In a rundown, rough-'n-tumble neighborhood in East Cleveland, a group of Orthodox Jews sporting beards and kippas stand out like sore thumbs. But every morning, they make their way downtown to their warehouse buildings, seemingly oblivious to their forlorn surroundings.
Shimon Weiner is one of these men. From his office on East 131 Street, he often sees people, mainly African-Americans, wandering aimlessly down deserted streets. Sometimes he catches a glimpse of the occasional fight, and every day without fail he sees swarms of children running to and from the public school around the corner.
When the next stone hit his window, Shimon hit the roof.
It was at the end of a school day when the first window was broken. Shimon heard a loud crack as a perfectly aimed stoned found its mark. Hoots of laughter accompanied the shower of broken glass. When the window-breaking spiraled from a one-time incident to a favored leisure activity, Shimon decided he was not going to sit still.
When the next stone hit his window, Shimon hit the roof.
He raced down the stairs and collared the first kid he could. After exchanging a few choice words with the group of terrified youngsters, he finally let them off the hook with threats should there be a reoccurrence.
He was surprised when the next day began with a satisfying crrrack.
Shimon Weiner is not a small man. When he barreled down the street that morning, the kids began to quake. After expressing his rage, Shimon released his captives with the threat that if they ever threw another stone, they'd wish they had never been born.
Oy! Shimon said to himself, as he made his way back to the office calming himself down. What in the world have I done? Messing with inner city kids is not the wisest thing to do, and he felt the ramifications of his reaction sinking in fast. He dialed the school and asked to speak to the principal.
"A group of your kids are on their way to school and they're probably a little shaken up," he admitted sheepishly. "They've been breaking my windows and I really lost my cool." Then he added, "I want to think of a constructive way to stop their behavior."
The principal took the initiative to give Shimon's number to the parents of the offending students. It was not long before he received a call.
"Is this Mr. Weiner?"
"Yes," said Shimon, preparing to get lambasted for intimidating the children.
"I wanted to apologize for my son breaking your windows. I'm so sorry," said the voice on the other line.
Shimon was flabbergasted.
"Well," he said. "Why don't you and some of the other parents come down to my office? I have an idea how we might be able to stop these boys from damaging more windows."
A few hours later a group of parents joined Shimon in his downtown office for some cake and juice. Shimon explained his idea.
"I figure that if the kids and I could get to know each other a bit, they won't want to break my windows," he said simply.
Later that day, a small group of elementary school students walked into the offices of DryCast Inc. Shimon greeted them warmly, offered them some snacks, then paid them to do some light work in his warehouse. The meeting was a huge success. As they were leaving, Shimon told the kids, "You're always welcome to come to my office. Whether you need a bathroom, a drink or help, the door is always open. "
The next morning, Shimon had a bunch of kids knocking on his door eager to say good morning to 'Simon.'
Torah wasn't given to angels; it was given to imperfect human beings who are striving to bring spirituality into their day-to-day life.
Now they come often. Before school and after school they stop in to say hello and chat with Shimon and his partner Avraham. He asks them about their aspirations in life, about who their heroes are. Some of these children live in homes without father figures; many of them wake up each morning to face a difficult, uncertain world. With his gentle guidance and warmth, Shimon has become a source of hope to dozens of kids.
He is brainstorming on how to expand this kernel of success to help more inner-city kids realize their full potential.
As we anticipate Shavuot, the day on which we renew our commitment to God and His Torah, this story speaks volumes. Torah wasn't given to angels; it was given to imperfect human beings who are striving to bring spirituality into their day-to-day life. Shimon realized his mistake of acting in anger and wanted to repair the damage. He picked up the pieces of that broken glass and made it whole again.
Shimon's tiny revolution started with a broken window. Your next beautiful experience may be only a stone's throw away.
(27) ata, June 22, 2009 5:54 AM
wow that was so beautiful
(26) Anne, June 15, 2009 4:47 PM
How does one see racism in this?
In response to the Black woman who was offended that it just so happened to be Black children who were to blame for this deliberate, ongoing criminal action, my response is: It is what it is! There aint no getting around it. Society has no qualms about subjecting Orthodox Jews who dress differently, to ridicule for a lot less reason than criminality. This saint, rather than demanding restitution, gave of himself. And what a mitvah that is. I am so proud of my Jewish heritage and lessons learned from our beautiful Torah! May we all as human beings, learn from this lesson, rather than trying to tear him apart about alluding to the fact that these were in fact Black children performing a criminal act. This man is a prophet and a saint.
(25) racahel goldring, June 15, 2009 11:34 AM
a real kiddush hashem
beautiful end...always does not hapen like this but is worth trying
(24) Anny Matar, June 15, 2009 11:12 AM
I wish more would do the same
Once you realise that not all teenagers are bad but that they do miss something in life, maybe life itself, having no positive guidance at home for one reason or another, you'll find that a little strength and kindness mixed together will help them jump the hurdle of frustration (for that is what keeps them in the streets) and you might save a soul. "Kol adam olam b'meoloh" you might save him and his future, his life.
(23) Jeff Knight, June 15, 2009 10:02 AM
Very touching!!
I was very moved by this story...thank you for sharing it.
(22) Rosen, June 14, 2009 7:11 PM
good story!
That''s a good story in order to create positive reinforcement for children in a well-constructive way, as opposed to sending them to juvenile detention where they would just sit idly hardly learning a lesson...
(21) Tammy Gilden, June 1, 2006 12:00 AM
congratulations
Dear Riva,
I am so impressed. Wow you go Girl may this be the first of many articles.
