The Yahel Impact
4-Week Volunteer Program
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Yahel Impact
Yahel Impact is a transformative 4-week volunteer program in partnership with Masa Israel. This unique initiative offers you the chance to make a meaningful difference in Ofakim and its neighboring communities, areas deeply affected since October 7th. Join us in strengthening resilience and supporting Israel's communities
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December 16, 2024 - January 12, 2025
​Contributing to Resilience in Israel's South
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Since the events of October 7th, 2023, Israeli society has demonstrated remarkable resilience, particularly in Ofakim—one of Southern Israel's hardest-hit communities. Locals have banded together to ensure that those in need receive food, clothing, and essential services. Social initiatives and organizations have adapted their work to offer specialized support, and partnerships between diverse population groups have grown stronger.
There remains a significant need, especially among the young, the elderly, and those with special needs who are longing for a sense of normalcy in their lives.
This is where you come in.
As part of the Yahel Impact program, you'll immerse yourself in the local community through various activities:
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Four days a week, you'll contribute to local initiatives in Ofakim and the surrounding areas in Israel's south, collaborating with the local welfare system, youth centers, NGOs, non-profits, social enterprises, and government institutions.
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On an additional day each week, you'll have the opportunity to explore other parts of Israel and participate in group volunteer projects across the country.
In this critical time for Israeli civil society, join us for a 4-week immersive volunteer experience that offers genuine insight into Israel off-the-beaten path.
Sample Volunteer Placements
Youth Centers
Connect with young people, providing opportunities to practice English, and offer a window into a broader experience of the world.
After School Programs
Volunteer in an afterschool program through the Welfare system, supporting younger at-risk children. Assist with homework and foster the development of healthy relationships.
Special Needs Populations
Collaborate with a local organizations that offer employment opportunities to those with additional needs.
Food Security
Contribute directly to the most basic needs of soldiers, families and individuals in need by supporting local community food halls that have adapted to reach further into their community.
Elderly Center
Extend a helping hand to elderly citizens during these challenging times by providing companionship and listening to their stories.
Weekly Group Volunteering
During these collective experiences, you may contribute to refurbishing a community center, organizing a joyful fair for at-risk youth, planning an enjoyable outing for elderly residents, supporting Israeli agriculture with hands-on work, participating in community cleanups, and more.
Individual placements are tailored to the preferences and skills of participants, aligning with the specific needs of our valued partners.
Learning
We believe in learning by doing; in action-oriented education and relevant, profound experiences that encourage you not only to grow but to ask questions that spark conversation. Your volunteering experiences will be accompanied by contextual learning opportunities, led by Yahel staff and local community leaders. These sessions will provide an understanding of why specific forms of volunteering are relevant and appropriate for certain communities. It will provide the opportunity for you to develop the skills and knowledge required for you to become leaders of social change in your communities back home.
Your time with us will be marked by trips, tours and meetings with local activists, with time for reflecting on it all.
Living in Israel's South
Ofakim and the surrounding areas have been profoundly impacted by the events of and since October 7th. These communities, even in the best of times, lie on Israel's social, economic, and geographic periphery. Many residents face significant socio-economic challenges, and resources and social services are often scarce.
This region is home to a vibrant mix of immigrant communities from Ethiopia, North Africa, Russia, and other Eastern European countries. Each of these groups brings its own rich traditions, values, and ways of life, contributing to the area's remarkable diversity.
Living and volunteering here will offer you a unique perspective, allowing you to experience the colorful and diverse landscape of Israel beyond the well-known hubs of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
