Inge Auerbacher was born on December 31, 1934, in Kippenheim, a community in the Ortenau district with about 2,000 inhabitants at the time. Her ancestors on her father's side had lived there for generations.

About 450 Christian and 60 Jewish families lived in Kippenheim around 1933.

Many Christian families were farmers, many Jews were textile or cattle dealers with small businesses. All of them, both Christians and Jews, felt themselves to be German citizens.