VFI PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG ADULTS AGES 18–28

Experience life in Israel as no tourist can!

Only Volunteers for Israel offers programs where you can volunteer on an IDF base. Sign up for this one-of-a kind VFI program and learn firsthand what the army experience means to your Israeli peers and to Israel.

You’ll work alongside soldiers and volunteers of all ages and from many countries, sleep in barracks, have 3 Kosher meals a day in the mess hall, and wear IDF work clothes—all free of charge while you are on the base.

You feel proud, knowing your hands-on work supports Israel and makes a real difference. And you’ll have new friendships and memories to last a lifetime!

Consider these options:

TRAVEL SOLO OR WITH FRIENDS

Choose any 1- 2- or 3-week program (Sunday to Thursday afternoon) that is listed on our schedule. Room and board are included; you are responsible for only the costs of your airfare and weekend activities. On the weekends of a multi-week program (Thursday afternoon – Sunday morning), you can visit friends and family, travel with your new VFI friends, or follow your own itinerary. Whatever you decide to do, you will be amazed by the awesome, unforgettable sights and sounds that only Israel offers.

ADD-ON TO BIRTHRIGHT OR ANOTHER ISRAEL TOUR

Extend your trip and see much more of Israel — from the inside — by volunteering on an IDF base.

• Sign up for 1, 2, or 3 weeks.
• An add-on to a scheduled VFI program costs only $55 (application fee).
• Extensions start on designated Sundays, after your Israel tour ends.
Be sure the date of your return flight includes time for the program.

NEW! ISRAEL DISCOVERY PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ADULTS AGES 18–28

*Includes $1,000 VFI travel subsidy! See details below.

July 2–13, 2023

Young adults are welcome to join any scheduled VFI program throughout the year. However, the unique Israel Discovery Program is the only all-peer experience VFI offers. Created and conducted by Sar-El,* this exciting new adventure combines working on an IDF base with experiencing a side of Israel that tourists don’t get to see.

From Sar-El: “Sar-El invites you to an exciting and educational two weeks. Throughout the first week, you will volunteer on an army base and have activities to enrich your knowledge about the IDF. Following this, an eventful weekend will take place including hiking and discovering cultures, places and people. On the second week, you will return to a military base to volunteer until Thursday.

“The program can be subjected to change in accordance to IDF Guidelines. The program is respectful to those who keep kosher and Shabbat. Participants must speak English.

“The Israel Discovery program fee is $780, payable directly to Sar-El. It includes room, board and activities for the two-week program. Airfare and health insurance are not included.”

To enroll, first apply through Volunteers for Israel. (1) Contact VFI’s Regional Manager; (2) complete VFI’s Application; (3) pay VFI’s $55.00 non-refundable Application fee; and (4) arrange for your VFI interview. After VFI approves you, you will be referred to Sar-El, which will contact you with further information.

NOTE: American applicants for the Israel Discovery Program will receive a $1,000 subsidy toward airfare through the generosity of Amy Simon, in memory of her parents, Irving and Roz Schnitzer.

Irving and Roz were married for over 63 years and were lifelong activists and advocates for Israel. Irving served in the U.S. Air Corps during World War II and was deeply committed to the safety and defense of both the United States and Israel. Roz learned to speak Hebrew and collected funds for JNF even before the state was created. The Schnitzers were members of Hadassah for over 50 years. Given their lifelong devotion to Israel, it is no surprise their daughter Amy not only volunteered through VFI three times, but also made aliyah through Nefesh B’Nefesh in 2004. The VFI family is profoundly inspired by Amy’s leadership and dedication, and we are honored to help carry on her parents’ memory.

* Sar-El is an Israeli organization that coordinates with Volunteers for Israel (VFI). VFI interviews and processes American volunteers. Then Sar-El places approved volunteers on IDF bases where they work side-by-side with Israeli soldiers and volunteers from many other countries.

Sign on for this life-changing adventure!

VFI PLUS ADVANCED

VFI PLUS ARCHAEOLOGY

UPCOMING TOUR DATES

VFI Plus Archaeology (14 Days)

VFI Plus Advanced (17 Days)

ZOOM NOW. REALITY LATER.

These weekly Thursday Zoom-based programs are designed to take your brain on a vacation from the pain and loneliness of Covid-19 and transport you to archaeological digs, historic neighborhoods and homes, ancient cultural sites, and bustling streets in the Jewish homeland – all led by VFI PLUS’s official tour guide, Julia Newman.

Attendees are in for a special treat of lectures given by world-class experts in their fields, such as former Mossad agents, brigadier generals, scientists, artists, photographers, and famed archaeologists.

All programs are FREE and interactive, with real-time discussions. If you can’t volunteer on an IDF base or tour Israel right now, why not explore and do a deep dive into the country virtually?

REGISTER NOW

CLICK HERE to watch the more than 150 already-aired episodes.

Examples include:

Tour of Megiddo/Armageddon with Julia Newman

Live Zoom Presentation: Israel, The Hi-Tech Nation with Raphael Nave – senior researcher at the Neeman Institute, Technion

The “Lion is Back” with Brigadier General (Res.) Shuki Ben Anat (the former Chief of Reserves of the IDF who served many years on the Syrian front)

Innovations in Archaeology in Jerusalem-2 with Prof. Yuval Gadot

CLICK HERE or email vfivolunteer@gmail.com to reserve a spot for yourself or a friend and be notified of future events. If emailing, please include your name, state, and preferred email address.

PLEASE CLICK HERE to support VFI EDUCATES so we can continue to bring you engaging, LIVE programs direct from Israel – FREE.