Sandra Scheller - Try to Remember—Never Forget: Memoirs of Holocaust Survivor Ruth Goldschmiedova Sax

Try To Remember
Never Forget

Memoirs of Holocaust Survivor Ruth Goldschmiedova Sax

Sandra Scheller

Try To Remember- Never Forget
Memoirs of Holocaust Survivor Ruth Goldschmiedova Sax

Copyright 2018 Sandra M. Scheller

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-4512-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-4906-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-4511-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016911923

iUniverse rev. date: 05/07/2018

Contents

IN MEMORY

T o the relatives who lost their lives shot in the street or in the camps needlessly, those who dug their own graves, and those who committed suicide, you will never ever be forgotten. To my grandparentsSiegfried, Sophie, Oskar, and Ernaand to my Dad, thanks for making me.

DEDICATED

T o my most-worshipped mother, Ruthie. I have found you to be not just my mom but also my best friend in the universe.

Pepe Ro mero

W hen we think about the past, when knights had swords and fought real battles in which many people were killed and injured, the kind of knight I would strive to be is a version of Don Quixote. But instead of a sword, I actually have a guitar, and instead of shooting deadly artillery, I shoot beautiful sounds.

Try to Remember, Never Forget is written like a piece of music, documenting different moments of Ruths Holocaust experiences so that present and future generations can learn to never forget . It passes down the stories of what happened to a happy, beautiful little girl who within one dayMarch 14, 1939had everything taken away from her except for a small suitcase. By the time she reached Auschwitz, that suitcase had been taken away too. She faced Dr. Mengele six times and then was transported to a camp where she made bullets and laid electrical cable in the snow. Not knowing she was on the verge of being liberated, she walked through no-mans-land for two weeks. With G-d in her heart and faith in her soul, she did the impossible, reuniting with her father and mother to begin life all over again.

I am very privileged to have been a close friend of Ruth for many years and delight in her inner beauty. Her story offers a powerful message of hope and perseverance in the face of despair, encouraging us to live in peace and harmony with one another and bring joy and love to the world we live in.

Pepe Romero, world-renowned classical and flamenco guitarist

Joseph Gonz alez

T ry to Remember, Never Forget describes the powerful and intense journey of Ruth Goldschmiedova Sax and her family finding hope and courage to survive in the midst of human cruelty and depravity. Although unsure of what each new day might bring, having been physically robbed of everything, Ruth prayed each night in thanksgiving for the meager blessings she possessed. With her mom by her sidea miracle in itselfshe was able to beat the odds, become liberated, and join her father once again.

Sandras sharing of Ruths stories is a reminder to an ever-forgetting world that the Holocaust actually happened and that as citizens of the world we must act diligently to assure that this atrocity never happens again. As the composer of Steal a Pencil for Me , a compelling film documentary about two people and the power of love to prevail in the midst of the concentration camps, I find it a privilege to personally witness Ruths journey. Teaching this day and age about the value of each moment and each person, Ruths story is an incredible inspiration, and she is a role model for our day and age. My family and I join those who will spread the word to never fo rget .

Joseph Gonzalez, composer
Photo by: David Maung

T o my sweetest and most wonderful husband, Mark. When you married me, you got a whole bunch of craziness.

To my beloved children, Samuel and Maxwell. You are and always will be the soul of my existence. I hope you have come to realize what an incredible grandmother you have.

To my relatives Karel, Freda, Felix, and Pam Goldschmied (and families), and Vera and David Hartford (and families). We come from the same blood, and I love you with all my heart.

Thank you so much to Daniel Little (our amazing attorney), Ed Callan (my copyright attorney), and his wife, Shirley. David Reicks at Merrill Lynch in San Diego, California, I am so deeply grateful to you. Thank you to the New Life Club of San Diego for your continued gatherings of Holocaust survivors. To Frances Nassau, Max and Rose Schindler, also survivors, this world is a better place because of you, and we stand united to never forget. Rabbi Eva Sax-Bolder and Family, David Shor, and Steven Spielberg, your support in holocaust awareness is so deeply appreciated. Never stop. Harriet Israel, I could not have found a better person to meet while visiting Theresienstadt.

Thank you, Chaplain Harry Bennett, Minnie Groel, and the wonderful folks at Paradise Village in National City, California. There are not enough words in the universe to describe how great you have been, not just to my mom but also to everyone. Dr. Eric Adler, thank you for keeping my mother alive.

Dana Scott, Robin Sawyer and Patrick Tieng from iUniverse, you have been my guiding light though this process, holding my hand each step of the way. Thank you so very much.

Thank you, Morgan Lopez, for keeping us safe. Gracias, Luz Medina, Jos and Sandra Sosa, for listening to me in English and Spanish over and over again.

Vilen Golovko, creator and founder of the Flying Cranes Aerial Trapeze, you have taught me how to fly with broken wings. You are the greatest boss in the world.

Millions of thanks to Jan Craddock and Chris Cutler for editing and keeping me on track. You are angels.

To the City of Chula Vista, California, Mayor Mary Salas, Arts Advisor Lynnette Tessitore, Dr. Max Branscomb, Southwestern College, Benny Andrade and Dr. Bronners Soap, your support has been so appreciated.

Thank you to my chosen brothers and sisters for your genuine love and supportPepe, Carissa, Angel, Nefy, Isabella, and Celin Romero; Claudia Tornsaufer; Joseph and Monique Gonzalez; Edward Foster; Robert Shields; Mark Dizik and John Oden; Vira Syvorotkina; Debbie Ray; Johnathan Lee Iverson; Dr. Marina Plon and Isaac Plon; Linda Lassman Lambert; Mingo and Asho; Mark and Nicole Von Gaza Reavis; Fred Conboy; Lynda Dotson; Gerald Gordon; Steve Goldkrantz; Ninel Novikova; Marina Vantskous; Etherial Creator Marcus Platrides; Barbara Sindelir; Ellen Schauer; Rabbi Levi Harlig; and Phyllis and Stephen Sax; Bruce Levy at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Washington DC, Denise O Brien, OlenaZ Films for your incredible documenting of Ruths story. Thank you to my dearest godchildren Sergey and Oxana Duman, Vika Volchek, Melanie Chy, and Gary Groff. Loving thanks to Ruths dearest friends Warren Zysk, Glenn Elgin, Nina Welch, Eytan Erez, Jessie Bustamante, David Beck Brown, Shirley Garske, Morris Lazard, and Abe Motola. Special thanks to Rabbi Scott Melter at Ohr Shalom, San Diego, California, and the wonderful congregation. This world is a much better place because of you. Lastly, I want to thank my ex-boss for showing me what anti-Semitism looks like in our day and age.