Nursing Home Program
This Sar-El administered program is appropriate for that special, compassionate individual who can meet these requirements:
- Get permission to apply for the program from the Sar-El coordinator in Israel at least 4 weeks in advance of your desired start date. Be sure to request a "special program" on your application.
- Make a 4-week commitment.
- Perform basic duties such as delivering meals and feeding patients, helping with transport to therapy or doctors' appointments, assisting with walks and activities, and doing errands or kitchen and laundry duty.
- Work a 6-day week and conform to the rules of the facility.
Most facilities will not accept volunteers over 65. Meals and lodging are included, but you may be sharing a room with another volunteer, not necessarily from VFI. Touring and cultural activities are not included; however, you are free to leave the work facility after your shift. Having some Hebrew language skills is very useful. No special clothing is required.
Download your VFI application
Leket Israel
Help fight hunger in Israel. Leket Israel (www.leket.org), part of Israel's Food Bank, collects excess food from caterers, restaurants, military bases, and farms, and distributes it through hundreds of relief organizations to Israelis in need.
The Leket Israel program needs volunteers to pick high quality fruits and vegetables that would otherwise be left to rot. By working for 1-2 hours a day, you will be helping to provide nutritious food to hungry Israelis.
Leket Israel's spirit is based on this biblical precept: When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be left for the alien, the orphan, and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all your undertakings. Deuteronomy.24:19
Lend your hands to this worthwhile project. Note: Leket Israel is not a Sar-El program.
Fill out the Special Program Request Form
Ruach Tova
Add another dimension to your visit to Israel: Combine your VFI tour with volunteer work on a unique project that will help Israelis in need of welfare, support and aid services.
Ruach Tova is a non-profit Israeli organization formed in 2004 to encourage the spirit of volunteering and to be the "one stop shop" umbrella organization for any person or organization in need of volunteers.
You can find programs in diverse fields: education, health, the environment, animal rights, bereavement and more. You can work alone or as part of a group on a brief, one-time project or on one that lasts longer. Volunteers interested in helping Sderot should also contact Ruach Tovah.
Note: Ruach Tovah is not associated with Sar-El.
To see a list of projects - visit www.ruachtova.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, fill out the VFI Special Program Request form.
Oranim Volunteer Programs
Oranim Educational Initiatives works with the Hillel Foundation and MASA to develop volunteer and travel programs in Israel.
Oranim operated the first Taglit-Birthright Israel program and grew to be the largest organizer, with over 55,000 international alumni.
Two Oranim programs may be of particular interest:
- the Community Involvement Program for volunteers ages 20-30
- the Israel Volunteer Center where volunteers of all ages can design individualized programs to meet their needs and availability.
For more details, visit Oranim at http://www.destinationisrael.com
Note: Oranim is not associated with Sar-El.
