There are many different ways to see the world as a Jewish student. Studying abroad, interning abroad, or spending a gap year traveling the world. Volunteering during your time abroad is certainly one other way to not only see the world, but immerse yourself in the needs of a local community too. Does it sound like Jewish service trips might be for you?
Your journey will inspire and enlighten you.
During my time living in Warsaw, Poland for the summer, one day I decided that, rather than sit in the office, I should go out into the actual Warsaw community and take part in helping to clean the Warsaw Jewish cemetery. Weeds were sprouting out everywhere, covering the tombstones and making it very difficult, if not impossible, to read the writing on the stones.
A ton of work was needed to ensure that the memories of the people in that cemetery could be clearly preserved. Yet, in that one day, it seemed that we made very little progress despite all of our efforts. We had barely scratched the surface of the work that needed to be done.
Jewish volunteer trips, which usually last for at least a week, provide the chance to spend quality time volunteering abroad in a place of need for more than a few hours. Instead of starting a project that there won’t be time to finish, you may actually have time to start something big — or even build on and finish the substantive work of others.
Below, check out some of the reasons you should pursue Jewish service trips!
7 reasons why you should go on a Jewish service trip
Jewish volunteer trips are about service, community, and — of course — making new connections!
1. It’s a hands-on way to fulfill the Jewish obligation of Tikkun Olam
Tikkun Olam, which is Hebrew for “heal the world”, is one of the core values of Judaism. Jews are taught that it’s essential to being Jewish to help make the world a better place. There is no better way to do Tikkun Olam than by participating in a Jewish volunteer trip abroad.
Jewish service trips are all about Tikkun Olam; you will get the chance to volunteer somewhere in order to help others or help the world. Actually experiencing Tikkun Olam in a place that needs help can be very powerful.
2. You’ll experience a country from a new perspective
When you go on vacation or study abroad in another country, often you will do the typical tourist activities. You will visit the places everyone says are must-see, snap a few pictures, and go on canned tours.
Of course, it’s beneficial to learn about the world through visiting tourist attractions. However, volunteering abroad by participating in a service trip will give you the chance to view a country through a different lens.
Witnessing the direct needs of a local community will help you see firsthand what it’s like to not just tour, but actually be a part of another country.
3. You can spread Jewish awareness
Sometimes, Jewish service trips take you to a part of the world where there are not any Jews, or very few Jews, such as in Haiti. This means the people who live in that city or country may have never met a Jewish person.
A trip outside the country to help non-Jews who may never have met anyone Jewish can truly be remarkable. You can teach non-Jews what it means to be Jewish so that they can better understand the religious diversity that exists in the world.
4. You’ll make a difference in the world!
No matter where you go or what you do, your help will be valued.
It may feel hard to impact the world in a real way when you’re sitting at home in your bedroom completing homework assignments, or going to your 9-to-5 day in and out. Sometimes, the itch to travel and make a real difference gets to you; there is no better way to fix this than by pursuing a Jewish service trip! You will leave behind the walls of your apartment and actually go out, get your hands dirty, and dig deep to make a difference in the world.
5. You can build first hand relationships
You may have heard of Jews who live in Cuba, in Russia, or in many countries outside of the United States and Israel. But without traveling to interact with Jews in other places, it can be hard to actually understand what it means to be Jewish around the world.
By doing a Jewish service trip in another country, you will have the chance to interact with a local Jewish community in an authentic way, helping them with anything they need.
You will build real, first hand relationships with Jews in other countries and bring smiles to the faces of others. Volunteering in another country creates connections with people from all walks of life.
6. You’ll strengthen your Jewish identity
Learning about the way others practice Judaism can actually help you think about your own Jewish identity. Helping to build up a Jewish community in a place where a revival is occurring makes us think about what in Judaism is important and meaningful to us.
Perhaps you learn a new prayer or tune to a song from a Jewish community that you volunteer in during a service trip. You may connect to it, bring it back to your home community and develop new traditions for your own Jewish practice.
7. It allows you to travel with a purpose
Jewish service trips emphasize the meaningful impact of travel. You can’t go wrong!
We all have those moments during our time abroad in a new country where we feel lost. Where should we start? We want to see everything a city has to offer but as someone new to the city, it can often seem overwhelming. What will make the best use of your limited time abroad?
