Filmed at Marian University on September 19, 2019

Co-sponsored by Campus Ministry and the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis

Inge Auerbacher was born on December 31,1934, in Kippenheim, Germany as the last Jewish child born in the village. She remained an only child. She experienced Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass) as a 3 year old child. Her father was a disabled war veteran from WWI, and awarded the Iron Cross, which did not save him from being deported to the Dachau concentration camp on November 10, 1938. Her grandfather suffered the same fate, but luckily they both were released from their torture after a few weeks. She was imprisoned from 1942-45 in the Terezin concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. Inge and her parents survived these terrible years—a miracle. But, at least 13 immediate members of her family were killed, and many more distant relatives bringing the total to at least 20. Inge is the only child survivor from the State of Wuerttemberg who was deported from Stuttgart, Germany to the concentration camps.

Inge and her parents immigrated to the United States in 1946. She suffered many years from tuberculosis—the result from the terrible conditions in the concentration camp. Years of hospitalization, chemotherapy, and the loss of eight years of schooling followed. Despite all this, she graduated from Queens College in New York City with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. She worked for 38 years a chemist in medical research and clinical work. She is retired, and travels to many countries to speak about the Holocaust, tolerance, and human rights. She has been the subject of documentary films and the recipient of many honors including: New York State Woman of Distinction; Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Long Island University, New York City, Ellis Island Medal of Honor, Louis E. Yavner Citizen Award from the Board of Regents of New York State, Queens College Alumni Star Award, and many other citations of honor from various governmental agencies.

Inge is the author of the following six books and has been published in nine languages. Her books include: I Am A Star—Child of the Holocaust, Beyond the Yellow Star To America, Running Against the Wind, Finding Dr. Schatz—The Discovery of Streptomycin And a Life it Saved (Co-author Dr. Albert Schatz), Highway To New York, and Children of Terror (Co-author Bozenna Urbanowicz Gilbride). Many of her poems are published and set to music.

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