Program Reviews

Livnot was an amazing experience that I chose to participate in after my Birthright trip was over. I knew I wanted to extend my stay in Israel, and Livnot was the perfect choice for me. We did volunteer work around the community that was fun and laid-back, and I met great people and learned so much.

We went as part of a group for community service from University of Miami and had a fantastic time. It was a great opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to find out more about people living in israel and to meet others and to hike the land. It really was the perfect combination. What made the program extra special was the phenomenal staff. Thank you

I was nervous in going to Israel - I wasn't sure what to expect, if it would be welcoming, if I would be "Jewish" enough. But Livnot became a second home for me in those short weeks - a place for friendship, spiritual questioning, and so so much learning. The staff was a great part of that - they all made a particular effort to entertain any thought, to allow conversation to flow.

We visited all the great sights - an afternoon at the Wailing Wall and Shabbat in Tsvat were highlights - and through it all, it was a question of not just the history but personal meaning.

I highly recommend this organization, whatever your journey's intent.

I went on birthright with Livnot in 2009. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I loved the fact that I was still able to help the needy and excavate Tzfat while also learning about my culture. The people on the trip were awesome, too.

If you're looking for a really meaningful way to get involved in Israel and simultaneously do some soul/self-searching, Livnot is it. You volunteer in the heart of the community, doing organic gardening and composting, excavating and rebuilding ancient sites, working with local children and families, and so much more. The hiking is absolutely gorgeous, with amazing, knowledgable guides. You'll meet some of the coolest and most interesting people in the country. And you will learn so much about Judaism, history, and YOURSELF!! The campus is located in the very center of Tzfat's Old City, so you get to know a very special, spiritual place in Israel where most travelers only spend a few hours. I can't stress how great this program is and how dedicated the entire staff is to making sure volunteers get the very most out of their experience. Livnot has a HUGE presence in the Tzfat community for a good reason! You can make a difference in the world and in yourself. Highly highly highly recommend.

Awesome and fun time, community service is meaningful and the hikes where great! Really gives a sense of community, we cook together we eat together, and we have fun together. Would recommend this program to all of my friends!

By far the best program I have ever been on. I never expected to feel and become part of a community in such a short amount of time. The staff working at Livnot couldn't have been any better. Each day the themes we focused on (amazement, tikkun olam, community) allowed me to be more conscious of the reasons I choose to participate in a program that gave back to the community. The most memorable part of the program for me was definitely the Shabbat experiences. Letting Shabbat in with our singing while watching the sunrise was incredible and no picture or video could EVER capture its beauty, everyone was just enjoying it in the moment. One of the most important things I took back from this trip is to be amazable and to surround yourself with amazable people that are able to appreciate the things that are often overlooked. Livnot was an unforgettable experience and I am already planning on returning soon. I hope more people have the honor to visit such an incredible community that Livnot offers. Mamash amazing.

I did not have many expectations for the program as I knew very little about it and have never really spent time volunteering before, especially for two consecutive weeks. But the staff were amazing, and engaging and the two weeks were filled with hikes, truly inspiring conversations, Jewish learning and just a variety of activities like pottery painting, Kabbalah, as well as volunteering in really rewarding places like seniors' homes, Ethiopian absorption camp, park recreation and so on.

The experiences which come from Livnot U'lihibunot are enriching for the soul as well as for the volunteer. Although geared toward young Jews looking for their spiritual identity, there are never any moments where one is felt pressured or pushed into a religious environment. The spiritual aspects to the program include self-introspection and background on different spiritual practices, such as Kabbalah. Tzfar, the city the program takes place in, is the place of origin for Kabbalah and is therefore deeply rooted in the mystical practices, which one can feel from a mile away. The volunteer work I completed while there included working with Ethiopian kids by teaching them English, re-building bomb shelters, incorporating environmental concerns by excavating ancient green spaces which are now being converted into parks, interacting with seniors at an elderly home in Israel, re-constructing a resident's bathroom after an explosion had occurred, hiking into waterfalls, and other wonderful causes.
The program is a wonderful value and should be considered by anyone looking to have a thoughtful, fulfilling experience. Ideal for the adventerous traveler.