Volunteering in Jerusalem!
By: Heather Newgen | Twitter: @hnvoluntourist
As someone who is an ambitious traveler and packs my day full of activities on holiday I know how the thought of volunteering can sound. Sure, it’s a noble thing to do, but it’s hard to squeeze it in a busy schedule.
Well here’s a project you can do in just an hour. Yes, in just 60 minutes you can actually help make a small difference by volunteering in Jerusalem at the Yad Ezra V’Shulamit food bank.
While Israel is an amazing destination to spend your vacation, 11% of the population live below the poverty line. Many rely on the the Yad Ezra V’Shulamit food bank for kosher healthy meals and the food bank relies on volunteers for help.
I know there’s so much to see and do in Israel and you should absolutely be out enjoying the region, but I spent just an hour volunteering in Jerusalem and felt like I really helped out the food bank with projects they wouldn’t be able to get done without volunteers.
As you see in the vlog, the representative from Yad Ezra V’Shulamit explains how they don’t have the budget to hire employees to do the jobs that volunteers do. So you’re truly making a small difference by volunteering in Jerusalem for just a short time.
I set up my volunteer project through Erez Yarkon Travel, who is the most popular travel agent in Israel. He can arrange incredible tours, dinners, excursions, drivers and trips to Egypt and Jordan. However, he will also set up responsible volunteering opportunities for you as well.
Please check out the vlog and consider volunteering in Jerusalem and at Yad Ezra V’Shulamit, or anywhere in the area while you’re traveling.
Producer/Reporter: Heather Newgen
Story Supervisor: Debbie Appel
Videographer: Carolyn Eastman