Feel like saving the world this week? Volunteering can be a powerful and fulfilling experience, especially when combined with the thrill of traveling in a new place. After decades of conflict have taken their toll on the area and when most local resources have been diverted toward security needs, Israel and the Palestinian Territories provide plenty of opportunities to leave your mark on the region. Between helping impoverished families in Israel and the West Bank, cleaning up the region’s limited water sources and beaches, and rebuilding homes destroyed by recent violence, there is always plenty to do.
Most people who volunteer in Israel and the Palestinian Territories do so on a short-term basis at organizations that make use of drop-in or once-a-week volunteers. The best way to find opportunities that match your interests and schedule may be to check with the Jewish Agency, which serves as a good clearinghouse for work and volunteer opportunities throughout the country. Their multilingual representatives specialize in the various programs and options available throughout the country, and they are trained to work both with long and short-term visitors. Check out their website at www.jewishagency.org or call their Information and Service Center (☎+1-866-835-0430 in the US, +44 0800 404 8984 in the UK, +972 1 800 228 55 in Israel). Most of the Jewish Agency’s programs deal with getting to know Israel and assisting its Jewish population. If you are Jewish, you may be able to receive full or partial funding for your program. For those looking for programs more focused on Israel’s minorities or on social justice, the New Israel Fund (www.nif.org) is a good place to start. Both of these offer a range of volunteer opportunities, dealing with social, political and environmental issues, among others. As always, read up before heading out.
Those looking for longer, more intensive volunteer opportunities usually choose to go through a parent organization that takes care of logistical details and often provides a group environment and support system—for a fee. There are two main types of organizations—religious and secular—although there are rarely restrictions on participation for either. Websites like www.volunteerabroad.com, www.servenet.org, and www.idealist.org allow you to search for volunteer openings both in your country and abroad.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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