By Sandra Scheller
CHULA VISTA, California — At the age of 89, my mother Ruth Sax never thought that she would see a college diploma in her hand let alone an honorary diploma. Between the ages of 13-17 Ruth was robbed of her education as she survived Theresienstadt, Auschwitz and Oederan concentration camps.
Once she was liberated at the age of 17 she was placed in a classroom of 12 year old students so that she could catch up. She followed her dream of studying clothing and costume design. She did not pursue her studies and married Kurt Sax, an Austrian refugee who she had met when she was 7 and he was 13 studying for his Bar Mitzvah. Education was deferred.
She was given this most distinguished honorary degree from Southwestern College in the South Bay of San Diego County for her contributions in human relations and education. With news coverage from San Diego, the California media broadcasted her story prominently on Friday, May 25. Recently, because of his illness, Ruth spoke for Dr. Jacob Eisenbach, a retired dentist and Holocaust survivor from Los Angeles. She had 300 people at the Chula Vista Chabad event. She looks forward to meeting Dr. Eisenbach and hopes that as he recovers she will have the opportunity to hear his amazing story of survival
In addition to speaking to over 10,000 people in May, the month was even more fruitful, with Sax having been named one of 18 Mothers of the Year by the office of State Senator Ben Hueso. To add to the accolades she is one of six featured San Diego women who was chosen as Women of Valor, with her story to be presented at the San Diego Jewish Arts Festival June 7 at the Lyceum and June 10 at the Encinitas library. Different actors will tell the stories of these fine women. Past Women of Valor include Holocaust survivors Rose Schindler, Gus Zaks and Dr. Edie Eva Eger.
I have documented my mother Ruth Sax’s Holocaust experiences and current life in the book Try To Remember- Never Forget. Most mornings Ruth and I go to the different classrooms from elementary through college letting students know about the Holocaust and what happened to her. There are so few survivors who continue to speak in San Diego County and they must all be supported. Each survivor has such unique experiences and we can truly learn from them today so, we as second generation survivors, can continue their stories.
There were not many survivors in Chula Vista and now there are only two. The South Bay is unique because of many children from Mexico attending the schools. In February , Sax was part of the DIF (DIF ESTATAL ) in Baja California,speaking about the Holocaust and raising awareness for handicapped people needing equipment and support. Ruth is in a wheelchair but nothing stops her.
In February, my book received the Multicultural Motion Pictures Association Award author/documentary in Beverly Hills. Of course Ruthie was there, she wasn’t going to miss this for anything. The greatest thing to watch was my mom in her cap and gown receiving her honorary degree. Happy tears were everywhere and I believe that with so many applauding her, about 5,000 students, faculty, administrations, public officials and people filling the stands, it has given her more drive to continue in education. We have created a documentary film, which should be released this summer. This is her legacy for the future. It is my dream to make a documentary of all remaining survivors in San Diego so they will never be forgotten.
The book has received numerous awards including The Gayle Mc Candliss Literacy Award in 2017. Ruth received a letter from President Obama back in December 2016 as he thanked her for telling her story and continuing to educate those wanting to know about the Holocaust. “We hope that all schools will find survivors to listen to and we encourage this. Should someone wish to hear Ruth’s story she can be contacted at ruthgoldschmied@gmail.com.
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