GREAT READS → FAMILY DIARY Issue 930 · September 28, 2022

Close to Home: Chapter 14     

My friend looked at his retreating back in horror. Had she lost her job before it even started?

Close to Home: Chapter 14     

 

Nechama Norman with Batsheva Berman

MYfriend Faigy trained to be a social worker. Once she graduated, she found a job in a clinic. Her very first client, on her very first day, was a man in his twenties with OCD. He entered her office, and she stood up to greet him. Immediately, he put out his hand.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, “but I don’t shake hands for religious reasons.” She was nervous, so she began babbling. “This has nothing to do with you. I respect you as a person, I just can’t shake hands with someone of the opposite gender.”

The man blew up. “That is so disrespectful,” he yelled. “I came here for some understanding and compassion, and your behavior shows a total lack of both!” And with that, he stormed out.

My friend looked at his retreating back in horror. Had she lost her job before it even started?

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