The Personal Touch - Monthly Gedolim Story
In 2021, the United Synagogue published a tribute book in memory of the Emeritus Chief Rabbi L-rd Jonathan Sacks zt''l, in which family, friends and colleagues, paid their respects in various short articles, some reflecting on his Torah teachings, others reflecting on his time as Chief Rabbi, others on his authored works and so on.
One of the articles, in the fourth section of the book was written by Rabbi Zvi Cohen, a educator (as he writes, although this story took place in 2008, so I am unsure if he has since changed careers), in whose classroom this story took place. It is a wonderfully heart-warming and slightly humorous story with, for me, an extremely powerful lesson in priorities.
One of the articles, in the fourth section of the book was written by Rabbi Zvi Cohen, a educator (as he writes, although this story took place in 2008, so I am unsure if he has since changed careers), in whose classroom this story took place. It is a wonderfully heart-warming and slightly humorous story with, for me, an extremely powerful lesson in priorities.
I felt it to be appropriate to share this story in time for Shavuos.
I hope you enjoy the story.
Yitzy Schweitzer
I hope you enjoy the story.
Yitzy Schweitzer
The Personal Touch - Monthly Gedolim Story
In 2008, Rabbi Sacks was the guest speaker at the Noam Primary School's annual dinner. The school, than located at Wembley Shul, has since moved premises and been renamed to the Shalom Noam Primary School.
In advance of the dinner, Rabbi Sacks wished to visit Noam in Wembley, to gain a first-hand impression of the school and its pupils.
Rabbi Sacks attended the children's davening , spoke to them and observed some lessons. When he came to the Year 6 Chumash class of Rabbi Zvi Cohen, where he stayed for a while, he was particularly impressed with the participation of one of the students, a child of a United Synagogue Rabbi and praised the child beautifully.
After the lesson, Rabbi Cohen phoned his colleague, the father of the child, to tell him how impressed the Chief Rabbi had been with the student's knowledge and participation and especially to give the father some nachas,..
But, (and here is the best bit, my friends), he had been beaten to it!
"I know already!" Rabbi Cohen's colleague replied whilst thanking him for calling, "Rabbi Sacks himself had already called me to share this with me as soon as he left the school!"
I love this story very much, because at it's core, not only is it funny and enjoyable to read, but there is an extremely valuable lesson with the story, I humbly wish to touch on.
Look at the priority of Rabbi Sacks! He had just left the school that he was visiting in order to prepare himself for an upcoming dinner and the first thing he did was to phone the student's father and tell him the good news! How much more so should all educators be as quick to share good news with the parents of their talented and dear students!
For me, that lesson in the importance of priorities is so exceptional and perfect for Shavuot, that I made it a priority of my own to share it with you!!
In advance of the dinner, Rabbi Sacks wished to visit Noam in Wembley, to gain a first-hand impression of the school and its pupils.
Rabbi Sacks attended the children's davening , spoke to them and observed some lessons. When he came to the Year 6 Chumash class of Rabbi Zvi Cohen, where he stayed for a while, he was particularly impressed with the participation of one of the students, a child of a United Synagogue Rabbi and praised the child beautifully.
After the lesson, Rabbi Cohen phoned his colleague, the father of the child, to tell him how impressed the Chief Rabbi had been with the student's knowledge and participation and especially to give the father some nachas,..
But, (and here is the best bit, my friends), he had been beaten to it!
"I know already!" Rabbi Cohen's colleague replied whilst thanking him for calling, "Rabbi Sacks himself had already called me to share this with me as soon as he left the school!"
I love this story very much, because at it's core, not only is it funny and enjoyable to read, but there is an extremely valuable lesson with the story, I humbly wish to touch on.
Look at the priority of Rabbi Sacks! He had just left the school that he was visiting in order to prepare himself for an upcoming dinner and the first thing he did was to phone the student's father and tell him the good news! How much more so should all educators be as quick to share good news with the parents of their talented and dear students!
For me, that lesson in the importance of priorities is so exceptional and perfect for Shavuot, that I made it a priority of my own to share it with you!!
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