Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel
Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI) is a non-profit organization of American and Canadian Jews who have made Aliyah to Israel.
About AACI
AACI - The Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel www.aaci.org.il is the premiere resource center for Israel's English speaking population. For over 60 years, AACI has encouraged Americans and Canadians to make Aliyah (Jewish immigration to Israel) and has served as the primary support organization for immigrants to Israel from North America. AACI, assists its members with all facets of Aliyah and absorption into Israeli society. AACI has 5 branches throughout the country that offer absorption counseling services.
AACI also provides social and cultural programs as well as other related services. AACI is a non-profit organization, funded mainly by program and membership fees along with donations aided by hundreds of volunteers.
AACI Programs
Aliyah Counseling
AACI has a target population of over 300,000 North American and English-speaking Israelis as well as all potential immigrants to Israel from North America. AACI counselors provide the needed services for both newly arriving Olim and Olim who have been in Israel for a longer time period to have a successful Aliyah experience. AACI is committed to assisting Olim in achieving successful klitah (absorption) through counseling, employment assistance, mortgage and emergency loan assistance, and social welfare and related services. AACI addresses the issues that impact the lives of our members and their quality of life in Israel. In doing so, the AACI has become the preeminent voice of Israel’s English speaking community.
Employment
One of the most crucial measures of success in the Aliyah process is the ability for immigrants to find appropriate work. Out of the array of absorption services that AACI offers, the single largest demand from its members is for its employment services. English-speaking jobs seekers – both new and not-so-new immigrants – need one-on-one counseling, adaptation of their resumes to the Israel job market, knowledge of available jobs, seminars and workshops with experts, networking opportunities and more to make their lives in Israel a success. The ability of AACI to provide these client-focused levels of service is critically important to the Aliyah success of many English speaking immigrants.
Culture
AACI offers a large array of country-wide tours, art exhibits, and organized trips to music and theater productions as well as numerous library services throughout the country. The Jerusalem branch’s new program center, the Dr. Max & Gianna Glassman Family Center with a 200-seat auditorium an additional program rooms can host a wide range of events.
Libraries
AACI hosts an English lending library, a library for the Visually Impaired, a DVD library and media club at its Jerusalem headquarters. The AACI English Language Library for the Visually Impaired and Homebound is the only one of its kind serving all of Israel. This volunteer run English language library provides a crucial service for people who suffer vision disability of all ages.
Memorial Program
AACI hosts an annual memorial service in honor of Americans and Canadians who have fallen in the service of the State of Israel or as victims of terrorist attacks. The memorial to over 300 people takes place at the AACI Memorial Forest, near Sha'ar Hagai. AACI believes it is an obligation to remember and honor those from the North American Jewish community who made the supreme sacrifice to ensure the existence of a Jewish State. The Memorial also educates the next generation of English speaking Jews about the heroism of those who have fallen.
Kosher Travel
AACI offers a number of kosher international trips throughout the year ranging from African safaris, cruises to Italy, and tours through the Baltics. Local trips throughout Israel include study and seminar weekends to Israel's most interesting historical sites.
Rusty Mike
AACI's Rusty Mike Radio Internet radio station was established in 2009. Operating out of Jerusalem, this English-language, community-based radio educates, informs, entertains and connects people to Israel through discussion about the realities and practicalities of day-to-day life. The station takes no political or religious position, but rather informs its audience on the range of views that make up debate in the Israeli media. People in Israel and around the world tune in to hear discussions about culture, sports, health care, legal rights, employment opportunities, women’s issues, road safety, and music. Listeners are entertained and get to know the real Israel by hearing from the people of Israel.
AACI History
AACI was established in 1951. True to its mission, it has organized numerous programs for the benefit of English-speaking immigrants from North America. In the past decade, it has launched public awareness campaigns to eliminate smoking in public areas and encourage the use of bicycle helmets. It has ensured that immigrants who are over 60 years are included in the National Health Insurance Law and it has advocated to include Western immigrants in new immigrant basket.[1] It was AACI that initiated the construction of "Nofim," the first assisted living facility in Israel which then became the standard model for all assisted living facilities throughout the country.
In response to the dire need for housing shortly after the country's founding, AACI sponsored housing projects in 1957 for Western immigrants in Kfar HaRoeh, Holon and Herzliya Pituah.[2] Building on the success of these projects, in 1958 AACI sponsored the first cooperative housing project in Jerusalem, known today as Nayot. Other building projects include the area in French Hill now knows as "Tsameret Habira."
Awards and Recognition
In 1990, the AACI received the Knesset Award for Improving the Quality of Life in Israel.[3]