Volunteer at Ketura

Kibbutz volunteer: Ketura accepts healthy young people as volunteers, for any amount of time between 2-6 months. While we follow KPC guidelines in general, Kibbutz Ketura volunteers are mostly Jewish, single, average age 18-25, and able to do physical work as required. Volunteers receive room, board (3 meals a day in the kibbutz dining room) and a small stipend (about 65$ month).

If you do not hold an Israeli passport, you must register through the KPC (Kibbutz Program Center) in Tel Aviv. They will take your passport to the Interior Ministry & arrange a 6 month volunteer visa for you (cost: about $20)
THIS IS MANDATORY.

Kibbutz Program Center Volunteer Department for Takam-Artzi
18 6 Frishman Street
Tel Aviv 61030 Israel
Tel: 972-3-527 8874 or 972-3-524 6156 Fax: 972-3-523-9966
KPC Email: kpc@volunteer.co.il

Volunteers live in the Heyachzut neighborhood. There are 2-3 people per room, in an apartment that consists of 2 rooms plus a shared kitchenette/shower.

Work is assigned according to the needs of the kibbutz - mostly services (dining room, laundry, kitchen) with a (very few) doing some agricultural work (dairy, gardening). Volunteers who speak Hebrew & are here for an extended period of time may work with the children of the kibbutz. In addition, we operate the “Algatec” algae factory & the "Keren Kolot" seminar center here on Ketura, which often needs help (setting up/cleaning rooms, campfires & pool activities with groups, etc.). In the summer, certified volunteers may work as lifeguards at the pool.

Volunteers are given work clothes & linens, and may use the kibbutz laundry service, pool (in season), and tennis & basketball courts. They have access to the kibbutz nurse if necessary. Volunteers get 3 days vacation per month in addition to shabbatot, and monthly tiyulim (field trips) in the area.

You must arrive with a passport valid for at least 6 mos. from your date of entry to Israel, 2 passport size photos, a note from a doctor stating that you are able to do physical work - also noting any chronic illness/complaints & prescription medication (if any).

You must have hospitalization coverage - you can get excellent coverage through the TAKAM (Kibbutz Movement) for about $120, or use your own provider of travel insurance, and we will cover "ambulatory" care (nurse/doctor visits) but any medication is at your expense.

Other than that, you must put down a $50 $100 room deposit (returned when you leave) and have some spending money - traveller's checks or an international ATM card are good ways to go - however, the closest ATM to Ketura is in Eilat, about 45 minutes away by bus. You should bring AT LEAST $300 in cash or travelers checks for fees, deposit etc. when you come to Israel.

It is advisable you to bring all prescription medications & eye-care products (as well as a spare pair of glasses) as these things are more costly in Israel. Also, the electical current here is 220 (as opposed to 110 in the States/Canada) so you will need a converter for any electrical appliances.

Volunteers have (limited) access to computers in the library for the purpose of writing email. In addition: some of the rooms are equipped with "ethernet" connections, so if you have a laptop you can connect directly from your room. There is a payphone that you can arrange a time for people to call you at, or they can leave messages for you at the volunteer office phone: 972-8-635-6434. Many volunteers rent or purchase a cell phone.

Hope to see you,

Aliza (volunteer coordinator), ketura-volunteers@ketura.ardom.co.il