OUR WORK
In Hebrew Yahel means illuminate. Yahel was founded with the belief that service learning, when done right, can connect people, shed light on real life issues, illuminate personal journeys and promote social change.
Yahel - Israel Service Learning was founded in 2009 as an educational non-profit organization that offers service learning and social action programs in Israel. Yahel’s mission is to respectfully assist disadvantaged communities in Israel while inspiring young adults to build a relationship with Israel and develop skills for a life of civic engagement. Yahel offers both short and long volunteer programs for teens, college students and post-college participants which combine hands-on volunteer work with in-depth learning and immersion in Israeli society. Over the past 5 years, Yahel has engaged more than 300 participants who served in small towns and cities across Israel, and hundreds of individuals have benefited from the contribution of Yahel volunteers.
The goal of our work is threefold:
SERVE
Participants on Yahel programs volunteer with Israeli grassroots organizations throughout the country. Great care is taken to identify projects that can benefit from the work of volunteer groups and are sustainable in their impact. Volunteer projects are community-driven and the work is done in close collaboration with community members and local change-makers.
CONNECT
Yahel programs connect participants to the real Israel and its people. Through our programs, participants reach a deeper understanding of some of the key social issues facing Israeli society today. In addition, it is our hope that participants will form relationships based on respect and understanding, creating ties that will last long beyond the program.
CARRY IT HOME
Our programs empower participants to become active change agents in Israel as well as in their home communities. We strive to inspire participants to continue a life of civic engagement and service wherever they may be.