Otzma
Live, learn and volunteer in a 10 month all–encompassing experience that includes leadership training, contributing to civil rights and community building, learning Hebrew and exploring Jewish and Israeli tradition. A challenging, educational, and hard-working experience designed to give participants an opportunity to live and work in a variety of settings throughout Israel.
- Otzma is a community service based leadership development program intended for North American and British University graduates.
- Ages 20 -25
- Previous Knowledge of Hebrew is not required.
- The programs starting date is mid-August.
Contact: Tel: 972-2-621-6274 or toll free at 1-877-GO-OTZMA (466-8962).
otzma@ujc.org
www.otzma.org
TASP - Teach and Study Program
An innovative M.A. program at Tel Aviv University which brings English-speaking university graduates to Israel. In a two year work study program, it combines studying for a Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), with part-time English teaching in Tel Aviv schools. This is a joint project between the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles – Tel Aviv Partnership.
- Hebrew Ulpan included in program, twice weekly for two years
- Grants available
- Open to tourists and new immigrants
Contact: Dr. Zvi Dank, Tel: 011-972-9- 899-5644, email: info@tasp.org.il, www.tasp.org.il, or the Global Center.
Project Shinui
Volunteer and internship placements for Jewish professionals/ graduates committed to strengthening democracy and supporting social justice in Israel. Offers volunteers the opportunity to work with an Israeli grassroots organization in one of the following areas: civil and human rights, Jewish-Arab co-existence, the status of women, tolerance and religious pluralism, social and economic gaps, environmental issues or immigrant absorption.
- For Ages 19-35
- Experience Israel first-hand, work side by side with Israeli activists
- Be part of the movement for social change in Israel
- This program runs more than once a year. Contact the organizer for further details.
- Strong conversational Hebrew is recommended. More placement options are available for participants with a higher level of Hebrew.
Contact: Merkaz Hamagshimim Center for Social and Environmental Activism.
Please be in touch with The Activism Team Tel: 972-2-5619168
shinui@themerkaz.org
www.themerkaz.org
Kibbutz Volunteers
An opportunity to participate in Kibbutz life, working a six day week, 6-8 hours per day. Participants are assigned various work placements according to the needs of the kibbutz, which include agriculture, industry or services.
- Accommodation, food, use of facilities available on kibbutz, occasional trips and a small amount of pocket money provided. There are limited places available on religious kibbutzim.
- Duration of Scheme: 2-6 months, 4 weeks over December, April and the summer.
Contact: Your local Aliyah/Kibbutz shaliach
www.kibbutzprogramcenter.org
or The United Kibbutz Movement Tel: 972-3-530-1440,
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
Kedma’s Nehora Leadership Program for Women
Nehora’s aim is to help develop female leadership in the Orthodox community. The program trains young American and Israeli women to assume leadership roles with an emphasis on social action and community welfare.
- Includes leadership training conferences and seminars, creating and implementing social action programs and distributing a newsletter focusing on leadership.
Contact: info@kedma.org.il
www.kedma.org
In Israel: Tel: 972-2-500-3303
Fax: 972-2-500-3304
AVIV
A 4 month program that exposes participants to an integrative Jewish and Israeli experience, involving learning about Israel, history, culture, current affairs in Israel, Holocaust, group dynamics, volunteer experience, touring the country, meeting Israeli youth etc.
- Aimed towards participants from the Southern Hemisphere (Australia and South Africa) as well as the UK.
- For high school graduates and university students.
- Strengthens Jewish Identity and works towards increasing the Jewish involvement of participants upon returning to their communities.
- Provides participants with professional tools enabling them to influence their communities upon return to their country of origin.
Contact: Desk for English Speaking countries of the Israel Experience Ltd
Australia: AUJS South Africa: AUJS www.aujs.com.au
Or Israel Programs Coordinator Tel. 02 8344 978
ip@aujs.com.au
Yad Vashem
Working to promote Holocaust education and remembrance The International School for Holocaust Studies organizes educational programs and produces educational materials for a variety of target populations and educational organizations in Israel and abroad. Seminars and internship opportunities are offered for educators and students from overseas with top experts in the field.
Contact: Yad Vashem Israel 972-2-6443622
international.seminar@yadvashem.org.il or pedagogic.center@yadvashem.org.il
www.yadvashem.org.il/index.html
Arava Institute for Environmental Studies
The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies is a regional center for environmental leadership that encourages environmental cooperation between peoples. The Institute works towards peace and sustainable development and offers Egyptian, Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian as well as students from all over the world an intensive hands-on academic program focusing on our joint environment.
- The program is conducted in English on Kibbutz Ketura in Israel’s Arava Valley.
- Semester and year programs are offered in addition to special programs and short courses.
- A two-year Master’s Degree issued through Ben Gurion University is offered and includes one year of coursework at The Arava Institute.
Contact: In Israel Tel: 972-8- 6356618 Fax: 972-8- 6356634
info@arava.org/ketura
aies@ketura.ardom.co.il
www.arava.org
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.
Machal 2000
Army service framework for religious and non-religious men.
Qualifications for the Mahal 2000 program:
- Non-Israeli Jewish males of the ages 18 - 23.
- Willing to serve in the IDF for 14 months.
- Interested to work part-time in a Jewish community, after returning from Israel.
- Reasonable health profile as required by the IDF.
- Hebrew required at the level whereby a conversation can be conducted.
Contact: mail@Mahal-IDF-Volunteers.org
www.Mahal-IDF-Volunteers.org
tel: +972-2-5337040