If you are a fan of basketball, you probably know who Red Auerbach is. He was one of the most successful and influential coaches and executives in the history of the NBA, leading the Boston Celtics to 16 championships in 29 years. He was also a pioneer of modern basketball, introducing the fast break, emphasizing team play and defense, and breaking down racial barriers in the league. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1969 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time.
But do you know who Sascha Auerbach is? He is a lecturer in modern British and colonial history at the University of Nottingham, specializing in the cultural, social and legal aspects of race, migration, and imperialism in the 19th and 20th centuries. He has published several books and articles on topics such as Chinese and Indian labor diasporas, legal culture and gender in Britain and the Empire, and late-stage slavery and its legacies. He has also received various grants and fellowships for his research.
So, are these two Auerbachs related? The answer is no. Despite sharing a surname and a Jewish heritage, they have no known family connection. Red Auerbach was born Arnold Jacob Auerbach in Brooklyn, New York, to Hyman and Marie Auerbach, who were Jewish immigrants from Russia. Sascha Auerbach was born in London, England, to Zang and Ruth Auerbach, who were Jewish artists from Germany. They have different middle names, different birthplaces, different parents, and different fields of expertise.
However, they do have some things in common. They both have a passion for their respective professions and have achieved excellence and recognition in their fields. They both have contributed to the advancement of knowledge and society through their work. And they both have a connection to Washington, D.C., where Red Auerbach died in 2006 and where Sascha Auerbach studied at George Washington University.
So, while they are not related by blood or by marriage, they are related by their achievements, their interests, and their values. They are both examples of how people from different backgrounds and disciplines can make a positive impact on the world. They are both part of the rich and diverse history of the Jewish people. And they are both worthy of admiration and respect.
