Who we are
Established in 1971, the Israeli Volunteer Association's mission is to bolster Israel's social fabric through long-term social programs that encourage and foster social leadership across the nation. It aims to fortify the social cohesion of Israel by forging connections among diverse segments of society.
These days, Israel faces a deep social crisis, fueling division among different groups. Inclusivity and social bonds are eroding, leading to widening economic disparities and limited upward mobility. Many population segments lack equal opportunities for influence and development.
To date, over 150,000 volunteers from diverse segments of Israeli society have participated in the association's civil and national service programs and other long-term volunteer programs. Each program provides specialized attention to the volunteers, accommodating their unique backgrounds and cultural perspectives, contributing to the tapestry of Israeli society. We deeply value the cultivation and empowerment of the youth who choose to dedicate themselves to contributing, assisting and serving the country through various volunteer programs, fostering social involvement, and bridging social divides within Israeli society.
Credit: Ron Ben Naim
The Israeli Volunteer Association in Numbers
locations
the country
around the world
hours
Bedouin and Druze society
Vision and goals
The Israeli Volunteer Association is dedicated to constructing Israel's social resilience through long-term social action that encompasses a diverse range of population groups, focusing on areas that impact the quality of life for all residents of Israel.
Strengthen the social resilience of communities in Israel through volunteering in general and civil service in particular;
Encourage and promote social involvement and innovation among Israel's young population through volunteering and community action;
Cultivate personal identity and foster a sense of belonging that promotes the notion of a shared Israeli society;
Empower the association's volunteers and provide them with a supportive and preparatory framework for life.
Yaron Lutz- CEO
Yaron Lutz has served as CEO of the Israeli Volunteer Association since 2011. Yaron was born and raised in Tel Aviv in the Hapoel Mizrachi housing complex in the Yad Eliyahu neighborhood. His childhood in a neighborhood made up of new and old immigrants from different countries and sectors influenced and shaped his social worldview to a great extent, which sees social involvement and volunteering as an engine for creating civic resilience.
Yaron studied at the "Bnei Akiva Yeshiva Kfar Haroah" high school and afterward studied at the Hesder Yeshiva in Kiryat Shmona. He enlisted in the paratrooper brigade and served in it as a fighter, regularly and in the reserves. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in logistics, economics, and management and a master's degree in business administration and has a teaching certificate. In his public activity, he serves as a member of the Perach Regional Council and the Board of Directors of Governmental Companies in Israel
These days, Israel faces a deep social crisis, fueling division among different groups. Inclusivity and social bonds are eroding, leading to widening economic disparities and limited upward mobility. Many population segments lack equal opportunities for influence and development.
To date, over 150,000 volunteers from diverse segments of Israeli society have participated in the association's civil and national service programs and other long-term volunteer programs. Each program provides specialized attention to the volunteers, accommodating their unique backgrounds and cultural perspectives, contributing to the tapestry of Israeli society. We deeply value the cultivation and empowerment of the youth who choose to dedicate themselves to contributing, assisting and serving the country through various volunteer programs, fostering social involvement, and bridging social divides within Israeli society.
Our work in emergency
Since 1971, the Israeli Volunteer Association has been engaging volunteers in the fields of security, welfare, education, and health, standing at the forefront of providing support and assistance to the civilian population. We have experienced numerous emergency situations, but the State of Israel has never witnessed a crisis of this magnitude. This time, just like in previous instances, we are mobilizing all available resources to support and strengthen the Israeli home front. Since the severe attack on Israel, especially in the Gaza Envelope region, we have been tirelessly working to assist families and residents in the South and the North. The Israeli Volunteer Association operates with volunteers in Magen David Adom (MDA), who run the hotlines and assist in ambulances to help hundreds of injured individuals. National Service volunteers in the Gaza Envelope, Sderot, Ashkelon and Ashdod continue to engage children and youth through remote and on-site educational encounters, providing cultural and educational activities for all children who have been homebound to alleviate tension and anxiety and give parents a reprieve. National Service volunteers in hospitals have not left their posts since the beginning of the crisis, assisting doctors and nurses in providing dedicated care to thousands of the injured who have arrived at the hospitals.
Project
Sherut Leumi
In the present-day reality within the State of Israel, where the military enlistment rate for the youth falls below 50%, The Israeli Volunteer Association endeavors to engage those who are exempt from conscription in the national service framework. To achieve this goal, the association has established seven distinct service tracks. These include a track tailored for religious young women, a track for secular young women and men excused from military service due to medical reasons, a track designed for young men and women from the Druze and Bedouin society, a track for individuals with disabilities, a track for at-risk youth, a track for young women and men from Diaspora Jews, and finally, a track for young women undertaking national service in Jewish communities in the Diaspora.
Social programs
1. Strengthening Israel's Home Front
Since the severe attack on Israel and the ongoing war, the IVA has been tirelessly working to assist families and residents in the South and the North. Recognizing that a strong country requires more than a robust military, the IVA is committed to bolstering civil society to uphold our values, culture, and communities. In the wake of October 7, significant social changes have unsettled the Israeli home front, causing uncertainty and insecurity in various sectors. This situation presents an opportunity to address trauma and implement long-term measures that strengthen social functions, fortify infrastructure, and enhance resilience in the face of post-war challenges.
a. Building Resilience in Special Populations
After the events of October 7th, the Israeli Volunteer Association quickly mobilized nationwide to assist vulnerable populations, including the elderly, youth, non-Hebrew speakers, and Bedouin communities affected by the crisis.
