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 The
Face of Humility
I met him in what is soon to be a prestigious downtown
Columbus location. The entrance to his office was unlike any
office I had ever encountered. Ascending two flights of newly
painted, black metal stairs encased by perfectly restored,
original brickwork and handsomely framed, historic photographs,
I found myself surprisingly confronted by a narrow, black, metal
bridge that crossed back over the staircase I had just climbed.
The crisp, clean and unpretentious bridge led precisely straight
to a small, single black door with no meaningful identification.
"Am I at the right place," I thought. I looked around but
discovered no other helpful markers or signage. So, I slowly
proceeded across the bridge and toward the door. Once there, I
hesitated for a moment, again questioning my ability to follow
directions. But, having no other options, and after thoroughly
casing my surroundings and realizing there was no doorbell, door
knocker, intercom system or cameras, I reached for the plain,
silver metal doorknob.
With one simple turn, the door opened to reveal an open, airy,
sun-drenched space accented with warm hardwood floors, exposed
brick walls and elevated loft areas that would impress even the
most particular and refined New York City native. A
well-groomed, neatly but casually dressed man in his mid-forties
started to approach me. He was wearing a tweed coat over a
color-coordinated vest and sported a tightly cropped, grayish
beard. His smile was genuine and his friendly eyes conveyed a
sincerity that is so very rare today.
"Hi, I'm Kyle. May I help you?" he asked. I stood there
somewhat stunned. I was expecting someone much older. Someone
who was going to tell me his story of how he immigrated here
from Russia to escape persecution. Someone who was going to
describe in great detail how he struggled to find his way in the
new world. Someone who was going to paint a vivid and emotional
picture of how the special people at Jewish Family Services
helped him get on his feet, find work and experience the true
American dream.
What I found was someone much different.
I found a person who has truly been blessed throughout his life.
He had an idyllic childhood surrounded by loving, supportive,
successful and inspirational parents and relatives. He attended
one of the best private high schools in the Columbus area and
graduated from a renowned west coast university.
Realizing that the questions I had prepared for my subject were
now inappropriate and inadequate, I let the interview unfold in
a more free-flowing, natural and conversational manner.
What I uncovered, or I should say, what effortlessly flowed
forth from this highly intellectual yet unassuming individual,
was a reverent insight that not only revealed the character of
Kyle but also the essence of Jewish Family Services (JFS):
humility.
Kyle was first exposed to JFS by his mother who assisted
the first wave of immigrating Russian-Jews by helping them find
work and establish their new lives on the east side of Columbus.
She was also elected president of JFS during the 1970s. He
grew up in a caring household witnessing first-hand and living
the words spoken by Abraham thousands of years ago, "I am my
brother's keeper." These words reverberated deep within Kyle
throughout his youth, during his tenure as JFS president in the
1990s, and continuing even today.
As he recalled his days as president of JFS, and the memories
started "flooding back" to him, he fondly remembered all of
those who so faithfully and selflessly served with him. All of
those fellow board members, associates and volunteers at JFS who
willingly gave of their time, energy and finances to help those
in need. He is proud of how far JFS has come, how many the
organization has helped, and the lasting friendships he has
formed with others involved with JFS.
As I began to conclude the interview, Kyle once again stressed
that JFS is all about humility. He wanted to be sure that I
fully understood that it is the core Judaic values of serving
others and living a life of humility that is the very heart, the
very essence, of JFS. He also wanted me to clearly comprehend
just how much he was helped personally through his association
with JFS. As JFS president, he and his team faced many great
challenges and achieved many great successes. "JFS allowed me an
outlet through which my board and I could give back to the
community," he stated. "It was truly a symbiotic relationship,"
he continued.
As I left, closing the simple, black metal door behind me, and
starting back across the bridge spanning the staircase, I felt
humbled. Humbled to have met a man like Kyle. Humbled to
have had the opportunity to discover the history and
self-sacrificing people behind JFS. Humbled to be reminded that
we are all placed on this earth not to be served, but to serve.
I, indeed, had stared into the face of humility, and am better
for it.
Perry is president of PPA Graphics, Inc., a
25-year-old, full-service, advertising and design agency located
In Canal Winchester, Ohio.
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