Program: Amirim
Organization: YJ Impact!
Website: www.yjimpact.org

Description: Amirim is a summer volunteering program for college students and young professionals ages 18-35. It gives participants a structured framework in which they volunteer at a non-profit organization four times a week (they commute with a city bus pass), explore the Israeli landscape through weekly day trips, and discover Israeli culture and society through different educational and cultural events. The program also includes a Three-day tiyul at the beginning of the program in order for participants to “break the ice” and get to know each other while having fun. Participants live in apartments in the Tel Aviv area (either Holon or Bat Yam). Within the format of the program, participants are given plenty of free time for personal growth and exploration and are expected to be independent.Participants enjoy cultural events, weekly group trips, camping, and free time for personal exploration.

Contact: Karen Karmely
E mail: KKarmely@YJImpact.org
Phone: 212-303-4585
Application deadline: April 15
Timeframe: Summer
Age of applicants: 18-35
Location: Israel

AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps

Program: AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps
Organization: Avodah
Website: www.avodah.net

Description: AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps combines working for social change, Jewish learning and community building. Work full time at a grassroots anti-poverty organization, and make positive changes on the issues you care about--hunger, literacy, public health, domestic violence and housing. Study with other Corps members throughout the year. You will learn about Judaism, study with local activists, and share your knowledge and passion with one another. Build community with other young Jewish adults who are committed to integrating social change and Jewish values in a pluralistic environment. AVODAH participants, of all Jewish backgrounds, live together, forming a powerful community with bonds that last a lifetime.  There is no cost for AVODAH. All participants receive health insurance as well as a living stipend to pay for food, rent and other expenses. Student loan deferrals are available. All participants receive a $1,000 exit stipend and most qualify for an AmeriCorps Education Award voucher of up to $4,725 for continued education or repayment of student loans.

Contact: Ariel Beinart
E mail: info@avodah.net
Phone: 212.545.7759 ex:305
Timeframe: one year
Age of participants: 21-26 years old
Location: New York, Washington, DC, and Chicago

Offers participants the opportunity to volunteer in Israeli communities and JNF forests, tour the country, visit historical sites, meet and spend time with Israelis and learn about the issues and challenges that face Israel. CAARI's various opportunities include: tutoring English to Israeli children, helping the elderly in hospitals and nursing homes, and assisting community agencies that help the poor and those in need.

Career Israel

The Career Israel program is a five-month professional internship program open to college/university graduates from all over the world. The program provides internship placements in leading companies and organizations in the private and public sectors in Israel in every field including law, medicine, media, economics, politics, public relations, education, social work, engineering, computer science, advertising and business and more. The program also includes accommodations, a Hebrew study program, tours and extracurricular enrichment activities.

A professional internship in Israel is an impressive and prestigious addition to your resume and will enhance your future career development.

Website:http://www.israelexperience.org.il/career//
Name:  Elana Kaminka 
e-mail:  career@israelexperience.org.il 
Telephone:  +972-2-6216471 
Fax:  +972-2-6216552 
Address:  Career Program
Elana Kaminka
The Israel Experience Ltd.
Askan St., Kiryat Moria
Jerusalem, 91000
Israel 

The Cival Guard is Israel's largest volunteer organization with over 50,000 volunteers from age 18 and older. The volunteer program is open to permanent or temporary residents in Israel without a criminal record, and must satisfy the required criteria of security and health checks. A reasonable knowledge of Hebrew is required. Volunteers will be assigned to 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, including computer work or administrative work in the offices of the Civil Guard. There are many different Civil Guard fields to choose from in different sectors of the community. The Volunteer period is a minimum of 2 weeks. Some places require one month.

Contact the National Volunteer Center at: Tel: 02-5308900 Fax: 02-5308233

Dental Volunteers For Israel

Program: Dental Volunteers For Israel

DVI fills an essential need. It is the largest free dental clinic in all of Israel, offering state-of-the-art treatment. Dental care is not covered by any medical or dental insurance in Israel, nor do Israeli schools provide any preventive care programs. Consequently, many young children are suffering from extensive tooth decay, especially among the lower socioeconomic populations. Those underprivileged children would not have any dental treatment, even not in an emergency, if not for DVI. Those children living below the poverty line have problems with their teeth due to poor diet, lack of oral hygiene habits or parents who are unable to provide regular dental treatment or are unaware of the importance of such treatment and prevention. Most of these children suffer from profound dental disease – they can’t eat or sleep properly, can’t pay attention in school because they’re suffering from chronic infections and the resulting constant pain that could have been prevented and easily relieved through prevention.