The program aims to support over 10,000 individuals, providing various forms of assistance to address the war's impact on the homefront. The IVA volunteers aim to strengthen personal and community resilience through specialized training, with a core group of 550 volunteers undergoing targeted resilience training.
· Participants: 550 (Ages 18-19)
b. Rom Rehabilitation Program
The Israeli Volunteer Association has a history of aiding various sectors, including security, welfare, education, and health. With the recent Swords of Iron War, the demand for specialized care and support for war victims has risen. In honor of Corporal Rom Hecht, who bravely sacrificed his life during combat in the Gaza Strip on December 12, 2023, the Rom Rehabilitation Program was established to support wounded soldiers. It aims to empower war victims with comprehensive rehabilitation services, emphasizing personalized care and building strong social connections with patients, facilitated by volunteers in rehabilitation departments to enhance overall well-being and recovery.
· Participants: 15 (Ages 18-19)
2. Amplifying the bridges between Israel and the Jewish communities in the diaspora
The Jewish Diaspora is a crucial asset for Israel, and vice versa, underscoring the importance of strengthening ties between Israel and global Jewish communities. Therefore, in line with our vision to enhance social resilience in Israel, we prioritize fostering connections between Israel and the Diaspora. Through diverse long-term programs, we offer Jewish and non-Jewish youth opportunities for learning and volunteering.
In recent years, growing disparities have been seen within Jewish communities, necessitating efforts to bridge generational and geographical gaps. Our initiatives aim to cultivate Jewish identity within the Diaspora and establish connections between the global Jewish community and Israel through international volunteer programs, fostering a holistic understanding of Jewish-Israeli realities across political, social, and cultural dimensions.
a. Placing national service volunteers in Jewish communities:
Diaspora Jewry is a vital asset for Israel's continuity and prosperity, just as Israel serves as a strategic asset for Diaspora Jews. However, global trends like rising anti-Semitism and community disintegration pose challenges. Strengthening the connection between Israel and the Diaspora is essential for Israel's growth and as a cultural and religious anchor. This bond provides economic, political, and security support and influences global opinion. We'll deploy 50 national service volunteers to Jewish communities, organizing educational and cultural activities in schools and after-school settings, initiating community events, holiday ceremonies, and Hebrew learning meetings to reinforce community ties and support Israel amidst global changes.
· Participants: 50 (Ages 18-19)
b. Ami – Solidarity program in Israel
The “Ami”(my people) program to Israel is a transformative experience dedicated to volunteering and supporting the Israeli Homefront. It is a 7 to 10 days program that offers participants a deep understanding of Israel's history, culture, and contemporary challenges. The first day is dedicated to honoring the memory of October 7, featuring visits to Kerem Shalom for a tour and the “Nova” site for a memorial ceremony alongside survivor testimonies. Subsequent days delve into various facets of Israeli life and identity. Participants engage in activities ranging from exploring settlers and kibbutzim to understanding Jewish identity through guided tours at ANU – Museum of the Jewish People and lectures at the Shalom Hartman Institute. The program offers a balance of volunteering and learning about Israel, and participants can get to know Israel and Jewish history through significant tours, visits, and lectures.
3. Enhancing Shared society after the war
In 2024, young individuals from Arab society face predetermined paths due to limited opportunities in employment and education, hindering their full integration into Israeli society. IVA has long prioritized working within Israeli society, mainly focusing on marginalized groups. Over the past decade, it has implemented programs within the Arab community to empower youth, facilitating social integration, breaking the cycle of marginalization, increasing social and economic mobility, and emphasizing shared responsibility within Israeli society. Recent changes in response to wartime challenges include enhancing integration efforts for Bedouin and Druze youth in the North and South, providing culturally tailored support to volunteers, and bolstering resilience amidst adversity.
a. Mida'ad – Integration in Employment and Vocational Training
About 30% of young individuals in Arab society and over 40% in Bedouin society face challenges in integrating into employment, education, and academic systems, often leading to idleness and risky behaviors. This project targets at-risk youth aged 18-22 in Bedouin settlements, aiming to enhance their skills, empower their voices, and improve their quality of life through entrepreneurship and social activism.
· Participants: 108 (18-22)
b. Life Prep Program
The program is a six-month preparatory course designed for young men and women from the Bedouin community who graduated high school. This program aims to introduce them to Israeli society and equip them with essential skills for adulthood. The program includes various lectures, tours, and activities to familiarize them with the country's society and culture and develop their abilities and knowledge in different subjects. To recruit participants, field coordinators work closely with local municipalities, welfare departments, education department managers, directors of the regional community center, youth coordinators, advisors, and high school principals.
· Participants: 75 (Ages 18-19).
c. The Bedouin Female Graduates' Community
The program seeks to establish a culturally sensitive setting for national/civic service alums to access support in their post-service lives, fostering community connections, professional development, and assistance with diverse challenges. Comprising smaller groups committed to volunteering, it aims to bolster social resilience. Targeting service graduates recommended by career advisors and regional coordinators promotes ongoing engagement.
· Participants: 300 (Ages 20-25)
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Donations
The Israeli Volunteer Association builds social resilience in Israel through diverse and sustained social action. With over 20 unique social programs, we're changing lives every day. Join us to create long-term change in Israeli society.