When participating in a Jewish service trip, you will know what you are doing each day; you may have a set schedule, but you will definitely have a purpose. You won’t have to wake up each day and think about what you should be doing to make the most of your time because you will be travelling with a specific purpose in mind!
8 Jewish service trips to consider
So you’ve decided that you want to go on a Jewish volunteer trip abroad. That’s great! But now, you have to decide what kind of trip to go on. We’re here to help! OLAM, a global Jewish service and international development organization, provides just some of the many great ideas of programs Jewish students can participate in in order to volunteer around the world.
1. Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village
This innovative youth village empowers orphaned and vulnerable Rwandan youth. You can tailor a service trip to your interests and immerse yourself in this village through all kinds of volunteer opportunities! Duration: One year or short-term.
2. Gabriel Project Mumbai
Through volunteering, you can provide nutrition and literacy to children in slums and underserved villages in India. Throughout your service trip you will also have the chance to learn about social justice and interact with the local Mumbai Jewish community. Duration: One year; 8 weeks.
3. Cadena
Volunteer alongside Spanish-speaking Jews to prevent, prepare, respond, and rebuild communities affected by both natural disasters and humanitarian crises. Some of the types of volunteer work done on the service trips include rescuing lives, delivering groceries, and conducting medical, psychological, and dental consultations. Duration: One week.
4. IsraAID
Become a fellow for IsraAID and spend two months of summer doing field work for one of IsraAID’s global projects in humanitarian aid and disaster relief. If you are looking for a way to continue your volunteer work after your time abroad ends, this is the perfect program for you! After completing the fellowship, you will serve as an ambassador for IsraAID back at your campus. Duration: Two months.
5. JDC Entwine
JDC Entwine offers one month, one year, and week-long opportunities to volunteer abroad in one of 70 countries. You can be an Entwine Global Fellow if you choose one of the longer periods of time abroad, or you can travel on an Insider Trip for in-depth learning about global Jewish communities and humanitarian aid. Duration: One week, two months, or one year.
6. Justifi
Looking for a quick way to volunteer abroad and sight-see at the same time? Maybe during a school break? If so, Justifi is the perfect program for you. On a Justifi trip, you will travel with Jewish peers to one of six developing countries where you will volunteer in the local community, tour, and learn about Jewish social justice. Duration: 7-10 days.
7. Project TEN
Live with Jewish peers in Ghana, Mexico, Uganda, or South Africa while volunteering in informal education, agriculture, or public health projects. Trips are tailor-made to your interest. Duration: 1-3 weeks.
8. Tevel b’Tzedek
With Tevel b’Tzedek, you can choose if you want to volunteer for a month while traveling in Nepal, or do a longer five-month internship to get professional experience in entrepreneurship, agriculture, health, and community social work with Jewish peers. Duration: 1-5 months.
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Jewish volunteer trips can transform lives
Ready to have a life-changing experience abroad?
If these programs don’t seem fitting for you, don’t worry. There are so many other opportunities to go on a Jewish service trip and even create a trip of your own. Many university Hillels have alternative spring breaks where students can spend a week travelling to another country to volunteer in a local community.
If your Hillel does not currently offer such trips, reach out to them and see if they may be interested — there are many organizations which partner with schools to create the perfect service trip for their students. When seeking an opportunity to volunteer abroad, students can also reach out to KAHAL Your Jewish Home Abroad. KAHAL will help guide you through the decision making process and point you in the direction of a Jewish service trip that is perfect for you!
So many different types of Jewish service trips are available and you will certainly find one that fits your interests. Whether you want to engage with a local Jewish community abroad, participate in humanitarian aid, or teach English with other Jewish students, all these types of service trips exist.
Volunteering abroad through a Jewish service trip allows you to make a difference for something you are really passionate about. Find a trip that focuses on something you care about deeply and the trip may inspire your future. Although there are many benefits to participating in a Jewish service trip, remember — it is not all work. Ultimately, the experience should be fun and will help you create memories that will last for a lifetime!
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KAHAL Your Jewish Home Abroad is a non-profit organization which connects Jewish students studying abroad to Jewish opportunities, resources, and connections abroad. KAHAL aims to create meaningful Jewish experiences for study abroad students, allowing them to interact with local Jewish communities and deepen their Jewish identities. Wherever students travel, KAHAL arranges chances to attend Shabbat dinners, meet Jewish students, attend holiday meals, volunteer and advocate, and provides grant funding and travel assistance.
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