Binah • February 11, 201376

Feature

Brocha Miller

HighAchieverAccomplishment on a global scale

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AchieveTo perform or carry out with success; accomplish

To attain with effort or despite difficultyRachel Rappaport is an achiever.

Willing to cross countries and culture barriers to find her zivug; a teacher and an organizer, committed to the chinuch ofthe next generation; and someone who puts tremendous kochos into raising her family, while at the same time building a

successful business, she epitomizes both definitions of the word.Meet Mrs. Rachel Rappaport, a woman who is never finished learning, always looking forward to more areas where she

can grow and accomplish.

Living With Hakadosh Baruch Hu

Rachel’s childhood was steeped in Torah and yirasShamayim. Her father, Rabbi Nachum Abba Grossbard, zt”l, aclose talmid of Harav Chatzkel Levenstein, zt”l, was a rebbi inRJJ on the Lower East Side, but when his children reachedchinuch age, he decided that he wanted to raise his family inBnei Brak. He had no obvious means of support in EretzYisrael, and decided to live purely through bitachon. After anexchange of letters, Reb Chatzkel gave him permission tomake the move. “Many people try to live as Rabi Shimon barYochai, but few succeed,” the Mashgiach told RabbiGrossbard. “You will be one of those who do.”

Rachel describes her childhood as a happy one. “Wedidn’t feel that we lacked anything,” she says. “We wereliving with Hakadosh Baruch Hu and He gave us what weneeded. In fact, when we were children, we were sure ourfather was rich.”

The Grossbards’ four-room apartment was home to their12 children and numerous guests. Visits and phone callsfrom Gedolim were regular occurrences in the Grossbardhome. Rachel would often answer calls from Gedolei Hador,or open the door to find Harav Elazar Menachem Shach, zt”l,had arrived to visit her father. Rachel’s mother, RebbetzinSara Grossbard, a”h, recycled ingredients to create suppers,

From Bnei Brak to Lakewood, Rachel Rappaport hasused her creativity to service the community first withher work in the graphics field and eventually founding

Lakewood’s Ready, Set, Grow! childcare center.

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Binah • February 11, 201378

and did all her own baking. Herdaughters’ clothing was all sewedby hand.

Rachel’s first clothes-shoppingexperience was eye-opening. “Iwas 12 years old the first time Ibought store-made clothes, formy sister’s chasunah,” Rachelrelates. “All my life, I had dreamedof wearing a pleated skirt. Pleatswere one thing we could not sewby hand and I was eagerlyawaiting the opportunity to wearthem. But once I put it on, myexcitement dissipated. The pleatedskirt was not at all as thrilling as Ihad imagined. I was let down; Iremember thinking, ‘This is it?’”

It was an enlightening moment for Rachel, as sherecognized the transience of physical pleasures. She tookthe lesson to heart, and her focus shifted to higher pursuits.

An Inquisitive MindReb Nachum Abba encouraged his daughters to develop

their talents and acquire useful skills. The Grossbard girlstook advantage of the extracurricular activities offered inschool, and took classes in art and graphic design, sewingand typing. The one subject they did not study was music;Rav Grossbard did not want instruments in the home, as azecher l’churban.

There was one instance where Rachel’s school wasadministering booster shots to the students. Rachel wasnervous about the needle and asked her father if she couldbe excused from the shot. She knew her mother would wanther to follow the rules, but she appealed to her father’s senseof bitachon, that maybe being pricked with the huge needlewould not be necessary.

On the morning of the scheduled vaccination, Rachelwoke up to find her father had left her two notes. One notewas to the nurse, to excuse Rachel from receiving the shot.And the other was to his dear daughter.

Dear Rochele,Your mother wants you to take this shot. I’m leaving it up to

you to decide what you want to do.In the end, she got the shot. But

by leaving the decision in herhands, Reb Nachum Abba gaveRachel an injection of confidencein her ability to make good choices.

