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Do I need a background in community service to participate? While you certainly do not need a formal background in community service, it is our expectation that you are coming on this program with a big heart and a desire to make your home community a better place. While the program is structured in general, we depend on your own personal commitment and motivation to fulfill the mission of the Israel Corps experience. It really depends on the projects that you choose. Most types of service projects are for 5-6 hours a day, with you volunteering 4-5 days per week. You are welcome to commit to as many projects as you wish, and you are expected to volunteer 30-40 hours per week. Weekends are usually free and there will be two free weeks scheduled into the program. Kiriyat Shmona is a small town of about 25,000 people located in Israel's Hula Valley region. It's nestled at the bottom of the Manara Cliffs to the west, the Golan Heights to the east and Mount Hermon to the north. As you may be imagining, it's in a beautiful part of the county. Kiriyat Shmona includes everything you will need to thrive for five months in Israel -- including restaurants, cafes, markets, malls, theaters, and hiking trails in walking distance. If you want to get away for a weekend, the city of Tiberias (on the Sea of Galilee) is about an hour away. Haifa, the nearest big city, is about an hour and a half away. Tel Aviv is little more than two hours away. Finally, Jerusalem is about three hours away. Absolutely! Most apartments are configured with two bedrooms, and each bedroom can sleep up to two people. The standard program fees are based on double rooming with a single room supplement available extra. So, depending on how you configure your rooming, we can accommodate requests for up to four participants to room together in the same apartment.
The Israel Corps program is designed for 21-30 year olds. Exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please note that MASA funding does not apply for participants younger than 18 or older than 30.
Yes, each participant must provide a 100 shekel deposit for the bike, helmet and bike lock. The deposit will be refunded at the end of the program, providing that all of the equipment is returned in a usable condition. Any damage inflicted to the bikes or equipment is the responsibility of the participant.
While some of the programming will be optional, most of it will be mandatory -- including the Ulpan Hebrew immersion classes. Participants are required to take part in all official programming and may be responsible for financial penalties if they do not participate according to the terms of the MASA funding agreement that every participant signs as part of the MASA funding application. Don't worry, the program already includes plenty of free time for you to explore Israel on your own.
The Israel Corps program is open to English speakers who are age 21-30 and who are Jewish. The program is also open to participants from around the world. Additional MASA eligibility rules apply if you wish to receive MASA funding.
Israel Pathways is open to Jewish people of all backgrounds. Our organization has no political or religious agenda whatsoever other than to foster a greater sense of Jewish identity (however one defines it). That being said, we want everyone to feel comfortable no matter what their Jewish observance level. Accordingly, all meals provided during the program are kosher, and the program does not entail any driving when a weekend excursion falls over Shabbat. Yes, although we do not offer it as a standard option, participants who want to participate in two separate Israel Pathways programs over a 10-month period will be accommodated, and the larger 10-month MASA grant will be applicable in this situation. Contact us for details.
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Read on below to see some common questions and answers. Still have questions? Just 
