Current Opportunities

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES IN ISRAEL

Sar-El Program

Sar- EI program is a unique adventure, a travel opportunity of a lifetime, an inexpensive way to experience Israel, an insider’s view of Israeli life. It proposes to achieve its goals by encouraging volunteers from around the world to come to Israel for a number of weeks where they will experience one or more of the following: work in nursing homes; work in I.D.F warehouse; guided tours of interesting locations in Israel; lectures on Jewish and Israeli topics; shabbat hospitality. Contact Shalom BC to be directed to the Sar- El B.C. contact.

Gideon Program

Gideon Program is the one-of-a-kind Israel experience you have been looking for, a program that takes you beyond the headlines, offering you an in-depth, unique opportunity to volunteer in a spectrum of Israeli organizations; tour the country; and most importantly, give to - and of- yourself with the people of Israel, day by day. You will be volunteering for four-to-eight week periods, and hosted in a range of Netanya hotels. Group members share their experiences and love for Israel in a wide range of public institutions across the country.

Kibbutz Program Centre 

If you're looking for a great and inexpensive way to visit Israel and take part in a unique alternative community...then Kibbutz Volunteering is the program for you! You will be expected to work shoulder to shoulder with your Israeli co-workers and perform work of a physical nature in agriculture, industry and service branches. You will be working 7 to 8 hours a day, 6 days a week. In return, you will receive free accommodation on the Kibbutz and share a room with 2 to 4 people, 3 meals a day and free laundry service.

 

LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES

Vancouver Rape Relief & Women’s Shelter

Needed: Women to come for one weekend day (Saturday OR Sunday 9.00 – 4.00) to help us clean our transition house so it will be pleasant for the women who are staying there. It’s a great opportunity for women who want to support battered women but having a too busy life to commit to an ongoing task. The next maintenance weekend is June 27 – 28. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Jewish Museum & Archives

The Education & Programs department requires an Exhibit Interpreter. Docents serve as interpreters of museum exhibits and artefacts for visiting groups. Must be comfortable speaking to large groups and able to memorize exhibit information and docent scripts. Seeking a docent fluent in French. Teaching experience also an asset. Time: weekday mornings on an occasional basis only.

JFSA General Volunteering

JFSA client with physical disability needs help once per month to carry bags home from the Food Bank at the Peretz Centre, once a month, on Thursday mornings to her home at Broadway and Commercial. Bus or car O.K.

JCC Isaac Waldman Library

Learn new skills, meet new people! Computer literate volunteers required to work with the public and on library projects.

Volunteer urgently required for: Wednesdays from 4.00 – 8.00 pm. Ideal for students

Langley Arts Council

Arts and Culture Reporter

Volunteer required to keep abreast of arts/cultural/heritage issues and to provide updates to an online audience. As a volunteer, you must be able to know how to find information quickly, and be able to write about it in a timely way. This position requires an interest in the arts and the desire to learn more. Proficiency with the computer and online forms is also necessary. Since this volunteer position is dependent on online information and submissions, it can be done from home. A short writing sample will be requested.

Writer/Reviewer

Are you interested in the arts? Do you enjoy sharing your opinion with others? An arts organization in Langley is looking for a writer/reporter to attend arts, cultural, and heritage events, and then to write about it for an online reading audience, and possibly a future print publication. The ideal person must have time and enjoy going to events, feel comfortable expressing his/her ideas in written format, and be able to take photographs with a digital camera. Professional writing/reporting experience not necessary but familiarity with online and digital formats is important. A short writing sample will be required.

Photographer/Videographer

Looking for an experienced photographer/videographer to capture images of arts and culture events for a not-for-profit organization. These images will be used to promote local artists/arts groups, and the benefits of arts and culture, to the community. Must be able to work in a digital format and have quick turn around time.

Kol Halev Performance Ensemble

This is a community ensemble of multitalented performers dedicated to portraying Jewish historical stories and culture through innovative dance, song, script and music. Volunteers required for: Theatre Arts Office Administration - one or two people to work out of a Kerrisdale location. Flexible days and times. Good organizational skills an asset. If anyone can assist with grant writing and fundraising we would like to hear from you too. Volunteer Coordinator also required. For your services, enjoy free performances and cast parties.

JCC Seniors Department

Bridge Program assistant - help the bridge games run smoothly by setting up the coffee urns, making sure there is a supply of clean cups, etc. and play a few hands if someone drops out of the game. Every Thursday from 10.00 a.m. - 3.00 p.m. If interested but the time is too long, shorter hours can be arranged.

