Livnot U'lehibanot - Volunteer Programs in Israel

I stumbled upon Livnot U'Lehibanot by luck after my initial plans in Israel fell through. My experiences at Livnot ended up being exactly the kind of summer adventure that I wanted. The people, scenery, work and community were incredible. I wish I could do Livnot U'Lehibanot every summer.

Livnot was an amazing experience. I did Birthright ten years prior and left with mixed feelings. I didn't like being in bus for ten straight days nor did i like feeling that Judaism was being pushed on me. Livnot was so different. I interacted with the community (locally in Tsfat and within Livnot) as well as the land regularly. Livnot attracts good people- people who feel okay about leaving their comforts for an opportunity to explore, learn and serve. I had some deep conversations and spiritual moments while on this program. I really recommend it.

If you are thinking about extending your Birthright trip or just going to Israel and spending some time in the magical land of Tzfat with Amazing people doing Amazing things, then this is your program.

Look no further, because in Livnot you will be living in a house full of light and you will be projecting this light onto wherever you volunteer and hike.

I went to livnot last year during the summer, and all the memories from that journey are amazing (cooking all of us together, volunteering, cleaning dishes all together, singing, and helping out the community). I could not have asked for a better way to spend my time there.
Happy Travels!

This was a life changing 7 weeks. I lived with a host family in Matagalpa, Nicaragua and they treated me as if I was their own daughter. As a community, we began a small library for the school. My partner and I really got to know the community through 2 hour lessons about the topics such as the environment, nutrition, etc. that we had with local students. I always felt completely safe. I would recommend this program to absolutely anyone who was willing to be away from home for seven weeks and have an incredible adventure.

I went on this program when I had a break with my other volunteer program. The city of Tzfat where Livnot is located is magical and the Livnot campus is the same. Overlooking the valley it truly is breathtaking and serene.
I got to spend 2 weeks with Livnot and they packed in so much! We got to go hiking, to a winery, and explore Tzfat. The people who work at Livnot are dedicated and very easy going. They make you feel very welcomed and the atmosphere is cozy.
Not only did the group and I have great adventures we also helped out the local community in various ways. We helped build up the local park, painted the inside of someones house, help tile the local high school and when a city worker accidentally contaminated half of Tzfat's drinking water, we all helped hand deliver fresh water to people who could not leave their house.
This program is a combination of volunteering, exploring, spirituality and overwhelming joy!

Simply put, the greatest decision I've made in my life.

I arrived at Livnot on a one-way ticket after reconsidering my life (to date) in the US; I though of Livnot, and Israel, as a short stop on my global itinerary. However, 1 month later (way longer than I had planned), I was seriously considering staying for good.

Hiking, community service, the people, the land, the city...everything comes together perfectly.
My only regret is having to leave at the end.

I have been gone from the magic city of Tsfst for almost a year and I still feel like I have more of a connection and community in tsfat than I do in any other place in the world. The staff, volunteers, and families involved in this program have forever impacted my life. I have nothing but great, positive things to say about this program

Livnot U"Lehibanot in english means, To Build and To Be Built. Along with physical building within their wonderfully structured community service program, they also inspire community and spiritual "building." There is a language within building, and that is the language of the soul. Livnot reminds participants about the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam--Healing the World. In several of the program's chavrut, or study sessions, we were encouraged to consider that each person is a world. So if we are each a world, how then do we perceive building ourselves, the community, and the bigger picture, the world at large? I am deeply inspired by Livnot's work, and hope to stay connected with their community. As well as creating an inspiring environment, Livnot also cultivated a safe environment, where I felt *home*. For me, this feeling of home is so sacred, and I strive to cultivate it here. now. always.