It has been just under a month since the passing of my paternal grandfather, R’ Mendel New A”H, at the remarkable age of ninety seven. For decades he stood as a pillar of the Jewish community in Melbourne, Australia.

My father shared with me something unique about my grandfather. He said he was “extraordinary in the ordinary”. He had no unique qualities that separated him from the average person. He was not a genius or gifted with any standout talent. What set him apart was his middos, his character. And that is something every one of us can strive to emulate.

In today’s world, we often hear about the importance of “being present.” Teachers, parents, and students are encouraged to slow down, focus on the moment, and truly experience the time we share with one another. Yet, Jewish tradition hints at something even deeper. The most powerful kind of presence is created when the past and the future meet in the present. Grandparents have a unique gift for creating that space, the ultimate space of “present.”