Kibbutz Volunteer

Volunteering on a kibbutz is definitely not for everyone. You work hard, live in very basic rooms, earn a pittance and have no privacy. However, year after year travellers head to Israel to volunteer on a kibbutz and have the time of their lives.

A kibbutz is a collective of farms where all aspects of production is owned and shared by the community. Kibbutzes are found in Israel. There are currently around 256 of them. The good news is, any tourist in Israel can become a kibbutz volunteer. The kibbutz movement accepts singles and families.

Kibbutzim were first formed in the land now known as Israel in the early 1920s by Russian immigrants. These societies were established on the principles of social equality, where each member of the Kibbutz (a Kibbutznik) is to be treated as an equal. This means they work together collectively for the good of all. As the work load and benefits of the kibbutz are shared by all members, each Kibbutznik's contribution is considered equal. Although only a small percentage of the country's population lives on a kibbutz, they are an integral part of Israeli society.

The kibbutz population accepts volunteers for a minimum period of two (2) months and a maximum of six (6) months. Generally, the kibbutz offers work in three different categories: agriculture, tourism and other services/different kinds of work.

Volunteers work 8 hours a day 6 days a week, Sunday to Friday, because the Sabbath is from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown. Depending on the job, the day starts between 6-7am (earlier if in the cowsheds or fields) and finishes between noon and 4pm (again, this varies depending on the job you do).

In return for your work, volunteers are offered free accommodation in the kibbutz, three (3) meals a day, free laundry service in the kibbutz's common laundry and pocket money each month. In addition to this, the kibbutz organises tours for the volunteers to visit places on their days off.

Positions can be arranged in Tel-Aviv through the Kibbutz Program Centre or through one of their local representatives. It is best to contact the Kibbutz Program Centre before your arrival as there is no guarantee you will find a placement if you arrive in Israel and then approach the centre.

If you are interested to spend time as a volunteer on a kibbutz, check out our e-book ‘Kibbutz Volunteer', by Jonnon Edgerton who volunteered on a kibbutz. Read his first-hand experience and practical advice, tips and hints. The e-book is only available here.

e-book price: $10.00 (incl GST) This guide is only available as an e-book from this website. You can't get it anywhere else but here. So get yours today and get teaching English tomorrow.

Kibbutz Volunteer - an e-book to kick start your kibbutz adventure - by Jonno Edgerton Table of Contents Introduction 4 The Kibbutz experience 5 What is a kibbutz? 5 Why be a kibbutz volunteer? 6 Who can work on a kibbutz? 6 Do I need a special visa? 6 How long is a placement for? 6 What work will I do? 7 What is a typical working day like? 8 What is life like in a kibbutz? 8 What do I get in return for being a volunteer? 9 Does it cost me anything? 11 Do I need insurance? 11 What’s the catch? 11 Can I choose a kibbutz? 11 When is the best time to apply for a position? 11 How do I find a kibbutz volunteer position? 12 Kibbutz Program Centre (KPC) 17 Is my travel to Israel included? 19 How do I get to Israel? 19 What should I bring with me? 21 The Moshav experience 23 Is Israel safe? 24 Useful information 25 About the author 28