Testimonials & Awards
A Heartfelt Thank You to AACI GIVES!
On June 16, 2024, thanks to your generous donations, AACI GIVES hosted a beautiful Bar-Mitzvah celebration for 26 boys from Kiryat Shmona at the Van Leer Institute in Jerusalem. It was a touching reunion filled with joy, music, delicious food, and heartfelt moments. The boys, seeing each other for the first time since they were evacuated to 18 different locations, each received a Tanach as a gift, making the day unforgettable. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible. Your support brings hope and happiness to these young lives. Let’s continue to make a difference together! Click here for more
*From Sara Deichman: Learning with Naama was a great way for me to understand Israeli culture from a new perspective. We discussed how we face similar political issues but they show up in different ways and parts of our lives. Naama shared meaningful content with me about her life, and I felt that I could open up to her too!
*“Incredible initiative. It was a mind-opening opportunity to understand both the similarities and differences between Israelis and diasporic Jews”
*“Loved it, I got the opportunity to meet Jewish students from all over the world, I think this program is very important and allowed me to open my eyes for the antisemitic problem in the world. Thank you for letting me be a part of the student connect program!” Visit site
Student Connect alumni sharing her experience.
Immediately following the devastating attack of Hamas on numerous communities in the Gaza Envelope, over 10,000 of its residents were evacuated to the Dead Sea Resort hotels.
AACI facilitated the creation of a Youth Center on the 2nd floor of the Dead Sea mall and an outdoor activity area on the mall’s adjacent beach. In addition to providing all of the equipment, AACI hired a full-time coordinator to organize activities and staff the Youth Center with volunteers.
Thanks to numerous generous donations which exceed NIS 300,000, AACI was able to provide ping pong and foosball tables, board games, puzzles, blocks, arts and craft, outdoor soccer and volleyball fields, coffee and snack facilities, musical instruments and much more, plus a lending library of English books.
What began as a chaotic transition to this temporary life, the adjustment of the residents, in particular the youth and children, was made smoother and richer by the work and help of AACI. Along with the dedicated AACI staff and its lay leadership, AACI was able to play a pivotal role in seeing that young evacuees had a place to congregate and socialize outside the confines of their hotels.
On August 6, 2024, a busload of AACI Gives supporters visited the Hadar School for children with special needs in Sderot. AACI most recently donated a fully equipped computer room which is in addition to other much needed equipment given throughout the period of the school’s evacuation at the Dead Sea.
The dedication ceremony was especially moving due to the warm words of gratitude delivered by the mayor of Sderot Mr. Alon Davidi, Ms. Meiytal Gueta head of the school, Mr. Marvin Stenge, AACI President and Mr. David London, AACI CEO.
The Hadar School, recently moved to a brand new, modern and fully secure campus, was established twenty four years ago to provide education and care for children with special needs who reside in the Gaza Envelope, which includes the many kibbutzim, Moshavim, and the cities of Netivot, Ofakim, and Sderot.. The school welcomes children with autism and other complex physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities. Students learn core subjects and receive specialized therapies (speech, physio, occupational and music/art therapy). Hadar’s vision is that every child realizes their right to education in a way that suits their unique abilities and potential.
*Many Israelis have come back to Israel from North America to serve in the army reserves since October 7th. One such reservist, who has been serving for 8 months on the battlefield, was looking for advice on how to sort out his Israeli status. He was referred to an AACI counselor who was able to guide him through the process. AACI is here for any English speaker who needs assistance navigating Israel’s complicated bureaucracy.
*I wanted to note that this donation was especially in honor of and thanks to Yanina Musnikow for her literally life-saving work, and for the way she does it so thoroughly, with such depth of understanding, and with such kindness and respect. It matters. I might not be alive without the enormous help she provided. All the best, Liora, in Israel
*I want to thank you Sheila Bauman for your incredible expertise in rectifying a seemingly hopeless problem which could have left me on the streets. I think you should look forward to the High Holy Days as such mercy never goes unnoticed.