Taglit-Birthright Israel Volunteer in Israel with Sar-El

Dates: December 22–31, 2026

Flights & Dates

Flight schedules and trip dates depend on airline availability and Birthright Israel’s ability to secure group flights. Dates may shift by up to 2 days, and we will communicate any updates as soon as possible.

Direct flights are not guaranteed. Flights may include a connection/stopover.

Cost

North America Participants (with group flight):

• Non-refundable registration fee: $25
• Volunteer in Israel program fee: $250
• Subsidized flight: $700
  Total: $975
  
  

Joining in Israel (self-arranged flights – no group flight):

• Non-refundable registration fee: $25
• Volunteer in Israel program fee: $250
  Total: $275
  
  

Participants joining in Israel are responsible for arranging and paying for their own flights, accommodations, transportation, and any costs caused by flight or program date changes. If the group flight schedule changes, participants with independent flights are responsible for adjusting their arrangements.

Participants arranging their own flights are required to purchase comprehensive travel insurance. We strongly recommend refundable and flexible airline tickets.

What Is Included?

• Round-trip airfare (for participants on the group flight)
• Accommodations (and most meals) – for the touring portion in a hostel / hotel and during volunteering portion, accommodation is on an IDF base
• Airport transfers and private transportation during touring portion
• Volunteering portion on IDF base – up to 8 hours per day
• Basic program medical insurance (participants must also provide their own coverage)
• Flight extension options
  
  

Application Process

1. Your registration link  – click here 
2. Complete the application and $975 payment.
3. Applicants who have not volunteered with Sar-El in the last 2 years will be subject to a follow up interview, references will be requested.
4. Receive by email and accept your conditional offer from Birthright Israel and Destination Israel.
5. After Accepted, you will receive the welcome email.
6. Upload required documents:
   • Passport
   • Health information
   • Emergency contact
   • Medical and travel insurance documents

Conditional offers are sent in waves. Please allow up to 1–2 weeks after payment. Receiving an offer later than a friend does not mean you were not accepted.

Acceptance & Payment

Payment does not mean automatic acceptance. Participants are officially accepted only after receiving a conditional offer and clicking “I Accept.”

If you paid through the app and see the charge on your account, the payment was received. No need to follow up by email.

Cancellation Policy

• Full refund (minus the $25 application fee) is available up to 65+ days before departure after acceptance.
• Within 65 days of departure, refunds are not available.

The $25 application fee is non-refundable under all circumstances.

Flight Extensions

Participants may request flight extensions through the Birthright Israel App once they are accepted and ticketed.

Extensions:

• Are subject to availability
• Can only be requested after documents are approved
• Cannot be paid for using points/miles
  
  

Important Flight Notes

• Participants must fly to Israel on the group flight. Arriving independently and joining the return flight is not permitted.
• Group flights are booked together, so advance seat upgrades cannot be arranged. Any upgrades must be requested directly at the airline check-in counter and are subject to availability and additional fees.
• Participants with connecting flights must purchase travel insurance, as flight changes and delays may impact personal travel