Recognized as part of the March 2026 San Diego Weekly Standouts Series honoring leaders shaping San Diego, California, the Cali-Baja region, and communities connected to the region around the world.
San Diego Weekly Standouts | March 2026 Honoree
History was not meant to be forgotten. Sandra Scheller has made it her life’s work to ensure it never is. As the founder of RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust, a San Diego-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving survivor testimony, she has created a space where the past is no longer distant or abstract, but something people come face to face with. In a time when entire generations admit they were never taught what happened, her work confronts that silence directly, transforming memory into something undeniable, deeply human, and impossible to ignore.
SAN DIEGO, Calif.
A Legacy That Did Not Begin With Her, But Lives Through Her
Sandra Scheller’s story is not one that begins in the present. It begins in the aftermath of one of humanity’s darkest chapters, shaped by a lineage of survival, resilience, and an unshakable responsibility to remember. She describes herself as being “born out of the ashes of the Holocaust,” a phrase that is not symbolic, but deeply personal, rooted in the lived experiences of her family and, most profoundly, her mother.
“What inspires me is my past. I was born out of the ashes of the Holocaust — a legacy of survival, resilience, and memory.” — Sandra Scheller
At the center of that legacy was her mother, whose courage and stories became the foundation of Sandra’s life and purpose. Through her, Sandra inherited more than history. She inherited perspective. A way of seeing the world through gratitude, of valuing life in its fullest form, and of recognizing that memory is not something to hold quietly, but something to actively carry forward.
The greatest gift she received was not just knowledge of the past, but the ability to translate that past into purpose. A purpose grounded in ensuring that the stories entrusted to her are not lost to time, silence, or distortion.
Behind everything Sandra Scheller has built is not just history, but family, names, and lives that survived what most could not. She is the daughter of Holocaust survivors Ruth Sax and Kurt Sax, and the granddaughter of Auschwitz survivors, whose experiences were not passed down as distant stories, but as lived memory that shaped her identity from an early age.
Her mother, Ruth Sax, was not only a survivor, but an educator and humanitarian who dedicated her life to teaching others about the Holocaust across schools and communities in San Diego. She was recognized as Woman of the Year, inducted into the San Diego Women’s Hall of Fame, and honored for her lifelong commitment to ensuring that truth was never forgotten.
It is in her honor that Sandra named the exhibit RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust, not as a concept, but as a continuation of her mother’s legacy and the fulfillment of a dream she carried: to one day see a Holocaust museum in San Diego. That dream did not end with her. It was passed down, and today, Sandra carries it forward through the preservation of lives, voices, and histories that must never be reduced to memory alone.
Turning Memory Into a Living Experience
Through her nonprofit, Remember Us The Holocaust, Sandra has created something that goes beyond traditional education. She has built a living, immersive environment where history is no longer distant or abstract, but immediate, human, and deeply felt. Her work is dedicated to preserving the stories, artifacts, and memories of Holocaust survivors while educating people of all ages about the enduring lessons of history.
Inside the exhibit, visitors encounter life-size cutouts so realistic that many pause, momentarily convinced they are standing before real individuals. Artifacts and documents, entrusted by survivors and their families, are presented not as objects, but as evidence of lived experience. Each piece carries weight. Each item tells a story.
“My work is dedicated to preserving the stories, artifacts, and memories of Holocaust survivors while educating people of all ages about the lessons of history.” — Sandra Scheller
Sandra personally guides visitors through the space, walking beside them, answering questions, and encouraging reflection. Her presence transforms the experience into something interactive and deeply personal. It is not simply about presenting information. It is about creating connection, sparking curiosity, and allowing individuals to feel the reality behind the history.
Reaching Every Generation, Every Community
The reach of Sandra’s work extends across generations and communities, reflecting a commitment to accessibility and inclusivity in education. Her visitors range from elementary school students to college classrooms, from military personnel to seniors in retirement communities. Each group arrives with a different level of understanding, yet all leave with something more profound than what they came with.
Among these visitors, one group stands out as especially meaningful: Holocaust survivors themselves. When survivors walk through the exhibit alongside their families and witness their stories preserved with care and dignity, the experience becomes something far greater than educational. It becomes affirming.
Sandra describes these moments as unforgettable, filled with pride, emotion, and a shared understanding that their stories are not only being remembered, but honored in a way that allows future generations to truly understand.
Holding Space for Truth in a Complex World
In a time when global conversations are often shaped by current conflicts and rapidly shifting narratives, Sandra remains deeply intentional about the role her work plays. While visitors sometimes bring up contemporary events, she and her organization maintain a clear focus on honoring Holocaust survivors and preserving the integrity of their stories.
These conversations are gently redirected when necessary, ensuring that the exhibit remains grounded in its purpose. Sandra understands that while there are many important issues in the world, her responsibility is specific. It is to protect the truth of the Holocaust, to ensure it is presented accurately, and to prevent it from being overshadowed or misinterpreted.
This clarity of purpose allows her work to remain focused, credible, and deeply impactful.
Understanding the Limits While Expanding the Impact
Sandra approaches her work with both conviction and humility. She openly acknowledges that she does not have all the answers, and that there are aspects of human experience, such as anger, jealousy, and internal struggles, that extend beyond the scope of what she can directly address.
