For more information about AACI’s projects, please send an e-mail to: projects@aaci.org.il
AACI’s Ambassador Project will connect people in Israel and the diaspora to raise awareness, open dialogue and dispel myths about Israel. University students, hi-tech professionals, and community members who are interested in exchanging ideas and experiences will be paired for one-on-one Zoom conversations followed by panel discussions with high level speakers. The project goals include humanizing the relationship between Israel and the diaspora, promoting a positive image of Israel, inspiring and creating new supporters of Israel, strengthening the English conversational skills of Israeli University students, and combating anti-Semitism.
AACI Student Connect pairs up Jewish students from Israel and around the world to begin conversations one-on-one via Zoom/WhatsApp: On one level, these conversations are for advancing mutual understanding and genuine friendships. On another, they are an opportunity for personal development – through engaging in “peer interviews,” self-assessment, and peer-based problem-solving. Creative-dialogue prompts encourage the student pairs to explore real-world situations in order to provide their perspectives on identity, Jewishness, and the future of the Jewish people as well as the challenging topics of antisemitism and the misrepresentations of Israel, Israelis and Jews worldwide. We hope our participants will enjoy discussing their ideas together and be uniquely able to encourage and strengthen one another.
- “It was good hearing others’ opinions about being Jewish and Israel and making a good friend. I feel optimistic about the Jewish nation in the future- although it’s hard, we are a strong nation”.
- “Educating others on the truth behind the Israeli/Palestinian conflict could strengthen solidarity because every person would truly understand what’s happening in the world. It would also strengthen support for Jews in general”.
- “Something that surprised me is how well I would get along with my partner and how connected I would feel to her merely because we are both Jewish”.
AACI Student Connect dialogue with Professor Gil Troy January 5, 2022
Here is an 8-minute edited video clip from Prof. Gil Troy’s Student Dialogue event that took place in early January. The 20 young adults who participated in the group dialogue are part of AACI’s pilot of the project. Feedback from student participants throughout the project has been enthusiastic and positive.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WtHepYCpWQ6EowWBvnsNuQobB-LW4HoI/view?usp=sharing
AACI’s Loans for Lone Soldiers Project offers interest-free loans to people ages 21 – 31 from English-speaking countries who have completed the army or national service as lone soldiers and have been accepted into a recognized Israeli college, university or vocational program. AACI will provide financial assistance as well as free counseling, answering questions and concerns about life in Israel. The Loans for Lones project goals include assisting with the integration of olim into Israeli society, by giving them financial and emotional support that will enable them to thrive and remain in Israel and building a stronger Israel by helping olim finish their studies and find employment in Israel. Apply here! For more information, please send an e-mail to: projects@aaci.org.il
AACI’s Buddy System with Yad L’Olim helps recently arrived Anglo senior olim to meet the challenges of resettling and adapting to Israeli life by pairing them with experienced and caring Anglo senior volunteers, residing in the same community, who are willing and able to provide personal and practical advice. AACI is proud of its over 70 years of experience helping to settle English speaking olim, and will take the lead on this shared initiative – serving as the contact point and performing the matching of veteran and recently arrived senior Anglo olim.
For further information or to volunteer as a buddy, please contact Jeff Rothenberg, AACI Vice President for Klitah, at conted@aaci.org.il
For more information about AACI’s projects, please send an e-mail to: projects@aaci.org.il
