ACHI’s newest initiative · Our Brothers and Sisters in the IDF
Acheinu
B’Tzahal
What better way to personalize the obligation of giving Tzedakah than by involving students in a service-learning project that benefits Israeli soldiers?
In partnership with Yashar LaChayal · 501(c)(3) · EIN 84-1628603
How it works
Every grade adopts a pluga
American Communities Helping Israel (ACHI) has launched a nationwide project that will provide IDF soldiers with essential supplies via the fundraising efforts of American Jewish high school students. With the help of Yashar LaChayal, an Israeli non-profit that brings soldiers what they need when they need it, ACHI will determine what IDF supplies are most needed and then match each grade in participating schools with an IDF company (pluga) to receive them. Each pluga consists of 50–150 soldiers.
Our first project
Keep Them Warm
Although the project will involve several schools in several states, its financial goals will be attainable: our first endeavor, named “Keep Them Warm,” will provide soldiers with thermal shirts to wear under their uniforms at a cost of approximately $12 per shirt. Each class will determine how to raise the money for their assigned pluga — another exercise in experiential learning! Our next project will mark Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut.
Students and soldiers
Connected by video
Communication between students and soldiers will take place via pre-recorded videos: students can express their support and appreciation, while soldiers can provide an up-close look at “life on the front.” Each grade will keep the same pluga over the course of 2–3 years, which will deepen these relationships over time.
In the classroom
A win-win-win
We envision this project as fodder for a number of learning opportunities — from planning and executing a fundraising project to discussing and writing about the impact of the whole experience. It’s also a way to provide IDF soldiers with critical supplies and emotional support — a win-win-win! Email us at team@achi613.org to join this exciting initiative.
For schools
Bring Acheinu B’Tzahal to your school
Get in touch to match your school’s grades with an IDF pluga, or give to the Acheinu B’Tzahal Fund.