I only saw Rebbetzin Sarah Pam, a”h, once. It was about ten years ago, at the last Chag HaSmichah for Yeshiva Torah Vodaath. My husband, along with the other musmachim, were being honored, and my grandmother, Mrs. Celia Friedman, a”h, attended the dinner. She was very excited to be there because she wanted to see Rav Pam, ztz”l, and his rebbetzin, a”h, whom she knew well from their early married life.

At the end of the dinner, my grandmother waited at the elevator for Rav Pam and his rebbetzin. They soon came, along with their entourage. My grandmother greeted them, and they returned her greeting with great warmth. For a short while the many years fell away as they spoke nostalgically of the past. Those few minutes became one of my grandmother’s most cherished memories.

And that is the mental picture I have, the waiting entourage, and the Rosh Yeshivah and his rebbetzin taking the time to speak with my grandmother. In that is the simplicity of greatness and the greatness of simplicity.

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