Masa’s volunteer programs differ in length, type of work and where you’ll be based. Use the table to narrow things down, then open the program page for dates and details.
| Program | Length | What You’ll Do | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magen David Adom (MDA) | 6 weeks | EMT training, then shifts on ambulances with Israel’s national emergency medical service | Tel Aviv or Jerusalem |
| Volunteering Across Israel | 6 weeks | Rotations across agriculture, education, social services and food security | Seven cities |
| University of Haifa | 6 weeks | Volunteering combined with an academic component | Haifa |
| United Hatzalah | 6–9 months | Volunteering with Israel’s volunteer emergency medical network | Varies by placement |
| Yahel Social Change Fellowship | 6–9 months | Long-term community and social change work | Varies by placement |
| Kibbutz Ulpan | 6–9 months | Living and working on a kibbutz while studying Hebrew | Kibbutzim across Israel |
| Masa Israel Teaching Fellows | 10 months | Teaching English in Israeli schools | Cities across Israel |
Six weeks is the most popular way to volunteer in Israel with Masa. It is long enough to settle into a placement and see real results, and short enough to fit a summer, a semester break or a gap between jobs.
There are two main routes. Magen David Adom suits people interested in medicine or emergency response: you train as an EMT first, then join ambulance crews. Volunteering Across Israel suits people who want variety, rotating between farms, schools, social services and food-security projects. Both cost the same and include the same support.
Cohort start dates, the full list of what’s included and the application form are on the 6-week volunteer program page.
For six-week programs, the Masa grant of $3,150 covers most of the cost, leaving a program fee of $400, plus a $50 refundable registration fee. The fee covers housing, training, your placement and 24/7 support. Flights are not included: you book your own flight to Israel from wherever you’re based, so that cost depends on where you’re travelling from. You’ll also need money for food and personal spending.
Long-term programs have their own pricing. Check each program page, or use the Masa funding calculator to see what grant you qualify for.
Placements run in cities and communities across the country, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Netanya, Be’er Sheva, Eilat and Safed, as well as communities in the south. Where you’re based depends on the program and track you choose. MDA volunteers, for example, are based in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.
Six-week cohorts start throughout the year, so you can choose the timing that fits your schedule. Summer is the busiest season because it lines up with university breaks, and summer places fill first. Winter and spring cohorts are quieter and suit people taking a gap between semesters or jobs. Upcoming start dates are listed on the 6-week volunteer program page.
Apply three to four months before you want to start, as popular cohorts fill early.
Is it safe to volunteer in Israel? Programs operate under Masa’s security procedures and adjust activities, locations and schedules according to current conditions. Read Masa’s safety and security FAQs, and check your own government’s travel advice before you go.
Masa's volunteer programs are for Jewish young adults aged 18 to 40 with a valid passport and basic English. Teens aged 16 to 18 can join separate teen programs. The programs are open only to participants who are Jewish. Check your eligibility before applying.
From six weeks to ten months. Six-week programs are the most popular. Long-term placements with United Hatzalah, Yahel and the Kibbutz Ulpan run six to nine months, and Masa Israel Teaching Fellows runs ten months.
All six-week programs cost $400 after a Masa grant of $3,150, plus a $50 refundable registration fee, including housing, training and support. You book your own flight from wherever you're based, and daily spending is extra. Long-term programs are priced individually.
Choose Magen David Adom if you're interested in medicine or emergency response, Volunteering Across Israel if you want variety, and a long-term program if you want to learn Hebrew and stay through more than one season. If you're unsure, book a call with a Masa advisor.
Do I need to speak Hebrew?
No. Programs run in English, and many include Hebrew lessons. The Kibbutz Ulpan is built around learning Hebrew.
Yes. Summer is the busiest season for six-week programs, so apply three to four months ahead. See the summer programs page for other options.
Programs follow Masa's security procedures and adapt to current conditions. Read the safety and security FAQs and your government's travel advice before deciding.
