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Volunteer Projects and Internships in the Middle East - Jerusalem
The holy city of Jerusalem is the largest city in Israel and Palestine in both population and area. Volunteering in Jerusalem is yet another way to travel to this famous area, as people have been doing for centuries in order to experience its vibrant religious, social, and cultural life. While Hebrew and Arabic are the national languages, most inhabitants of Israel speak English.
The Old City of Jerusalem is little more than half a mile wide, but has the highest density of important religious sites in the world: the Temple Mount, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque. Outside of the old city, Jerusalem is home to the most traditional Jewish neighborhood in the world, Me’ah She’arim. Israel’s political and judicial buildings, the Knesset and HaElyon, are in the neighborhood of Giv’at Ram. Western Jerusalem is full of modern restaurants, theaters and museums. Mount of Olives and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, one of the world’s leading universities, are situated in Eastern Jerusalem.
Projects in Jerusalem are available to anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world whether on a gap year, a summer placement, or a career break.
Volunteer work opportunities in Jerusalem
Israel is just over 60 years old, but is a world leader in technology, education, and science. Despite its success, Israel still faces major social obstacles. The Israeli Palestinian conflict, stemming from the 1948 Israeli war of Independence, prevents Israelis and Palestinians from living peacefully. The conflict hinders social, political, and financial advancement for both sides.
The Israeli Palestinian conflict is one of the most mediatized issues in the modern world. While many are willing to discuss the conflict at length, very few travel to Israel to experience it directly. Volunteers in Jerusalem have the unique opportunity to live and work among both Jews and Arabs, giving them even exposure to both cultures, and thus an equal understanding of the conflict. Most importantly Projects Abroad volunteers in Israel work in order to promote reconciliation and peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Arabs.
Volunteer Travel and Tourism in Israel and Palestine
During the weekends you can travel in and around Jerusalem to explore religious sites and cultural venues. In the Old City you can put a prayer in the cracks of the Western Wall, the last remaining structure from the Second Temple, listen and watch a call to prayer at the Plaza of the Dome of the Rock, where Muhammad ascended to heaven, and walk in the steps of Jesus to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where he was crucified. In the new city you can visit the Museum of Israel, home to the oldest Jewish manuscripts in existence, the Dead Sea Scrolls or the Museum on the Seam, an art gallery dedicated to the promotion of coexistence.
Because of Israel’s small size and Jerusalem’s central location, you can visit the rest of Israel easily by bus or train. Whether you are interested in archaeological sites, holy places, adventurous activities, or hanging out with the hip young crowds in the vibrant bars and cafes lining Tel Aviv’s beaches, it is well worth planning some extra travel time to explore the area further.
You can visit Bethlehem to see the ancient Church of the Nativity or go to Nazareth or Galilee. Famous for the unique experience of floating in its waters, you could go to the Dead Sea or hike to the nearby Masada fortress, perched on a steep cliff overlooking the salt pillar “Lot’s Wife” and one of Israel’s top attractions. The Red Sea has some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world or you could take a desert truck ride through the Judean desert.