Tovah’s Back 2 School Store readies kids for school
Hundreds of children “shopped” for free at Tovah’s 2026 Back 2 School Store on August 2. Following months of planning by an all-volunteer committee, Tovah (the women’s organizations formerly known as the Essex County chapter of National Council of Jewish Women) created a mini department store and unique shopping experience for elementary school kids from across Essex County.
When the children arrive at the store, they are paired with their very own “personal shopper” who guides them as they choose things they want to wear, read, and enjoy, without parents’ influence or worries about how much it might cost.
This year marked the 18th annual Back 2 School Store, which was held for the second consecutive year at Temple Beth Shalom in Livingston. Each child left outfitted with a shirt and pants, a pair of sneakers, a warm winter coat, hats and gloves, a week’s worth of underwear and socks, personal care items, books, and a backpack filled with school supplies. All items are brand new and free.
“One of the most important parts of the Back 2 School Store is to create an environment where kids feel confident and empowered, and we hope they take those feelings into the school year,” Lauren Tabak Fass, Tovah’s president, said. “For our volunteers, it is so exciting to see the smile on a child’s face when they discover an item in their favorite color, slip it on, and know that it is theirs to take home to wear and enjoy.”
While the children shopped, their parents and caregivers visited the Gaelen Family Resource Center, where more than a dozen agencies offered information and resources, from vision, glucose, and cholesterol screenings to help on registering to vote, learning about SNAP and other benefits.
Tovah also gave each family a grocery gift card and menstrual products. And children were treated to ice cream, donated by a Tovah member and her family.
The Back 2 School Store is Roseland-based Tovah’s biggest annual volunteer event, with more than 300 volunteers involved in planning, organizing, and shopping. The committee works throughout the year with nearly 35 social service agencies, community groups, and religious organizations across Essex County who identify and register children and families for the annual summer event.
Tovah is a community of Jewish women who connect, volunteer, and advocate. For more information, go to www.tovah.org