Policies stated in this section supersede policies references elsewhere in the website and other written materials.  This information is updated frequently, so please add this to your "favorites". 

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1. AGE

The minimum age for a volunteer to come alone is 17.  We will accept teens 15-16 with a parent or adult. We do not have an age limit but please make sure the “seniors” are able to do the physical activity required, including the extensive walking on bases & trips.      

2. ARRIVAL DATES

Volunteers can ONLY begin on the scheduled program dates. See the Schedule at the end of this summary & check the website for updates. The arrival dates will be approximately every 3 weeks (with some exceptions). The standard program is 3 weeks; however volunteers can do a 2 week minimum. Volunteers may stay longer than 3 weeks provided they have Sar-El approval, a valid visa, & valid insurance. 

Volunteers can begin the program only on Sundays or Mondays, according to the schedule.  We will pick people up from the airport on those days.  Any exceptions must be approved by Pamela Lazarus in advance, BEFORE flight reservations are made.  Please tell volunteers that sometimes they may have to wait at the airport for other arrivals.  We try to minimize the waiting time.    

If someone arrives very late on a Sunday or Monday, he may be asked to take a taxi to Beit Oded or to a hotel (at his expense).  We do not always have cars available for late evening pickups.  Please advise your volunteers of this & make sure they call me upon arrival.

We will make special arrangements for groups of 10 or more people to begin on dates other than those on the Schedule. Contact me for information if you have a special group. 

THE MEETING PLACE IN THE NEW AIRPORT TERMINAL IS IN THE ARRIVALS HALL, AT THE CHAIRS TO THE   RIGHT OF THE FOUNTAIN AS YOU FACE THE EXIT 2 DOORS. THERE ARE ALSO A PHONE RENTAL COUNTER, CHANGE PLACE & ATM MACHINE NEARBY. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A SAR-EL REPRESENTATIVE STANDING NEAR THE FOUNTAIN BUT IF VOLUNTEERS ARRIVE EARLY OR CANNOT FIND THE REPRESENTATIVE, THEY CAN WAIT IN THE CHAIRS. 

3. EARLY ARRIVALS

If a volunteer is in Israel early & will join the program on a scheduled Sunday or Monday, he must call Pamela to determine his meeting place. Usually the meeting place is the airport. Contact with Pamela is necessary.     

4. PERSONAL INFORMATION

We must have the following information AT LEAST TWO (2) WEEKS in advance of the arrival or the volunteer may not be accepted:

--Name

--Passport number

--Flight information (airline, flight #, arrival & departure dates)

--Program dates

--Birthdate

--Jewish/Non-Jewish 

           If you are organizing a special Group, we must have the information 4 weeks in advance.      

5. DOCUMENTATION

Volunteers should bring 3 collated sets of the following, 1 to give me, 1 to keep, and one for the madricha :

--Medical form signed by doctor (signed no more than 1 year before)

--Waiver

--Proof of Medical Insurance

--Copy of passport

  Passport pictures are NOT necessary because the madrichot use copies of the passport page picture for the ID’s.            

6. INSURANCE AND MEDICATION

Insurance coverage is mandatory for all volunteers. This can be their regular insurance company (if it covers this region) or special travel insurance. This must be medical insurance which will cover doctors’ bills, hospitalization, emergency room.  Most insurance companies will require the patient to pay the bill here & then file a claim back home for reimbursement. It is up to the volunteer to know what his insurance company requires. Every volunteer must have a credit card or enough cash to cover medical expenses. Emergency room treatment is an automatic 800 shekels or more which must be paid. Private doctors will also charge fees.

3 copies of proof of the insurance must be brought--1 for Sar-El to keep, 1 for the volunteer to carry, & 1 for the madricha.

It is suggested that volunteers have additional travel insurance to cover the amount of the deductible of their regular insurance. Volunteers will NOT be admitted to the program without proof of insurance.           

MEDICINE—Volunteers should bring copies of their prescriptions for medications. However this does NOT mean that a pharmacy will automatically fill a prescription from overseas—in fact, usually it will NOT do so. But if a volunteer runs out of medicine & has to see a doctor, then having a prescription may make it easier. BUT THE BEST THING IS FOR PEOPLE TO BRING ENOUGH MEDICINE FOR THEIR WHOLE TRIP & THEY SHOULD KEEP IT IN THEIR HAND LUGGAGE ON THE PLANE.  PLEASE REMIND VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE THEIR MEDICINES WITH THEM EACH WEEKEND!

