Kibbutz Program Center

  Israel

Kibbutz Lotan

Term: Throughout the year 

Description: The Kibbutz Program Center used to operate directly inside the Jewish Agency. Today it is an independent representative of a variety of programs and opportunities in Israel to young people in Canada and the United States. Some of our programs are sponsored by the kibbutz movement as a whole, some are run by individual kibbutzim, and some by non-kibbutz organizations. Our programs focus on Hebrew language education and on experiencing the unique society that is kibbutz. We also have opportunities for volunteers and interested participants to take part in peace and co-existence projects and in social activism within Israel.

Work Study
Kibbutz Ulpan

Kibbutz Ulpan is a 5 month work-study program for young adults between the ages of 18 and 28. On the program you will learn conversational Hebrew, work on the kibbutz, and take part in rich and unique kibbutz culture. It is one of the cheapest long-term programs in Israel. Complete room and board, as well as health insurance and all programming, is included in the cost of USD 4,300. Masa scholarships of between USD 1,000 and USD 3,000 are available. Ulpans begin at different kibbutzim at staggered times throughout the year.

Participating in a Kibbutz Ulpan is a time-honored tradition that countless people have experienced over the years. Today a Kibbutz Ulpan is a perfect choice for anyone looking to take a gap-year before college, or for any young adult looking to take time off from employment or college and do something different while learning Hebrew and seeing Israel.

Summer
Kibbutz Summer Ulpan

The summer Ulpan program allows you to participate in Ulpan at Kibbutz for a convenient summer stretch. Participants must be between the ages of 18-28 on the start date of the program. In 2009 Kibbutz Mishmar Hasharon will host a 6 week program from July 7th to August 18th, and Kibbutz Naan will host a 4 week session from July 16th to August 15th. On these programs you will get a taste of kibbutz life by living in a unique agricultural community and having access to the kibbutz's facilities and cultural activities, and by participating in one of the kibbutz's work branches. There will also be programming designed specifically for the Ulpan participants and trips to noteworthy places around the country.

The cost of the 6 week session will be USD 2,275, and of the 4 week session USD 1,600, recently reduced from $1900! The tuition covers room, board, health insurance, Hebrew instruction, trips around the country, and all programming.

Volunteer
Kibbutz Volunteering

Volunteering on a kibbutz is a tradition that thousands of adventurers from all over the world have undertaken from the founding of Israel until today. Kibbutzim accept volunteers between the ages of 18 and 35 who want to live and work and play on kibbutz for 2 to 6 months. Registering for a volunteering slot, including acquiring health insurance and the necessary visa, costs about USD 500, which will be paid in chunks to the offices in New York (USD 290 registration fee) and the balance in Tel Aviv. Once on kibbutz you will work in exchange for room and board and a small amount of pocket money. There is generally great camaraderie amongst the volunteers, who hail from all over the world, and the kibbutz will often organize outings and trips for its volunteers.

Highlights: * Earn credits toward undergraduate or graduate degrees.
* Summer, semester, and year long options.
* Meet and work with a multicultural study body.
* Full moon desert hikes and mountain biking trips.
* Study in courses that are fully accredited through Ben Gurion University.
* Learn with the best and brightest researchers and teachers in the field.
* Explore environmental issues with other students that have similar interests.
* Participate in Peace Building and Environmental Leadership Seminar.
* Room, board, and health insurance included.
* MASA grants available for most participants.
* Live in the kibbutz, desert region of Israel.
* Explore the Arava desert located between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea.
* Environmental touring of the region is incorporated.
* Become part of the Arava Alumni Peace and Environmental Network with branches all around the world.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications: All are welcome. Programs for 18-35 year olds.

Cost in US$: Starting at USD 500

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Israel Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 40-50

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Written Application