For over 20 years, American Communities Helping Israel (ACHI) has continually reinvented itself in order to meet the immediate needs of Israel and its people. Created in 2004 when a group of grandmothers banded together to bolster Israel’s economy, ACHI created an online Israeli marketplace that today hosts over 300 Israel-based merchants.  The Market serves as a powerful counterpunch to the BDS movement. Its rallying cry is “Support Israel—Buy Israeli!”

In the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack and resulting war, the women of ACHI realized they needed to turn their advocacy into action! With the goal of raising money for the immediate benefit of those impacted by the war, they created unique ways to fundraise on behalf of Israel, such as hosting art sales, dinners, golf tournaments, and special evenings.

Their latest project is ACHI’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah initiative, enables donors to sponsor all or part of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah for children of Israeli heroes who have been affected by the Gaza and Iran wars.

The ACHI Israel Fund Cards, another program, are illustrated with artwork by artists who are featured in the ACHI Market. Proceeds from card sales go to ACHI’s Israel Fund, which finances essential items for soldiers and citizens such as Shabbat and holiday meals, equipment for soldiers, necessities of daily life, and respite/relief/trauma therapy—all facilitated by Israeli non-profit, Lema’an Achai. In addition, ACHI partners with Lema’an Achai to hold barbeques for the IDF.

Empowered by their love of Israel, the women of ACHI are tireless in their efforts to help their homeland. Appropriately, their mantra is “Not Retired—Rewired!”