Over the past 20 years, our staff has learned that often their handiwork sparks an equally fascinating epilogue

After multiple drafts, editing, proofreading, graphic design, printing, and distribution, the magazine finally finds its way to its final destination, the homes of our readers — and then the story’s over. Or is it? Sometimes that’s when the story just begins. Over the past 20 years, our staff has learned that often their handiwork sparks an equally fascinating epilogue. Now it’s time to share some of those stories

It Had a Name

As a contributor in the past to Mishpacha Jr. and now to Treeo, I answer questions sent by kids to the advice column. I know that children are avid readers, but I never realized how impactful the column could be until I was contacted by a family who didn’t even have email (ashreichem!), after they saw my response to a boy with OCD. After reading it, they realized that their son’s challenges had a name! Baruch Hashem, I was able to send them resources and refer them to the right place, so their son could get the help he needed.

—Chaim Ellis

Encore

I once wrote up a piece about the old Pirchei band, where a lot of the shapers of today’s Jewish music scene got their start. After it went to print, I was contacted by a man. “I was in that band!” He told me. “I recognized all the people you wrote about! But I went through some challenges and had dropped some Jewish observance. I moved away and lost contact with all my old musician friends.

“Now I’m on my way back,” he said. “I’m living in a Jewish community again and slowly returning to observance. But your article reminded me about the old chevreh — I would love to get in touch with them again.”

I was more than happy to reach out to them and restore the old connection. Later he called to tell me how thrilled and grateful he was to have reconnected with his musician friends.

—Barbara Bensoussan

Direct Line

As Mishpacha’s administrator (the one who sees all emails sent to info@mishpacha.com), I regularly get requests from people looking for more information about an article — contact info for the subject, historical background, questions for the writer…. Mishpacha’s ethos is to try to help wherever we can, even if it takes a bit more effort (some of the requests that we’ve received sparked sagas that could merit articles of their own).

A while back, we ran an article about a rebbe and we were flooded with requests for the rebbe’s contact information. A few weeks later, we found out that the number we’d given was incorrect, so I went back through all the original requests with a correction.

A reader wrote back to tell me that a family member was in the hospital, and they had really hoped to get a brachah from the rebbe but hadn’t been able to get through. The day before, they had said, “Hashem, I accept that it’s not bashert for me to speak to the rebbe, and I know that only You can help me.” And the very next day, they received my email and were able to speak to the gabbai at once.

It was so special to be a part of that in a small way, and I really appreciated them taking the time to share it with me.

—Libby Livshin

Topic of Conversation

After I published a Family First article that unraveled the difference between self-centeredness and healthy self-care, I got feedback for days: From kallah teachers who shared it with their students. Families who shared it all over WhatsApp groups. Random strangers who sent me messages. I heard over and over from families how it became the topic of conversation at meals, park benches, in WhatsApp groups, and in the bungalow colony.

When I learned that it was one of the most-read Family First articles online, that really bowled me over. This is such a confusing, relevant topic, and I was grateful that I’d been able to give readers clarity. It was so humbling.

—Naomie Rubner