She’ll deny it, but it was always an imbalanced relationship. Chaya was the mashpia and I was the mekabel
Years ago, you crossed paths. It may have been a brief encounter, it may have been a relationship spanning years. In that meeting place, something changed. Her hands warmed your essence, left an imprint upon your soul.
Seven writers sought out the women who changed them — and told them of the impact they’d had
It’s not difficult for me to think of a person who has impacted my life. There are several such people: my two grandmothers, who each have contributed tremendously to my way of thinking and being; my mother, whose image I see before me constantly; and each of my sisters, who impact me on a steady basis.
Then there’s one other person, unrelated to me, someone who has no idea what a role model she’s been to me. Once upon a time we were pretty close — I feel like we still are — but she no doubt simply considered us friends, while I saw her as a friend, role model, and mentor.
I don’t recall a time in my life when we didn’t know the Werfels; we always knew Joe z”l and at some point during my school years he married Julie. They were close family friends, and as Julie was sort of halfway between my mother’s age and that of my sisters and me, she was friendly with all of us. After seminary I worked for Julie — who subsequently became Chaya — for several summers and we became even closer.
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