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See Galilee - Now accepting applications APPLY NOW



SEE GALILEE

A Volunteer Program in Israel for Young Adults


Background

 

See Galilee provides a highly subsidized opportunity for up to 8 highly motivated and capable young adults to volunteer in a variety of social projects in the Galilee region of Israel. In addition, the participant will have the opportunity to develop Hebrew language skills, receive education enrichment on pertinent Jewish and Israel topics, learn about social entrepreneurship, and have fun! Applicants from anywhere in the United States interested in this program are encouraged to apply.


The northern Galilee of Israel is among the most beautiful geographic landscapes in Israel, and yet it faces numerous social challenges. The Beren SEA Family Foundation and the Galila Foundation are already working together to address some of these challenges and have decided to create a special volunteer program for young adults from the United States to help further these and other efforts.

 

Adam Beren, a leader in the Jewish Community, as well as a businessman and philanthropist from Wichita, Kansas, initiated this program with the attempt to build a stronger Jewish community and to build relationships with the participants. The Program will be run by Galila-The Northern Galilee Development Foundation. Galila has contracted Israel Way/Oranim, a subsidiary of Egged cooperative and the premier educational tourism provider in Israel to organize and be responsible for the program. Israel Way/Oranim is the largest provider of services for MASA programs in Israel and their web page can be found at destinationisrael.com.

 

 

Program Goals

 

  1. To strengthen the connection of the participants with Israel and the Galilee.
  2. To fulfill the participant's desire for volunteerism and to give back to Israel.
  3. To build a greater understanding of current political, social and cultural issues facing Israel and the Jewish diaspora.
  4. To help the participant learn about and even develop a business plan for social entrepreneurship in the Jewish community.
  5. To strengthen the participants' leadership skills and perhaps inspire the participants to take leadership roles in the Jewish community.
  6. To improve the participants' Hebrew skills.
  7. To build Jewish community.

 

 

The Participants

The participants selected will be young jewish adults from the United States aged 21 to 28 who have demonstrated a track record of leadership and volunteerism and have an interest in helping the future of the Jewish people. Basic Hebrew skills and a previous Israel experience are preferred, but not a requirement for selection in the program.

Yael Barlev, founder of The Galila Foundation, and Adam Beren will be on the selection committee. Israel Way will have the final say on who is selected for the program.

 

 

The Program

 

The program will consist of two 5 month sessions. The first 3 to 4 weeks will be for orientation.  During this orientation period, the participants will be introduced to the program director from Israel Way and Galila and their volunteer coordinator (“Madrich”), who will be responsible for the daily coordination of work, seminars, travel and challenges that might arise.  The principals of Galila and Israel Way will orient the participants in the region and their expectations of the program.  An intensive Ulpan will be a part of this 4 week period.


During this introductory period the participants will be introduced to their host families. The host families in the Galilee will offer an additional local social resource to the participants and a "home away from home".  These families will host the participants for Shabbat and holiday dinners, and other times as well.


The participants will be living together in a furnished home or apartment in Shlomi.  


Once the orientation period is completed, the participants will begin their program which will include at least 25 hours a week of volunteer work. The volunteer opportunities will likely be chosen from Galila sponsored programs and will attempt to be tailored to the specific interests and talents of the participants.  The ability to work independently and with passion is an important quality for success in whatever program the participant works.


Most weekends will be designed for free time from Friday through Sunday morning, in order for the participants to experience Israel on their own.  At least one day a week will be dedicated to study and enrichment programs designed to enhance the volunteers' understanding of the challenges facing Israel and the American Jewish community, the political and socio-economic challenges facing Israel and world Jewry, the populations and challenges in the Galilee and leadership in a Jewish context. A comprehensive program on social entrepreneurship will be an integral part of the educational experience.


Ten days of trips around the country will be coordinated and some will include trips with members of other Israel Way programs in Israel at the time. Other parts of the program include weekly ulpanim for an additional 60 hours, and networking events with Israeli peers.

