“Dr. Ruth” shares Holocaust survival story, educational journey

Master Sgt. Jasmine Reif, Feb. 23, 2018

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Dr. Ruth Westheimer spoke about her life as a Holocaust orphan and the importance of ethics and respect for human dignity at the National Character and Leadership Symposium Feb. 22.

Westheimer grew up in Germany until 1938 when the Nazis came to power. Her family thought the upheaval would be short lived until the morning the Nazis walked into their apartment and led her father away. She remembers her father waving to her with a little smile. It was the last time she saw him.

“My father was taken to a camp, a labor camp. It was not a concentration camp yet,” she said. “A post card came that (said) I had a space with a group of children to go to Switzerland. My father said I have to go so he can come back from the labor camp to Frankfurt. I had no choice, I didn’t want to leave … My mother and grandmother brought me to the railroad station in Frankfurt. That was the last I ever saw of them.”

As the years passed, the home in Switzerland became an orphanage and Westheimer’s future was uncertain. The importance of education had always been stressed in her family. She said it was the one thing that could not be taken from her, but the Swiss home focused on education for boys and housemaid training for the girls.

“They discriminated, which is important for you (the audience) and your discussions that only the boys could go to school. I already grew up in Frankfurt with the notion how education was important … so I was very sad I couldn’t go. I don’t have a high school diploma, don’t tell anybody! I have a doctorate and a few honorary doctorates,” she said.

Hitler was still advancing across Europe in 1941.

“Loud and clear people, if the Allies had not entered World War II, and I remember your air force bombarding Germany because I could see it from Switzerland,” she said. “So if you had not entered World War II, I would not be alive because Hitler would have taken Switzerland also.”

In 1945, after the war, Westheimer traveled to Palestine and was a member of the Haganah, which later became the Israeli Defense Force, and trained as a sniper. Her military service was cut short due to an injury.

While debating her next step, she remembered her grandmother telling her that she should be a kindergarten teacher because she was so short and could sit in the little chairs, so that’s what she did. She got married and moved to Paris where she studied psychology at the Sorbonne. Upon immigrating to New York, she received a scholarship to get her master’s degree.

“Don’t tell anybody, I came then with husband No. 2 in fourth class, they told us we could not come on deck. I did not listen,” she said. “When we sailed into New York we sneaked up that night and stayed up on the terrace to watch the Statue of Liberty. I remember the feeling of how wonderful, here is the statue that says all of you refugees, regardless of your background, regardless of your religion, you (all) are welcome.”

To give back to those who helped her along the way, she is a member of the Museum of Jewish Heritage, and sponsors scholarships at Columbia University.

Westheimer said they have a program that sends cadets to Auschwitz to learn about ethical issues. The goal is for them to have a life changing experience and to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive.

“I have never forgotten to be thankful to be alive and the importance of education and that it can never be taken away from you,” she said.

Westheimer was asked what she would tell herself if she could go back in time.

“So what I would say is the importance of making the best out of every time you have with your family. That’s really the main thought that comes to my mind…fortunately I had that wonderful 10 year experience … that actually my parents gave me life a second time by sending me to safety to Switzerland, not knowing if they would ever see me again,” she said.