There are often times in our lives that we find ourselves doing something out of necessity, and not out of choice. And when we are, it is hard to believe that there is always a foundational purpose and reason for that particular situation. Yet, in the case of Frank Baez, it is pretty clear why at the age of 17, two years after coming to the US from the Dominican Republic, he ended up working as a hospital janitor at NYU. Now, at the age of 29, he just graduated with his nursing degree from NYU! Even though his job initially consisted of washing floors and cleaning toilets, being in the hospital environment inspired him and motivated him to one day want to be helping patients in a different way. And even though he barely spoke English, he persevered and followed his dream, and now hopes to get a nursing job at NYU. Knowing first-hand how difficult it was for him to not speak English, he now wants to work with underserved populations and Spanish speaking patients so that he can communicate with them in their native language. The Talmud teaches, “One should always be flexible as a reed and not as unyielding as a cedar.” It is easy to feel stuck by our circumstances or limited in our situations, but when like Baez, we use everything as a chance for learning and growth, then as a reed we can accomplish things that for the cedar would never have seen possible.

Header Photo: Frank Baez

At the root of most misunderstanding and division between people is lack of healthy communication. When we can speak openly and honestly, we are able to share our thoughts and feelings so that others can connect with us. Likewise, by doing so we encourage others to share as well. Rumari Zarez, 11, and his 4th grade classmates, are wise beyond their years and show us the transformation that can take place when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and speak our truth. Rumari asked to speak to his class, and in doing so, he not only educated them about his autism but was able to receive support and friendship in return. The Hebrew word for the mouth is “peh” which is numerically equivalent to the words for “love” (ahava) and “kindness” (chesed). This teaches us that when we speak, it is to share love and kindness and to bring out the love and kindness in others. This little boy and his classmates beautifully demonstrate this.

(Cover image photo credit: Lisa Rachel Moe. Picture of Rumari Zarez with his teacher, Lisa Rachel Moe, who also filmed the video.)