With over 25 years of teaching experience, I often reflect on the journey that has shaped my career. Baruch Hashem, I feel as youthful and invigorated as I did at the start. During my time at one particular yeshiva, I found myself in a position of popularity and influence, gradually rising within the institution's hierarchy. However, as I assessed my financial situation, I realized that my salary was not sufficient for a comfortable living. Feeling it was time to address this issue, I approached the administration to request a raise.
The response I received was somewhat ambiguous. They asked for time to consider my request, which stretched over four days. Given my standing as a respected teacher, I believed my contributions warranted a favorable outcome. Ultimately, they returned with an offer: a raise, but with a peculiar deduction of $1,000. In my mind, this was baffling. A reduction of $1,000 translates to just $100 a month—an amount that seemed trivial in the context of the value I provided as a teacher. The yeshiva, striving to cultivate the next generation of students, could surely accommodate such a small increase.
Feeling deeply offended by this decision, I expressed my frustration and made the choice to resign. I reasoned that if they could not extend an additional $100 a month for a teacher they valued, then perhaps it was time for me to move on. The logic was simple: $100 a month equates to merely $3 a day. For an institution dedicated to nurturing its students, I found it incomprehensible that they could not meet this modest request.
Reflecting on this pivotal moment, I now recognize that my departure from that yeshiva was a significant turning point in my life. Had I accepted the raise, I might never have ventured into the path that led to the establishment of our first elementary school two years later. This decision, which initially felt like a setback, ultimately paved the way for greater opportunities. From that elementary school, we expanded to a high school, and then to another, all stemming from my choice to walk away from a position that did not align with my worth.
In hindsight, I see this experience as a manifestation of divine providence. It was as if God was guiding me toward a greater purpose, indicating that my true redemption lay not in the acceptance of that raise, but in the boldness of my decision to seek something more meaningful. Baruch Hashem, I have been able to witness the fruits of that choice, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing one’s value and the potential that lies beyond immediate circumstances.
