12/08/2025
In the middle of a quiet university lecture, Professor Sydney Engelberg was speaking with his usual calm enthusiasm when the sharp cries of a baby broke the stillness.
The sound came from the back of the room—a young mother, one of his students, holding her restless child.
Embarrassed, she rose from her seat, ready to slip out so the noise wouldn’t disrupt the class.
But before she could reach the door, Engelberg paused his lecture, walked over, and—without a word—gently took the baby into his arms. Then he turned back to the front, continued teaching, and cradled the child as if it were the most natural thing in the world. No rules cited, no irritation shown, no explanation offered.
For the students watching, it was an unforgettable moment. This wasn’t an isolated act—Engelberg was already known for welcoming student-mothers into his classes, encouraging them to bring their children, breastfeed if needed, and never feel like an inconvenience.
He often summed up his philosophy with a single line: “A mother should never have to choose between her child and her education. Educating a mother is educating a nation.”
A photograph of that day—professor mid-lecture, baby resting peacefully in his arms—traveled across the world.
It became more than a sweet image; it was a reminder that education is not just about knowledge, but about compassion. Sometimes, the most powerful lesson in a classroom isn’t found in the syllabus—it’s in how we choose to treat one another.
