Community Involvement (Israel Service Corps)

  Israel

• Tel Aviv: 
Tel Aviv

Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: Please contact us for the details.

Description: The Community Involvement program offers you an incredible opportunity to spend 5 meaningful months immersed in Israeli society as a functioning member of the community. You will be exposed to life in Israel by living among its citizens and working together strengthening your ties with the country and its people. You are not a tourist, you're family!

With our focus based in the peripheral communities of Israel, Community Involvement participants will create their own meaningful volunteer opportunities or choose from existing opportunities, enjoy excursions throughout the country, acquire and use Hebrew, live among Israelis and make lifelong friendships.

Working in these communities our volunteers play a key role in the lives of many. Whether helping youth realize a potential they thought not possible or simply giving care to the elderly, Community Involvement volunteers are able see and feel the impact they have within the community.

Program coordinators work one on one with each participant to determine his or her passions, interests and talents. After careful consideration and collaboration with community leaders, Community Involvement volunteers are placed accordingly within the community. By paying close attention to the individual desires as well as needs, every volunteer is able to maximize their potential in the most fitting ways within their new communities creating rewarding and enriching experiences that will last generations.

Highlights: Community Based Residence - All participants live within Israeli neighborhoods - not on isolated campuses. We believe that only through direct contact with Israelis, participants can be in a position to know Israel and help meet the needs of the community.
                 
Living Arrangements - Participants should feel right at home in Israel. That's why we provide each Community Involvement group with fully-furnished apartment-style villas including wireless Internet, and cable television. Participants are divided into small groups per villa; two roommates per room.

Meaningful Service Opportunities - Community Involvement works with local leaders in each community to identify the most pressing needs. Participants will choose from a variety of volunteer opportunities according to their skills, background and interests. Placements options may include: At-risk youth, elderly, environment, arts', sports, social work, education and more.
                 
Learn and Use Hebrew - The key to forging strong connections in Israel is through the language. That's why all Community Involvement participants will undergo intensive Hebrew training - learning practical Hebrew that can be used during all of their daily activities.

Trips & Special Excursions - Participants will enjoy educational excursions throughout Israel - exploring Israel's truly unique cities including the City of Gold: Jerusalem, Israel's Mediterranean metropolis: Tel Aviv, and surrounding areas. Participants also get the opportunity to attend leadership training, seminars, forums, and Shabbatons alongside other MASA participants.
                 
Host Families - Each participant is paired with an Israeli host family with whom participants will be able to enjoy Holidays, Shabbat dinners and family outings. Host families play an active role in helping participants integrate into the community, creating life-long friendships.

Judaism in Israel - Learn about Jewish life, philosophy, and observances from Jewish leaders in an open and non-denominational environment.
                 
Israel Studies - Experts will deliver frequent lectures on a wide variety of topics relating to Israel, including politics, history, culture, and society.

Qualifications: Program participants must be Jewish, English-speaking, between the ages of 18-30, have not been on an organized long-term program since September 2004 and have graduated high school by the program start date.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: 0 - 2,000

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-30

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European and South African Participants.

Participants Travel to Israel Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 10+

Scholarships are Available. Program pricing reflects MASA Israel scholarships. Additional funding may also be available.

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Year Founded: 1986