Mitzvah Corps Israel, in partnership with NFTY in Israel, provides the opportunity to explore the land of Israel, the people of Israel, and Jewish traditions while engaging in direct service learning.
Spend three weeks traveling the land of Israel and participating in meaningful service projects. Meet and engage with Israeli youth throughout Israel, offering a unique and grounded perspective on modern day Israeli life and challenges they face on a day to day basis. Volunteer with a variety of organizations throughout Israel, and live the experiences of integrating social justice into your Israel journey.
This unique program has been created especially for teens who seek a meaningful journey through Israel with a focus on social justice, relationship building, and a deep glimpse into the realities that comprise Israeli communities. Mitzvah Corps Israel gives teens the opportunity to engage directly with communities that need the energy, dedication, and love that our teens can provide. Social and evening programs involve will delve deeper into the dialogue surrounding the experiences we’re having together and how they’re rooted in Jewish and Israeli social and ethical issues. From ancient Jerusalem to modern Tel Aviv, from the beautiful Galilee to the stunning Negev Desert, Mitzvah Corps Israel allows teens to visit Israel, take in its beauty and history all while making a difference in communities.
Service Learning
Over the course of the experience, the group will spend time working alongside various cultural communities in major cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa, in smaller towns like Be'er Sheva, and on kibbutzim. These immersive experiences will allow American teens he opportunity to build real connections with their peers in Israel. Partner volunteer organizations include:
LOTEM, dedicated to making Israel's outdoors accessible to those with physical disabilities. Yemin Orde, a youth village for at-risk immigrants and refugees from around the world. Ziv Medical Center, a hospital that welcomes everybody, including Syrian refugees. Mesila, providing support for immigrants, migrants, and refugees in Tel Aviv. A New Dawn in the Negev, helping Bedouin children learn English. Earth's Promise, developing sustainable urban agriculture in the desert of Be'er Sheva.
Travel
Israel is an incredible place to explore, with a wide variety of cultural, historical, and natural attractions. Those of us experiencing Israel for the first time will have the opportunity to see these sites first-hand; those of us who have been before, we will be returning to these powerful places with a new understanding of the complexities of Israel, through the lens of the different perspectives and narratives we've heard, begun to understand, and are starting to create for ourselves.
Walking the winding streets of the Old City of JerusalemWatching the sun rise from atop MasadaRelaxing on the beaches of Tel AvivHiking the hills of the Negev (desert)Exploring the ruins of ancient citiesSnorkeling in the ocean of EilatKayaking down the Jordan River
Experiencing an Authentic Israel
Our interaction with Israelis and local communities isn't limited to the volunteering components of the program. At Mitzvah Corps Israel, we have the opportunity to live amongst Israelis throughout our journey, to experience life as Jewish people living in the Jewish State. The chance to eat, work, travel, learn, and socialize with members of the local communities opens the door for meaningful and honest insights into real Israeli culture.