As a teenager, Rachel was aninsightful person who wassensitive to the needs and feelingsof others. She spent hours readingand learning about humanrelationships and the innerworkings of the mind and soul.After completing high school and

seminary, Rachel obtained thecoveted position of teacher in theChinuch Atzmai school in Bnei Brak.Over the next few years, Rachel

taught a variety of subjects to all age ranges.After two years in Bnei Brak, Rachel began looking for

something more challenging. Her students were girls fromgood homes and although she enjoyed teaching them, shewanted to make a dramatic difference.

Rachel transferred to a teaching job in a kiruv school inNetanya, an hour away from her hometown. As eighth-grademechaneches she was able to inspire her students and guidethem to high schools where they could grow further in their

Yiddishkeit.

The Savyon Center for JewishEducation

After a few years Rachel began workingfor Rabbi Dovid Brodman, a Rav in Savyon,

Israel, who had a dream of building his shulinto a community kiruv center.

Rabbi Brodman’s dream spoke to Rachel’s passionfor change and innovation. Rachel used her talent for

graphics to design flyers for the programs; her driveand excitement helped turn Rav Brodman’s dream into

a reality. They turned the basement of the shul into amuseum, with hands-on activities about the chagim and

Yahadus, along with a Biblical botanical garden. Rachelcreated the curriculum, with activities and workshops for

It was an enlighteningmoment for Rachel, as

she recognized thetransience of physical

pleasures. She took thelesson to heart.

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all the phases of the year.Focusing her efforts full-time in the

shul in Savyon, Rachel often workedthrough the nights, hangingdecorations, planning activities, andorganizing workshops. She was giventhe key to the local arts and craftssupplies store so she could accesswhatever materials she needed, evenat one o’clock in the morning.

The Savyon Center for JewishEducation, or Hamerkaz HapedagogiL’limudei Hayahadut, grew to host a totalof 10,000 visitors per year. Rachelworked with a staff of young girls,creating treasure hunts, group games, and other activitiesfor children; guest lecturers, Yom Tov parties, and more.

During this time Rachel was involved in shidduchim. Shefrequently consulted with Harav Aharon Leib Steinman,shlita, receiving guidance and speaking at length about herfuture.

While she was in her 20s Rachel’s father passed away.Her father’s cousin, Rebbetzin Rishel Kotler, shetichyeh,

came to the shivah and convincedRachel to come to America to look fora shidduch, inviting Rachel to comelive with her in Lakewood.

The Lakewood LinkIn 1996 Rachel arrived in America,

where she accepted teaching jobs infive different schools in Lakewood andNew York, teaching twice a week inNew York, and the other three days inLakewood, in high schools andseminaries.

Rachel would stay up late into thenight, shmoozing with the Rebbetzin

about life and learning. “I gained a deeper understanding ofahavas haTorah from Rebbetzin Kotler,” Rachel says. “Shegave me a lot of insight.”

Rachel became very close to the Kotler family, discussingshidduchim and other life questions with Rebbetzin Kotler’sson, the Rosh Yeshivah of Bais Medrash Govoha, HaravMalkiel Kotler, shlita, and his Rebbetzin, Rebbetzin ChanaLeah, shetichyeh. Seven months after her arrival in Lakewood,

“Everything needs togo through your Rav,”

Rachel statesunequivocally. “Youhave to ask she’eilos

in halachah andhanhagah. Withoutdaas Torah, you will

be lost in life.”

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Rachel finally met her husband.Yaakov Rappaport was a talmid ofHarav Reuven Feinstein, shlita, andhad recently begun learning inBais Medrash Govoha, when hewas introduced to, and thenmarried, Rachel.

Throughout her life, Rachel hasconsistently maintained a strongconnection with a Rav. “It is crucialfor everyone to have a mentor anda moreh derech.” In Eretz Yisrael,Rachel had first her father, thenHarav Steinman; in America she hadRebbetzin Kotler, Reb Malkiel, andRebbetzin Chana Leah, and once shemarried, her husband’s Rosh Yeshivahfilled that role. “Everything needs to gothrough your Rav,” Rachel statesunequivocally. “You have to ask she’eilos in halachah andhanhagah. Without daas Torah, you will be lost in life.”

Commitment to KiruvA year after their marriage, the Rappaports were invited

to join a kollel in Des Moines, Iowa. They were idealcandidates for the position, as both Yaakov and Rachel wereinterested in kiruv, and Rachel had many years of teachingexperience under her belt. So, together with their youngdaughter, the Rappaports moved to Des Moines.

