“We could feel her joy, her sense of privilege.” Mrs. Devorah Steinberg ignited two generations of British girls
I was in one of the early classes in our school, the pioneering Beth Jacob school of North West London. My memories are rich. We once hid from a senior teacher instead of going to her class. Mrs. Steinberg was evidently upset at our lack of derech eretz, but she did not say a word to us for 24 hours, and only then admonished us, with great calm. She served as a living example of what she taught us, how to be “maavir al middosav.”
The school was small and we felt so much love and care. I remember Mrs. Steinberg driving me home when I had a fever.
When I was in ninth grade, I lost my bubbe. Mrs. Steinberg called me in to say that she had known my grandmother and I could speak to her whenever I wanted. At 14, I felt awkward, but when I came home from seminary, I began to consult this wise woman. She was my guide through shidduchim, and when I met the right one, I brought him round to see her. Her table was piled with seforim; she was preparing for Friday’s assembly.
I called Mrs. Steinberg whenever I needed guidance. The right pasuk and soothing words rolled off her tongue. I was astounded at her depth of compassion and wisdom. When my father was sick and then niftar, she shared with me how she’d coped with losing her husband.
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