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. AACI is a resource center for Israel's English speaking population. 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 and social and cultural programs. AACI is funded mainly by program and membership fees along with donations.

AACI was established in 1951. It runs numerous programs for the benefit of English-speaking immigrants from North America. In 1957, it sponsored housing projects for immigrants from the West in Kfar HaRoeh, Holon and Herzliya Pituah. Another area of activity is consumer protection. In the 1970s, AACI organized appeals to the U.S. State Department to enable immigrants from America to retain their citizenship. It developed an English tutoring program to assist new immigrants from Russia and Ethiopia, launched a campaign for anti-smoking legislation and lobbied for the inclusion of immigrants over the age of 60 in the National Health Insurance Law. In the past decade, it has launched public awareness campaigns to eliminate smoking in public areas and encourage the use of bicycle helmets. It lobbied for the inclusion of immigrants over 60 in the National Health Insurance Law and the inclusion of Western immigrants in basket of services granted to new immigrants. AACI initiated the construction of "Nofim," the first assisted living facility in Israel, which 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. In 1958, AACI sponsored the first cooperative housing project in Nayot, Jerusalem. Other building projects include the area in French Hill, now known as "Tsameret Habira."

Marking the AACI's fiftieth anniversary, 21 American and Canadian immigrants were honored at the President's Residence in Jerusalem.

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