Community Service/Volunteering Opportunities in Israel
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Apples and Honey, an initiative of Brit Olam (World
Alliance) which unites Israeli and Jewish young adults in volunteering for the
welfare and the advancement of communities in need, is an eight month program
that provides an opportunity for young adult members of the world Jewish
community, to connect with Judaism and Israel through volunteering for social
change. The participants experience life in the Galilee Region, participate in
a period of meaningful, full-time volunteer service in Israel, study
international development issues, learn to solve conflicts and, in
collaboration with the American Jewish World Service, have the option to become
a volunteer working in developing communities around the world.
Volunteers for Israel: Volunteers For Israel is a non-political,
non-profit, volunteer organization. It was formed in 1982 through the initiative
of General A. Davidi to coordinate volunteers to help alleviate manpower shortages
during the war in Lebanon. It provides the Diaspora Jew and other friends of Israel
with an opportunity to participate directly in helping Israel.
World Zionist Organization: The Hagshama Department of the World
Zionist Organization (WZO) encourages young people to embark on a journey designed
to empower participants in an ongoing process, in which the individual develops
a sense of belonging and responsibility to the broader community. To learn about
their volunteer opportunities in Israel visit http://www.wzo.org.il/en/programs/
In light of recent events and the overwhelming interest in volunteer
opportunities within Israel, the Jewish Agency has initiated a special project to
give concrete expression to the concept of world Jewish solidarity with Israel.
Thousands have applied and hundreds have already arrived in Israel. Those interested
in volunteering their time for the State of Israel can do so in the areas mentioned
below.
Volunteers are requested to arrange their own transportation
to and from Israel. Once in Israel transportation will be provided, as well as lodging
and meals in most cases. Participants are covered by insurance in Israel.
For additional information, contact the Jewish Agency volunteer
desk via phone at 212-339-6063, or via email at ipc@jazo.org.il.
Application material can be found at www.jafi.org.il/daily/vol.asp.
[Note that restrictive start dates refer to 2002; other start dates should be investigated
with JAFI.]
Table to Table is a food rescue organization dedicated to
feeding the hungry of Israel. Table to Table harvests excess fresh food from
caterers, cafeterias, manufacturers, grocers and farmers and delivers the food
to soup kitchens, food pantries, senior citizen centers, homeless shelters and
other places that serve those in need.
Bina strives to strengthen the State of Israel as a Democratic,
pluralistic society stressing humanistic aspects of Jewishness. We focus on holistic
community programs in south Tel Aviv neighborhoods with local residents and lead
by our young Israeli adults who live out the Talmudic phrase of "study that
leads to action".
You can join us in Israel on our new long term program for college
graduates, "Tikun Olam in Tel Aviv", which includes intensive uplan on
kibbutz and eight months of study and community service work alongside Israeli peers.
For more information please email fundtak@inter.net.il.
MDA (Magen David Adom)
The ambulance services of Israel. Volunteer as first response
providers, and assisting the MDA teams of medics and paramedics. Minimum: 2 months.
Start Dates: May only. Requirements: Basic knowledge of Hebrew and recognized certification
in first aid, OR participation in a MDA course in Israel (courses are provided during
the first week of each volunteer session). Ages: 18-25 (It is possible to take older
volunteers provided they already have the necessary certification, and they can
provide their own living arrangements.)
Maintenance and Supply Services
Volunteering on IDF military bases. Example of possible work
includes packing food, medicines, and equipment for soldiers. [Note: these may be
the same as those described below under Sar-El.] Minimum: 2 ˝ weeks. Start Dates:
May only. Requirements: None. Ages: 17-65
Kibbutz Volunteers
Volunteering on Kibbutzim in a variety of fields including: agriculture,
kitchen, upkeep, factory work etc. [Note: these may be the same as those described
below under C: Kibbutz Volunteers.] Minimum: 2 weeks to 1 month. Start Dates: Flexible,
must check. Requirements: None. Ages: 18-40 (older participants may be eligible
upon recommendation from a local JAFI representative.)
Community Service
Volunteering with communities, people, and organizations in need
around the country. Volunteers will be placed in communities of their choice, or
can be placed in partnership communities as per Partnership 2000. Volunteer opportunities
depend on the specific needs of the community in which the volunteer will be placed.