VOLUNTEERS SHOULD KNOW THAT THERE ARE NOT ALWAYS REFRIGERATORS FOR THEIR MEDICATION.  VOLUNTEERS WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS WHICH BURDEN THE MADRICHOT OR OTHER VOLUNTEERS (SLEEP APNEA, HEART CONDITIONS, DIABETES, ETC.) MAY BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PROGRAM. YOU MUST BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN INTERVIEWING & APPROVING THESE PEOPLE. 

     7.   PACKING REMINDERS

Pack lightly; you must carry your own suitcase (there are no “bellcaps” or “porters” in the army). Bring a small  bag for weekends. 

Bring closed shoes which can be used for work as some bases do not have enough boots for volunteers (gym shoes, sneakers, work shoes). CARRY ALL MEDICINES, COPY OF PRESCRIPTIONS, CLEAN UNDERWEAR & SOCKS, A CHANGE OF CLOTHING & YOUR SAR-EL PAPERS IN YOUR CARRY ON BAGGAGE.

     8.    PHOTOGRAPHS ON BASES

           The IDF has begun monitoring sites such as Facebook because soldiers (& volunteers) have been posting pictures of sensitive and classified information. The IDF is taking strong action against such soldiers. Sar-El will also take action against volunteers who take pictures of things that are classified or sensitive. Volunteers will be dismissed from the program and will not be allowed to return if they break this rule.  We welcome volunteers’ pictures and articles about Sar-El, but please refrain from taking pictures of anything that you think may be classified or sensitive. If you have questions about what you can photograph & what is not allowed, ask the madricha.

       9.   TIME COMMITMENT

The minimum time commitment for a program is 2 weeks (except Nursing Home program which is 4 weeks). The usual program is for 3 weeks.  Volunteers may stay in the program for a MAXIMUM of 3 months IF approved by Sar-El, as long as they have a valid visa & valid insurance.

       10.   NURSING HOME PROGRAM

The nursing home program requires a 4 week minimum time commitment & a 4 week advance notice.  Most of the facilities are nursing homes/retirement homes.  There is one rehab hospital but it is often hard to get placement there.  Volunteers can request a general region of the country (e.g. Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Beersheva), but this is not guaranteed.  Volunteers should understand that they are not going to do “medical/nursing” work.  They will be helping with the patients—feeding, walking them, transporting them to activities. Many facilities require 6 days of work per week, however the volunteers are allowed to leave the facility after the daily work shift.   Please understand that it is not Sar-El’s job or your job as a volunteer to change things in the facility. We understand that you may have ideas about how things should be done, but you must go along with the routine & methods at the facility. Sometimes our volunteer may have to share a room with another volunteer who may be from Sar-l or may not. The Nursing Home Program will not accept people over 65. Sometimes there is a facility which will waive this requirement, but not always.

 11.   ULPAN PROGRAM

Hebrew Ulpan for beginners—English speaking groups!

-Two nights per week

-One time fee of $50 covers up to three weeks of classes

-15 maximum per class; 10 minimum per class

Starting dates commence at the beginning of each Sar-El program, however the Ulpan is not always available.

Sign up and pay for Ulpan with your representative if you apply through VFI.

If you do not apply through VFI, sign up directly with Pamela Lazarus, Sar-El Program Coordinator (and pay when you arrive).

 

 12.  BLACKOUT DATES / HOLIDAYS

Sometimes there are blackout dates due to the holidays.  Please check the website for updated information. 

Please tell your volunteers that sometimes they will have to leave the bases on holidays & sometimes for a few days if the holiday is in the middle of the week. Because we are given very little notice from the bases, the volunteers should be prepared to stay in hotels during the holidays. We will try to update you if we find out information, but it doesn't always come to us on a timely basis. If volunteers do not want to incur the expense or spend so much time away from the bases, they should avoid coming during holidays. This applies (but is not limited) to Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Succot, Pesach, & Shavuot. 

13.   SPECIAL ONE WEEK GROUPS

Sometimes we have special One (1) Week Groups.  These are announced in advanced.  People must be at the airport at 8:00 am on the Sunday morning that the group will begin.  If a volunteer cannot be at the airport at 8:00 am, then he will not be allowed to do the 1 week program. Check the Schedule for 1 Week Groups. 

14.   TRANSPORTATION FROM BASES

Volunteers usually will have to provide their own transportation to the airport after the program is over.  This also applies to leaving the bases on the weekends & returning on Sunday morning. Sar-El will take people to the bases from the airport on the first day of the program; and will return the group to a central area in Tel Aviv on the last day of a 3 week program. If people stay for only 2 weeks, they will not get a ride from the base at the end of the 2 weeks. 

