Where Christians can Volunteer in Israel

What happened in Israel on 7th October was shocking and the indifference the world shows towards the Israeli hostages is inhumane. If you were one of those people who just wanted to rush there to help, maybe now is the time to think about it. If you want to volunteer but can’t, click through to this other list of Christian charities supporting Israel.

With the continued war on terror and many Israeli families being displaced by the attacks, there is much work needed to be done – packing supplies, medicines, providing meals, and more. While many of the local agencies such as Masa Israel and Israel Outdoors expect you to be Jewish to volunteer, there are some organisations that accept Christians and other volunteers too. If you have the funds and time are in a position to volunteer, here are some agencies that will help you get there. And a side note, it’s better to book the final leg of travel on El Al Airlines because regardless of the military or political situation, El Al does not cancel flights, as opposed to most other airlines that cancel flights at the drop of a hat.

1. Sar El

The Sar-El program is a non-profit service organization that provides an opportunity for Jews and non-Jews to participate in a service program without really enlisting in the Israeli Defense Forces. Founded by General Dr. Aharon Davidi in 1983, and called Sar El – The National Project for Volunteers for Israel or Service for Israel, it’s run by the Israeli Logistics Corps.

Volunteers join the program for 3-weeks and stay on the base Sunday through Thursday. You don’t have to be Jewish to join, you just have to be a supporter of Israel and above 17 years old. There is no upper age limit.

Sar El volunteers live on a military base and work in logistical support performing tasks such as packing emergency supplies, medicines and more. People from all walks of life can experience this program, especially now that volunteers are needed much more than ever.

Website: Sar El
Phone +972-3-682-9740
Fax: +972-3-682-9743
Email: info@sar-el.org

2. Authentic israel

Normally offering community experiences in Israel, Authentic Israel started accepting volunteers to stand in solidarity with Israel and help out volunteering 4 to 6 hours a day. Although tours are tailored for Jewish visitors, volunteers of all backgrounds are accepted. You will get the change to work packing items to support displaced communities, or picking and sorting harvested crops for foodbanks, or prepare meals for active-duty IDF soldiers. Experiences are 4 days or 7 days long but can be grouped back-to-back if you want to stay longer.

Website: Authentic Israel
Phone: +1-202-537-6056 or +972-3-630-6324
Email: info@authenticisrael.com

3. Sword of Iron – Israel Volunteer Opportunities

A Facebook Group with almost 28,000 members, you’ll find grassroots volunteering opportunities here. Started by Kim Yocheved Ruttenberg after she flew in to Israel with 27 duffel bags of supplies for her brother in the army, this group is a great resource for locals and visitors alike. Hagit Greenberg Amar, the co-founder is also a big part of the group.

If you’re already in Israel and looking for an opportunity to volunteer, this is where you’ll find the real boots on the ground stuff. The opportunities range from cooking mealsor BBQ for the IDF soldiers, packaging goods, being body therapists, and working or fruit farms or horse farms.

Facebook: Sword of Iron
Instagram: swordofiron.israelvolunteer
Website: Israel Volunteer Opportunities

4. Israel Food Rescue

Rabbi Randy Brown started Israel Food Rescue in response to the dire needs of Israel farmers that were affected by the war. Since starting, volunteers of all religions from 17 different countries have visited to help on this 5-day volunteer work missions in Israel to save fruits and veggies on half-abandoned farms or farms where workers were killed.

The Israel Food Rescue agricultural volunteer program works with smaller family farmers who don’t receive the same governmental intervention as the bigger moshavim or kibbutzim. The minimum stay is 5 weeks, the max is as long as you can. Ages accepted are 30 to 80 years, but you need to be healthy enough to do about 6 hours of work a day and belong to a country that grants ETA-IL visas.

Website: Israel Food Rescue
Email: info@israelfoodrescue.com

5. Startup Reserves for Israel

Not your regular volunteering program, Startup Reserves for Israel was founded by Zoe Burian for Jewish individuals living outside Israel to volunteer a few hours a week to Israeli startups that are suffering from the effects of the war. With most of workforce being part of the IDF Reserves, many companies are facing a shortage of 20 or 30% of their people. Surviving is difficult.

Zoe and Michael’s Startup Reserves have put together a global force of over 4,500 skilled volunteers to bridge the gaps in Israel’s workforce. If you are a skilled professional who can contribute between 5 to 20 hours a week to keeping Israeli tech companies alive, the form to sign up as a volunteer is here.

Website: Startup Reserves for Israel
Email: info@startupreserves.org

6. Eran’s Angels

A community of friends that started out responding to a need Eran’s Angels has been in operation since 2014. Back then it was called The Angels and provided food, clothing and other products to soldier, Holocaust survivors and other families. It also distributed food and necessities during Corona. When partner Eran Hazan died, The Angels were renamed Eran’s Angels. During the Iron Swords War, the angels have grown in number from 80 volunteers to over 1500.

Located at the Expo complex close to Tel Aviv University, they continue to provide water, food, clothing, supplies, combat equipment, housewares and more to displaced Israeli families and soldiers. To volunteer, fill their online form and they’ll get back to you.

