Voluntourism

Are looking for an opportunity to travel and volunteer, with your family, on your own, or in a group?

Are you interested in seeing the world while making a difference?

Go around the world with Jewish Volunteer Connection for rewarding and exciting hands-on volunteer experiences.  JVC’s Voluntourism program offers volunteer trip opportunities, provides assistance with integrating service into existing missions and trips, and serves as a resource bank for individuals or groups seeking volunteer travel programs.  Let JVC be a resource to meet any volunteer travel need and inspire people to spread the culture of volunteerism!  JVC is your direct resource to voluntourism opportunities around the world!!

Here are just a few to share….

KEY
ST = Short term projects
LT = Long term projects

• American Jewish World Service (AJWS) – ST, LT, International
AJWS offers Alternative Breaks, delegations, a Volunteer Corps (long term), summer programs, fellowship programs; short term and long term options; www.ajws.org
• Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) – ST, LT, International
JDC offers the Jewish Service Corps (1-year term), fellowship programs, short term service programs; www.jdc.org
• Global Volunteers – ST, Domestic, International
Short term volunteer opportunities in the U.S. and internationally; www.globalvolunteers.org
• Avodah: The Jewish Service Corps – LT, Domestic
Engages young people in direct work on the causes and effects of poverty in the U.S., participants deepen their commitment to Jewish life through a 1-year term of working at anti-poverty organizations in Chicago, New Orleans, New York, and D.C.; participants are in their 20s; www.avodah.net
 • Nechama Jewish Response to Disaster – ST, Domestic
Jewish based volunteer organization, volunteers respond to disasters; there is a Katrina Response office; www.nechama.org
• Tikkun Olam Family Work Trip – ST, Domestic
Volunteer led service trips, started by congregants in Massachusetts and have developed partnerships with communities so that groups can assist low income households with repairs during the summer; email the head volunteer in Massachusetts
• PanimWorks – ST, Domestic
Jewish teens live and volunteer in a rural community in the U.S. (usually a Native American community); participants must be 9th – 10th graders; 12 days in the summer; www.panimworks.org
• Livnot U’Lehibanot – ST, Israel
An exploration of Israel through learning, outdoor adventure and community service; 14 days – 5 month programs (Masa- Livnot Journey); www.livnot.com
• Volunteers for Israel/Sar El (VFI) – ST, Israel
Volunteers work on IDF bases with Sar el, nursing homes, or at hospitals; ages 17 – 70+, age 15-16 can be accompanied by an adult; 1 – 4 weeks; www.vfi-usa.org
• Magen David Adom Ambulance Volunteer Program – ST/LT, Israel
Volunteers receive training to serve as first responders with Israe’sl paramedics; ages 18 – 25; 2-month terms; http://www.jewishagency.org/JewishAgency/English/Aliyah/Israel+Programs/MDA
• Sheli Volunteer Project – ST, LT, Israel
A tailor made volunteer program in Israel; ages 18 – 65; 2 weeks to 1 year; http://www.jewishagency.org/JewishAgency/English/Aliyah/Israel+Programs/Sheli
• Otzma – LT, Israel
A leadership program for post college graduates that includes learning, working, and volunteering in Israel; 9 ½ month program; www.otzma.org
• Amirim – ST, Israel
College students and young professionals live in Israel and volunteer for a non-profit organization in their area; 4-6 weeks for young adults; http://www.youngjudaea.org/organizations.php3?action=printContentItem&orgid=110&typeID=1137&itemID=14411
• Nesiya – ST, Israel
Explore Judiasm and Israel through a combination of travel, community service, outdoor adventure, performing and literary arts, cultural activities and creative Jewish study in Israel; summer 6-weeks for 10th-12th graders; http://www.nesiya.org
• Yahel – ST/LT, Israel
Yahel is an educational organization that offers service learning and social action programs in Israel, including a 5-month service-learning program for young adults between the ages of 21 and 27. http://www.yahelisrael.com/index.php

Additional short-term volunteer opportunities, directly with the agencies below:

• Meir Panim – Israel
Projects in soup kitchens in Israel; www.meirpanim.org
• Ruach Tova – Israel
A clearing house for volunteer opportunities in Israel, www.ruachtova.org
• Jewish National Fund (JNF) – Israel
Volunteers plant trees in Israel; www.jnf.org
• Yemin Orde Wingate Youth Village – Israel
An orphanage that past missions have visited; http://www.yeminorde.org/

Incorporate Service into Your Mission
Do you want to integrate service into a trip that’s being planned for your synagogue, organization, or other group?  Let JVC do the work for you to combine a meaningful service experience with your travel and touring plans. JVC can help integrate hands-on volunteer service into domestic and international mission trips, serve as a liaison between your institution and service partners in mission destinations and provide orientation and education for mission participants.

Please contact (410) 843-7490 or jvcbaltimore@associated.org for more information regarding Voluntourism programming and opportunities.  We look forward to helping you Travel with Purpose!