15.   EXTENSION OF TICKETS

If volunteers want to extend their tickets, they must call the airlines themselves. SOMETIMES (not always) El Al will give a reduction of the extension fee from $150 to $75.     

      16.  WEEKEND TRAVEL

            Sar-El volunteers must have permission from their madrichot (& commanders) to travel to certain areas on the weekends due to security restrictions. Sometimes travel is denied due to the location. Travel to Egypt (including Sinai) & Jordan (including Petra) is not allowed while someone is on the Sar-El program. These trips can be made after Sar-El. 

     17.   PROGRAM ACTIVITIES & TRIPS

             Trips & evening activities are part of the Sar-El program. The madrichot & the education soldiers spend a  lot of time planning these activities. Please tell your volunteers that it is not fair for them to just not show up for these programs. Of course special consideration will be made for special circumstances, but volunteers should not plan to visit their friends & family during the week unless there is a wedding, bar mitzvah, or special occasion.  They have plenty of time on the weekends.

The new weekly schedule is generally as follows: during the first week of a program, there is no trip; during the second week of a program, there is a day trip; during the third week, there is an “after work” trip.  This is based on a 3 week “program” beginning with the scheduled program start date. Please advise the volunteers that there may be changes to the schedule. The work week ends on a Thursday. Volunteers should be prepared to stay at hotels (or Beit Oded if it is available) Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights and return to the base on Sunday.

           18. WEEKEND TOURS

There are no “organized” weekend tours at this time. Suggestions: 1) Call Yair for private tours for individuals or small groups. 054-423-1736   or e-mail at yair_maz@netvision.net.il

2) Ben Harim Tours—they give 10% discount for Sar-El volunteers  (03-546-8870). Volunteers can choose the tours when they are here. They must deal directly with the company. 

    19.  PROSELYTIZING, DRUGS & ALCOHOL OR OTHER INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

             If anyone does any of these things, he will be dismissed from the program immediately.  We have been having a lot of problems lately with "subtle" proselytizing. Please make sure that your volunteers understand that they cannot talk about their religion in any way which may be construed as trying to impart one's beliefs on someone else or which is intended to be persuasive or which is  offensive. The  best thing is to tell your volunteers NOT to talk about religion or religious issues.  This is a very delicate issue & there is a fine line between what is acceptable & what is unacceptable.

We have been having some problems with this issue lately. Please make sure your volunteers understand  that if they do or say anything which makes other people feel uncomfortable or if they pass out or leave literature on the base, they will be asked to leave the program. 

Volunteers will also be dismissed from the program if they exhibit any other inappropriate behavior such as not following base rules, not listening to madrichot’s instructions, swearing, talking back or arguing with the madrichot, causing dissention among the other volunteers, acting inappropriately toward the other volunteers. The volunteers who come to Sar-El are adults and they are expected to act like adults.             

     20.  CONTACT INFORMATION

Make sure all volunteers have my phone number—0528-219945  (to call from abroad—972-528-219945).  They should always call me when they arrive & are settled to reconfirm pickup times, etc.                                                

 

     21.  PASSPORTS

Any volunteer holding an Israeli passport in addition to another one must bring both passports. We need the non- Israeli passport to register the person for Sar-El.  Upon entering & leaving Israel, he will be asked to present his Israeli passport.

Before volunteers travel, they must make sure that their passports expire at least 6 months after their flight date. Verify with the airline for specific information. 

      22. TRAVEL TO ISRAEL

Tell your volunteers NOT to travel to Israel via Jordan or Egypt. They will probably only get a 1 month visa instead of the usual 3 month visa. If they try to extend their visa, the Minister of Interior may refuse. Sar-El has no say in this matter—it is up to the Minister of Interior office.  There is extensive questioning of people entering Israel at these borders (more than the usual questioning at Ben Gurion).   If they want to travel to these countries, tell them to do it after Sar-El.   

       23. BEIT ODED

Volunteers cannot stay at Beit Oded until they have begun the program. Thus a volunteer who arrives early cannot stay at Beit Oded. 

       24. CREDIT CARDS/MONEY/TRAVELERS’ CHECKS

Tell volunteers to check their ATM cards before they leave home to make sure they will work in Israel. Volunteers should also advise their credit card company as to how long the volunteer will be in Israel. Travelers’ checks are not always easy to cash. ATM cards are advisable. Banks are closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

 25.  ALTERNATE SERVICE

 The Sar-El  Alternative Service Program

Do you know anyone who wishes to visit Israel but can't because of their status with the military?

Do you know anyone who would like to help the IDF?

