Sacrifice and Joy

“Most of my knowledge and hashkafah come from what my father taught me from a very early age. And he did it very cleverly. He’d give me an explanation and say ‘Okay enough you can go now.’ When I was older he taught me why. ‘Never overwhelm someone with an answer and make sure they will want to come back and hear more.’

I t’s a warm day in May the sun hugging my shoulders when I pick up Rebbetzin Kuperman from the hotel where she’s staying for her week in Vienna.

The Rebbetzin wishes to discover the city and its sites. “Especially the Jewish parts” she tells me with her characteristic enthusiasm “since I know that Jews have played a long and crucial role in this country.”

As we walk and talk the Rebbetzin is fascinated by each sight. Walking through the rooms of the palace of Emperor Franz Joseph she recalls a similar tour her father took in a palace in St. Petersburg. “My father did things no one else dared.” She laughs. “When he saw the throne he waited until no one was watching and sat down for just a second. Just so that he could say ‘I sat on the throne of the once-invincible mighty Russian powers!’ ”