Now it was up to her — and Ayala  — to channel their interest and transform them into loyal and motivated Chesed Tzirel ambassadors

Ayala heard the “Come in!” from the other side of the door and entered Bracha’s apartment.

Bracha was sprawled on the couch, Leebie crawling on top of her and Avi bouncing on her legs.  She lifted her head and nodded at Ayala.

“Here for my Daily Dose of Persuasion?” she grinned.

“No idea what you’re talking about,” Ayala said with feigned innocence. “Tomorrow’s Dini’s big volunteer event, and I need someone to practice my speech on.”

“Uh-huh,” Bracha said, shooting her a suspicious look that, Ayala had to admit, she deserved.

She’d expected a flat-out refusal that day in the car when she informed Bracha that she’d been chosen as the Chesed Tzirel trainee. Indeed, Bracha had rolled her eyes and said, “Very funny, who do you really have in mind?”

“I’m serious. You’d be perfect!” Ayala had insisted. In fact, the more she’d thought about it, the more excited she’d been about the idea. “You’re smart and tough and level-headed, and you know how to stand up to others when necessary. You’re also articulate and a great communicator.”

“Enough with the hesped, I’m not dead yet,” Bracha had muttered. And then, in response to Ayala’s expectant silence, she’d said, “You know I’m not looking to work right now.” And, a minute later, “You’re crazy, you know that?”

But she hadn’t said no. Which is why Ayala had dropped by several times this week to feed her inspiring stories about Chesed Tzirel.