The JCC Seniors Department invites you to join their volunteer team for daytime events. Opportunities may include assistance with food preparation, baking, phoning program participants. All ages welcome. Flexible commitment. Free parking when volunteering.

Shalom BC Information, Referral & Welcome Service

If you are computer literate, enjoy meeting people, answering enquiries, researching information, welcoming newcomers and would enjoy being a part of the Shalom BC team, we can offer you morning or afternoon shifts from Monday to Friday. Minimum: 2 shifts per month.

The Shalom BC Newsletter needs an Editor. If you enjoy writing and collecting articles for our new online newsletter, please let us know.

Internet surfer required to research interesting facts, activities, and information for our website.

Ahavat Olam Synagogue

Assist with "Feed the Hungry" - a joint Moslem/Jewish project for the Downtown Eastside held once a month.

Jewish Museum & Archives of BC

The Jewish Museum & Archives is seeking energetic volunteers to assist with our many programs. There are many opportunities for anyone who enjoys working with people, has a love of Jewish history, or would like to learn more about it. We offer great training and orientation sessions to help you in your chosen task. Volunteer positions include:

  • Reception Desk Assistants
  • Museum Docent
  • School Program Education Assistant
  • Historic Walking Tour Guide
  • Archives Assistant
  • Oral History Interviewer
  • Assistant Curator
  • Artifact Researcher

JCC Preschool/Daycare

Help required with childcare programs twice a week. Great opportunity to gain experience in early childhood education.

Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver

On call receptionist required.

JCC Children's Department

Participate in children's programs at the JCC - Mon. to Fri. daytime, some Sundays.

Coast Mental Health - Bridge to Recovery

Coast's Yaffa House is currently looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to work with the Jewish clients in a variety of positions, including socialization, recreation, outings, etc.

Jewish Family Service Agency

There are many opportunities for volunteering at the JFSA:

Monthly Seniors Lunch- set the table, help serve, socialize, and clean up (cook, if interested)

Vancouver Seniors Lunch Club - pick up and drop off seniors at their homes, either before or after the lunch

Social visits with seniors - schmooze, have a cup of tea, listen to stories

Kosher Meals on Wheels - pick up Kosher meals from the JFSA office and deliver them to seniors' homes

Comfort Kits - Deliver 'comfort kits' to bereaving families

Drive to appointments - pick up seniors, drive them to medical appointments, wait for them and drop off back at home

Community Garden - assistance to build garden structures such as fences and food beds. Help younger participants grow and pick the food

Deliver Welcome Baskets - call a newcomer to plan a mutual time to drop off a welcome basket at their home (gift package including Judaica items, coupons and information about the Jewish community)

Help new immigrants with the English language - provide one on one with a newcomer to help with speaking and/or writing the English language

Tutoring/mentoring immigrant school/university age students - help newcomer students with school homework. Welcome, educate, and involve students.

Jewish Family Service Agency - volunteers required to add name to a roster of drivers/physical workers who can volunteer during office hours and be on-call when an immediate need arises, e.g. assist the food bank driver to load/unload food parcels, help move a client, etc.

Books to Go Services - you will work with another volunteer to choose books from the Isaac Waldman Library (JCC) and put them on a trolley together with CD's and videos and walk over to the Louis Brier/Weinberg residence to set up the "Books to Go" services. Previous library experience an asset but a love of books a must! Alternate Wednesdays from 10.00 am - 1.30 pm.

Louis Brier Home & Hospital and the Weinberg Residence

Various weekly opportunities including:

Monday afternoon shopping at Oakridge with the Louis Brier residents (transportation on the Louis Brier bus) 1.30 pm - 3.30 pm.

Monday evenings movie night at the Louis Brier 6.30 pm - 8.15 pm.

Wednesday afternoon shopping at Oakridge and cultural outings with the Weinberg Resdience 1.30 pm - 3.30 pm

Thursday morning rehabilitation department exercise group 10.00 - 11.00 pm

On call:  If you are able to be an 'on call' volunteer for last minute tasks, such as Bingo calling, shopping trips, etc., please let us know.

Visit with residents; organize library books, photo albums, assist with recreation programs - all help will be appreciated


**For more information on the above opportunities, please contact: Judy Stern, Shalom BC Volunteer Centre 604-257-5181**

**Email: judys@shalombc.org**