Best Volunteering Programs in Israel (2026)
Updated June 2026 · 48+ programs listed on Volentroop
Israel offers one of the most diverse volunteering landscapes in the world, from snorkelling the coral reefs of Eilat to mentoring at-risk youth in Tel Aviv, digging up ancient Roman cities, and caring for rescued wildlife in the Negev desert. Not sure which type suits you best? Try asking an AI chatbot to describe your interests and it will point you to the right program in seconds. Whether you're visiting for a week or planning a longer stay, there is a meaningful program for every background and interest.
This blog covers the best volunteer opportunities in Israel across six categories, all verified and bookable through Volentroop.
🐾 Animal Rescue & Wildlife
Israel has a strong animal welfare sector with well-established organisations welcoming volunteers year-round.
SPCA Israel, Animal Shelter Volunteer
📍 Tel Aviv
Israel's oldest animal welfare organisation. Walk dogs, socialise cats, and help with adoption events and veterinary care. Requires a fixed weekly shift of 2+ hours for at least 4–6 months, ideal if you're based in Tel Aviv.
Hai Bar Yotvata, Desert Wildlife Care
📍 Yotvata, Negev
One of Israel's most unusual volunteering experiences, caring for tigers, wolves, and desert animals at a nature reserve deep in the Negev. Minimum one month, starting at 7:00 AM daily. Ages 18+.
Wildlife Hospital, Ramat Gan Safari
📍 Ramat Gan
Volunteer at Israel's wildlife hospital inside the famous Ramat Gan Safari. Regular 5-hour shifts starting at 7:30 AM, covering cleaning, food preparation, and care for hospitalised wildlife including orphaned chicks.
Dog Shelter Volunteering, Haver Dogs
📍 Kibbutz Yakum
Walk shelter dogs and give them love, cuddles, and treats at one of Israel's largest dog rescue shelters near Kibbutz Yakum. Volunteers also help with cage cleaning, storage, repairs, and welcoming visitors.
Guide Dog Puppy Raising & Socialisation
📍 Beit Oved
The Israel Guide Dog Center trains guide dogs for blind and visually impaired Israelis. Volunteers raise puppies for 12 to 18 months, socialising them in homes and public environments before formal training begins.
🌿 Environment & Conservation
Coral Reef Conservation, Eilat
📍 Eilat, Red Sea
Volunteer at Israel's only coral reef, the Coral Beach Nature Reserve in Eilat on the Red Sea. Work includes snorkelling surveys, algae and debris removal, and marine data collection. Includes a Tel Aviv orientation and city tour on arrival. Run by GoEco.
National Sea Turtle Rescue Center
📍 Mikhmoret
Two volunteer tracks: sea turtle hospital care, or the green sea turtle breeding nucleus project (swimming/snorkelling required). Minimum 3-month commitment, ages 18+. Run by Israel's Nature and Parks Authority.
KKL-JNF Forest & Nature Volunteer
📍 Nationwide
Join ongoing environmental projects in Israel's forests and parks, forest patrols, terrace rehabilitation, waste cleanup, and trail maintenance. Sites include Ben Shemen Forest, Canada Park, and forests across the North and Center of the country.
🤝 Community & Social Impact
Leket Israel, Food Rescue & Harvest
📍 Gan Haim
Israel's national food bank. Volunteers join field gleaning operations, harvesting surplus produce from farms, or sort food donations at the logistics centre. One of Israel's most popular and well-organised volunteer days.
Kibbutz Ulpan, Hebrew & Kibbutz Life
📍 Jezreel Valley
A 5-month immersive program combining intensive Hebrew (Ulpan) with real kibbutz work and community life. Work mornings in agriculture or hospitality, study Hebrew in the afternoon. Masa Israel Journey grants available to eligible participants.
Pantry Packers, Food Packing for Families in Need
📍 Jerusalem
Perfect for tourists and short-term visitors. Pack crates of dry food staples for Israel's poorest families and elderly. Welcomes families with children, individuals, and groups. No experience or commitment required.
