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Description of Programs |
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TIME COMMITMENT The minimum time commitment for a STANDARD Sar-El program is 2 weeks (except hospital program which is 4 weeks). The usual program is for 3 weeks. Volunteers may stay in the program for a MAXIMUM of 3 months IF approved by Sar-El, as long as they have a valid visa & valid insurance.
STANDARD SAR-EL PROGRAM The volunteer period is usually 3 weeks long. The volunteer works 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, Sunday through Thursday (the Israeli work week). In the evenings, there are various activities and educational presentations on such topics as the Hebrew language, Israel's history, Jewish holidays and traditions, and social and political issues in Israel. In addition, Sar-El will host up to two site-seeing trips (per 3-week program) which often includes Jerusalem. A liaison or guide (madricha) who is fluent in the volunteer group's language always accompanies the volunteers and typically lives with the volunteers on the premises.
The new weekly schedule is generally as follows: during the first week of a program, there is no trip; during the second week of a program, there is a day trip; during the third week, there is an “after work” trip. This is based on a 3 week “program” beginning with the scheduled program start date. Please advise the volunteers that there may be changes to the schedule. The work week ends on a Thursday. Volunteers should be prepared to stay at hotels (or Beit Oded if it is available) Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights and return to the base on Sunday.
NURSING HOME PROGRAM The nursing home program requires a 4 week minimum time commitment & a 4 week advance notice. Most of the facilities are nursing homes/retirement homes. There is one rehab hospital but it is often hard to get placement there. Volunteers can request a general region of the country (e.g. Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Beersheva), but this is not guaranteed. Volunteers should understand that they are not going to do “medical/nursing” work. They will be helping with the patients—feeding, walking them, transporting them to activities. Many facilities require 6 days of work per week, however the volunteers are allowed to leave the facility after the daily work shift. Please understand that it is not Sar-El’s job or your job as a volunteer to change things in the facility. We understand that you may have ideas about how things should be done, but you must go along with the routine & methods at the facility. Sometimes our volunteer may have to share a room with another volunteer who may be from Sar-El or may not. The Nursing Home Program will not accept people over 65. Sometimes there is a facility which will waive this requirement, but not always.
ULPAN PROGRAM Hebrew Ulpan for beginners—English speaking groups! -Two nights per week -One time fee of $50 covers up to three weeks of classes -15 maximum per class; 10 minimum per class Starting dates commence at the beginning of each Sar-El program, however the Ulpan is not always available. Sign up and pay for Ulpan with your representative if you apply through VFI. If you do not apply through VFI, sign up directly with Pamela Lazarus, Sar-El Program Coordinator (and pay when you arrive).
BLACKOUT DATES / HOLIDAYS Sometimes there are blackout dates due to the holidays. Please check the website for updated information. Please tell your volunteers that sometimes they will have to leave the bases on holidays & sometimes for a few days if the holiday is in the middle of the week. Because we are given very little notice from the bases, the volunteers should be prepared to stay in hotels during the holidays. We will try to update you if we find out information, but it doesn't always come to us on a timely basis. If volunteers do not want to incur the expense or spend so much time away from the bases, they should avoid coming during holidays. This applies (but is not limited) to Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Succot, Pesach, & Shavuot.
SPECIAL ONE WEEK PROGRAMS Sometimes we have special One (1) Week Groups. These are announced in advanced. People must be at the airport at 8:00 am on the Sunday morning that the group will begin. If a volunteer cannot be at the airport at 8:00 am, then he will not be allowed to do the 1 week program. Check the Schedule for 1 Week Groups.
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