Kibbutz Volunteer ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

Kibbutz Volunteer

Replies: 8 - Last Post: 07-Aug-2007 09:34 Last Post By: koala4u

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Posted
30-Jul-2007 15:17
by: hopes8

Posts: 5
Registered: 15/02/07

Kibbutz Volunteer

My friend and I are very interested in becoming Kibbutz Volunteers for a few months starting towards the end of September. We are wondering what is the best way to go about this? Are there any special visas to be obtained as Australian Citizens? Or can we get them on arrival? If so what are the requirements to obtain one. I have heard that in order to get an Israeli Visa you need to have booked a return flight out as opposed to getting a one way flight there and getting a bus out of the country??

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much in advance!

Chris Hopa

Posted
30-Jul-2007 22:05
by: snowandsun

Posts: 72
Registered: 24/03/05

1

hi,
i was interested in doing a kibbutz a while ago and had a few posts on TT about it. i decided just to travel instead so i cant really remember any of the websites or anything that people suggested i try, but i do know that some of them were really helpful. if you try searching "kibbutz" on TT it should bring up some handy stuff.

Posted
31-Jul-2007 00:45
by: yarden

Posts: 344
Registered: 03/03/02

2

Can't offer much help here - but if you plan on working from September into winter (Sept. is still hot), take weather into account. If you like winter, go up north where you really feel a winter. If not, look for something in the South, where it will be much drier.

yalla yalla

Posted
31-Jul-2007 04:10
by: Adam_H

Posts: 222
Registered: 05/10/01

3

http://www.kibbutzprogramcenter.org/

http://www.kibbutzvolunteer.com/

Posted
01-Aug-2007 14:45
by: Indigobunting

Posts: 8
Registered: 31/07/07

4

I worked on a kibbutz near Ashkelon as a volunteer - kibbutz Erez to be precise - in 1979 and 1982. It was my first real traveling experience outside Europe, and I had a great time there! But the kibbutzim have changed a lot, and some no longer need volunteers from abroad.

If you like dry heat, summers in Israel are actually not bad at all - it gets much hotter in some parts of southern Spain. I worked on the kibbutz during the summer months and picked Galia melons for weeks. It does get really hot in the Negev desert though, and the area near the Dead Sea is a cauldron.

Posted
02-Aug-2007 07:14
by: yarden

Posts: 344
Registered: 03/03/02

5

I wouldnt suggest going to Erez... they're in Qassam Missile range and get hit quite often.

yalla yalla

Posted
02-Aug-2007 07:39
by: Indigobunting

Posts: 8
Registered: 31/07/07

6

True. When I lived there as a volunteer, things were very different and we even hitchhiked to the Gaza Strip twice. This would be unthinkable now.

Posted
07-Aug-2007 08:50
by: koala4u

Posts: 16
Registered: 07/08/07

7

You can apply to a Kibbutz directly at no charge or sometimes they will ask you to contact the Kibbutz Representitives who will take about 200 plus dollars. Please note that it is important for you to have travel insurance as the Kibbutz will not take you on.
There are many websites that you can check out as far as Kibbutzim are concerned but you will not be spoilt for choice like the good old days, but there is still a fair amount on offer.
You will recieve a tourist visa when entering the country and the Kibbutz will then be responsible to arrange a volunteer visa for you, which will just replace the old tourist visa. You will get a 3 month visa which you can possibly renew but it's touch and go depending on how much the Kibbutz will want you, can be extended for 9 months if really pushed.
I volunteered for years on and off and have stayed on various Kibbutzim. I would also recommend not to go to Erez! The northern region is very nice although it's not really as lively as it used to be but you can check out Kibbutz Baram / Kibbutz Kfar Faglaladi
Kibbutz Hazorea is in a great spot only has a few volunteers but has regular Ulpanists so lot's of young people. Or there is the quirky Kibbutzim in the south, have heard that Kibbutz Ketura is a great Kibbutz too.
Just do a search grab some Kibbutzim telephone numbers to the main offices and call around.

Good luck and have fun

Posted
07-Aug-2007 08:53
by: koala4u

Posts: 16
Registered: 07/08/07

8

Woops forgot to mention that KIBBUTZ EIN GEV by the sea of galilee still has the volunteer system up and running and seems to be good fun.
The volunteer system has died out of most of the Kibbutzim so can't really recommend where I stayed.

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