They were among six frum families in a spiritualwasteland. Reb Yaakov was heavily involved in outreachprograms in the kollel and Rachel worked as a teacher in the

Jewish day school. It was adifficult adjustment for Rachel. “Itwas very disheartening,” she says.“What Hitler did not complete,American culture finished.” Halfof the student body was notJewish, and of the students whoconsidered themselves Jewish, notall were halachically so.

Despite all the inspiration andthe effort, Rachel was frustrated bythe seeming futility of her efforts.“We wanted to build something,”Rachel explains, “but in Iowa, it feltlike we had arrived 50 years toolate.” After a few months, uponconsultation with Harav AryehMalkiel Kotler, the Rappaportsdecided to move back to Lakewood.

Rachel wanted to develop her business strengths, so sheaccepted a job as office manager in CucumberCommunications, the phone service run by Oorah. This way,she was utilizing her business acumen while still working forkiruv.

Rachel assumed direction of the company’s marketingdivision and was responsible for negotiating rates for long-distance callers. In the span of three years, Rachel’sdepartment grew from three to 20 people.

Rachel thrived in the environment at Oorah. She enjoyedutilizing her varied talents in the different aspects of her joband making a difference in the company and its services forthe community.

“Once you stop feelingthat you are the one incontrol and you realize

that Hashem is incharge — then it’s

obvious how He takescare of you.”

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Changing CareersAs the company grew and changed, so

did the Lakewood community. In the 1990sit was a largely yeshivah-centered town,

where most businesses closed bein hasedarim. But Lakewoodwas growing exponentially, and the community waschanging as well. More women took on jobs with longerhours, and they had to find childcare options for a fullbusiness day, while most babysitters still worked on ayeshivah schedule, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Rachel, too, worked a full daywhile her husband learned inyeshivah. The discrepancy intheir schedules necessitatedthat she drive her children totwo different babysitters everyday. More trying than theinconvenience was the lack ofcommunication between themorning and afternooncaretakers. Nap times andfeeding times were not well-coordinated, and the childrensuffered as a result.

Rachel took action to fix theproblem, and opened a childcarecenter for her company.Originally founded in her ownbasement apartment, Rachelarranged for full-timebabysitters for her children andthose of other Cucumberemployees.

It was a new idea and it tookRachel’s full attention to get itstarted. She came home from afull day of work to a smallapartment where 10 childrenhad just spent the day. Therewas no official substitute list,and if the babysitter ever called insick, Rachel would leave her desk

and fill in for her.While she was caring for these children, Rachel realized

how much she enjoyed it, generating the spark of an idea:what if she opened a professional daycare center?

It took courage and conviction for Rachel to leave hersuccessful and established position and start her ownbusiness. But after consulting with daas Torah and with thesupport of her husband, Rachel decided to go for it.

It was a challenge to introduce the concept of aprofessional preschool environmentto a community where motherswere used to sending their childrento informal playgroups in privatehomes. But Rachel was confidentthat there was enough of a marketfor a professional daycare center,and that parents would appreciate astructured curriculum andexperienced, supervised teachers.

“I love being around children,”Rachel says. “There is so muchhappiness and growth — you cansee development on a week-by-weekbasis, how much they are living upto their potential.”

Now in its ninth year, Ready, Set,Grow! has become an establishedfixture in the Lakewood educationalcommunity. Rachel supervises 20staff members working in 11classrooms. Her venture would be adaunting task even under normalcircumstances, but while Rachel wasdevoting her efforts to Ready, SetGrow!, her mother and two of hersiblings in Eretz Yisrael were niftar,and she gave birth to three morechildren. Rachel weathered the ups

and downs of her life, her family, andher business with bitachon and grace,

“Studies of the cognitivefunctions of the brain

have shown thatchildren are sometimes

missing necessaryneurologicalconnections.”

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and a deep sense of siyattadiShmaya.

