Chances are that most of us do not think about our working space as being an extension of holiness. We rush in and out while dealing with our everyday stresses. We do chores, try to answer our emails and phone calls, and tackle the many things required of us as quickly as possible.

For the past few weeks I have been entranced by the sanctity that I feel as I enter through the doors of The Jewish Link office. No, it has nothing to do with any new systems we have installed, nor any more interesting challenges (which can be many) of creating a new vibrant edition of The Jewish Link each week.

Instead, what I derive this wonderful feeling from has to do with two of our summer interns. As many may or may not know, each summer The Jewish Link offers internships to upper high school and/or college students who wish to learn more about the workings of a newspaper. Some of the students are interested in the production area of our paper, others are anxious to hone their research and writing skills, and others might be more actively interested in learning the business aspects of a newspaper’s production.

Those who are chosen to work in the office are given the liberty of writing research articles, doing interviews and describing some of their personal life experiences as well. Much of the credit for this initiative must be given to Moshe and Elizabeth for opening up their busy schedules to work as mentors to these young people. I honestly doubt that anywhere else would they be given as much liberty as they are allowed in our office.

This year I have noticed a unique display of dedication and appreciation from our interns. In particular, I am overwhelmed with the vibe in the office, which is a result of the loveliness of the young women who have been chosen to work with us. I normally arrive quite early to the office and frequently am greeted by one of our interns quietly standing in a corner of the hall outside our office, davening. I have assured her that she is welcome to go into a private office to daven but she is comfortable to be doing this by herself where she is. On another day I might notice another one of our interns standing at her desk and davening quietly. I am sure that most have not noticed this behavior as it is done in a private, unobtrusive way. Every day that I watch these girls I am filled with admiration and appreciation. I am sure they have no idea that by their presence in the office they are adding an extra dimension of kedusha to our busy office space. We try so hard each week to provide the community with an informative, interesting paper that always seeks to include the highest level of honor and kavod to Yiddishkeit, and we are privileged to have that sentiment displayed right in our office.

I wonder if these girls realize that their presence is teaching others around them the loveliness of tzniut and the perfect combination of worldliness and sanctity. I am grateful to them for spending the summer with us and wish them only wonderful things in their futures.

I hope they will return and share their accomplishments with us. Their families should be very proud.

By Nina Glick

Nina Glick lives in Bergenfield after years of service to the Montreal Jewish community. She can be reached at [email protected].