Because Someone Believed in Me

E17 2025

If you have one minute...

Part 1: The Power of Belief

At one of my teacher training seminars, a participant shared a story that left a lasting impression.

Each week, he presents a “Student of the Week” certificate to a child who has demonstrated outstanding behaviour. One Friday, he realised he had accidentally sent the award notification—not to the intended student’s parents—but to the mother of Moshe, one of the most behaviourally challenging students in his class.

As he was about to delete the message and correct the error, a response came through from Moshe’s mother:

Dear Teacher, your message meant the world to me.

I am a single mother going through a very difficult time.The fact that my son was chosen as Student of the Week has brought light and happiness into my otherwise difficult life.

Thank you for seeing the good in him.

The teacher admitted, “At that moment, I didn’t know what to do. I thought, If word gets out that Moshe received the certificate, I’ll become the laughing stock of the school.”

But then he remembered a timeless truth — one rooted in the very first chapter of the Torah:

“And God created man in His image.” (Genesis 1:27)

This foundational verse teaches us that every human being carries an intrinsic Divine spark — infinite potential — regardless of their current struggles.

The Baal Shem Tov taught that within every soul lies a spark of truth and goodness, often hidden, waiting to be awakened by someone who believes in it.

So I made a courageous choice. I called Moshe over and said:

“Usually, I give this certificate to students who have already shown excellent behaviour.

But sometimes, I give it to someone I believe will be the best behaved next week.And today, I believe in you.

That’s why I gave you the certificate — and I sent a copy to your mother.”

How did Moshe behave the following week?

“Unbelievably well,” the teacher said, smiling.Why? Because someone believed in him. Because someone saw not only who he was, but who he could become.

If you have another 30 seconds...

Part 2: A Jewish and Psychological Perspective

The idea of believing in a person’s future potential is not just a heartwarming anecdote — it’s a principle deeply embedded in both Jewish tradition and modern psychology.

From a Jewish perspective, the concept of Teshuvah — often translated as “repentance,” but more accurately meaning “return” — teaches that a person can change the course of their life entirely. Maimonides (the Rambam) writes that even someone who strayed for decades can, with a sincere moment of reflection and resolve, return to spiritual greatness.

Modern psychology echoes this wisdom.

The German philosopher and statesman Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said:

“If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain how he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.”

This quote captures the very heart of the story: when we believe in others — truly believe in them — we give them the strength to become their best selves.

Educational psychologist Dr Carol Dweck, known for her work on the growth mindset, reinforces this idea:

Conclusion

This story isn’t just about a teacher or a student named Moshe. It’s about all of us — parents, educators, mentors, and leaders — and the sacred responsibility we carry.

We are called to look deeper. To believe harder. To speak to the part of others that is still in the process of becoming.

Because when someone is seen not only for who they are — but for who they could be — they often rise to meet that vision.

This publication is dedicated to Rabbi Ari Schachter from Melbourne, Australia in honour of his birthday. May he be blessed with a shnas hatzlocho full of gezunt, parnosso and nachas.