However, what she offers is equally significant. Through meaningful conversation, education, and thoughtful guidance, she creates opportunities for individuals to engage with difficult topics in a way that is constructive and reflective. When appropriate, she directs people to additional resources and individuals who can provide further support.
Her work does not attempt to solve every problem. Instead, it creates a foundation for understanding, which is often where meaningful change begins.
A One-of-a-Kind Experience That Stays With You
What Sandra has created is truly unique. There is a moment within the exhibit, she explains, where visitors experience a shift. It often begins with curiosity, a pause, a closer look at something that feels unexpectedly real. That curiosity becomes the gateway to something deeper.
“Visitors often pause, convinced they’re looking at real people — when they’re actually life-size cutouts… it’s in that moment that people connect, learn, and feel the stories come alive.” — Sandra Scheller
From that moment forward, the experience becomes immersive. Visitors begin to connect emotionally, to understand intellectually, and to feel the weight of the stories being shared. It is this combination of curiosity and connection that makes the experience unforgettable.
Impact Measured in Awareness, Not Applause
Sandra measures the success of her work not through recognition, but through transformation. The phrase she hears most often is simple, yet powerful: “I never knew.”
“Our impact is measured in conversations that begin with, ‘I never knew.’” — Sandra Scheller
These words reflect both the gaps that still exist in education and the importance of the work she is doing. To date, more than 25,000 people have experienced the exhibit in person, with over 100,000 more reached through online platforms, school programs, and military presentations.
Each interaction represents a moment where awareness replaces ignorance, where history becomes real, and where responsibility begins to take root.
Core Values That Guide the Work
At the heart of Sandra’s mission is a clear and unwavering set of principles that guide every aspect of her work. She believes that truth must be preserved and protected, especially in the face of denial and distortion. She views memory not as something passive, but as an active responsibility, one that demands engagement and action.
She emphasizes that stories have the power to change hearts, transforming statistics into human experiences that resonate on a deeper level. Education, in her view, is for everyone, regardless of age, background, or prior knowledge. It is never too late to learn, and no one is ever beyond the reach of understanding.
Sandra also highlights the power of words, reminding visitors that the Holocaust did not begin with violence, but with language, propaganda, and silence. These early warning signs are critical to recognize, as they continue to appear in different forms throughout history.
Above all, she believes in the inherent dignity of every human being and in the importance of confronting hatred with education, compassion, and courage. The artifacts she preserves are not objects to her. They are sacred evidence, protected so that the truth can never be erased.
A Labor of Love, Built on Promise
Remember Us The Holocaust is more than a nonprofit organization. It is a labor of love, built on a series of promises that extend across generations. A promise to survivors that their stories will be honored. A promise to future generations that they will have access to the truth. And a promise that the lessons of the Holocaust will not be forgotten.
This work is not driven by financial gain, but by purpose. It exists because the need for it remains, and because silence is no longer an option.
Why This Work Matters Now
Sandra’s work exists at a critical moment in time, where gaps in education continue to reveal themselves across generations. Many visitors, including older individuals, express that they were never taught about the Holocaust in depth. This absence of knowledge is precisely what her work seeks to address.
By personally guiding visitors through the exhibit, sharing the stories behind each artifact, and creating space for reflection and understanding, Sandra transforms history into something tangible. It is no longer distant. It is no longer abstract.
It becomes real.
And in that reality, something shifts. Denial fades. Awareness grows. Responsibility begins to take hold.
“A Holocaust museum is not a place about death — it is a place about responsibility… hatred begins with words, silence allows it to grow, and courage is the only thing that stops it.” — Sandra Scheller
Without truth, there is no RUTH.
Truth lives in artifacts, tangible, irreplaceable pieces of history that bear witness when voices can no longer speak. Remember Us The Holocaust is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and displaying World War II and Holocaust artifacts so that future generations can see, feel, and understand the reality of what occurred.
Each artifact carries a story, of loss, of survival, of resilience, and together they form a powerful bridge between the past and the present. Through these objects, we ensure that memory is not abstract, but real and undeniable. In preserving truth, we honor those who suffered, we give voice to those who were silenced, and we commit ourselves to education so that such history is never forgotten, and never repeated.
As you begin your spring cleaning, we invite you to look through your attics, closets, and family keepsakes. Items that may seem small or forgotten could hold profound historical significance. Photographs, letters, documents, uniforms, medals, or personal belongings from the World War II era can help tell stories that must not be lost.
By donating these artifacts, you are not just giving objects, you are preserving truth, shaping education, and ensuring that future generations will have a direct connection to this history. Together, we can safeguard these stories and keep their voices alive. To make a donation or schedule a tour of the current exhibit, contact Sandy at rememberustheholocaust@gmail.com or call at 619-422-3429.
Explore, Visit, or Support the Work
To experience the exhibit, schedule a visit, or support the preservation of Holocaust history, connect directly with Sandra Scheller and Remember Us The Holocaust:
Website
https://rememberustheholocaust.org
Email
rememberustheholocaust@gmail.com
This recognition is part of the March 2026 San Diego Weekly Standouts Series honoring leaders shaping San Diego, California, the Cali-Baja region, and communities connected to the region around the world.
San Diego Weekly Standouts | March 2026 Honoree
About the San Diego Standouts Series
The San Diego Standouts Series from San Diego Weekly highlights individuals whose leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and service are helping shape the future of San Diego, California, the Cali-Baja region, and communities connected to the region around the world.
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