A couple of weeks ago I received an e-mail announcing this year’s honoree at the annual NEFESH conference for Jewish mental health professionals. The e-mail brought a smile to my face as it did no doubt to countless other recipients. This year’s honoree is none other than Rabbi Ronnie Greenwald beloved director of Camp Sternberg not to mention his countless other contributions to Klal Yisrael.

I was privileged to do a profile piece on Rabbi Greenwald a couple of years ago. I interviewed him for many hours spellbound by his stories especially accounts of the courageous pidyon shvuyim (freeing captives) coups he undertook — all related with signature dry humor and a self-deprecating smile. To know Ronnie Greenwald is to be in awe of this great man and I felt fortunate to be able to portray him to the Mishpacha readership up close and personal.

Amazing people like Ronnie Greenwald regularly fill the pages of the magazine. So much so that I wonder if readers ever wonder how it is that these people come to tell their stories and share their inspiration. Truth is most of the people I wind up interviewing are naturally reticent when first approached (possessing that wonderful rare quality called modesty!) and they must be persuaded — often vociferously and incessantly — to bare their lives to the general public.

“Why should I be interviewed?” they inevitably ask. “I’m not the type. I don’t want my name and picture splashed around. And anyway” comes the classic line “It’s not like my life is anything that interesting or special.” There are those who beg off for reasons of perceived ayin hara or because they — or their spouse! — feel uncomfortable being thrust into the public eye. Still others decline right off the bat without citing any excuse at all murmuring a polite but firm “No.” In fact I can probably name only a couple of people who immediately agreed — or actually requested! — to be interviewed for an article and they were seeking the exposure for publicity purposes. But it’s the other 98 percent that all you readers out there really want to hear about!

Well if we journalists were so easily swept aside by all these demurring denizens your Mishpacha magazine would be a very scant and disappointing read indeed. So here’s a little behind-the-scenes look at my pitch to potential interviewees. It seems to be working so far!

Let me step back here with a little caveat: If I didn’t believe in what I was doing I would have switched careers long ago! The fact is that I view Mishpacha as far more than Friday-night post-chicken-soup entertainment. I see it as a powerful vehicle a tool for igniting inspiration sharing ideas and effecting change. The stories and articles read by tens of thousands of people each week offer new perspectives hope food for thought and insight. People’s lives are actually transformed by what they read — evidenced by the numerous letters we receive from thankful readers. The value of the frum written word cannot be overestimated.

Now that I’ve set the stage you may be able to guess just what I tell reluctant interviewees-to-be. Very simply I give them the other side of the story citing the importance of exposing such a large segment of Klal Yisrael to what the individual has to offer. If he or she is a lay leader or a tireless founder of a much-needed organization I will exhort them to be interviewed if only to inspire the next generation to step up to the plate and take initiative. How many groundbreaking indomitable pioneers cite role models they read about or met personally as their impetus to make a difference! “Think about how many people you will touch; how many ideas you will implant in your readership!” I will say.

In cases where the interviewee has gone through a specific challenge or done something extraordinary I will cite the kiddush Hashem aspect inherent in telling their tale. When readers react with awe and wonder while reading of personal miracles or life-changing turnarounds they glorify the Ribono shel Olam who perfectly orchestrates the world and whose magnificent deeds must be known to be appreciated. This is reason enough for many interviewees.

If my impassioned pleas are still met with resistance I will pull out my trump card a line so heartfelt and so poignant that few can resist it. “Tell me” I will say “can you really deprive readers of the opportunity to be inspired by your story or your life’s work?”

I’m very grateful that people like Rabbi Ronnie Greenwald allow themselves to be persuaded to step into the Mishpacha spotlight for the sole purpose of being mekadesh sheim Shamayim and passing the torch of chesed and community service to countless others.