Sandra Scheller is the daughter of Holocaust survivors Ruth and Kurt Sax. She grew up in the South Bay of San Diego. She’s the author of Try To Remember Never Forget and the creator of the documentary with the same name. Sandra‘s TED talk, Keeping Memories Alive, has been used throughout schools as a learning platform for Holocaust education and TED Talk future speakers. Sandra created Art During the Holocaust, an educational panel discussion that is featured at Comic-Con International and San Diego Comic Fest. She continues to assist other Holocaust educational teams throughout the nation.
RUTH Remember Us The Holocaust was created by Sandra. The dress worn by her Grandmother along with other original Holocaust items were passed to Sandra so that she could continue to raise Holocaust awareness through education. The exhibit has been recognized by the USC Shoah Foundation as the first Holocaust exhibit throughout San Diego County. The hope is to create a permanent location with the help of support and donors wanting to keep holocaust awareness alive.
Sandra is the only person who has a dress worn in Auschwitz. It belonged to her Grandmother, Erna Goldschmied. She will continue to share this in her presentations until she finds a permanent location. To book her presentation visit sscheller@cox.net
About Sandra Scheller
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My parents are Holocaust survivors. I am married and have two beautiful children, Sam and Max.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
For the past 24 years, I’ve worked as a company manager assistant to the Flying Cranes, which is an act based out of Moscow and it is a flying trapeze act. The act is based on fallen soldiers they get transformed into birds from World War II. Currently, I have a Holocaust exhibit in the Rancho San Diego Library and I’m hoping to see this exhibit turn into a museum. As for the future I hope to remain healthy and happy and take each day with complete gratitude. I hope to remain healthy and happy and take each day with complete gratitude. What I love most about what I do is no two days are the same and it’s the people in my life that make a huge difference.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Don’t go to bed mad.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I’ve seen myself in the next 5 to 10 years having created a Holocaust Museum in San Diego. I see this as a gift to my city that I love so much.
Sandra Scheller & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
My fave, favorite restaurants in the city of Romescos in Bonita and a Sahara Taste of Mediterranean in Rancho San Diego. There’s nothing like a good matzoh ball soup at My fave, favorite restaurants in the city of Romescos in Bonita and a Sahara taste of Mediterranean in Rancho San Diego. There’s nothing like a good matzoh ball soup at DZ Akins.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I was born in San Diego and I lived here until I was 40 then moved to Las Vegas and I returned in 2018.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
The most interesting person I’ve met in San Diego is Billy Casper. What I love so much about Billy is he dedicated himself to being one of the best golfers ever, and he had an incredible sense of humor, which reminds me to never forget to laugh.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I remember Mel’s Diner, which had the greatest hamburgers ever located on Third Avenue and Center. We drink root beer out of these amazing mugs and a very close, We drink root beer out of these amazing mugs and a very close second would be Labella Pizza
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
What I love about our community is being able to skydive, which is less than 15 minutes away. Watching people drive out What I love about our community is being able to skydive, which is less than 15 minutes away. Watching people drive out of a plane is magnificent.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
I’d love to take Albert Einstein to lunch at DZ Akins to get a Matzah soup.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I have many favorite movies but one that stands out is The Thin Man.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I have a pilot’s license.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
10 out of 10 I would rate the sun rising in the East.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
The most annoying people inspire me to be better.
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
Art, theater, religious organizations, and mostly educational organizations.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
I’m going to die one day so get with the program today.
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
I live in a great part of old Chula Vista.
What I love about my Neighborhood:
I love the older homes in my neighborhood. They are not cookie cut and I have no HOA.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
My ideal San Diego weekend is getting to the airport and flying out of San Diego. I’ll take the Colorado River any day.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Home is: family, safety, complete
