Small Steps Leave Big Footprints
"Making a Difference"
by Miriam G. Damen
Jerusalem Publications, Feldheim Distributors 320 pp.
Reviewed by Yonina Hall
"A little effort goes a long way."
To the world at large, that probably sounds more like an
advertising slogan than a truism. As popular wisdom holds,
"Great men are made by great deeds." And, "You only get out
as much as you put in" -- meaning, if you do something minor,
it really won't make that much of a difference at all.
But Torah Jews who live in two worlds -- the world of the
physical and the world of the spiritual -- know that quality,
not quantity, is the real measure of a man. Even a small
change in attitude can earn a much greater reward for our
mitzvos. Hashem desires the heart more than the deed,
which is why small, subtle moves on our part can have such
far-reaching effects.
Each true story in a remarkable new book called Making a
Difference illustrates this concept beautifully. Writing
about ordinary people in ordinary situations, author Miriam
G. Damen zeroes in on the moment of choice when one small
step in the right direction can change one's life and the
lives of others. Sometimes the choice is made after much
internal struggle; other times, it is too obvious to ignore.
The stakes are the same in both cases: will this person make
the right decision or pass up a golden opportunity to improve
himself and the world around him?
It is difficult to choose one story as an example; they are
all so good. Here is one story that poignantly conveys this
idea.
How often have you sat on the same bus as an emotionally
disturbed person who was speaking too loudly or making an
unpleasant commotion? Besides the inappropriateness of the
behavior in the small cramped setting, the fact that it's
coming from someone who cannot control himself makes everyone
else feel rather uncomfortable.
Such an experience happened to the narrator of one of these
stories. A fifteen-year-old girl traveling alone on the same
inter-city bus was busy directing a stream of personal
questions at some girls sitting across from her. When she
tired of that, she started to bother a couple sitting behind
her. The other passengers thought she was rather illmannered
and privately chastised the mother who let her travel by
herself. After a while, the narrator realized that the girl
simply could not control herself.
Then a curly-haired girl of about the same age sat down
beside the teenager, and what do you know? They seemed like
two of a kind. For every loud and outlandish statement the
first girl made, the second one responded in kind. The two
spent the whole ride talking and laughing boisterously.
Although their repartee was rather irksome, the other
passengers breathed a sigh of relief that at least someone
was keeping the first girl occupied.
When they neared their respective bus stops, the second girl
winked at the first and said, "We had a great time on the
bus, Bella. Thanks for being so much fun!"
Bella was dumbfounded. You could tell she wasn't used to such
complimentary statements. Her face lit up with a childlike
joy as she said a shy goodbye.
I looked at the curly-haired girl and began to see something
very beautiful. This young girl had given the ultimate in
kindness -- patience and understanding to an emotionally
handicapped person. She had understood, as her fellow adult
passengers had failed to understand, that to laugh at or
threaten this girl was not helpful and quite unkind. She had
allowed her image to be tarnished in a busful of people in
order to be kind to one girl and minimize her disturbances to
others.
I saw a bochur approach her. They looked so alike as
to be brother and sister, which, it turned out, they were.
"What was that all about?" he asked. "Was she special?"
The curly-haired girl smiled like an Olympics runner at the
end of his sprint, and answered, "Yes, I guess she was."
I saw that her eyes were wise and kind and infused with the
satisfaction of one who had made a difference...
*
In these pages you will meet avreichim and housewives,
teachers and teenagers, businessmen and cleaning ladies, new
immigrants and ba'alei tshuva, all with engaging and
inspiring stories to tell. A firm dedication to Torah values,
both in the personalities of these characters and in the
situations they describe, make this suitable reading for all
members of the family. This book is also exceptionally well-
written, filled with vivid description and dialogue that
entertains as well as inspires.
Making a Difference is a book that will stay with you
long after you turn the last page. The story you will find
yourself thinking about is your very own, as you start to
perceive the seeds of greatness that Hashem plants in every
moment of your day, challenging you to take the next small
step to achieve a world of difference.
Trials and Triumphs
Timeless Stories of Hope and Inspiration
by Sorah Shapiro
Judaica Press
reviewed by Rabbi David Grossman, MSW, CSW
Since 9/11, people have been talking about how the event
changed the world in general and their lives in particular.
For many, it did not reinforce their faith but left them with
doubts about life, why the attack occurred and their place in
the scheme of things. They became more introspective,
searching for answers, for strength and inspiration, for
ideals to live by, for reassurance that there is no need to
fear, that good will finally prevail.
Along comes a tiny book and takes the whole burden upon its
shoulders. A pocket-size volume, Trials and Triumphs
is packed with the tools we need to maintain our sanity and
reinforce our faith in this time of global crisis and
uncertainty -- inspiration, hope, patience, wisdom, guidance
and even laughs.
All of this comes to the fore in sixteen stories that
encompass much of the Jewish experience from 18th century
England and Ukraine to 19th century Russia, Poland, Spain,
the Ottoman Empire -- and of course, to Nazi-controlled
Europe. In each vignette, the protagonist grapplies with
doubts and challenges which he ultimately overcomes to become
a spiritual hero. The characters instill in us the resources
to deal with our own inner selves, the strength of character
and strong faith to think bigger, try harder and more
onward.
People from all walks of life, the simple, the great and the
in-between, are the heroes who stand alone and fearless in
the face of danger or despair. Suffering personal sacrifice
to meet a challenge or act on their Torah convictions, they
focus on the important values, like saving lives, comforting
the afflicted and living as honorable Torah Jews. Ultimately,
they reap their proper reward for their true love of
Hashem.
In one of the stories, "Earrings from Mecca," Zalman the
tailor risks his life to stave off Moslem attacks against the
Jews. Before interceding with the Sultana, he offers up a
prayer to the One Above.
"Ribono Shel Olam," he says, "You know that I am just a
simple Jew, a humble tailor. Unfortunately, I never had the
opportunity to be a scholar. My parents were poor, and when I
was eleven, I had to become the family breadwinner. But my
intention has always been to do Your will. I am afraid my
chances are slim unless You help me, as You are the Source of
all wisdom and all salvation."
His prayer was answered.
In "Double-Edged Sword," the king commands Leibel to behead a
soldier with his sword. Leibel prays to Hashem and says,
"Ribono Shel Olom, You know that I never committed murder,
and I will not do so now. You know that my faith in You and
in Your holy Torah has never wavered, and that I always
accept life's circumstances lovingly, as we are required to
do." His prayer was also answered.
In addition to stirring the spirit and instilling us with
virtues and lasting faith, the book allows us a glimpse into
a bygone generation, into the psyche of people whose every
moment was permeated with spirituality -- with genuine
Yiddishkeit.
Just as she did after 9/11 with her bestseller, City on
Fire, the author has brought us comfort and strength in
her new book, Trials and Triumphs. Her stories enrich
us and help us triumph over our own trials.
