RABBI JEREMY STAVISKY: WHY EVERY CHILD DESERVES SOMEONE WHO REFUSES TO GIVE UP (AUDIO)

What does it mean to educate young people when the world around them is marked by uncertainty, tragedy, and hope? In this deeply moving conversation, Avrum Rosensweig sits down with Rabbi Jeremy "Yirmi" Stavisky, the longtime principal of Jerusalem's Himmelfarb High School, who spent more than twenty years shaping the lives of thousands of students through Torah, compassion, and moral leadership. Rabbi Stavisky reflects on the philosophy that defined his career: that education begins not with grades, but with kindness; not with achievement, but with seeing the dignity in every child. He shares why he believes "the children who struggle may have the bigger souls," and why a teacher's greatest responsibility is to create a place where every student feels safe, protected, and valued. The conversation then turns to the unimaginable grief that followed October 7, when Rabbi Stavisky lost former students like Hersh Goldberg-Polin and many others, colleagues, and his beloved son-in-law, Yinon Fleischman. With remarkable honesty, he speaks about mourning, faith, Viktor Frankl, Rav Yehuda Amital, the enduring bond between teachers and students, and the responsibility to continue choosing life in the face of profound loss. Together, they also explore his decades of leading educational journeys to Poland, the moral lessons of the Holocaust, the meaning of Religious Zionism, and why Judaism ultimately calls us to place human dignity above ritual alone. This is more than an interview about education. It is a conversation about courage, memory, compassion, faith, and the extraordinary influence one teacher can have on generations of lives. If this conversation moves you, please like, subscribe, and share to help us bring these important stories to a wider audience. 1. "The Children Who Struggle May Have the Bigger Souls" ⏱ Timestamp: 16:32 – 17:30 Why it matters: This is arguably the defining moment of the interview. Rabbi Stavisky challenges conventional ideas of success, suggesting that struggle often develops greater depth, compassion, and character. It is an unforgettable philosophy of education. 2. "The First Duty of a Teacher Is Protection" ⏱ Timestamp: 18:13 – 24:20 "My first responsibility as principal... is to make the school a safe place." 3. "What It Means to Lose Your Students to War" ⏱ Timestamp: 30:10 – 38:10 4. "It's Not About God. It's About People." ⏱ Timestamp: 47:46 – 51:47 5. "We're a School of Life, Not a School of Death" ⏱ Timestamp: 59:28 – 1:01:43 Bonus Clip (Highly Recommended) "Every Person Is Created in God's Image" ⏱ Timestamp: 11:37 – 16:30 Rabbi Stavisky explains that every human being carries a spark of God, making kindness, dignity, and respect the foundation of Judaism—not merely ritual observance. ——🎧 The Avrum Rosensweig Show —— A one-of-a-kind, intimate schmooze-fest, hosted and produced by the endlessly curious veteran radio and TV personality, Avrum Rosensweig. With warmth and wit, Avrum uncovers the secrets, dreams, and innermost thoughts of people from all walks of life. From local shelf stockers, plumbers, food servers, to crossing guards, stars, public figures, and cultural icons. Join this channel to get access to perks: / @avrumrosensweigshow Listen to The Avrum Rosensweigh Show on: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LZFTR0... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... https://avrumspodcast.podbean.com/ Instagram: / avrumrosensweigshow TikTok: / avrumrosensweig #podcastcanada #storytellingmatters #jewishpodcast #jewishwisdom #jewishfaith #jewishlearning #jewisheducation #jewishcommunity #jewishheritage #jewishtradition #jewishculture #jewishcommunity #jewishhistory #jewishphilosophy #spiritualwisdom #motivationalpodcast #motivationalinterview #fascinatingpeople #engagingconversations #personalgrowth #lifelessons #leadershipstories #faithandwisdom #jewishinspirations #podcastinterview #theavrumrosensweigshow #RabbiJeremyStavisky #JewishEducation #October7 #Israel #JewishLeadership #Himmelfarb #TeachersMatter #ReligiousZionism #JewishIdentity #Torah #FaithAndResilience #JewishHistory #HolocaustEducation #PolandJourney #RavAmital #KindnessMatters #Leadership #JewishValues #BiggerSouls