The Sar-El programs offer prospective volunteers an opportunity to live and work on IDF bases to gain an insider view of Israel. Volunteers work alongside soldiers, base employees, and other volunteers, performing non-combat support duties such as packing medical supplies, checking and repairing machinery and equipment; as well as cleaning, painting, and maintaining bases.
We include cultural events, lectures and activities each evening while volunteers are on the base. Thursday afternoon through Sunday mornings are spent off the base. You can travel in Israel or visit with friends and/or relatives.
We offer 1, 2 and 3-week programs that may be extended up to 6-weeks with prior permission.
Magen David Adom
We have an exciting new partnership with Magen David Adom (MDA)! Embark on a transformative journey with ‘Ne’eman Chaim,’ an immersive first aid intensive brought to you by Sar-El in collaboration with Magen David Adom. This specialized program enhances your two-week Sar-El volunteering experience by providing 20 hours of comprehensive first aid training, led by Magen David Adom experts. The training will be split into two afternoons a week, as well as an entire Thursday. Acquire essential skills to respond confidently to emergencies, and upon program completion, receive a certificate recognizing your successful participation. The additional cost for this invaluable and empowering initiative is $300. You can sign up now on our website!
Lone Soldier Parents
Another exciting specialty program on the horizon is our upcoming Lone Soldier Parent Group! Following the success of a recent group of parents who bravely followed in their children’s footsteps by volunteering with Sar-El in the IDF, we’ve decided to continue this meaningful initiative. These groups not only engage in volunteer work but also receive additional experiences designed to bring them closer to their lone soldiers. If you are a lone soldier parent or know someone who may be interested, please send them our way!
If you have your own group of 10 or more people, we can offer most weeks with a Sunday start day of your choosing. Please note we do not have volunteer programs during weeks with major Israeli and Jewish holidays. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly with questions.
Most importantly, keep in mind that all programs begin on Sundays and all programs break from Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning. You will need to make your own accommodation arrangements each week during this period.
Sar-El volunteering takes place on IDF bases throughout the whole of Israel. The bases can be very hot in the summer and very cool on winter nights depending on location. The work of Sar-El is to assist Israel with the incredible burden placed on active and reserve citizen soldiers, therefore volunteer work will focus on logistical support.
All volunteer groups are assigned an IDF team leader Madrich/a who will be present to assist volunteers with any issues.
Arrival Day:
We encourage volunteers to arrive to Israel 1-2 days prior to their volunteer period. Please keep in mind that all volunteers need to meet at the Terminal 3 Arrivals Hall of Ben Gurion airport on Sundays around 8:30am. Volunteers will need to check-in with their passports in hand. Volunteers will meet their Madrich/a (soldier instructor) and be assigned to their military base and have time to meet the rest of the volunteers in their unit. Please note, late arrivals will be required to arrange their own private transportation at their own expense if they miss their arrival time.
Please remember the following:
You will be given a uniform at the base. You will need to provide your own comfortable work shoes or sneakers. Your uniform must be worn while on base and while on duty.
Volunteer Week:
All volunteers are expected to follow the IDF schedule and be present for morning reveille as well as partake in morning and afternoon work sessions.
Please note that this is a sample itinerary and will vary according to the military base, the work demands and the season:
Weekend:
All bases close for the weekends so you volunteers will be released on Thursday afternoon (drop-off is at a major transportation hub in Tel Aviv) and will need to meet back at the airport on Sunday for the return to the base. Many volunteers take this time to tour the country or see friends. Accommodations, meals and transportation during this time are the responsibility of the volunteer.
Departure Day:
Please check with your Madrich/a on exact details of your departure time and drop-off location as this may vary from base to base.
Remember that your volunteer service contributes to the security of Israel and we hope you have a meaningful experience. If any issue arises, please check-in with your Madrich/a for assistance.
Sar-El’s Volunteer program is open to any participant who is a supporter of Israel, older than 16 and is in good physical and mental health. Please note that emergency medical insurance and a doctor’s sign-off is required for all participants. Health-care in Israel is at a high western standard, but many IDF army bases are in isolated areas with limited available medical care. Volunteers must reveal and limiting medical issue prior to participating in the program or risk being sent home if a pre-existing condition is not listed.
Fitness: You should be on an exercise program as part of a daily routine, and comfortable with it before leaving for a Sar-El program. Assigned jobs on the base can include light or heavy lifting, or standing for long periods of time. Please expect to work for up to 8 hours a day of manual labor. You can take breaks, rest periods, and if necessary, discuss a more suitable job with the Madrich/a.
If you are on medications, check with your doctor before starting your exercise program. Particularly for older volunteers, the physical activity of the program, traveling, and changes in diet and climate may have serious consequences so please be sure to disclose all issues with Sar-El prior to arrival.
At Sar-El’s sole discretion, a volunteer may be disqualified from the program at any point if physical or mental fitness is not up to IDF standards.
MMUNIZATIONS: Israel does not currently require any immunizations for entering the country. It is wise to obtain an annual flu shot and a tetanus vaccine every ten years. A vaccination for pneumonia should be considered for volunteers 65 years and older, with chronic cardiopulmonary conditions and/or smokers. Vaccinations should be obtained at least 4-6 weeks before leaving for the program.
MEDICATIONS: Keep prescription medications in original containers in carry-on luggage. Please include a list of all medications on your application. On most IDF bases volunteers do not have access to refrigerators and those that are available are not of a standard to store medications. Volunteers with any condition which requires refrigerated medication will not be able to join the program
HEALTH INSURANCE: Inspire and build a new generation of volunteers while strengthening Jewish identity and connection to Israel among Diaspora teens and young adults who participate in the program
HEAT EXHAUSTION: Israel has many hot days, and many of the job assignments require us to be outside. Drink plenty of water during the work period, wear a wide-brimmed hat, wear light-colored and loose fitting clothing and use sun screen.
Older adults are more vulnerable to heat because it takes more time to adjust to the changes. Volunteers on certain medications for cardiovascular conditions, medications for psychiatric conditions and medications for diabetes are at an increased risk for a heat-related illness.
Check with your doctor to see if your health conditions will be affected by working outside in the sun. You may want to volunteer during a time of cooler weather in Israel and for a job where the volunteer can be inside a building.
DIABETES: A number of volunteers who come to Israel have diabetes which is managed by diet and/or medications. The American Diabetes Association has an online site with information for diabetics who will be travelling. The volunteer should review this information. Before leaving for Israel see your doctor for a medical exam to make sure your diabetes is under control, and have a letter explaining what you need to do for your diabetes, and have a prescription for insulin and/or pills. Volunteers with diabetes should carry snacks and glucose tablets for emergency sugar sources at all times. The volunteer with diabetes requiring insulin should consider where diabetic supplies including insulin will be stored while on a Sar-El program. Insulin stored in very hot or very cold temperatures may lose its strength. Be sure to have more than enough diabetic medication in case of an emergency, and the diabetic volunteer should wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace that shows the volunteer has diabetes.
Since one will be on long flights, exposed to different activities, and have meals on IDF bases that may not fit your usual diabetic diet, test the blood sugar more often than usual.
Sar-El PO Box 953 Kiron 5510802, Israel
+972 58‑471‑9966 | info@sar-el.org