For Your Inspiration
Baalei Teshuva Stories
For Your Inspiration
Wendy is more than my 'Partner in Torah'. She is also my friend and teacher.
I live in Baltimore, Maryland. Wendy lives in Santee, California. So even though we've loved being Partners in Torah for almost five years, I really didn't think we'd ever get to meet. But it was Wendy who kept the faith. She often reminded me, 'God can make anything happen.'
Recently, my oldest son and his family moved to Phoenix. We went to visit them for Rosh Ha'Shana. The night before yom tov, everybody was busy getting ready for the holiday when I went off into a quiet room and gave Wendy a call. Upon hearing that I was in Phoenix, she decided, on the spot, to book a flight from San Diego for the next morning and come join our family for Rosh Ha'Shana!
We gave Wendy instructions on the kind of clothes it would be appropriate to bring (even though the temperature was in the nineties - no shorts, and no sleeveless tops) and we picked Wendy up when her flight arrived, two hours before the holiday.
Then suddenly there she was - materialized - and we were no longer just two voices reaching across the continent.
She told me that I was shorter than she had thought. My first reaction? I was just amazed by her calmness - and her courage.
I must admit, I was more than just a little nervous about how things would turn out. I mean, Wendy wasn't observing Shabbos, and here she was about to immerse herself in two full days of her first real Rosh Ha'Shana. So while we were still driving back from the Sky Harbor International Airport, I confided that years ago I had escaped from my first Shabbos experience. I encouraged her to feel free to go on a long walk away from the scene if at any point she felt overwhelmed.
But that never happened. Wendy immersed herself more deeply than I had expected, and she loved every minute of it. She really didn't even want to leave when it was over. Wendy loved helping my daughter-in-law chop up vegetables, rocking my new granddaughter to sleep, and reading books to my grandsons. She loved engaging the many interesting guests my children had for the meals; she loved the divrei Torah discussions; and she even loved the services.
My son was helping to lead a 'Learner's Minyan' at the Phoenix Community Kollel. We attended with Wendy. On the second day, a lady praying near us started sobbing. I turned to offer the woman an understanding smile, and I saw that Wendy had already gone over to the woman, and she was hugging her. For about a minute, they just stood there like that, total strangers no longer, and tears were already streaming down Wendy's face as well.
Throughout yom tov, Wendy's questions kept us all scrambling for answers. On numerous occasions, her questions seemed sharper than our answers. This forced us to probe deeper and helped us to seek the truth more sincerely.
So days after Wendy left Phoenix, my two-year-old grandson was still asking, "Where'd Wendy go?" She left an indelible impression on all of us.
Over the past four years, Wendy and I have learned a couple of works on the parsha and several of Rebetzin Jungreis's books, and we have shared many hours of the best kind of joy. We have also each gone through our own personal tragedies during this time period, and it was Wendy who helped me see God through the tears, repeatedly.
Yep, Wendy, you've taught me so much through these years. And now you've taught me how to really 'wing it.' My admiration for you just keeps soaring.
There's a waiting list with people of many ages wanting Partners in Torah. To become a Partner in Torah, email info@partnersintorah.org or call 1-800-STUDY- 42!
| Like this article? Help us create more. Kiruv.com exists only through the support of our readers.  |
 |
Bracha Goetz is an author of several books and much more importantly, a co-author of several wonderful children. |
|