Giving Children the Tools to Learn and Thrive

For many children, September brings the excitement and anticipation of a fresh school year- New friends, new lessons, new possibilities. But for others, that excitement is overshadowed by a quiet sense of uncertainty and unease.

To most of us, school supplies are a basic necessity. For a child who has never had them, they represent far more: inclusion, belonging, and the hope of a brighter future. A backpack filled with pencils, notebooks, and other essentials can spark confidence, reduce embarrassment, and inspire a love of learning.

It’s easy to see a backpack or a set of pencils as small things. But for a child in need, these are tickets to dignity and belonging. Without them, a student may hesitate to raise a hand, avoid doing homework, or even skip school altogether. With these items, children can focus on what truly matters: learning, growing, and building a better future.

In Jewish thought, education has always been the cornerstone of community survival and strength. The Talmud teaches that when you teach a child, you shape not just their life, but the lives of generations to come. By equipping children with school supplies, Yad Ezra V’Shulamit isn’t just handing out paper and pens, it’s providing the means to write their own futures.

For countless families across Israel, the weight of nearly two years of war, coupled with soaring prices for even the most basic necessities, has made affording school supplies that muchmore difficult. A backpack filled with essentials lifts not only a financial burden, but also spirits, reminding parents and children alike that their community stands beside them.

A Founder’s Humble Beginning Lights the Way

This mission is deeply personal for Yad Ezra V’Shulamit’s founder, Aryeh Lurie. As a child, Aryeh walked to school carrying his few belongings in a crumpled paper bag. The difference between him and his classmates was stark, and the quiet burden of that experience stayed with him.

Today, that paper bag is no longer a sign of what was missing, but a reminder of what can be given. The boy who once carried it has grown into the man who now brings thousands of backpacks, warm meals, and daily essentials to children, widows, orphans, and the elderly. Aryeh’s journey is one of kindness, resilience, and the deeply held Jewish belief that Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh—all of Israel is responsible for one another.

A Backpack Today, a New Chapter Tomorrow

Aryeh’s story reminds us that beginnings do not define endings. Each backpack given is more than a bag, it is a vessel of hope, a shield of dignity, and a promise that every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.

In Jewish tradition, education is not only an individual journey, it is a communal one. By investing in a child’s ability to learn, we help shape generations to come. When we give children the tools they need, we open the door to their success- and to a brighter, stronger future for us all.

As summer fades and a new school year begins, with the help of our donors and the Back to School distribution project, countless children will step into their classrooms carrying more than just school supplies. Each backpack represents a fresh start, an invitation to learn, to grow, and to imagine new possibilities. It’s a quiet reminder that small acts of care can create a season filled with hope, confidence, and promise.