UJA's Jewish Service Blog

A Year of Service

Looking to make a change, experience a new culture, and give back to the community? The Year of Service program gives you all that and more! Experience personal growth, hands on responsibilities, and Israeli culture during a year abroad in Israel!

Project TEN - The Year that Changed My Life

By Gal Dekel

I spent five amazing adventurous months in Israel’s calming forests in the north. I’m from Canada, and when I was 18 I took part in the Kibbutz Harduf program near Haifa. We had volunteers from all over the world: Ukraine, Germany, France, England, America, and me of course…

Mechina Telem Jaffa - My Year of Growth in Israeli Mechina

By Leigh Gabriely

At the Mechina, I was as free as I’ll probably ever be. Free to explore ideas that previously seemed time-wasting, free to study what I deemed important rather than giving in to society’s external pressures, free to embrace failure and perceive it is a progressive lear…

Torat Chessed #1- A Year in Israel - The Best Decision I Ever Made

By Emily Kalgal

Choosing what to do after high school was the hardest choice I have ever made in my life. I was planning on going straight to university but for some reason, I was hesitant; I simply wasn’t ready, and was dreading my upcoming graduation. I knew there was something missing.…

Torat Chessed #2 - Becoming a Mentor

By Penina Basser

At Torat Chessed, we spend our time volunteering at the EMUNAH Bet Elazraki Children’s Home. It is a warm and loving home for over 200 children at risk in Netanya. The children, aged 6-19, from all over Israel, are referred to the home by the welfare authorities because t…