On his 18th birthday in 1942, he rushed to the enlistment office, was handed a rifle and in a few weeks, proved his mettle as a sniper on the front lines. 

Wounded in battle, it is a miracle Mark survived, but he made it to the end of the war, and like his wife Rose, began teaching in a technological school.

Even as he approached his 100th birthday Mark Epstein continued to meet with students, who never tired of hearing the exploits of this determined Jewish sniper.