I am Sandra Scheller, the creator and founder of RUTH Remember Us The Holocaust, 2-time nominee for San Diego Women’s Magazine Woman of the Year, Lifetime Presidential award for over 10,000 hours of volunteering, TedX speaker, Comic-Con presenter for the past 7 years, a licensed pilot, and a Holocaust speaker/educator. I am the author of TRY TO REMEMBER NEVER FORGET, a book that has won numerous awards detailing my mother’s Holocaust experience and survival.
RUTH Remember Us The Holocaust is an exhibit that features the Holocaust through TRUTH IN HISTORY with artifacts from the Holocaust, my family’s personal collection and a collection of WWII memorabilia donated to me. I have exhibited in San Diego County libraries since 2020 and in 2025 will have 2 libraries showing this exhibit: Coronado Library and La Jolla Library. I am a former employee of Cirque Du Soleil and am a past board member of the Amargosa Opera House in Death Valley.
About Sandra Scheller
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My parents were Holocaust survivors- my mom in camps my father escaped at the age of 16. I am happily married with 2 sons.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I love creating exhibits and hope that one day I will be creating San Diego’s first Holocaust museum.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
NEVER EVER GIVE UP. EVER.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself traveling more and knowing I did something right by pursuing the goal of a Holocaust museum.
Sandra Scheller & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
My favorite is Romescos in Bonita and the Garage in Coronado. I look for atmosphere.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I was born in Chula Vista, left for 25 years because of work and returned 7 years ago.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
There are many but probably Dr. Irwin Jacobs.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Judy’s in Fashion Valley. I miss that clothing store. Also Yardage Town.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
We can kayak in an ocean and a lake within 20 minutes of each other.
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?
Albert Einstein at DZ Akins
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Singing in the Rain, any musical and a good film noir. I am glued to Turner Classic Movies.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I used to be an assistant to a knife thrower.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
I rank La Jolla beaches 10 out of 10
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Roosevelt Williams III. Also Bob Lehman.
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
YBNB, I support numerous organizations that show how funds are being spent, and education organizations.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“STOP IT. ”
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
Chula Vista.
What I love about my Neighborhood:
People are so friendly.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
Watching the parachuters out in Eastlake then heading to the back hills and seeing the birds.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Live, life, create, “Home is where the heart is”, my 19th hole.
