An Interview With Pnina Berk

Newly relocated to New York from California, Pnina Berk (center) is a glowing ninth grader (think peaches and cream with a taste of honey) always on a mission to serve others. And this holiday season Pnina Berk did just that.

Berk tackled a need here in Larchmont, New York, to outfit children with new shoes. No stranger to lending a helping hand, Berk has aided needy children before.

From west coast to east coast, Berk brought along her expertise and passion to give to others. Berk borrowed time from her studies and extra curricula activities to organize a local Shoes That Fit program. Shoes That Fit is a national program designed by kids for kids to “help build the self-esteem of schoolchildren in need by providing them with new shoes and clothes.”

Recently I met up with Pnina Berk and asked for an interview. Here’s what I found out about Pnina’s worthy work.

Welcome Pnina Berk to Larchmont, New York. Tell me, do you like school? Why? And is there anything you don’t like about school?

I like school a lot. I have good classes and made some great friends. I don’t think there’s anything in school that I don’t like.

What would you like to be when you grow up, Pnina? And why?

When I grow up I want to be a psychologist. I really like helping people with their problems and I think psychologists provide the necessary job for all people to be able to talk to someone if they need comfort.

How does living here in the northeast compare to living in California?

Well, it’s colder here. Also, the atmosphere is different. People seem to have different values between the two places. Some are improvements to California, some are not.

Tell me about the Shoes That Fit program, Pnina. What is it? Where did the idea come from? What inspired you to share this program with Beth Emeth Synagogue?

Shoes That Fit is an organization working toward giving shoes to poor children all over America. Shoes That Fit tells the story of a little boy who showed up to school in his sister’s pink jelly shoes. The shoes did not fit him and probably were not his first choice shoes. Shoes That Fit works to giving children like this little boy shoes appropriate for their age, gender, and most importantly, size. I heard about this program in California. My school partnered up with a high school in the area and they introduced the program getting us started to run Shoes That Fit in our school. I was one of the kids to get really involved and along with a teacher and a few friends, ran Shoes That Fit at my school. We helped supply shoes to kids in two schools and had a great experience. This was such a worthy experience for me that I wanted to do it again. That is why I brought it to Beth Emeth.

Can you share with me information about your family, Pnina. Do you have brothers or sisters? Were they helpful? Was your family supportive in your endeavor to help others?

I have a little brother and sister. My brother’s name is Shai and my sister’s, Shoshan (Shoshi). They did not really get involved with Shoes That Fit this year, though it’s ok for Shoshi because she’s only eight years old. My parents though were very helpful. My dad, Rabbi Arye Berk, sent out the fliers I made up to the whole congregation and made it possible for me to run the program at the synagogue. My mom, Miriam, helped me the most though. She went out and bought shoes because I couldn’t, being very busy with (my) play practice. She also called people for me and helped me contact my coordinator so we could get together.

Pnina, you have been most helpful. And I thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to allow me to interview you.

Feel free to email Pnina Berk with donations for Shoes That Fit at pninisandwich@yahoo.com.

Linda Della Donna is a freelance writer. You can learn more about Della Donna by visiting her website or reading her blog. Della Donna lives 20 miles north from where the World Trade Center used to be with her small dog, Izzy, and his little cat, Tux. Her FRE.E Ebook, Treasury of Quotations, is available at her website - Just fill out the Opt-In box and subscribe to her email list. Got a writing assignment? Need an interview? How about a comment? Feel free to contact Della Donna at littleredmailbox@aol.com - She’d love to hear from you!