Luna Kaufman, renowned survivor of the Holocaust, has plenty of ties to North Jersey.

It’s where she called home after departing the horrors of Nazi prison camps, raised a family, and even launched her new book of memoirs.

Kaufman spoke before a sizable audience on Wednesday night in Seton Hall’s Jubilee Hall as part of a program to present “Luna’s Life: a Journey of Forgiveness and Triumph,” a work she credits University President Msgr. Robert Sheeran for influencing into publication.

Seton Hall also gave Kaufman an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters at its 152nd Commencement Exercises two weeks ago in East Rutherford.

“As humans, we learn from history and those who learn from history,” Sheeran said. “Luna Kaufman has lived history in a unique way."

The program also recognized Yad Vashem, a comprehensive museum and institute for Holocaust remembrance and education in Jerusalem.

Kaufman was interviewed by Dr. Susanna Kokkonen, the director of Christian Friends of Yad Vashem, after powerful remarks from various representatives of the organization and a video presentation about its mission.

“Remaining silent means giving a hand to the evil that goes on around us,” Kokkonen said.

Sitting beside Kokkonen and answering questions at an intimate round table on the auditorium’s stage, Kaufman spoke of her overwhelming sense of hope during the days of the Holocaust.

“To be defeated and not to succumb is a victory,” Kaufman said, citing a quote she has used in her book. “I hope (the book) will serve as an example to children not to give in. It’s my victory over the Nazis.”

Relating her experience to modern times, Kaufman mentioned a trip she made to a Newark school.

“I was where they are now, in horrible conditions, so they asked me how I emerged from it without anger, without vengeance,” Kaufman said. “The kids wanted to know. They pushed me to write the book.”

Kaufman said that the book has been a work in progress for “20 years or more,” though she began pursuing publication for the first time this past October. She added that wanting to express “more than a life story” was a goal of the work.

Kaufman survived the Holocaust with only one family member, her mother.

“Having people around you who love and care helps ease the burden,” Kaufman said. “My mother was my one treasure.”

Sharing stories with the audience of her time in the ghetto and her move to New York in the 1950s, Kaufman presented ideas of forgiveness and pride in her Jewish roots throughout her interview.

“I always wanted to be who I am,” Kaufman said. “I was always openly a Jew.”

After several audience questions were posed, Kaufmann and Sheeran were each presented by Kokkonen with a framed copy of the program from Pope Benedict XVI’s recent trip to Yad Vashem.

Kaufman also signed copies of her memoir at a reception afterwards. It was announced at the event that she was donating all of the evening’s proceeds to Seton Hall’s Sr. Rose Thering Endowment for Jewish-Christian and Holocaust Studies.

“There are still atrocities in the world, and it will take generations to change it,” Kaufman said as the event closed. “At least we are starting.”