Contact:
Phone: 972-2-6783101
E-mail: dvi@zahav.net.il
Fax: 972-2-6784737

Dorot Fellowship in Israel – The Dorot Foundation

Go Eco - Animal Care and Conservation

Program: Animal Care and Conservation
Organization: Go Eco
Website:www.goeco.org

Description: Established in 1928, The JBZ, in its new location on the outskirts of Jerusalem, stretches across an area of 25 hectares (62 acres) in a beautiful valley surrounded by green hills. The JBZ is a non-profit organization and houses a large variety of animals from around the world, while its main focus is animals mentioned in the Bible. The majority of these animals became locally extinct in the Middle East, mostly in the twentieth century (e.g. bears, lions, Mesopotamian fallow deer, Arabian oryx, cheetah and the Nile crocodile).The JBZ coordinates a number of unique projects that involve preserving rare species whose origins are in the Land of Israel and, where possible, returning them to the wild.

As a volunteer on this project you will gain the opportunity to work with some of these fascinating species, while gaining practical animal care experience under the guidance of experts in their field. Volunteers will live together at an excellent guest house near the zoo and will have free time to explore the extraordinary sites of Jerusalem and experience its rich cultural diversity and unique atmosphere.

Contact: Jonathan Gilben
E mail: goeco@goeco.org
Phone: +972(0)505762797
Application deadline: Contact the organization
Timeframe: July 3-17 2008 & August 14-28 2008
Age of participants: 18 and above
Location: Jersualem, Israel

Israel Defense Forces Volunteer Program

The Mahal2000 program is for non-Israeli Jews ages 18 to 24. The program consists of 14 1/2 months of service in the IDF. One year of part time work in a Jewish community is expected after returning from Israel. http://www.mahal2000.com

Kedma/Shachar Leadership Program

KEDMA is a non-profit student organization with branches in Israel and the US aiming to provide leadership training and social action programs that offer assistance and provide resources to the weaker elements of Israeli society. The program is intended for overseas students who are spending a year in Israel.

KEDMA provides underprivileged Israeli communities with educational and material resources necessary for development.
Participants run shabbatonim and programs for Ethiopian youth and children from distressed neighborhoods throughout the country.
KEDMA works to enrich Ethiopian youth with knowledge in Judaism, helping them to strengthen their self-esteem and develop into future leaders of their communities.
Contact: Tobi at 02-500-3303
kedma@netvision.net.il
www.kedma.org

Program: Kibbutz Volunteering

Volunteering on a kibbutz is a tradition that thousands of adventurers from all over the world have undertaken from the founding of Israel until today. Kibbutzim accept volunteers between the ages of 18 and 35 who want to live and work and play on kibbutz for 2 to 6 months. Registering for a volunteering slot, including acquiring health insurance and the necessary visa, costs about $500, which will be paid in chunks to the offices in New York ($290 USD registration fee) and the balance in Tel Aviv. Once on kibbutz you will work in exchange for room and board and a small amount of pocket money. There is generally great camaraderie amongst the volunteers, who hail from all over the world, and the kibbutz will often organize outings and trips for its volunteers.

Contact: http://www.kibbutzprogramcenter.org/kpc/node/22

Phone (212) 462 2764
Fax (212) 462 2765
e-mail: mail@KibbutzProgramCenter.org

Kibbutz Volunteers (Kibbutzim All Over Israel)

Volunteers between the ages of 18 to 40 can commit to at least 6 weeks of volunteering on kibbutzim throughout Israel. Work ranges from farming to catering.

Call the Kibbutz Program Center (800) 247-7852 or view the Website at http://www.kibbutzprogramcenter.org or http://www.kibbutzvolunteer.com/israel.html

Livnot Galilee Fellowship - Livnot U'Lehibanot

Program: Livnot Galilee Fellowship
Organization: Livnot U’Lehibanot
Website: www.livnot.com

Description: The Livnot Galilee Fellowship is an educational and volunteer community service program designed to assist the communities of Tzfat and Kiryat Shemona after the war of Summer 2006. This is a unique opportunity to travel, learn, help and challenge yourself. Work with Israelis and your peers to rebuild Kiryat Shmona and Tzfat, two of the communities hardest hit by the war in northern Israel. The 14-day program features hands-on community service, informal classes, hiking, touring and two special Shabbats. Service work include fixing, painting, building and gardening for bomb shelters and includes hiking, informal study and an incredible Jewish communal experience. The programs focus on helping to strengthen the weakest sectors of these communities who were most seriously affected by the recent conflict in the North. Galilee Fellowship participants, working in conjunction with these residents, will help make a difference.

