An astonishing discovery. Two strangers. One empty seat.

One afternoon in 1948, Marcel Sternberger, a celebrated photographer whose subjects included Albert Einstein and President Franklin D. Roosevelt, boarded a New York City subway train. He found an empty seat beside a stranger reading a Hungarian newspaper.

Born in Hungary himself, Sternberger noticed the stranger's newspaper and saw an opportunity to strike up a conversation.

Neither could have imagined where that simple conversation would lead.

✨3 Ideas

1. The human need for connection

We thrive when we connect with others. Our relationships with family and friends bring meaning and richness to our lives. But human connection shouldn’t be limited to the people we know. A friendly exchange with a stranger, a shared laugh, or a moment of unexpected warmth can brighten an ordinary day.

The pleasure of connecting with one another is one of life’s everyday gifts.

Even brief encounters can remind us of something wonderful: our souls long for the touch of other souls.

2. A human touch begins with initiative

When in a crowded elevator, I sometimes try to break the silence. In a seven-story building, I’ll announce, “Did you know that this building used to have eight floors?” After a brief pause, I’ll add, “Yes, it used to have eight floors, but that’s another story.”

Smiles and the occasional groan ensue. And for a few moments, strangers who might never meet again have shared something enjoyable.

A little initiative can turn an ordinary moment into an opportunity for connection. Sometimes a human touch is as simple as a friendly greeting.

3. Small moments can make a big difference

The cumulative effect of small moments of human connection can be considerable. A few words of encouragement or pleasantries may seem insignificant on their own. But over time, these moments can make our lives richer and more meaningful.

Human warmth can make someone’s day -- and their life -- a little better.

And sometimes, a seemingly insignificant encounter can have consequences far beyond anything we might have imagined. We never know when a simple gesture of friendliness might set something extraordinary in motion.

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📜2 Quotes

“When there is worry in one’s heart, share it with others, as a good word will make it cheerful”
— Proverbs 12:25

“I just want someone to talk to
And a little of that Human Touch”
— Bruce Springsteen, “Human Touch”

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❓1 Question

What one small step could you take this week to bring a little more human warmth into someone’s life?

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And what became of Marcel Sternberger’s conversation with the stranger on the Brooklyn subway?

The stranger was Béla Paskin, a Hungarian Holocaust survivor. When Paskin recounted that he’d been told his wife, Marya, had perished at Auschwitz, Sternberger was astonished -- he had recently met a Hungarian woman who had also survived Auschwitz.

Could she possibly be Paskin’s wife?

Sternberger remembered the woman’s telephone number and called her. After asking a few questions, he confirmed the astonishing truth: she was Marya! Soon afterward, husband and wife were reunited after years of separation.

An extraordinary reunion, made possible by an ordinary human gesture -- a stranger’s willingness to begin a conversation.

Few of our everyday encounters will have such remarkable consequences. But each offers an opportunity to bring a little more warmth into someone’s life.

Until next time,
Wishing you a week of small but meaningful connections,

Rabbi Ze'ev Smason

P.S. Have you ever had an unexpected encounter with a stranger that left you smiling -- or perhaps had an even greater impact on you? I’d love to hear that story.