Ordinary Man, Extraordinary Results

Ordinary Man, Extraordinary Results:
A Tribute to Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein ZT'L
June 2022

19 YEARS AGO, I INVITED RABBI WALLERSTEIN TO SPEAK ON TISHA B’AV NIGHT AT THE LIVING ROOM (TLR), A POST REHAB PROGRAM FOR HELPING OUR YOUTH REINTEGRATE WITH FAMILY AND COMMUNITY. THAT FATEFUL NIGHT OUR DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIP WAS BORN, SHIFTING THE TRAJECTORY OF OUR LIVES, AND LEADING TO A WORLDWIDE REVOLUTION OF HELPING AND SUPPORTING HASHEM’S DAUGHTERS

Zecharia was a regular guy with a typical upbringing. Growing up, he loved going to camp and playing sports. He had some struggles and challenges in school to overcome. He was a drummer too. He grew up, got married, and had beautiful children. He was a loving husband and a doting father/grandfather. Rabbi had a rich life with both spiritual and earthly pursuits. He enjoyed an expensive fast car, loved exotic watches, and a good restaurant. His life was filled with good friends, fervent prayer and Torah study. He taught part-time, in addition to running his business. After this Tisha B’Av night, he recognized an unfulfilled need and he began helping and supporting Hashem’s daughters. This led to the founding of Ohr Naava. This mission became an overwhelming concern that didn’t have a clock, didn’t fit into a budget, and the more he did, the more there was to do.

Rabbi Wallerstein was an extraordinary teacher, leader, and a phenomenal storyteller. He was a big dreamer who saw potential in everything. His eyes would go wide and he could see possibilities that nobody else saw. He could see the absolute best in each and every person he interacted with—all he could see was their greatness. He could see past the physical, mental and emotional scars. He could feel their pain and see beyond it. He was able to introduce them to a newer version of themselves. 

He was an ordinary man who jumped into a vast potential minefield of challenges and struggles and created extraordinary results. He had the biggest heart. His heart was for the entire Jewish nation. Not an hour, not a minute, would go by when he wouldn’t talk about what he could do to take care of Hashem’s daughters. He would constantly think about ways to influence and empower young women (and old). Rabbi was one of the only people that I would answer my personal cell phone for every time, no matter what time of morning or night, it didn’t matter. Rabbi would call me to his house in the middle of the night to meet with families to help navigate challenging situations. He was like an older brother to me. He picked on me, pushed me, elevated me, promoted me, and encouraged me to take on risks and projects that I would have hesitated to do independently. The passion he infused in all his endeavors was passed on to whoever he was working with.

HE USED TO TELL THE STARFISH STORY

A gentleman vacationing was sitting on the beach and saw hundreds of starfish washed up on the shore. Suddenly he notices an older man walking along the shore, who bends down every once in a while, picks up a starfish, and flings it back into the sea. As the old man approaches, the vacationer stops him and asks, “Sir, what are you doing?”

The man replies, “Well, these starfish washed up on the shore, and if they sit in the hot sun, they will die. I’m throwing them back into the sea and giving them a chance at life.” 

The vacationer laughs and says, “That seems kind of pointless! Look right, look left, look all over. I mean, there are hundreds of them. You’re not accomplishing anything. What do you think you’re doingThis seems like such a waste of time.” 

The man quietly bends down, picks up another starfish, and as he flings it into the sea, he smiles at the vacationer and says, “Certainly, made a difference for that one.”

FOR THE RABBI
THIS STARFISH STORY BECAME HIS BATTLE CRY

This was Rabbi’s approach to every intervention with every person he met. It did not matter how big the challenge or problem was. It did not matter how many more there were. It did not matter if it would ever happen again, if it was scalable, if it was fiscally responsible, or if it made sense or if it didn’t make sense. It did not matter if everybody else had given up. Rabbi would say, “These people are right here and in front of me. Hashem sent them to me to do my best to help them get to the next step in life. They have potential. Let’s help them meet it.”

Ohr Naava was founded with the intention of being a resource for Jewish women ages 17 to 127. It has multiple divisions and programs with an amazingly diverse staff and attendees.

In 2006, with Rabbi’s encouragement, I created and led the Ohr Naava mentoring program. This was a young women’s leadership development program that supported them in creating extraordinary lives for themselves and their peers. We focused on the skills and tools of building confidence, communication, deep listening, setting healthy boundaries, and more. Every participant in this program immediately felt connected and understood that they were not alone. The impact was huge and continues to expand. 

As Ohr Naava grew and developed and more programs were being offered, we recognized the more needs we met, the demand for more programs emerged. This led to the creation of BCA (Bnot Chaya Academy), a second chance girls’ high school, a seminary and then another seminary, a post-seminary program, and a kosher residential equestrian therapy program, known as the Ranch at Bethel. The Ranch at Bethel is a residential facility to support women struggling with trauma and other emotional/mental health challenges.

BCA SUCCESS STORY

Recently, a young woman had her second child, which seems like a typical story—but, no. She went from being kicked out in eighth grade and not being accepted into any high school. She was stuck at home with no school, struggling with her Judaism, and trying to find an identity for herself. Then she was accepted into BCA. She graduated from high school and college, and became a professional. She got married, had beautiful children, and eventually owned a home. She has been living a healthy, productive, integrated Jewish life, since. This is just one of many BCA student success stories.

Rabbi didn’t make decisions based on a projected budget. Yes, there are donors, public and private, but the financial costs of running these programs are enormous. Rabbi did not like asking people for money and would often pay for programs from his own personal funds. He made decisions based on what a girl needed. “If she was my daughter, how far would I go to find a solution for her?” Money was never an obstacle and nothing was impossible. Because when it comes to Hashem’s daughters, Hashem is on your side. That was how he made decisions.

Rabbi Wallerstein believed in everyone’s potential and saw the good in all. You too, can create a significant impact. You too, can donate and get involved. You can recognize an opportunity where a challenge exists and step in and step up in a massive way. You can make a difference with even the most minor thing, whether greeting someone with a smile or giving a compliment. Take someone under your proverbial wing by sponsoring and supporting them. Be a champion for their success by showing your belief in them until they develop trust in themselves. As I reflect on his untimely passing and the tremendous void we all feel, I ask myself, “How can I best honor our relationship and his legacy?” Several times during the past few years, Rabbi asked me to relaunch the leadership development program. With G-d’s help, we will be relaunching this excellent program before summer begins, 

in his memory to elevate his neshama (soul). Yehi Zichro Boruch (May his memory be blessed).