Examples of volunteer placements include: working in day care centers for the elderly,
working with special needs children, teaching English in public schools, working
with immigrant populations, working with youth at risk, working in cultural centers,
working on special community projects and more. Minimum: 10+ days (some work, such
as teaching English, may require a longer volunteer period - a minimum of 3 weeks
to a month). Start Dates: Flexible. Ages: 17-65. Requirements: None
Work with Children and Adults with Special Needs
Volunteering with agencies of the Welfare Department around the
country, in the following areas: special education, physical or mental disabilities,
elderly, and mental health. Minimum: 2 weeks to 3 months. Start Dates: May and June
only. Ages: 17-65. Requirements: None
Civil Guard
Volunteering with the Civil Guard around the country. Volunteers
will be assigned various different tasks to assist and provide reinforcement for
existing civil guard forces, such as providing security services for educational
institutions, public transportation, public malls, neighborhood patrols, and border
patrol. Volunteers can also work in non-security related jobs, such as computer
work or administrative work in the offices of the Civil Guard. Minimum: 2 weeks.
Start Dates: May and June only. Ages: 18-65. Requirements: (a) Must not have a criminal
record (b) Must provide a declaration of good physical and psychological health
(from a doctor) (c) Must undergo a basic training, to be provided by the Civil Guard.
The training is a 2-day course, given to groups of at least 20 volunteers. It is
preferred that volunteers arrive in Israel a day or two before the start of the
training.
Yad Ezra V'Shulamit is an Israeli nonprofit working to alleviate
poverty through the provision of weekly food baskets to needy individuals. We also
provide soup kitchens, school supplies, medical support, and job placement services.
Phone: 011-972-0547-546-938, Email: office@yad-ezra.org
Founded 21 years ago, Livnot is a program designed for young
Jewish people to explore themselves, Israel and their Judaism. Participants are
engaged in an open environment of self-discovery through hiking, community service
projects, classes and workshops (courses are known to be fun but intense). Livnot
aims to challenge the participant from a physical, intellectual and spiritual standpoint
and by doing so help create strong feelings of accomplishment, self-growth, and
connection. Livnot receives major funding from UJA/Federation of NY.
Livnot U'lehibanot
Repairs and renovation of apartments of victims of terror, families
in distress etc. Repairs and renovation of community centers and home for handicapped
Pikud Ha-Oref: Home Front Command
Gas mask kits etc
Food Bank - Talpiot
Pack and distribute food
Yad Eliezer
Visiting Cancer patients
A package from home
Make gift packages for soldiers
Various hospitals
Visiting with patients of all ages
Susan's House
Visiting with youth at risk
Beit Frankfurter
Day care for senior citizens - Art work and kibbitzing with residents
Gan Harmony
Play with kids with special needs
Home for handicapped
Escort wheel chair bound adults to supermarket, bank etc.
Shalva
Home for mentally handicapped kids
Har Herzl
Gardening at military cemetery
No prior work experience required. All projects are supervised
by the Livnot u'Lehibanot Community Service Work Crew. Volunteers are provided with
accommodation at the Livnot campus in Jerusalem (dormitory style, Katamon) for the
duration of their participation in the Community Service program. Work crews provide
25-30 hours a week of valuable community service. This program is open to people
aged 20 and up who are able to commit a minimum of one week of service to the people
of Israel. [Note that the program is geared mostly to those aged 21-30. Check to
see if there are volunteer opportunities related to their Tsfat campus]. http://www.livnot.org.il/Pages/volunteering.htm
Call 1-888-LIVNOT-0 or 212-613-1413 for further information. Email: Livnot@livnot.org.il
Additional Volunteer Opportunities
MDA: Donate Blood in Israel
"Sharing for Life": MDA has made arrangements for bloodmobiles
to meet with the various groups at their hotels or other convenient locations. The
MDA National Blood Center in Ramat Gan, Israel's main blood processing center, will
also be available to accept blood donors and provide special tours of the facility,
one of the most advanced in the world. Call American Friends of Magen David Adom
(866) 632-2763 www.armdi.org E-mail: info@armdi.org
Sarel: The National Project for Volunteers in Israel
Sar-El is a 20-year old non-profit organization located in Israel
that coordinates volunteers from around the world to volunteer in Israel. The volunteer
works 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, Sunday through Thursday (the Israeli work
week). In the evenings, there are various activities and educational presentations
on such topics as Hebrew language, Israel's history, Jewish holidays and traditions,
and social and political issues in Israel. In addition, two trips within Israel
are arranged, usually one of which is to Jerusalem. A liaison or guide (madricha),
who is fluent in the volunteer group's language, always accompanies the volunteers,
and lives with the volunteers on the premises.
