Jewish Federations of North America are thrilled to launch Serve Israel, an initiative to activate and mobilize 1,000 volunteers through service trips to Israel that will support recovery and growth efforts during this time of great need.  
 
Serve Israel provides funding opportunities for Federations and Jewish organizations to organize and lead impactful service trips to Israel in 2024 that address urgent and ongoing needs and deepen the connection between North Americans and Israel. These funds will increase the number of people volunteering in Israel at this pivotal time. 
 
“Over these past 10 difficult months, we have seen the critical role that Israel travel and North American volunteers have played in both helping Israelis confront the deep challenges they face and strengthening the bonds between North Americans and Israel,” said Shira Hutt, Executive Vice President, Jewish Federations of North America.  
 
“These programs represent an essential tool for supporting Israel and Israelis at this critical time, and we are so proud that once again, Jewish Federations' unique position allows us to build strategic partnerships that mobilize across the Jewish community and address Israel's urgent needs,” she added.
  

Since October 7, thousands of Jewish people from North America have sought out opportunities to travel to and volunteer in Israel, such as helping on farms whose workforces remain seriously depleted since the attacks. 
 
North American volunteers are critically important to supporting Israel at this time, as tens of thousands of Israelis serve on reserve duty and fewer foreign workers are available.  These volunteers have made meaningful contributions to Israel and have found their experiences transformative, significantly strengthening their connections to Israel while fostering a profound sense of belonging with the Jewish community back home. 

 
With the support of the program, at least 1,000 North American volunteers will join a 7-to-10 day or a 4-week volunteer trip experience through January 2025. Participants will include teens, college students, young adults, early career professionals, and midlife adults up to age 65. Participants must be between the ages of 16 and 65, with age guidelines varying depending on the duration of the program. 
 

Volunteers may be deployed to work on farms in various parts of the country whose workforces are seriously depleted—contributing both to the economy and Israel’s national food security—work in logistics and food packaging centers, assist displaced families and soldiers, tutor students, and more.  
 
In addition to funds, Jewish Federations of North America will provide organizations support in designing their service trip, including educational content to complement the service experience. Participating organizations may also partner with Birthright Israel Onward or Masa Israel Journey to implement trips.  
 
Serve Israel applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. Organizations are encouraged to apply no later than October 1st for 7-10 day trips and November 4th for 4-week experiences to allow for sufficient planning time. 
 
Serve Israel is being led by the Jewish Federations of North America and the Israel Educational Travel Alliance, with support from Mosaic United, The Jewish Agency for Israel, the Government of Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, and Jewish Federations of North America’s Israel Emergency Fund. Serve Israel is also a partner of Birthright Israel Onward and Masa Israel Journey.
  
Interested Federations and Jewish organizations can learn more and apply online at www.Serveisraelgrants.org.