Website: Eran’s Angels
Instagram: eransangels

7. Leket Israel

Back in 2003, Joseph Gitler started collecting the excess food from cafeterias and catering halls and distributing them to needy non profit organization in his community. Since then their operations rescuing food waste and helping those in need has grown. Even during Covid, they continued their operation as best they could.

And now with so many farms affected by the war, with many farmers themselves being drafted to the reserves and others losing their farm hands. Leket volunteers are help these farms by harvesting the produce and distributing it to 300 nonprofit organizations throughout Israel who then distribute it to the needy irrespective of age, background and religion.

Website: Leket Israel
Email: info@leket.org
Phone: +972-9-744-1757
Sign up Form to volunteer here.

8. Second Line

The toll taken by the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel is immeasurable. In addition to the physical trauma, so many individuals also suffer from mental trauma and post traumatic stress disorder. In order to help these individuals the wish Federations of North America (JFNA) and Birthright formed the Second Line in collaboration with the Israel Ministry of Health and the Israel Trauma Coalition.

Mental healthcare professionals who can commit to a minimum of 16 sessions are invited to volunteer. You need to have a Masters in clinical psychology, psychotherapy, social work, or related fields. Hebrew speakers will receive priority followed by those who speak French, Russian, Ukrainian, Amharic, Arabic and Spanish. Volunteers who are able to visit and work as part of the direct program from 6 weeks to 3 months are preferred but remote options are also available.

Website: Second Line Israel
Signup Form here.

9. Volunteer rebuilding communities in the Otef Aza (Gaza Envelope)

Many communities in the Otef need rebuilding. As part of Lev Ehad (One Heart) located in Moshav Sdei Avraham, Eidan and his friends have been volunteering tirelessly to help local farmers harvest their crops of fruit and veggies. You can help too. There are needs in agriculture, housing and many other areas required by the border communities, and most jobs for require some moderate physical activity.

For those who have a heart to volunteer but cannot afford to pay for hotels, the good thing about this volunteering opportunity is that you get free housing while you volunteer. (The team will advice you about the different bus routes or transportation, but you have to reach here on your own.) Paid opportunities are also available for thouse who have the legal right to work in Israel. Fill in the form below to sign up.

Form: Signup Here
Eidan (For English) – +972-50-682-3182
Renana: +972-50-950-4302

10. Israel Support Bridge

Started as a response to the enormous deficits and needs resulting October 7th attacks, the Israel Support Bridge is an organization that acts as a service provider to over 100 aid organizations or charities all over Israel. As they say, they function as a bridge between aid organizations, and act as a service provider in data, logistics, getting red tape approvals, and connecting communities.

They have brought in over $100 million (yes, 100 million dollars) worth of supplies into the country. Whether it’s food, clothing, medicines, military equipment, or more; they see a need, they mobilize to fulfil it. Led by Ben Mamon, Erez Ginat, Maya Krieger and many more wonderful people, the resilient non-profit team is also working to meet the needs of displaced citizens who need rehabilitation.

Volunteer groups from across the planet are welcomed here. You can choose to volunteer by sorting and packing supplies just a few hours a day, or you can take part in full day events distributing aid to needy families. Volunteers need to be aged 18 and above and are provided with food and coffee. From wherever you are staying, take a bus or train to Hayarkonim Junction in Petach Tikva where they are located.

Website: Israel Support Bridge
Email: bmamon8@gmail.com
Tel: +972 50-600-6008
Tel: +1-574-520-7788
Whatsapp: Shueli +972-52-265-2977
Facebook page here.

11. Kibbutz Volunteers Program Center

After the 1967 Six-Day war, volunteers from across the globe came to Israel to volunteer in the kibbutz. Over the years, many more kibbutz volunteers (over four hundred thousand) have visited Israel and loved and worked in the kibbutz. With over 250 kibbutz across the country, the need for centralized management soon became necessary and the Kibbutz Program Center of the United Kibbutz Movement was formed.

With the current conflict, the need for volunteers is still dire. If you want to volunteer, you can connect with their local reps in your country or fill out the online form directly. You should be aged 18 to 35 and will have to work 8.5 hours a day in exchange for accommodation, food and some pocket money. Duration of stay is between 10 weeks to a year, and you can be placed in orchards or farms or anywhere based on the need of the kibbutz.

Website: Kibbutz Volunteers Program Center
Tel: +972-3-5246154 or +972-3-5246156
E-mail: kpc@kibbutzvolunteers.org.il

12. Emergency Volunteers Project

The Emergency Volunteers Project was formed in Israel to provide Israel with help in emergencies. Israel is a country that helps it’s neighbours and countries across the world during floods, earthquakes, fires and other disasters, natural or manmade. It’s only natural to want to give back to the Chosen People.

The EVP is registered as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization in the US and registers volunteers to work with different projects or responders who have been certified to deploy to Israel in emergencies. As they say ‘All Responders are volunteers, but not all Volunteers are responders.’ Volunteers can be of any age, but certified responders must be between 21 and 60 years.

The EVP is currently looking for volunteers for their Make a Soldier Smile project. If you enlist, you will spend time cooking food for soldiers in different IDF bases and for civilians if necessary too.

Website: Emergency Volunteers Project
For costs and program details check this link
Email: office@evp.org.il

If you know of any volunteering opportunities for visitors to Israel that should be added to this list ping abby@abbyshearth.com or comment and let us know.

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