Rachel feels that herrelationship with Hashem hasstrengthened over the years. “Inthe beginning, I did not have aregular paycheck, and I haveencountered the challenges thatmany business owners face. But itis clear to me that it all comesfrom the Hand of Hashem. Onceyou stop feeling that you are theone in control and you realizethat Hashem is in charge — thenit’s obvious how He takes care ofyou.”

Rachel is always looking todevelop her curriculum and herstudents, her teachers, andherself. “I like to inspire peopleand support them. I love the

environment at Ready, Set, Grow!,where the children and theteachers are always striving tolearn more.”

A hands-on and involvedmanager, Rachel holds weeklymeetings with her teachers,reviewing curriculum goals andskill sets for each age group. Sheorganizes workshops and classesfor enrichment, and is constantlyon the lookout for new ideas toimprove Ready, Set, Grow!

In Pursuit of New IdeasRachel often attends lectures

and seminars to gain moreknowledge. She did extensive

research on the Feuerstein methodbefore introducing it to the classroomat Ready Set Grow!

Once you stop feelingthat you are the one incontrol and you realize

that Hashem is in charge- then it's obvious howHe takes care of you."

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Developed by noted psychologist Dr.Reuvein Feuerstein, the FeuersteinMethod addresses reasoning, problem-solving and fundamental thinkingskills. “I’ve come to understand thatmany of the problems we see inchildren are mislabeled,” Rachelexplains. “Many people thinkbehavioral issues come from badmiddos or that learning difficultiesstem from a lack of motivation. Butstudies of the cognitive functions ofthe brain have shown that children aresometimes missing necessaryneurological connections. With theFeuerstein method, we work to find themissing path in the brain and recreateit. This gives children the tools toovercome their obstacles.” Rachel hasfound the Feuerstein method to be sosuccessful, she uses it in herclassrooms, in her home, and offersprivate instruction to individuals.

In working on behavioral issueswith one of her children, Rachel cameacross the Nurtured Heart Approach.Her child was struggling with sensoryand behavioral issues at home and inthe classroom. The schoolrecommended that the Rappaportsmedicate their child, but she wanted tosolve the root issue. “I felt thatmedication would turn him into azombie and possibly cover up thesymptoms, but it wouldn’t solve theproblems. Like giving a pacifier to ahungry child, it may keep him quiet forthe moment, but he really needs toeat.”

With the Nurtured Heart Approach,Rachel worked to build up her child’sinner wealth. More than self-esteem, achild’s inner wealth is described as hisindividual character strengths andvirtues, which will enable him tosucceed in school and at home. TheNurtured Heart methodologies includestrengthening positive behavior, andnot the negative, and maintainingtotal clarity about fair rules andconsistent boundaries. Focusing ongiving positive energy to childrenwhen they do behave right empowersthem to make the right choices.

In her constant pursuit of ideas,this past summer Rachel traveled toArizona for an educational seminar.Participating in the workshopactivities enabled Rachel to reacheven higher in her personal goals. “Weall have limiting beliefs, certainassumptions or opinions that stop usfrom achieving our goals. But if wework past them, we can, withHashem’s help, do much more thanwe imagined.”

Rachel had been looking to expandher horizons to inspire others, eitherthrough motivational workshops or abook. But she was hesitant becauseshe feared that her English was not upto par, so she could never be thespeaker or author she imagined. Thenshe took part in a workshop thatchanged her limiting belief.

“We sat in groups of four, and I wasin the middle. I had to state mylimiting belief, and then the others inmy group responded with a positiveaffirmation. They said, “Rachel, yourEnglish is good enough to achievewhat you want to do.” We went backand forth, until I heard thisreinforcement over and over.

This exercise can be done at home,too, Rachel says. “Any time someonecriticizes you, or tries to stop you fromaccomplishing something, you canassert your positive affirmation. Tellyourself that you can and it will havea powerful affect.”

What’s next for Rachel?On a colorful presentation board,

Rachel organizes her future goals intocategories. “This is my Vision Board,”she explains, “and I use it to keeptrack of my goals, whether in businessand financials, recreation, health andfitness, or personal andrelationships.” The Vision Board helpsRachel to envisage her next step andkeep an eye on what she is trying toattain.

Across the bottom is her personalmotto: “I am living every wakingmoment with love, joy, success,freedom, and passion.” B

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