Sar-El Program - Volunteers for Israel

The purpose of Sar-El is to aid Israel through hands-on volunteer work and to build lasting relationships between Israelis, Diaspora Jews and other friends of Israel. Sar-El Australia is your local representative with Aussie Sar-Elniks located in most states, also Israeli-Australians who know Israel and Sar-El intimately. You can get first hand experience by talking with Australian volunteers.

Our programs are available to the young and young at-heart, ages 17 and up. Sar-El is a non-profit, non-political, non-denominational organization that gives you the opportunity and privilege of being part of the national effort of the Jewish people in the State of Israel. You will perform various civilian, non-combat duties on army bases that would otherwise have to be done by overburdened soldiers and civilians. Meeting and working closely with Israelis on the job puts you directly in touch with the culture, lifestyle, and pulse of this vibrant country while providing essential physical and moral support. Perhaps most rewarding however, is the emotional satisfaction that comes from knowing you have given the best you have to give...yourself. We deeply appreciate your willingness to volunteer your time and services in this special way for the benefit of Israel.

More details...

For the latest schedule details, see Sar-El Program Schedule.

Programs are perfect for the adventurers among us who want to serve Israel.
Work on an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) base performing non-combat civilian support duties such as packing medical supplies; repairing machinery and equipment; building fortifications, cleaning, painting, and maintaining the base.
Work alongside soldiers, civilian base employees and other volunteers, you will help Israel shoulder its defence burden.
The usual program is for 3 weeks. Occasionally 1 week programs are available. Volunteers may stay in the program for a maximum of 3 months if approved by Sar-El and as long as they have a valid visa and valid insurance.
You will be housed in male/female segregated barracks with fellow volunteers, enjoy 3 kosher meals a day and wear IDF work clothes. The Sunday to Thursday workweek includes cultural and educational programs in the evening and tours when possible.
Weekends are spent off the base. You can travel in Israel, visit with friends and relatives or hang out with your new Sar-El mates anywhere in Israel. Discounted hotel accommodation is available in many locations across the country or stay in a soldiers hostel for free.

All programs begin at the meeting point in Ben Gurion airport on Sundays and Mondays approximately every three weeks.

Sar-El Volunteer Program - For Specialist Doctors & Nurses

Volunteers must all be English speakers from the USA, Canada, England, Australia & France. The maximum age is 65.
Our first session will be from December 4 for a period of 1 month. There will be 1 week of training and 3 weeks of actual work.
Volunteers must be licensed doctors or nurses, in the specialist fields of orthopedic, skin or neurology. We will need to see and approve copies of the medical licenses, credentials and other related papers, as well as a recommendation/reference letter from the facility where you are working or have worked. We also would like to see a CV or resume.
The standard Sar-El application procedure will also apply, including an interview, medical form & insurance.
There will be a maximum of 10 volunteers in each group.
The living/working conditions will be either:
- work on bases where there is accommodation or
- work in clinics on bases where there is no accommodation in which case you can stay at Beit Oded (Sar-El hostel in Tel Aviv/Jaffa) or make your own arrangements with family or hotels.
Volunteer doctors & nurses will assist the doctors & nurses on the bases; the volunteers will not serve as the primary doctors or nurses.
The volunteers must apply for this program at least 2 months in advance so we have time to approve the credentials and make the appropriate arrangements with the bases.