Why Didn't Anyone Think of This Before? Interview with the Initiator of the Largest Backpack Charity

Do you also find yourself facing an endless sea of expenses during these vacation days? From payments for camps and activities, to pools and various entertainments, and onto purchasing textbooks, covers, notebooks, and stationery for the upcoming year? At least the purchase of a backpack is saved for you, thanks to the charity initiated by Sherry Greenfeld, which offers high-quality and excellent backpacks completely for free.

"Actually, the idea first came to me two years ago," says Sherry, "and last year it materialized for the first time. This came about because one of my daughters was entering fifth grade and really wanted a new backpack. I found myself debating — her backpack was in excellent condition, and I didn't see a logical reason to buy another, but on the other hand, it's understandable that after several years of use, one would want to renew and refresh. I discussed it with my friends and realized my daughter was certainly not alone. Most girls get a new backpack when they start first grade, but usually, by third grade, they feel they want to change, and two years after that, the desire arises again. Today's backpacks are generally very strong and hold up well, so buying a new one seems unnecessary for two reasons: it leads to throwing out the old one while it's in great condition, and it's also quite expensive, with good backpacks being sold today for at least 150 shekels and beyond."

Rabbi Lewichter with his students

"Not a Charity for the Needy, but an Initiative for Everyone"

And so the idea was born, and last year Sherry announced the backpack charity for the first time. "I asked friends to bring me their old backpacks from home, of course, only the ones in truly good condition. That's how I received stunning, high-quality, excellent backpacks from top brands and companies. I washed them thoroughly and advertised throughout the Beit Vagan neighborhood, where I live, that I was opening a sale."

According to Sherry, the response was amazing. "Within a few days, many mothers came to me with their sons and daughters and chose beautiful backpacks. It's not that families in distress necessarily came, not at all. Many regular families felt it didn't match their values to spend a lot on a new backpack. I was surprised to see a mother of a first-grader who came the day before school started. I don't know what caused her to leave it until the last minute, but she naturally received an especially amazing backpack."

Rabbi Lewichter with his students

"At the start of the school year I had only a few backpacks left," Sherry recalls, "and then a teacher from one of the neighborhoods in Jerusalem called me and told me: 'I have a student in my class from an underprivileged family. I noticed her backpack is very neglected, and she doesn't have wrapped books or notebooks. Maybe you can help her?' I felt this was a blessing from the heavens. I arranged for the girl to have 'Nicky' brand covers that I happened to have at home, chose a Nicky backpack from the ones left, and I had a matching pencil case, too. Thus the girl received a perfect backpack, with covered books and notebooks and a equipped pencil case. The teacher later told me about the immense excitement and joy, and I decided in my heart that it's essential to repeat the charity's success next year."

Rabbi Lewichter with his students

Grandfather's Vision

At the start of this year, Sherry's grandfather, Rabbi Yitzchak Yaakov Lewichter, passed away. He served as principal of the Beit Yaakov Beit Vagan school for decades. None of the thousands of students who passed through his hands forget Rabbi Lewichter—the legendary principal who loved his students with all his heart and soul, and was as devoted to them as a father to his children.

"One of the sayings grandfather always used was that a child should come to school with joy, not as a baby fleeing from school but as a child running to school," Sherry quotes her grandfather, "and this is the reason I decided this year to establish the charity in his memory. Because this is exactly the purpose of our backpack charity. I want every girl to have the opportunity to go to class with the backpack she loves and to be happy with it."

This is what led her to post notices throughout Jerusalem neighborhoods and beyond, in additional cities across the country. "This year, I managed to reach dozens of hubs where backpacks will be collected for our charity. I'm hoping we’ll have hundreds of backpacks."

Hundreds of backpacks? Do you think that's feasible?

"Certainly yes," Sherry answers, noting that she is acting simultaneously in both arenas. In one, she approaches everyone with good and quality backpacks at home that aren't in use anymore and asks them to pass these on to her. Meanwhile, she's inviting all families interested to come and choose a suitable backpack.

"Just last week, the charity received hundreds of excellent backpacks, as well as pencil cases and bags," she shares with satisfaction. "For example, I got a call from a woman who said she lived in Nes Harim and wanted to pass on 50 backpacks she gathered from all the residents. I drove to her and she indeed provided me with beautiful backpacks. I've also been receiving many foreign-made backpacks. It's generally touching to hear the reactions of all those contacting me. People really give their blessings to this charity."

Sherry concludes with another memory of her grandfather: "I remember Grandpa saying that he always liked to stand at the top of the descent on Shaarei Torah Street that leads to school on Fridays, to see all the daughters of Israel leave school and feel the angels of heaven descending to dance with the girls, because they're happy to see them well-behaved and joyful. I am proud and happy to help these girls find joy and fulfill Grandpa's dream."