Overseas Volunteer Opportunities
PUBLICATIONS AND WEB RESOURCES ON VOLUNTEERING IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD
The information below was compiled by the American Jewish World
Service, but neither AJWS nort JCRC necessarily share the values of all of these
organizations. Further research of the goals and mechanisms of these
resources and organizations is the responsibility of the volunteer.
Jewish Organizations
- American Jewish World Service (AJWS)
– An international development organization motivated by Judaism’s
imperative to pursue justice. AJWS is dedicated to alleviating poverty,
hunger and disease among the people of the developing world regardless
of race, religion or nationality. Through grants to grassroots
organizations, volunteer service, advocacy and education, AJWS fosters
civil society, sustainable development and human rights for all people,
while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship
within the Jewish community.
- The Jewish Coalition for Service
– An umbrella organization of more than 50 programs that address
pressing needs of communities and individuals among both Jews and
non-Jews. They deliver thousands of hours of direct volunteer service
and enable people to live out Jewish values of tzedek (justice), chesed
(compassion), and tikkun olam (world repair). Perhaps most important,
they convey the Jewish community’s spiritual solidarity and concern with
people in crisis all over the world. Search for opportunities by age
group, destination and length of program.
- American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee – Assist Jewish communities abroad.
Medical Opportunities
Volunteering Opportunities for Teenagers
Find information about a variety of opportunities at
AJWS
including:American Jewish Society for Service, Washington D.C. Jewish Community Center’s Camp Service, Panim’s Jewish Civics Initiative and Summer JAM (Judaism, Activism, and Mitzvah work), Nesiya Institute, Union for Reform Judaism’s NFTY Mitzvah Corps, BBYO/ Spark’s Nitzotz program, Panim el Panim, Yachad’s Ramp It Up program, Jewish Youth Philanthropy Institute’s Service Learning Camp, Camp Tawonga’s teen service learning trip to Israel, the 92nd Street Y’s Tiyul program, and Temple B’nai Abraham’s Tikkun Olam family work project.
Programs for Recent College Graduates
Books
Alternatives to the Peace Corps: A Directory of Global Volunteer Opportunities (12th ed.). Edited by Caiti HachmyerJennifer S. Willsea and Meagan Reule ($10.95 plus $3.50 shipping), Food First Books: Oakland, CA. Distributed by LPC Group (800) 243-0138.
Global Youth Connect: Human Rights Delegations for Young Leaders
Global Youth Connect,
an international human rights organization, recruits young leaders
(ages 18-25) to participate in human rights delegations during the
summer. Program locations include: Bosnia, Cambodia, Guatemala and
Rwanda. Applicants should wish to expand their knowledge and
understanding of human rights and social justice.