Always the Giver

My grandmother, Rebbetzin Naomi Stein a”h, wife of Rav Pesach Yitzchok Stein, the Rosh Yeshivah of Telz, passed away last year on 11 Adar I, 5779. A woman who was a shining light to so many, Bubby’s greatness stemmed from 96 years of overcoming challenges and never losing sight of her life’s purpose

As a child, I took her for granted. She was just Bubby. A solid presence, loving, caring, sometimes strict, always the giver with a compliment and a present in hand. It was only as I matured that I began to appreciate just who she was.

Bubby spoke everyone’s language. No matter who they were, Bubby always knew what to say, the perfect gift to give. The entire community — not just her relatives — called her Tante Naomi.

Her tremendous love for others was matched only by her love and esteem for Torah. Bubby was born into greatness, but she also achieved it, in a life characterized by her relentless pursuit of Torah and chesed.