IDF Maintenance and Supply Services
Most volunteers work in this area, at army bases. Work activities
can range from kitchen duties to simple mechanical repairs on equipment. Volunteers
will work alongside or under the direction of soldiers and perform duties such as
packing food rations or medical kits, changing spare parts, gardening, painting,
or cleaning. Minimum: 3 weeks. Start Dates: mostly during the summer.
Meeting Humanitarian Needs
Volunteer opportunities include delivering meals or transporting
patients to tests or rehabilitation sessions, and helping feed patients who cannot
feed themselves (orderly work). Minimum: 3 weeks (but periodically, 2 weeks for
professionals). Start Dates: Year round.
In the US, they are reached through Volunteers For Israel (212)
643-4848 Email: volunteers@vfi-usa.org
(http://www.vfi-usa.org)
(http://www.sar-el.org)
Yeladim: Council for the Child in Placement
(http://www.thesourceisrael.com/issue25/lend.shtml)
Batia@yeladim.org.il
Kibbutz Volunteers
Must be willing to work 7-8 hours a day, 6 days a week for a
minimum of two months. In return they receive room and board, a very little pocket
money and lots of new friends. Ages: 18-35 Requirements: Good physical and mental
health. http://www.kibbutzprogramcenter.org/KibbutzVolunteers.htm
Volunteer Physicians
E-mail: Eric.Karsenty@moh.health.gov.il
[Note: Physicians should consider registering with the Emergency Medical Volunteers
for Israel program at the American Physicians Fellowship for Medicine in Israel,
http://www.apfmed.org/]
Dental Volunteers
See article at http://www.thesourceisrael.com/issue8/lend.shtml
To arrange your visit, email: dvi@internet-zahav.net.
[Note: you may have to be persistent, in that the founder, Trudi Birger, has recently
passed away.]
Yad Sarah
Yad Sarah is an Israel-wide network of volunteers aiding sick,
disabled, elderly, isolated and housebound people with an array of services aimed
at making home care possible. It is the largest Israeli volunteer organization (http://www.yadsarah.org.il/english/)
Reach the Department of Volunteer Coordination at volunteering@yadsarah.org.il Tel:
972-2-644-4411, 644-4496 (fax).
Ezer Mizion
Ezer Mizion has been providing free paramedical services to Israelis
from all walks of life for over 20 years. The largely religious staff, with over
10,000 volunteers, has 39 centers throughout Israel.
Meals-On-Wheels. Help with food preparation in the kitchen and/or
distributing meals in hospitals.
Visiting elderly/sick shut-ins
All hands-on opportunities must be pre-arranged. In the US, call
718-853-8400 718-437-4683 (fax). E-mail Miriam Blitz at ezer_m@netvision.net.il Tel: 972-2-537-8070,
-2-538-3315 (fax).
Yad L'Kashish: Lifeline for the Old
Yad L'Kashish is a non-profit organization in Jerusalem, where
250 elderly and disabled enjoy work opportunities, social service and a warm, friendly
and creative environment. Lifeline for the Old provides on-the-job training in one
or more of the ten different workshops on the premises. The newly-trained elderly
craftsmen and women produce high quality, marketable goods which are sold in the
organization's store. The income generated by the sales is a source of pride to
the members of this community organization.
Material preparation. Work with the instructor to prepare
materials as you interact with the elderly craftspeople. Language is not a critical
factor and a number of languages are spoken in the workshop.
Gift shop volunteer. English speakers needed to help out
in the gift shop. Other languages an asset. Minimum: 1-week
Tour leader. If you are on an extended visit to Israel,
Lifeline will train you to lead tours of the facility.
Talented people. If you feel you have a service to offer,
please contact Lifeline and tell them what you can do for them.
http://www.lifeline.org.il/
E-mail: Nava Ein-Mor at lifeline@netmedia.net.il
Tel: 972-2-628-7829, 628-9737 Fax: 972-2-627-3739
CAARI (Canadian American Active Retirees in Israel)
JNF sponsored. Forestry, English teaching, hospital orderly,
work at homes for aged, packing at army bases. Touring and visits after each day
of work. Optional two-week tour of Spanish Jewish heritage preceding Israel stay,
2-week stay at Eilat. Minimum: 4 weeks. Ages: 50+ Tel. 212-879-9300 http://www.jnf.org
Bet Shemesh Mateh Yehuda Non-Profit Fund for the Volunteer
Funded by the Jewish Agency, and located in a region paired with
the Jewish communities of both Washington D.C. and South Africa, it sponsors several
volunteer programs in Beit Shemesh and the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council communities
west of Jerusalem.