 

 

 

Volunteer Opportunities


In order to attempt to match the interests of the participant with their volunteering, the volunteer opportunities will be determined fully once participants arrive in Israel. The programs could include:

 

  1. MATNAS Community Center in Shlomi. The community center is the focal point for after school activity for young kids in and around the town of Shlomi. The participant will help with instruction in basketball, tennis and soccer as well as the other myriad of activities that take place at the center.
  2. SCHOOL FOR GIFTED AND OUTSTANDING CHILDREN. The participant will help teach and motivate the brightest kids in Israel in this very exceptional school in Shlomi. Galila is sponsoring a very impressive space program that culminates with a trip to Belgium at the end of the year. The participant will help teach any number of classes in this after school program.
  3. MOADONIT . This after-school club for kids in Maalot is designed for children who come from impoverished and dysfunctional backgrounds. The participant will provide enrichment activities to the kids during the afternoon hours.
  4. MERKAZ KOCHAV – This center for mentally-challenged young adults in Kfar Veradim has a new branch in the village catering adults with special needs who work on arts, crafts and other areas of enrichment during the day.
  5. ACHARAI – Galila is the main sponsor for the local Acharai chapter which is a 9 month program to help prepare 11th and 12th grade boys and girls for the IDF.  The participant will work closely with the program leader in coordinating a very intensive and rewarding program. 
  6. DOCU Center. Galila is the sponsor of a program to teach young kids in the Maalot area about how to prepare documentary films. The participant will work closely with the students as they prepare their films for viewing.
  7. ENGLISH TEACH – The participant will help teach in local middle and highschools. The Israeli children pursue a rigorous workload in classes similar to those experienced by school kids in the United States.
  8. Other programs that are available include work with elderly care centers, work with animals, work in the Galila office, work with a local arts program and many others.

 

 

Requirements


1. Application with essays and two letters of recommendation from non family members who have been your supervisors, teachers, rabbis, etc.


2.  $1,500 program tuition.  If necessary, participants are encouraged to seek scholarships from their local Federations or other Jewish organizations to cover this fee.   This fee is due 60 days prior to the beginning of the program. 

 
3.  $500 deposit to be given within 30 days of acceptance into the program and to be returned upon successful completion in the program.  This deposit is in addition to tuition.


4.  Participant will be responsible for their travel arrangements to and from Israel.  The Program will reimburse  up to $2,000 of the cost for travel after 90 days of successful participation in the program.


5. Participant will receive a $200 per month stipend, and up to $250 of travel reimbursement for program related expenses in the north. The Participant will be responsible  to supplement the $200 monthly stipend to cover living expenses.  MASA awards need based stipends up to $1,500 and applicants are encouraged to apply.  Free  WIFI will be available in the apartments.  Israeli cell phone service will be arranged for each participant, however participants are responsible to pay for useage.   Participants will be required to carry cell phones at all times.

 
6. Insurance.  Israel Way will provide health and other insurance during the program.    Each Participant is encouraged to purchase any additional insurance to cover any risks perceived by this experience in addition to that provided by Israel Way.   Participants can arrange to extend insurance coverage if staying after the program. In order to participate in the program, participants will be required to sign a waiver to release liability from The Galila Foundation, the Beren SEA Foundation or the Mid-Kansas Jewish Federation.


7. Participant will be responsible to complete an essay on the experience for publication and to participate in formal feedback sessions during and upon completion of the program.

 

 

Program costs per Participant


Total Program Cost*:

$10,000

MASA Grant**:

$(3,000)

Beren SEA Foundation

$(4,500) 

Mid Kansas Jewish Federation Subsidy:

$(1,000)

Tuition***:

$(1,500)

 

*The Program will pay for up to $2,000 in round trip coach air fare.  This cost is not listed above.
** The Program will pay for those Participants who do not qualify for a MASA grant.
***The participant is required to pay a $500 refundable deposit  in addition to tuition.     

     

 

 

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