Options for Shnat Netzer

Here are some possibilities for the 'Options' part of Shnat Netzer

Noar Telem Chavayah – Summer Camp of Noar Telem

A really good option if you want to do some serious Hadracha in a new Netzer environment. Also good if you have some Hebrew and want to improve it. The camp includes a few days of preparation at the beginning and a few days at the end just for the madrichim to be together and have fun.

Otzmah project

Neighbourhood rehabilitation project in shchuna dalet (neighbourhood D) in Be’er Sheva. You will be living in Beer- Sheva, and taking part in it's community. There will be a day volunteer place and an afternoon one. The different places are: schools, day care centres, environmental projects, different renovation projects, big brother/sister, work with the elderly, reaching out through sports, MDA, working with disabled people and more. There is a lot of space for personal initiative and creativity.

Magen David Adom (MDA)

This Option involves a very intense two-week first aid training course, which will then qualify you to help work on Israeli Ambulances around the country. Whilst working on the ambulances you would live usually in a flat with other volunteers in a small city in Israel. You would be self-sufficient for food and living. You do need to pass an interview in order to get into the course and an exam at the end of the training course to qualify. This option is more rewarding if you have good Hebrew.
It is possible to combine MDA volunteering and the Otzma project.

Marva

This is a 2 month army programme, where you get to see a lot of the country on tiyulim, do a fair amount of 'basic training' (pretty hard physical exercise with an emphasis on discipline) and participate in an educational programme, mostly in Ivrit, about the army, Israeli history and wars, etc. Most of the time you live on army bases. Those doing Marva will do this as their sole option and only a very limited number of people can choose this. (Max. 3-4 people)

Coexistence Camp

This is a summer camp for Jewish–Israeli and Arab-Israeli participants. This unique camp takes place in Shorashim, a communal Moshav in the Misgav area (not for from Karmiel). You together with Shnat participants from Habonim-Dror will be the Madrichim at the camp.
The camp has 2 machzorim (cycles) and the second cycle would be an English camp. During the whole period of time you will be staying with home hospitality in one of the Arab villages in Misgav.

Summer Kibbutz Ulpan

A 4 week Ulpan in Kibbutz Na’an, not far from Rechovot. Includes intensive Hebrew instruction, volunteer work on the kibbutz, siturim and tyulim. If you want to do this you must be very certain and committed as places are limited and it might be difficult to get you onto the course.

Sarel

A one to three week program volunteering on an army base helping out with general work that needs to be done. The last 3 days are an intense army experiential program called Gadna -which includes basic training, learning to fire a weapon, intense Israel and IDF education, battle stories etc. Throughout the whole period, your madrichim are soldiers doing their army service. This program is vital for the IDF as it saves them millions of shekels a year because of the voluntary work done. The programme also involves 1-day siyurim (excursions) each week - to places you haven't yet visited and getting to know the Israeli army first hand.
The program starts every Sunday and is from 1 week to max of 3 month. A week is from Sunday until Thursday, and you can’t leave the base during the week.

"Lasova" institute

Operate clubhouse for food distribution and give warm meals for those who can not afford it. Volunteering in a restaurant to give free meals. The restaurant works each day between 10am-14.30pm. They need help every day.

"Unitaf"

Child care facility for children of foreign workers. Play with little kids. (Around ages 2-5) 2-3 days in a week, morning till after noon.

Kadima clubhouse

Child care facility for children of foreign workers from Africa and South America. Play and teach English to kids ages 7-11. 2-3 days in a week/ In June from 1pm – 7pm. July and August from 8am till 4pm.

Refugees

Operate food distribution and give grocery item for refugees. Help women and kids in two shelters in the Shapira neighbourhood - south Tel-Aviv Organizing food distribution and receiving applications from needy people. Playing and teaching kids in those shelters. Can volunteer 1 or 5 days a week, each morning till afternoon.

Jerusalem Based Options

In Jerusalem there are a number of different options, which could be chosen from at a number of different volunteer or study locations. Below are 3 options from many. Please ask if you would like information of more Jerusalem based ideas:

Conservative Yeshivah

The Conservative Yeshivah is an excellent Yeshivah in Jerusalem which attracts Jews from all streams of Judaism. You will be able to choose from a variety of courses and classes which are offered in the Summer Programme. This is a worthwhile opportunity for traditional style, intense Jewish study under the guidance of experienced teachers.

Pardes

Pardes is an excellent institute for Jewish studies in Jerusalem which attracts Jews from all streams of Judaism. You will be able to choose from a variety of courses and classes which are offered in the Summer Programme. This is a worthwhile opportunity for traditional style, intense Jewish study under the guidance of experienced teachers.
www.pardes.org.il

Yad-Sarah

The largest voluntary organization in Israel provides a spectrum of free or nominal cost services designed to make life easier for sick, disabled and elderly people and their families. English speakers can make house calls and make company for elderly and sick people. Distribute medical equipments, and help transferring it. As much as you can: Morning, noon and afternoon.

Archaeological Dig

This Option will involve taking part in an archeological dig. The dig will probably be in the Jerusalem area. You will be living in the Netzer apartment travel to the dig location every day. This option might also involve Hadracha during the seminars which they run. If so, you will act as a Madrich/ah assisting the guides with tour groups around the site and teaching them how to do what is known as the "sift, shlep, sort" rotation.
The dates are very flexible and are according to the needs. It can be from a week to the whole option period.

Netzer Personal Project

It is possible to pose to us an Option that you have thought you may like to do, but isn't included in this Booklet. Keep in mind that in order for an Option to be valid and appropriate, it must at least fulfill a few key criteria of Netzer's requirements as listed below:

  • Provide a practical hadrachah experience
  • Include a strong measure of voluntary/community service
  • Help develop your Hebrew
  • Provide a different kind of Israel living experience from other parts of your year
  • Help you get to know other parts of Israel
  • Have some strong relevance to Netzer's values and ideology