The Grassroots Israel Experience

 

Yahel Social Change Program is a unique 5-month service learning experience for young adults between the ages of 21 and 27. The program is based in the town of Gedera, about 45 minutes south of Tel Aviv, and combines hands-on volunteer work with in-depth learning and immersion. The program is offered in collaboration with Friends by Nature - a local grassroots non-profit organization working in the Ethiopian community in the fields of community empowerment and education. Throughout the program participants live, volunteer and learn alongside their peers from the local Ethiopian-Israeli community.

 

We are now accepting applications for our fall 2010 program

Fall program dates: September 26, 2010 - February 20, 2011

Spring program dates: February 27, 2011 - July 22, 2011

 

Cost: as low as $1,000 after Masa Israel Journey scholarhips. See more information here

 

 

 

As a participant on this program you will have the unique opportunity to:

 

• Live as part of the local Ethiopian Israeli community in Gedera and experience their culture and way of life.
• Learn first hand about grassroots organizing and community empowerment and contribute in a sustainable manner to these efforts through direct service.
• Take part in learning that is tied to the service experience and allows in-depth exploration of root causes and local social issues.
• Learn about social change initiatives through meetings with social entrepreneurs and policy makers.
• Create a vibrant community that learns and works together and forms the basis for individual and mutual growth.
• Engage in pluralistic study of traditional and contemporary Jewish texts dealing with issues of social justice.