American Jewish World Service Volunteer Summer

  Ukraine

Kharkov

Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Description: The yearlong American Jewish World Service Volunteer Summer (formerly IJCC) program begins with an intense, seven-week cultural immersion experience that weaves together in-depth exploration of international development, study of social justice in a Jewish context and humanitarian service in hands-on volunteer community projects in the developing world and the former Soviet Union. Participants live and work alongside rural communities in either Ghana, Peru or Honduras, or with a re-emerging Jewish community in Ukraine. (Applicants choose their country during the interview process.)

Following the summer, participants continue in the yearlong domestic program, which includes educational seminars, retreats, public speaking engagements, article writing and volunteer service. AJWS Volunteer Summer is open to Jewish students between the ages of 17 and 25.

For the first time, AJWS Volunteer Summer 2005 will consist of one group of participants entering or having just completed their senior year in high school: this group will work in a village outside of Siguatepeque, Honduras. The other three groups will be comprised exclusively of college-aged students or recent college graduates. AJWS Volunteer Summer is a pluralistic program that welcomes and accommodates young adults from every stream of Judaism. We consider applications from inside and outside the United States, and we value diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Cost in US$: $3,600

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Jewish students between the ages of 17 and 25

Age Range: 17-25

Participants Travel to Ukraine in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 15

Scholarships are Available. - Please request a financial aid application

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

American Jewish World Service's Mission Statement: American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is an international development organization motivated by Judaism's imperative to pursue justice. AJWS is dedicated to alleviating poverty, hunger and disease among the people of the developing world regardless of race, religion or nationality. Through grants to grassroots organizations, volunteer service, advocacy and education, AJWS fosters civil society, sustainable development and human rights for all people, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship within the Jewish community.

Year Founded: 1985

American Jewish World Service is a Jewish based organization. We do require our participants to be of the same faith. Our volunteers will not be involved in religious proselytizing.