EDITORIAL

Dear Readers,

We celebrated Chanukah not long ago. In addition to reflecting on the miracles Hashem did for us, I enjoyed the opportunity of spending extended time with my children. Our custom is to sit at the menorah for at least half an hour after lighting, during which time we sing songs together, give out Chanukah gelt, and discuss what the kids have learned and created at school. My daughter, who is in a local college this year, called me from school asking me to wait for her before lighting the menorah, so she could also join us.  This reinforced what I already knew: that each of those eight nights, and the special time we spend together, is so very precious to all of us.   It’s something to remember even once we are back in the grind, without a specific window of time set aside each night to enjoy each other’s company. Some of us work hard and cannot always be home on time, but each week we have Shabbos. Use the day to speak with your children – and really listen to them.

I don’t have many memories of my father, R’ Shmuel Rubenstein, zt’l, as he passed away at the age of 48 when I was only 6 years old. But I do remember him writing a Sefer Torah one afternoon (he was a sofer – a scribe) and calling me into his office.  When I entered he said, “Shea, I need your help. I just wrote some letters in the Torah and want to make sure they are legible.  Would you mind reading the letters for me to make sure they were done correctly?”  At that young age, I felt very important spending that time with my father and helping him in his work of Torah. I later learned that he had asked me to perform this task because it was required in order to make sure the letters were clear, but it left a lasting impression on me.

When I registered my son in mesivta (high school) at Yeshiva Ohr Yisroel in Marine Park, the principal mentioned how we parents are invited to come learn every Monday night with our sons, so that we can see firsthand what they are up to and be in close proximity of the rebbeim, creating a partnership and gauging progress. When hearing this initially, I thought, I can’t do this; I can’t commit to every Monday evening of the year – shouldn’t his teachers be doing this work?  I have to say, that after learning with my son for two and a half years worth of Monday nights (and having missed only a couple of sessions), I truly enjoy the time. It gives me the opportunity to not only spend time with my son,  but to make him see that I care enough to stop everything else to come learn and spend time with him (and taking him to Dunkin Donuts after learning doesn’t hurt the cause either ).

As we go through the winter months of long evenings, long Friday nights, and long Motzoei Shabbos nights, let’s not forget the important things in life. 

Warm regards

Shea Rubenstein

Shea@TheJewishEcho.com