AJWS Alternative Breaks

  El Salvador

San Salvador

  Guatemala

Guatemala City

  Honduras

Tegucigalpa

  Mexico

• Mexico City: 
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico)

  Nicaragua

Managua

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks and 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: spring breeak

Description: AJWS Alternative Breaks (ABs) offer one to three-week long service programs to college students in partnership with campus-based organizations, such as Hillel. Through AJWS ABs, students experience grassroots sustainable development and focus on the interrelationship of social justice, service and Judaism. Since its inception in 2000, over 750 students from 32 schools around the country have participated in an AJWS AB.

In collaboration with local grassroots non-governmental organizations (NGOs), students work on projects such as digging ditches for the laying of water lines, planting trees and crops, and building schools and community centers. Together, the group studies social justice and international development through a Jewish lens, and plans a meaningful Shabbat experience that allows participants to experience the challenges and rewards of pluralistic Jewish communities. This intensive service-learning experience lays the foundation for participants follow-up activities, from sharing their experiences of the developing world with others on their return home, to committing themselves to lives of advocacy and activism.

For more information about planning an AB please read our Frequently Asked Questions.

For application or additional information about bringing this program to your campus, please e-mail or call us.

The AJWS Alernative Breaks Program is generously supported by a grant from the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation.

Qualifications: College Student, Application, and Interview.

Cost in US$: The AB program fee is $550 per participant and $42

Program fees cover the cost of accommodations, in-country transportation, meals, purified water for drinking and cooking, tools and materials for the group's work project, AJWS group leader expenses, and host-NGO administrative costs.

Program fees do not include airfare, inoculations/medications, and entry or exit taxes.

There is an administrative fee of $1,000 per group. When groups meet all administrative deadlines, the administrative fee will be applied toward the program fee for participants and program staff.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: College student on Spring Break.

Age Range: 18-22

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Job and Internship 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 Judaism based organization. We do not require our participants to be of the same faith. Our volunteers will not be involved in religious proselytizing.