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Hertha (Hedy) Auerbach died on February 12, 2007, only 10 days before her 80th birthday. She was born on February 22, 1927, in Frankfurt, Germany, and is survived by her husband Irving of 38 years, brother Gunther Bienes and wife Erna, her brother-in-law Sheldon Auerbach and wife Sherry, and cousin Marion Bienes. She is a survivor of the Holocaust years in Germany. She and her brother had to attend a Jewish day school because of Jewish oppression in German schools. Later, however, she attended the Asher Institute of Jewish Studies, and orthodox boarding school in Switzerland that prepared young people for aliyah to Palestine, while her parents traveled in Europe and the Middle East, seeking a new home outside of Germany. They finally settled in Belgium to be close to other members of the family. When the Germans took over Belgium, however, her father fled to southern France to find a place for the family. The others followed in a daring and harrowing trip through German lines. The French later turned over the family and other Jews to the Germans. The father died in Auschwitz or on the way there. The mother saved herself and the children through chicanery, trickery, and false papers. They survived during the war period as forced laborers. Half her family died in concentration camps. After the war, the family emigrated to the U.S. and Hertha graduated from Hunter College in New York. She learned the science and art of electron microscopy and was employed by several laboratories. She met her husband Irving at the Goodyear Research Laboratory in Akron, Ohio. Her last position was at the UNM Medical School. Hedy then took over the job of librarian at Congregation B'nai Israel where she cataloged and coded all of its books and made the library available during all school sessions. She was a Sunday school teacher at Temple Mt. Zion in St. Paul, MN and Congregation Albert. She was a life member of Hadassah and served as one of its officers. Hedy wrote a 468 page autobiography of her childhood, her youth during the war, and subsequent years, which together with family albums, will go to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC. Hedy was very close to and cared for her mother, who lived with her and her Irving for over 25 years. She died as she wished in their home. Hedy was a dedicated and grateful American and loved its history. She purchased and studied books about its history and the lives of the founding fathers and watched with great interest the PBS programs of early Americana. The furniture she purchased when she was married was early colonial American. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, February 14, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. at Fairview Memorial Park, with Rabbi Arthur Flicker, Rabbi Joseph Black, and Cantor Caitlin Bromberg officiating. Hedy's Family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Congregation B'nai Israel, Albert libraries, Hadassah, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction and care of: Strong-Thorne Mortuary 884-1188
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