Maybe you know someone who would enjoy doing both – Contact Sar-El to find out if the Alternative Service Program is the answer!

Background on the Alternative Service

The Sar-El program is aimed at Israeli citizens living abroad who did not serve in the Israeli Army and who are over 27 years old.  The objective of the Sar-El Alternative Service Program is to finalize the status of the volunteer with the Israeli Army.  

What exactly is Sar-El?

Sar-El is an Army unit which operates in conjunction with a civilian organization.  Its purpose is to recruit volunteers from both Israel and the rest of the world to help the IDF.  If, as an Israeli living abroad, you decide to volunteer through the Sar-El Alternative Service, you will be assigned volunteer work in one of the Army bases in Israel.  By completing the volunteering period successfully, your status with the military will be resolved and you will be able to enter and leave Israel without restrictions. 

The Sar-El unit places volunteers in various Army bases throughout Israel.

What sort of volunteer work will I do?

We offer a variety of volunteer programs, ranging from working in the IDF warehouses and doing maintenance work to providing computer training and administrative jobs.

The type of work that will be assigned to volunteers will be based on the requirements of the IDF, the volunteer's professional background, skills and experience.
How do I arrange to volunteer through Sar-El?

First, you will have to contact 'Minhal Hagius' on +972-3-5699427 and request to finalize your status with the military.  You will need to receive a letter from 'Minhal Hagius' stating that you are eligible for the Alternative Service Program.

Second, you will have to contact us at Sar-El (see contact info below) at least two weeks prior to your arrival so that we can make all the necessary arrangements for you.

Finally, you will have to contact your local consulate to confirm your flight dates and numbers.

To contact Sar-El for the Alternative Program, you can either contact us by phone:

Tel (1): +972-3-681-3429

Tel (2): +972-3-682-9740

Or you can send us an email to: sar_el@netvision.net.il

What do I need to bring with me?

Once we have discussed your volunteering and you have finalized your participation through your local consulate you will have to bring with you the following items:

• ID ('Tehudat Zehut')
• Passport
• Medical Insurance Coverage for your stay in Israel (mandatory)
• Personal belongings for a period of at least three weeks

Prior to coming to Israel, you will also have to inform your local consulate about the dates of your arrival and departure so that we can arrange for you to travel without restrictions.

You should also contact 'Minhal Hagius' (Tel: +972-3-569-9427) to ensure your status is approved and to receive additional details about your service. You will receive a letter from the Consulate or 'Minhal Hagiyus' stating the details about your service. 

How do I Start the Alternative Program on Sar-El?

You will need to visit our office, located at 111 Jerusalem Boulevard, Yafo.  You will have an interview with the Commander / Deputy Commander / Israeli Volunteers Officer before you are sent to the location of your volunteer work (which could be in any one of our IDF bases).

What else do I need to know about the volunteering?

The volunteer has to remain in the Army base throughout the week (including weekends and holidays) , except in special cases when the volunteer may get permission to stay elsewhere (home, relatives' home, etc).

The volunteer is reimbursed travel expenses at the beginning of the program and at the end.

What happens at the end of my volunteer work?

At the end of your service you will return to our office in Yafo for another interview.  You will then receive a confirmation in writing from the Sar-El Commander if you have finished your volunteer work successfully.  This confirmation resolves your open status with the Army.

Can my friends do it too?

YES! 

Do you know anyone else who wishes to visit Israel but can't because of their status with the military?

Do you know anyone else who would like to help the IDF?

If you know any other Israelis who need to resolve their status with the Army, please let them know about our program (our web site is www.Sar-El.org).  Let everybody know so that others can do the same too. 

      26. CELLULAR PHONES 

If a volunteer wants to be in contact with people in Israel or back home, he/she should rent a cell phone. 

Phone cards for public phones are available at the airport and stores BUT some bases do not have public

phones. Cell phones are not that expensive and it is easy to rent one in advance before coming to Israel.

 

 Phones can be rented at the airport from PELEPHONE.

 

The following companies offer favorable rental rates to Sar-El. Contact them for information or to order phones.

 

AMIGO

1-888-264-4687

www.amigo-usa.com/sar-el

 

ISRAEL PHONES

1-800-721-111

US OFFICE—1-866-8-ISRAEL

info@israelphones.com

www.israelphones.com

 

 

As always, thank you very much for all of your hard work,

             

Pamela Lazarus,

Program Coordinator

Sar-El

pamela@sar-el.org

(+972) 528-219-945 (cell)

(In Israel) 0528-219-945 (cell)

(+972) 3-681-7442 (office)

(+972) 3-681-9098 (fax)

Please visit: www.sar-el.org