AMERICAN FRIENDS OF NORTHERN ISRAEL
AFNI works directly with local leadership to ensure that aid, support, and rebuilding programs reach the families who need it most. We also strengthen the bond between American Jewish communities and the people of Northern Israel.
Rebuilding Lives, Restoring Hope and Strengthening the Western Galilee
American Friends of Northern Israel (AFNI) is a 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization dedicated to supporting the people of the Western Galilee and Matte Asher region. Our mission is to restore safety, emotional resilience, and long-term stability for communities deeply affected by trauma, displacement, and ongoing threats from hostile neighbors. AFNI works directly with local leadership—including Mayer Moshe Davidovitz—to ensure that aid, support, and rebuilding programs reach the families who need it most. We also strengthen the bond between American Jewish communities and the people of Northern Israel.
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF NORTHERN ISRAEL: 3 PILLARS
FUNDRAISNG
PHASE 1
AFNI will work directly with our Israeli partners in the north to raise funds for mental health support in the region.
In the future we will support other projects to help rebuild the north
EXCHANGES
PHASE 2
AFNI will support an exchange program in which American and Israelis will spend time in each others homes for 1-2 weeks
The initial cohort will be high school students from both countries.a program will be designed to match students and create a year long engagement.
Home hospitality will be an effective way to experience one another’s’ lives.
AFNI CAMPUS
PHASE 3
AFNI will build a campus in the region to encourage American Jews to spend time in the region. Short term and long term residential homes will afford immersion in Israeli life. This will allow for a deepening connection over time.
This program is critical in the progressive integration of the American and Israeli communities. We will spend time in the communities, create friendships that will grow over time.
AFNI Begins Funding the Ashreinu Project
Since the beginning of this year, AFNI has been searching for an established program capable of providing meaningful hope, resilience, and community support for residents of the north. From the beginning, our goal was not simply to provide temporary relief, but to...
Ashreinu Optimal Aging Guidance Center – Leading Personal, Community & Regional Change
AFNI'S First Funding Project Ashreinu Optimal Aging Center is a thriving innovative implementation of Government Resolution 127 from July 2021 that establishes the "Map of National Indicators for Optimal Aging" in Israel. Its goal is to cope with the increase in life...
Proposal: The “Home-Bound Employment for Seniors” Initiative
Restoring Connection and Vitality to Isolated Seniors Executive Summary Since the outbreak of the war, a silent crisis has emerged among our elderly population. Many seniors, paralyzed by anxiety or physical decline, have ceased visiting regional senior's centers....
Matte Asher
Matte Asher, a regional council in Israel’s Western Galilee, is a tight‑knit network of 30 rural communities stretching from the Mediterranean coast to the Lebanese border. Known for its agricultural strength, diverse industries, and deeply rooted multi‑generational families, the region operates under a unified council structure that enables rapid coordination and community‑wide support. Since October 7, this strategic border region has become a central hub of Israel’s northern crisis response—leading evacuations, working closely with national authorities, and shaping plans for the safe return and long‑term resilience of the communities that call Matte Asher home.
Matte Asher’s Mental Health Crisis
In the Matte Asher region along Israel’s northern border, the aftermath of the October 7 attacks has triggered a profound mental health crisis. Months of rocket fire, displacement, and constant security alerts have left residents living in a state of unrelenting fear and uncertainty. Families, children, and older adults alike are experiencing rising levels of trauma, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion, straining a local support system that was already limited before the war. As community leaders and clinicians work to meet surging needs, Matte Asher has become a stark example of how deeply the psychological impact of October 7 continues to shape daily life in Israel’s frontline communities.
YOUR DONATION SUPPORTS
SAFETY & RESILIENCE • Emergency support for displaced families • Mental-health and trauma services for children and teens • Strengthening community resilience centers
COMMUNITY REBUILDING • Housing and infrastructure assistance • Social-service programs to stabilize affected families • Direct coordination with local leaders to maximize impact
AMERICAN–ISRAELI YOUTH EXCHANGE AFNI is building a powerful youth-connection model linking Austin, Dallas, Houston, and other U.S. communities with students in the Western Galilee. Programs include: • Letter-writing partnerships • Zoom conversations • Collaborative projects • Delegations and exchanges
AFNI is committed to helping the next generation develop pride, solidarity, and a shared sense of Jewish destiny.
