Boots for Israel (BFI) has traveled a long way since its October 11 birth in the wake of Hamas’ barbaric October 7 ambush. BFI hasn’t stopped moving. While our IDF defenders would go barefoot in their dogged pursuit of terrorists, BFI was created so that they don’t have to.
On Sunday, May 5, BFI returned to the Young Israel of New Rochelle for another successful pairing. Over 100 attendees of all ages packed boots augmented with handwritten letters of support. The mesmerizing hum of activity was occasionally broken as volunteers snacked on Israeli food, took photos with the mountain-high boot-stuffed duffel bags, and sang HaTikvah.
After another successful pairing with YINR, BFI was hosted by Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Central) on Monday, May 13, for a memorable Yom HaZikaron program. Yom HaZikaron will forever hold new meaning for contemporary Jewry as our nation’s story reaches a dark chapter. But in darkness, a single light can shine prominently. Such was the palpable feeling of spirituality manifested by the program of mind, body, and soul, which featured Israeli husband-and-wife duo Yoni and Yonina, whose popularity has been soaring, owing to a bustling social media presence.
Yoni shared his personal experience with BFI. Upon arriving at Central that very morning, he was greeted by one of BFI’s volunteers, and recounted the story of the first day that he joined the IDF operation in Gaza with very old, very torn footwear. It wasn’t long before his feet became bloody and blistered as he rapidly traversed the hostile Gaza terrain. Although Yoni was now on a reprieve from the war effort, he could be summoned back in as quickly as two weeks, to which the volunteer immediately inquired about his boot size. Within half an hour, Yoni received a brand new pair. The incredulous look on his and Yonina’s faces, brimming with emotion and gratitude, said more than any words of thanks.
Following the assembly of inspirational stories, T’hilim, classic Jewish songs, anecdotes from Yakir, and an instructional video portraying both how to pack the boots and BFI’s visible impact on grateful IDF chayalim, students eagerly marched upstairs to the gym, where two dozen tables awaited them in neat formation. Adjacent to each table were boxes of boots and duffel bags. Messages of support were tucked within the pairs as they moved from box to bag.
On the heels of Yom HaZikaron, BFI traveled to HANC’s Early Childhood Center in West Hempstead on Tuesday, May 14, for the next step of its ongoing expedition: celebrating Yom HaAtzmaut with the whole West Hempstead Community. The buoyant rush of activity among the many families in attendance honored Israel’s independence by supporting those who endeavor every day to maintain it.
Seeing volunteers of all ages in seamless action as they packed 1,700 pairs reflected the transformative power of achdus. These events aren’t just for communities as a whole, but also as a way for families to bond over a shared chesed experience, making the kind of memories that will carry one through life. What’s special about these events is that, as Yakir emphasized in his opening remarks, within 72 hours the impact of what the volunteers did in America would be felt on the feet of chayalim in Israel.
To conclude the week with warmth and enthusiasm, on Sunday, May 19, Chabad of West Orange, led by Rabbi Kasowitz, hosted BFI for a gathering engineered by Irene Dobkin, New York Regional Director of Club Z, and Senior Educator for Club Z, Yoel Sebbag. Club Z is a group for unaffiliated Jewish youth in grades 8 through 12 who are interested in stepping up for Israel advocacy and Zionism.
Well over 100 participants energetically tackled dozens of boxes of boots in record time. The zest with which volunteers completed every single stage of the packing process could be felt. As soon as the event concluded, a return invitation was extended. These events demonstrate that even being separated by an ocean cannot dampen the spiritual connection cultivated through chesed-in-action.
Boots for Israel, the grassroots organization founded and led by Yakir Wachstock and partnered with the Young Israel of Holliswood, El Al, and the National Council of Young Israel, has mobilized American Jewry to aid their Israeli brethren since October 11. Over 50,000 pairs have been donated so far, cementing BFI’s role as the foremost overseas supplier of tactical army boots for the IDF.
For more information on volunteering or hosting your own event, please visit www.bootsforisrael.com. For donations and sponsorship opportunities, go to thechesedfund.com/bootsontheground/bootsforisrael. Also, follow our trail on Instagram @bootsforisrael, Facebook page, or email us directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Jeremy, a corporate psychologist living in New York City, can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
By Jeremy Uliss