E mail: programs@livnot.com with “Livnot Galilee Fellowship” in the subject line
Application deadline: Please see program’s website
Timeframe: May 12-25, June 2-15, June 15-29, July 6-20, August 18-Sept.1, Sept.7-21 2008
Age of participants: 21 – 30 years old
Location: Galilee, Israel

Machal Hesder

Machal Hesder is an Army program combined with Yeshiva studies.  It is intended for religious students who wish to serve in a special framework. The length of the program is 21 months, army service is in regular Hesder units.
Eligibility:

Men between the ages of 18-21 inclusive (there is a precedent for age extension until 22, on an individual basis).
Previous study in Israel in some yeshiva framework for one academic year after age 17.
Living in Israel without parents.
Non-Israeli citizens.
Track:
   > 9 months of straight army service.
   >12 months of study in Yeshiva under the Hesder program in a military framework .
Contact: Igud Yeshivot Hesder at the Beit Meir building: Tel: 972-2-6253878

Program: Magen David Adom Volunteer Program - YOCHAI PORAT
Organization: Jewish Agency for Israel
Website:http://www.israelprograms.org/MagenDavidAdom.htm

Description: The Magen David Adom (Israeli Ambulance Corps) provides first-aid services throughout Israel and works with its volunteers to provide effective initial treatment.  The MDA Volunteer Program gives university students an exciting opportunity to gain valuable experience, giving first-aid care, while experiencing "real life" in Israel.  No previous medical experience is required.  The program begins with an eight day first-aid training course in English run by Magen David Adom.  Following the successful completion of the training course, participants are placed in MDA stations all over Israel, where they work as ambulance volunteers side by side with Israeli volunteers and staff.  Additional activities include a guided tour, and a three day educational seminar.  On completion of the program, participants receive certification as "Certified First Responders" from Magen David Adom.  Individuals who have completed recognized Emergency Medical Training (EMT) in their country of origin, may join the program independently at any time throughout the year.  Students must have a basic conversational knowledge of Hebrew

Contact: Israel Program Center
E mail: ipc@jazo.org.il
Phone: (866) IPC-ISRAEL
Application deadline: contact the program
Timeframe: 2 months, throughout the year
Age of applicants: 18-25
Location: Israel

Marva Experience in Israel

Participants train alongside young Israelis, giving them an opportunity to meet and interact with Israelis their own age. Information is offered on study options, as well as other pertinent subjects on life in Israel.
Marva lasts for approximately 8 weeks. Four sessions are offered throughout the year.
Four sessions are offered throughout the year, in the fall, winter, spring, and summer, specific dates appear in the application form on this site.

This approximately eight week program is open to participants from all over the world. The program is conducted in Hebrew (easy) allowing for significant improvement of Hebrew skills. Activities rang from camp craft, navigation and topography to hikes, lectures, seminars and walking tours, participation in training exercises, and living in field conditions. Emphasis is placed on Israel’s security situation and settlement of the land, through lectures on specific social and political problems. The program is based in the Southern Negev on a Gadna base, but participants will spend considerable time in various other parts of the country, including Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, the Galilee and more.

The cost of the program is $1400, plus a non-refunable $50 registration fee, this includes full board and health insurance for the duration of the program. Airfare is not included.

Accommodations on the program will be in field conditions / army style tents throughout Israel.

Contact Information
Name: Ilan PomerancEmail: marva@israelexperience.org.ilMobile: For Urgent Matters Only: 972-52-599-3503 Sunday-Thursdays 9:00am-5:30pm Israel TimeFax: +972-2-621-6553Address: 3 Ha'Askan Street,
P.O. Box 92,
Jerusalem, 91000
Israel

Meals-on-Wheels Program - Be'er Sova

Through this program, we supply hot nutritious meals to over 80 needy elderly. Over half of the senior citizens receiving meals are Holocaust Survivors. These elderly are housebound and incapable of cooking or providing food for themselves in any other way. Senior citizens are one of the most vulnerable groups of people in terms of poverty and hunger. For that cause we see great importance in Meals-on-Wheels program.
All recipients of the program are referred to us by the local social services and all are in need of help. The program’s coordinator visits each elderly at home; to make sure they are suitable for the program and can start recieveing meals from Be’er-Sova. The meals are cooked in our kitchen according to a special menu, to suit the needed nutrition for the elderly. The food then is packed and delivered, by our van driver and volunteers, to their homes.

Our organization has been enabling this program for the last 10 years and we are the only provider of this service in Be’er Sheva. We have all needed resources to make this program a success and we have the help of the welfare department and social services to ensure new elderly people in need are sought out.

The Meals-on-Wheels program is our way to help the elderly in need who cannot better their situation. Like all of our programs, Meals-on-Wheels is actuated thanks to contributions and support of donors. Due to the global economic situation, less funding is available, and raising donations is a hard task as is. As the economic crisis continues, more and more elderly find themselves in need of help. The major problem is that many foundations globally have ceased funding until further notice.

We ask for your support in order to maintain and develop this program. I hope you will find interest in this program and Be’er-Sova’s activity. If further information is needed, please contact me directly.

Contact:
Phone: 972548128922
website: http://www.beersova.org.il

Volunteers will provide basic support staff to the IDF bases located through out Israel. Click here for more information http://www.sar-el.org/. The programs aim to contribute to Israel's defense and to provide knowledgeable, enthusiastic young leaders for Jewish communities.