Photo courtesy Northwest
SAC Speaks lectures are free and open to all Northwest students, employees and community members. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Lectures take place in the Charles Johnson Theater at the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building.
Auerbacher was born Dec. 31, 1934, in Kippenheim, Germany, as the last Jewish child born in her village and experienced the Holocaust throughout her childhood. As a 3-year-old, she witnessed Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass). She then spent three years in the Terezin concentration camp in Czechoslovakia.
She survived these tragic events despite many family losses. Auerbacher lost 13 immediate members of her family. Distant relatives were also killed, bringing the total loss of her family to more than 20. She is the only child survivor from the State Wuerttemberg deported to the concentration camps.
Auerbacher and her parents immigrated to the United States in 1946. From the result of the terrible conditions in the concentration camp, she spent eight years recovering from tuberculosis through hospitalization and chemotherapy.
Eventually, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Queen’s College in New York City. She retired after 38 years working as a chemist in medical research and clinical work.
She now travels the world to share her story about the Holocaust, tolerance and human rights.
Auerbacher has authored six books, published in nine languages. She has received several awards and honors for sharing her experiences in the Holocaust and for her time in the chemistry field.
The mission of the Student Activities Council is to plan and administer activities for Northwest students; in order to contribute to a more well-rounded social, recreational and cultural life for the campus and community. SAC provides entertaining alternatives to students with late night activities and events throughout the year including concerts, lectures, movies and comedians.