Can you imagine receiving a phone call from Israel at 2:30 a.m. from a major in the IDF asking for help? That’s what happened to Yakir Wachstock on October 11, 2023. An IDF major called him with an urgent request for army boots for the IDF.
Yakir had no previous connection to the Israeli Army. He had started an Amazon business during COVID, selling Barbies and pots. Somehow, this IDF officer found him on Amazon, which was just the beginning of so much hashgachah for Boots for Israel. So, Yakir immediately reached out to a friend who had tactical boots, and Boots for Israel began. The IDF major told him that they were from the Yakir Battalion. That just happened to be the name of the army base. The name of the base was just one of many hashgachah stories that happened with Boots for Israel.
Since that time, Yakir has traveled all over, speaking in the US, Canada, and Israel in shuls sharing drashos and making an appeal for Boots for Israel. Over the last 70 Shabbasos, he has been all over, from Palm Beach, Florida, to California, to Teaneck, Atlanta, Chicago, the Five Towns, and more.
Yakir shared a few of the beautiful hashgachah stories that are constantly happening with Boots for Israel. He was in Palm Beach, Florida, and there was a bas mitzvah going on, and the girl who was ba, mitzvah had given all her cash gifts to Boots for Israel. “And there I was, speaking at the kiddush at that shul where that girl and her family happened to be.”
He received a phone call from a woman in Los Vegas who had three b’nei mitzvah children who wanted to have a boot packaging event at their parties. Yakir told her that it was a nice idea, but there was no way to get the boots to Israel from Los Vegas, as his all-volunteer organization is running on a shoestring, no pun intended. She asked if her private jet would be helpful. She went on to donate 500 pairs of boots and had a neighbor involved who planned to match this. Yakir asked her to send the Hebrew names of the three children and, amazingly, their names are Yair, Yakira, and Yakir. The Hebrew name Yakir means precious or dear.
The organization has donated over 80,000 pairs of boots to chayalim, and currently there are 15,000 chayalim waiting for boots. There are reservists who don’t have the proper waterproof boots that they need.
A virtual charity auction is being held until a few days after Pesach, G-d willing, starting April 1 or April 2, to help raise funds for the urgently needed boots for the IDF.
The following are some heartwarming messages of gratitude sent in video clips directly from the IDF soldiers to Boots for Israel:
“I am Rona Sophia. I serve with paratroopers in the North. Since October 7, I have served close to 400 days. I’ve been in Gaza and Lebanon many times. Now, heading to Lebanon for the fifth time. Thank you to the community of San Diego, the rabbi and rebbetzin. Thank you for helping a lot of soldiers. Thank you for watching out for our feet. We fight for our country the best we can. We love you. G-d bless America. Thank you!”
“I am Dan, a soldier in the IDF in the canine unit. Thank you so much for the new shoes you gave me. It’s very helpful in the fight – in the war. I do a lot in Gaza and Lebanon. My shoes are old and broken. Look.” He showed the torn boots with holes. “Thank you so much, Yakir!”
Two soldiers said, “Boots for Israel, Todah Rabah Lachem. Thank you with all our heart!”
Another soldier said, “Thank you very much, Boots for Israel. You saved me. I’m walking with these shoes for two months. My army shoes were broken in the war. I am very grateful to you. Thank you very, very much!”
“I’m Yossi Meidel, from Detroit, Michigan, now living in Yerushalayim and serving in Gush in miluim. Right now, I can see my socks through the bottom of my boots. Please help us soldiers out so we can be the best on our feet.”
Boots for Israel hosts many boot-packing events, and there was one at the Young Israel of Hillcrest this past Sunday. Volunteers are welcome.
Jay Shultz, President of the Am Yisrael Foundation and Founder of Curio Auctions, shared his thoughts about the charity auction for Boots for Israel. These items are actual historical museum-quality artifacts from the IDF that incorporate a connection to Eretz Yisrael and to the Jewish people, which can be passed on to grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Owning one of these will instill a passion for philanthropy for generations. These objects are all carefully crafted and curated and hold great sentimental value for the Jewish people, and owning them will surely be a merit spiritually for the family.
Below is a small list of a few of the valuable items being offered in the charity auction.
There are soldiers’ boots from World War II, British made, from 1941, with a stamped letter tzadi on them. There is an IDF Haggadah from the War of Independence by Chief Military Rabbi General Shlomo Gorenchik (Goren), 1949. There is an iconic photo of Rabbi Goren blowing the shofar at the Kosel on June 7, 1967, taken by the famous photographer David Rubinger. There is a 1920 art noveau Seder plate from Czechoslovakia. There are ancient bronze Bar Kochba revolt coins from 132-135 CE.
There is an expression, “walk a mile in my shoes,” which is really what Yakir and everyone who supports Boots for Israel is doing. We are all one Jewish family, and the idea of walking in my shoes means to have empathy and likely originates from a poem called “Judge Softly” by Mary T. Lathrap, published in 1895, which used the phrase “Walk a mile in his moccasins.”
Hashem should keep all the IDF soldiers and klal Yisrael everywhere safe, and we should not need to send boots for war but rather boots for farming and peaceful activities.
To donate to Boots for Israel, go to BootsforIsrael.com.
For the charity auction, go to www.CurioAuctions.com/boots.y Susie Garber
