“It would have been a great lesson in hakaras hatov for your children if you’d managed to write that note”
What a delight it was to find an article about Rebbetzin Rochel Stefansky in Family First. I remember the first time I met Rochel in Gateshead Seminary on the first day we arrived. We were both 16 years old (she may have even been slightly younger), but I had definitely never met a girl like her. She walked into sem for the first time, full of self-confidence, dispensing with her older sister’s care, and immediately taking a leadership role in making others feel comfortable.
I was later stunned to discover what a strong work ethic she had. She’d take on office jobs during seminary vacations, something I, a sheltered, unworldly girl, couldn’t even imagine doing.
As for the trips she organizes today, she had an early start on that, too. I well remember how she voluntarily organized bus rides into London and Manchester from Gateshead for hundreds of girls, saving them money, as the train was very expensive. She was so organized and capable; I still see her (in my mind’s eye) walking around with her lists, making sure everything would work out. She’d personally collect the money to pay the drivers, all the while attending all the classes. Nothing was too much for her. And she didn’t just organize the trips; she took total responsibility.
Although I can’t remember the exact circumstances of this particular trip, I do remember a problem cropping up, and Rochel taking us all into her parents’ home right around dawn, making sure we wouldn’t wake her parents, to make a call — no cells at that time — knowing what needed to be done, so all was smoothed out and each girl reached her destination safely.
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