New Backpacks Make the New Year Sweeter

With faces aglow and excitement filling the early morning air, recent Ethiopian Jewish immigrants began to gather outside Neve Yaacov’s community center in anticipation of Jerusalem Institute of Justice’s (JIJ) yearly backpack distribution. August 25, 2010 marked the third consecutive year of JIJ’s annual back-to-school distribution, which provides backpacks and school supplies to disadvantaged Israeli students from families of lower socio-economic standing.

In collaboration with Admaso Halali, advisor of Ethiopian affairs to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, JIJ facilitated this year’s backpack distribution in the Neve Yaacov neighborhood of Jerusalem, home to many new Ethiopian immigrants. The distribution served approximately 200 families and nearly 1,000 individuals without the means to afford backpacks and school supplies for the new school year.

An array of colorful backpacks in various designs lined tables awaiting eager children. As students approached, each received a brand new book bag of his or her choice. While schoolbags for kindergarten students included a thermos and lunchbox, backpacks for older students contained notebooks, writing utensils, crayons, scissors, and other required materials.

“This is so important for families who cannot afford new school supplies,” said one recipient’s father. “It is a huge help. We want to thank every one who contributed and organized this event.”

As the distribution drew to a close, Calev Myers, chief counsel and founder of JIJ, said, “I want to thank all the supporters of JIJ who made this day possible. How wonderful to see smiles spread across children’s faces as they receive a new backpack for the beginning of their school year. We want every Ethiopian student here to be able to begin the school year with success. We wish everyone a happy new year!”

JIJ also held distributions in: Kiryat Gat, Beit Shemesh, Maaleh Adumim, Tel Aviv, Nazareth Illit and Maalot. Over 4,000 backpacks were distributed across the nation, and the response was overwhelming.

With faces beaming brighter than ever and eyes gleaming with delight, many young ones paraded off with colorful schoolbags now prepared and ready to conquer the new school year.

Click here to view video footage of the event.

Description

JIJ held its 3rd consecutive backpack distribution in the Neve Yaacov neighborhood of Jerusalem

JIJ handed out thousands of colorful backpacks to Israeli-Ethiopian students

Over 4,000 backpacks were distributed to disadvantaged students throughout Israel