All the best,
Mrs. Gilden
(20) shana z, June 1, 2006 12:00 AM
revam - keep up the good work!
(19) Rebecca, June 1, 2006 12:00 AM
Awesome
As the parent of a child who got into this sort of trouble, I love the solution. Our solution had been to take them to victum and have the child confess, tell them they were sorry and work for the victum. If they had only been able to build a relationship after that.
This story, completes what should have happened!
(18) mario raul orrego alvarado, June 1, 2006 12:00 AM
This is an example of how we should fix our problems, with our conduct according to the torah and not with only words.
(17) Sherrill Hurwitz, May 31, 2006 12:00 AM
excellent
As an elementary school counselor, I felt that this is a wonderful story. I, too try to help the same "lost" children. Thanks for a great article.
(16) Zev Aryeh, May 31, 2006 12:00 AM
The true person
I know Reb Shimon personally, and this is just the kind of guy he is! Kol HaKavod!
(15) Anonymous, May 31, 2006 12:00 AM
Wow this man really did those poor, helpless, Black children a favor. There should be more men like him who are willing to take the time and reach out to those uncouth, urban people. It's not that I'm trying to be racist or anything, but come on, you never see Jewish, or any other children with a "white" background doing such things. Besides, people need to know that God loves everybody, even the poor, the uneducated and the unwhite.
I'm happy to say that when someone treats me or my property offensively, I don't charge it to their whole race or economic class. When I do someone a favor, I don't take all the credit, or claim that if it weren't for me, the person on the receiving end would still be lost. Speaking of lost, I never refer to people who are poor, or "inner-city" as lost, regardless of their behavior. Is that a "Black" thing? Oh no. It's a compassionate, understanding, agape, human thing; and yes, there are Black women like myself, and Black men who feel the same way.
(14) Sam, May 31, 2006 12:00 AM
I hope they will learn
I hope the politicians of Israel will learn from the story of Reb Shimon when dealing with Palestineans . I think it should be an inspiring story of how you can deal with " enemies " and make them your " friends " theough good dialogue , good behaviour and good acts instead of fighting and hostilities !!!
Great story !!!
(13) Edwina von Stephans, May 30, 2006 12:00 AM
Beatiful
This is a truly amazing story. It's a wonderful example of how when people are unreasonable we should not always take it personally. They usually need something and behave badly because they feel that no one recognises them as humans and understands their needs. It is also a beautiful example of G-d's love and forgiveness for His people. As He love's and forgives us, so should we love and forgive others, no matter who they are.
(12) Audrey Biemann, May 29, 2006 12:00 AM
Thank you for Shimon's story.
The world can be more tolerant, one person at a time. Thank you for this wonderful story.
(11) Chana Ora, May 28, 2006 12:00 AM
Close to home
Riva,
This article really hit "close to home"!
Keep up the great work!
(10) Pinel, May 28, 2006 12:00 AM
GREAT
Really nice article, Riva. It's a beautiful story, and you put it together nicely. Have a good Shavuos!
(9) Beverly Kurtin, Ph.D., May 28, 2006 12:00 AM
Repairing the world
Shimon not just repaired a windowm, he went above and beyond and helped repair the world. What a beautiful story and what could be an inspiration for all of us.
(8) Anonymous, May 28, 2006 12:00 AM
expanding
it would be nice to expand this 'program'.
but i think it would require certain character traits which either u have or u don't.
they can't be taught through textbooks or by taking classes in psychology. it's a personality thing.
my $0.02
(7) KarenJohnson, May 28, 2006 12:00 AM
The Rabbi a stonr away atricle has touched my heart.
You i have been living for last two months in a new neighborhood.in the inner city but i,m not happy here because i feel i don,t belong and i feel
like i should live better then this
so walk around with my norse in the air
with an attitude that if G-D was not with me would get me hurt.I,ve been pushed around by so many people that
i,ve had it.So when thses kids come and
knock on the door and ask can i cut your grass i say no thanks.
the last time a kid came and i said no
thanks i,ve got my own lawn mower
its brand new only to find out someone
or something made wholes in the bottom
of it all the oil leaked out.Its broke.
I don,t want to reach out because i don,t trust these people.
Help.
(6) Anonymous, May 28, 2006 12:00 AM
A Stones Throw
I was angry when I was reading this story but later it reminded me that 'Out of evil cometh good'. Why does bad have to happen for people to realise that good can done without destruction. This has made think about forgiveness as I find it hard to forgive for lesser mishaps than a broken window.
Thanks for this lesson.
(5) Batsheva, May 28, 2006 12:00 AM
Beautiful
What a beautiful and inspiring story. I will keep it in my heart, and try to practice its message.
(4) Lisa Aigen, May 28, 2006 12:00 AM
Simon was an inspiration to all because he made the decision to be "a light unto..." rather than lighting into. This is true kiddush haShem coming from a place of genuine humility.
(3) Nomlas Fisher, May 28, 2006 12:00 AM
Great story
What a Beautiful and Loving story! Please G-d, if only all of our "problems" were so easily rectified!! Mael Tov to Shimon,his "kids" and his "revolution".
(2) Shoshana, May 28, 2006 12:00 AM
Riva - your articles are always so uplifting and inspiring. You have a way of taking a simple everyday experience and finding beautiful meaning in it. May you continue to inspire people.
(1) Anonymous, May 28, 2006 12:00 AM
I feel as though I have received a reminder that life offers many opportunities to "do good". We have the ablility to contribute good-without distruction. We have been given the intellect with choice-but not question of proper direction.