Sep 2, 2015 By: yunews
Helping Israel Through ACHI
In 2004, a group of and alumni banded together to form ACHI (鈥渕y brother鈥), an acronym for American Communities Helping Israel. The organization, which was founded during a time when Israel was suffering from a lack of tourists, seeks to create opportunities to raise awareness about the Jewish people鈥檚 connection to Israel and its people, as well as provide a marketplace where people can purchase Israeli goods鈥攊deal for the vast number of people who very much wish to support Israeli businesses and the Israeli economy but are unable to travel to Israel in person.
鈥淒uring the Intifada, I was very frustrated and I thought there was something everyone chutz l鈥檃retz could do that would help keep Israel in hearts and minds of people overseas,鈥 said Suzanne Muschel Weilgus 鈥66YUHS. 鈥淎long with some friends, I came up with ACHI.鈥
The group鈥檚 newest initiative? Helping ensure that every North American Jewish family has a 鈥渒lee,鈥 a designated object, such as a specific bowl, tray or dish, and keeping it stocked with Israeli products.
鈥淛ust like a mezuzah and a menorah are standard household Judaica, ACHI wants the klee to become the norm in people鈥檚 households, too,鈥 explained Weilgus.
ACHI is entirely driven by volunteers and the support of donations. The board includes Weilgus, Rochelle Ruditzky Zupnik 鈥65YUHS, 鈥67TIW; Gloria Epstein Gordon 鈥65YUHS, 鈥69S, 鈥71W; Lynda Hochberger Zentman 鈥65YUHS, 鈥67TIW, 鈥12AZ; and Tova Fishman Taragin 鈥69YUHS, 鈥69S. They meet regularly to discuss new ideas for ways to support Israel and its economy.
For Gloria Gordon, it鈥檚 obvious why spreading the word about ACHI鈥檚 mission makes sense to do among the YU network. 鈥淲here does a person get his values? From his home and from the institutions he鈥檚 attended throughout the years. As a Stern College graduate, I have witnessed the reinforcement of Zionism and deep love for Israel that YU perpetuates.鈥
Gloria transferred to Stern after freshman year at a secular college because she wanted to continue her Jewish Studies. At Stern, she found that鈥攁nd more.
鈥淥ne of greatest things I found at Stern was the chevrah that I made,鈥 she explained. 鈥淭he circle of friends you make at YU stays with you forever. I went to Stern with Tova [Fishman Taragin], and only reconnected with her years later, and now both of us speak all the time because of our ACHI responsibilities. It鈥檚 been wonderful to have that common bond from where we came from, which is Stern, and now have a common goal in our work for ACHI.鈥
Weilgus also believes that YU is naturally positioned to help spread the word about ACHI and its latest initiative.
鈥淲e want YU alumni around the world to join with us, their fellow alumni, to spread this message, as we all share a deep affinity for Israel. We want to make buying Israel the norm, and by having a klee, it serves as a tangible reminder of Israel each day. When you see it running low, you refill it. Think Israel, buy Israel.鈥
ACHI鈥檚 website is and includes a list of ways to become involved.
In 2004, a group of and alumni banded together to form ACHI (鈥渕y brother鈥), an acronym for American Communities Helping Israel. The organization, which was founded during a time when Israel was suffering from a lack of tourists, seeks to create opportunities to raise awareness about the Jewish people鈥檚 connection to Israel and its people, as well as provide a marketplace where people can purchase Israeli goods鈥攊deal for the vast number of people who very much wish to support Israeli businesses and the Israeli economy but are unable to travel to Israel in person.
鈥淒uring the Intifada, I was very frustrated and I thought there was something everyone chutz l鈥檃retz could do that would help keep Israel in hearts and minds of people overseas,鈥 said Suzanne Muschel Weilgus 鈥66YUHS. 鈥淎long with some friends, I came up with ACHI.鈥
The group鈥檚 newest initiative? Helping ensure that every North American Jewish family has a 鈥渒lee,鈥 a designated object, such as a specific bowl, tray or dish, and keeping it stocked with Israeli products.
鈥淛ust like a mezuzah and a menorah are standard household Judaica, ACHI wants the klee to become the norm in people鈥檚 households, too,鈥 explained Weilgus.
ACHI is entirely driven by volunteers and the support of donations. The board includes Weilgus, Rochelle Ruditzky Zupnik 鈥65YUHS, 鈥67TIW; Gloria Epstein Gordon 鈥65YUHS, 鈥69S, 鈥71W; Lynda Hochberger Zentman 鈥65YUHS, 鈥67TIW, 鈥12AZ; and Tova Fishman Taragin 鈥69YUHS, 鈥69S. They meet regularly to discuss new ideas for ways to support Israel and its economy.
For Gloria Gordon, it鈥檚 obvious why spreading the word about ACHI鈥檚 mission makes sense to do among the YU network. 鈥淲here does a person get his values? From his home and from the institutions he鈥檚 attended throughout the years. As a Stern College graduate, I have witnessed the reinforcement of Zionism and deep love for Israel that YU perpetuates.鈥
Gloria transferred to Stern after freshman year at a secular college because she wanted to continue her Jewish Studies. At Stern, she found that鈥攁nd more.
鈥淥ne of greatest things I found at Stern was the chevrah that I made,鈥 she explained. 鈥淭he circle of friends you make at YU stays with you forever. I went to Stern with Tova [Fishman Taragin], and only reconnected with her years later, and now both of us speak all the time because of our ACHI responsibilities. It鈥檚 been wonderful to have that common bond from where we came from, which is Stern, and now have a common goal in our work for ACHI.鈥
Weilgus also believes that YU is naturally positioned to help spread the word about ACHI and its latest initiative.
鈥淲e want YU alumni around the world to join with us, their fellow alumni, to spread this message, as we all share a deep affinity for Israel. We want to make buying Israel the norm, and by having a klee, it serves as a tangible reminder of Israel each day. When you see it running low, you refill it. Think Israel, buy Israel.鈥
ACHI鈥檚 website is and includes a list of ways to become involved.