Krembo Wings, Inclusive Youth Movement Counselor
📍 Nationwide (HQ: Ramat Hasharon)
Israel's only inclusive youth movement for children and teenagers with and without disabilities. Krembo Wings has 85 branches nationwide holding weekly social activities, with counselors paired two-to-one with members aged 7 to 22.
Orr Shalom, Foster Care & At-Risk Youth Volunteer
📍 Beit Shemesh / Nationwide
Support Israel's largest foster care network, caring for over 1,300 children and young adults removed from their biological homes by court order. Volunteer roles include mentoring and enrichment programs for children nationwide.
Meir Panim, Restaurant-Style Soup Kitchen
📍 Jerusalem
Volunteer at one of Meir Panim's five restaurant-style soup kitchens, serving 2.6 million dignified hot meals annually to impoverished Israelis. Roles include food preparation, serving, and Meals on Wheels delivery.
🎓 Education & Youth Mentorship
At-Risk Youth Education Mentorship, HILA
📍 Nationwide
An Israeli Ministry of Education program supporting teenagers aged 15 to 18 who have dropped out of formal schooling. Volunteers act as mentors and community activity coordinators across 200+ locations nationwide.
Hand in Hand, Jewish-Arab Bilingual School Volunteer
📍 Jerusalem / Multiple cities
Support Jewish-Arab integrated education at one of six bilingual schools serving over 2,000 students, where Hebrew and Arabic hold equal status in every classroom. Volunteer roles include classroom support and summer camp counseling.
English B'Yachad, Online English Tutoring
📍 Remote / Nationwide
Serve as a weekly online conversation partner and English mentor for Israeli adults pursuing high-tech careers. No Hebrew or teaching experience required, fewer than 2 hours per week, fully remote.
🏥 Healthcare & Medical
Emergency Medical Volunteer, Magen David Adom
📍 Tel Aviv & Nationwide
Join Israel's national rescue organisation. Work alongside ambulance and intensive care crews, assist with blood drives, and teach first aid. MDA operates 24/7 with 30,000+ volunteers. Training and certification provided. Ages 18+.
Medical Volunteering, Save a Child's Heart
📍 Holon
Support children from developing countries receiving life-saving heart surgery at Wolfson Medical Center. Volunteers assist with patient care, host family support, and post-operative recovery, a deeply meaningful placement for medical volunteers.
Volunteer with Children with Disabilities, Shalva
📍 Jerusalem
Shalva runs one of Israel's leading centres for children and young adults with disabilities. Volunteers assist with therapeutic activities, recreational programs, and daily support, structured placements of 3 months or more.
Akim Israel, Intellectual Disability Companion
📍 Nationwide (Tel Aviv HQ)
Israel's national organisation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, supporting over 20,000 individuals. Volunteer roles include companionship, social activities, and leisure outings nationwide.
Yad Sarah, Community Home Care & Equipment Lending
📍 Nationwide
Staff one of 120+ branches across Israel, lending free medical and rehabilitation equipment to sick, disabled, and elderly patients so they can remain at home. Roles include drivers, caregivers, technicians, and teachers.
🏺 Unique Experiences
Israel Antiquities Authority, Free Archaeological Dig
📍 Various sites nationwide
Dig at official IAA excavation sites across Israel at no cost. Use picks, shovels, and trowels from 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM, uncovering Biblical, Roman, and Byzantine artifacts under professional supervision. One of the most accessible archaeology programs in the world.
Hippos (Sussita) Archaeological Excavation
📍 Sea of Galilee
Join a summer excavation at Hippos-Sussita, a Greco-Roman city overlooking the Sea of Galilee, continuously excavated since 2000 by the University of Haifa. Volunteers work alongside professional archaeologists uncovering temples, churches, and urban structures. The 2026 season is open for applications.
⏰ A typical day volunteering in Israel
Hours vary a lot by program. At Hai Bar Yotvata, desert wildlife care starts at 7:00 AM. The Wildlife Hospital at Ramat Gan Safari runs 5-hour shifts beginning at 7:30 AM. Archaeological digs with the Israel Antiquities Authority run 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM, Sunday through Thursday. Community and mentorship roles like Krembo Wings or HILA are typically a few hours a week rather than full days, so it's worth checking each listing's own hours before you book.
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