Born of Hope

I was once at one of those dinner planning meetings where people eat sushi and talk vaguely about what should be done, and someone said that they really needed a guest speaker in order to draw a crowd. The organization’s head asked why his speech wouldn’t be as interesting as any paid speaker’s — didn’t he know the challenges better than anyone else? Couldn’t he tell the organization’s story best of all? Yes, someone said politely, he was right in theory, but l’maiseh, that’s not how it works. People want to be entertained, or moved, and they need a name from outside the back office.

The director was frustrated, and a little miffed. “Then how come,” he asked, “at every Bonei Olam dinner, Rabbi Bochner’s speech is the highlight of the night?”

I don’t remember if there was an answer, but now, I think I get it. Rabbi Shlomo Bochner and his wife, Chanie, aren’t telling the story of an organization. It’s their story, and Bonei Olam is part of it. Two people, two hearts, with one shared challenge and one shared goal. Everything else came later.

Rabbi Bochner doesn’t just look like your typical Boro Park businessman, that’s actually what he is — a Bobover chassid with decades of experience in the garment industry as a designer and buyer. And even as he talks of his personal journey — the loneliness and challenge and heartache — there is a certain hesitation. It’s clear he has to push himself to talk.