The Yahel Social Change Fellowship invites adults between the ages of 22-32, interested in social change, activism, grassroots organizing & Israeli society, and who want to learn about these topics through hands-on service.

As a fellow you will gain direct experience working in the non-profit and social sectors, you will explore Israel through the lens of social change and gain valuable skills for your future career.

The fellowship is appropriate for people looking to continue academic studies or future careers in the fields of social work, public policy, public health, education or related fields, for those who want to delve deeper into understanding Israeli society and for people who care about being a Mensch.

The Yahel Social Change Fellowship is an Israel volunteer program open to both Jewish and non-Jewish participants, and in fact we encourage those outside of the Jewish community to apply. It is important to note that the content and curriculum have a Jewish lens.

The Israeli work week runs from Sunday to Thursday. As a fellow you will volunteer approximately 30 hours each week, in 5/6 different volunteer placements. You will have opportunities to take initiative around community projects.

Thursdays will be dedicated to immersive, experiential learning, alternating between city-based learning days and supervision, day-trips, and multiday seminars. Learning elements are usually done as together with the full Fellowship cohort

See a sample itinerary here.

As a Yahel fellow you will receive:

• Free accommodation in fully furnished apartments

• A monthly living stipend

• Free health insurance

• Hebrew and Arabic courses

• Educational programming

• Day trips and seminars

• Travel to and from volunteer placements

The fee does not include your flight to Israel, travel on free weekends during free time and personal expenses.

Learning: The learning curriculum is an integral part of the program and is comprised of eight mini-courses

1. Learning days – A series of workshops, encounters and sessions exploring the context of volunteering and social change work. This includes a wide array of topics, such as: in-depth understanding of the communities in which we work; ethical questions about volunteering; space for group processing, reflection and discussion; project-based planning and preparation; volunteer placement supervision; a course on community work and more.

2. Hebrew Ulpan – A series of Hebrew language learning and enrichment sessions led by language educators and Yahel staff.

3. Arabic language course – a brief conversational Arabic language course for the benefit of the fellows volunteering in Lod with the Arabic speaking community. Rishon fellows are welcome to join as well.

4. Foundations in Educational Work – An introduction to the Israel Educational system, eqiping fellows with foundational skills required for EFL through a combination of theoretical instruction and hands-on practical workshop.

5. Community Work – This course combines two key elements: community engagement and internal group development, by teaching fellows community mapping techniques while building communication skills and cohesion, culminating in a fellow-led mapping project.

6. Skill building for the Non-Profit World – Hands-on workshops that teach volunteers important skills for work in the non-profit sector.

7. Judaism and Social Justice – A course dedicated to exploring the connection between Jewish texts, Jewish peoplehood and Jewish values to social justice. Facilitated by Rabbi Levi Lauer.

8. Visions – A course highlighting the visions for the future of Israel held by communities, leaders, activists, and educators. Through this course, volunteers will also engage in peer-led learning on a range of topics related to Israeli society.

Each unit includes a mix of sessions facilitated by Yahel staff and outside speakers, as well as day trips and seminars.

Free accommodation is provided throughout the program. Yahel Fellows live together in fully furnished apartments within their placement cities. The apartments have a full kitchen, dining room, living room, washing machine, wi-fi, air conditioners, fans and heaters. You should be prepared to potentially share a bedroom.

Most weekends on the program are free. Fellows are welcome to stay in their cities or travel. There are a few programmed weekends throughout the year - either in the community or as part of overnight seminars to different parts of the country.

Yes. There are no mandatory activities planned for Shabbat or Jewish holidays. We do have 4-5 cross weekend seminars, however during Shabbat hours there is no programming that will require a fellow to break shabbat. If a fellow feels unable to participate in an activity during Shabbat, they should confer with Fellowship staff at the time.

As a fellow you will receive Hebrew training during orientation and in subsequent weeks run by professional teachers through A Home for Hebrew. A high level of Hebrew will not be necessary. Creativity and a sense of humor will.

Most volunteer projects will not require specialized skills. Experience in youth work, social work, resource development, media, gardening, music and IT/Tech are welcome. Having an open mind is crucial.

Masa Israel’s grants and scholarships are a gift of the Government of Israel and The Jewish Agency for Israel, made possible through the generous contributions of the Jewish Federations of North America and Keren Hayesod-UIA. Masa provides every eligible participant a grant towards participating in a program in Israel.

The Masa grant is paid directly to Yahel after confirmation of your acceptance to the program. Masa grants vary based on your country of origin.

Participants on Masa Israel-recognized programs of any length who fit the eligibility requirements listed above can apply for additional need-based financial aid depending on their country of origin and income.

For further information on how to apply for your Masa grant, click here.

All fellows will receive a monthly living stipend of 1,000 shekels. Fellows from certain countries receiving Masa grants may receive a monthly stipend of up to 2,500 shekels.

The fellowship takes place in three cities in Israel: Rishon LeZion, Lod, and Haifa.