Volunteers

We are continuously looking for volunteer candidates for the next year's programs. We need an English speaking office worker (Finnish a plus), and perhaps some other staff members. Look at the details below for more information about the different positions we might need to fill. If you feel qualified and motivated to do such work, please send all the relevant information to the Home. 

  Application

If you are interested in volunteering with us, we would ask you to send in the following information as an introduction:

1. Send us an email or letter (contact info can be found under "Contacts"), including your full name, address, phone number or email, occupation, nationality, date of birth, country of birth, medical concerns, languages fluently spoken, gender and marital status.

2. Please describe your past and present activities in relation to the volunteer position you are applying for.

3. Share a brief version of your testimony.

  Volunteers duties, hours, time off, pocket money

So you are thinking of becoming a volunteer at the Home for Bible Translators in Israel. There are just a few words to let you know what you are signing up for and to relieve some of the stress of thinking about working in a different land with a different culture.

We have four volunteer positions that may need to be filled for aech year: office manager, driver/handyman, cook, housekeeper/assistant cook. The job descriptions for each position are not set in stone. Many times the office manager may have to drive, fix something, wash floors and/or help cut vegetables. The office manager serves as a liaison between the volunteers, students, potential students and guests. The position is responsible for keeping the databases, spreadsheets, email and snail mail and finances in order. Usually you will be washing dishes, answering the telephone, taking messages, picking up mail from the post office box, light office work and housekeeping and turning off lights and locking up at night.

The driver is responsible for taking students to the Hebrew University in the morning and picking them up from the university in the afternoon. He is also responsible for driving the students on field trips and sometimes to church services. Once a week, the driver will take the cooks to the market and assist in grocery shopping. This position demands a mature driver with excellent driving skills. He must be responsible and able to drive a mini-van filled with 11 students.

The cook is responsible for preparing three meals a day except for Saturday. The position includes shopping for groceries at the neighboring Arab village (Abu Ghosh), at the main bazaar in Jerusalem (Mahane Yehuda), and at the supermarket in Talpiot. The cook will also be responsible for supervising and assisting the students as they wash the dishes after each meal.

The housekeeper’s main purpose is to keep the Home in clean condition. This means light housekeeping on a daily basis and supervision of the main cleaning (by students) on Friday mornings. The housekeeper will also act as hostess to any visitors. In addition, the position requires assisting the cook in the preparation of meals.

Working in Israel is very different than in Western countries. There are no set times. Sometimes early morning or late evening work will be required. The Home will try its best to schedule one free day per week for each volunteer. Unfortunately, it may not fall on the same day each week, nor may it coincide with the free day of other volunteers.

The Home for Bible Translators will try to provide pocket money for each volunteer on a monthly basis. Currently, volunteers receive 400 shekels (about US$100) a month. The Home will also try to arrange it so volunteers can accompany the students on field trips if seating is available.

Climate in Israel

Summer - From May through October, the weather in spring, summer, and fall is usually hot and dry with temperatures ranging from 15 to 32 degrees Celsius, and in some parts of the country up to 50 degrees Celsius. There is no rain in the summer. Wearing a hat is essential to prevent sunstroke and dehydration. One should always carry a water bottle if going on a field trip or even a trip to town. Good sunglasses and sunscreen are also important.

Winter - From November through March or April, the weather is often rainy and temperatures range from freezing to 15 degrees Celsius. Be prepared to dress warmly and be ready for rain. Long waterproof rain coats are a must, especially since the rains are accompanied by strong winds. Umbrellas are useful when it is not too windy. The Home does not have central heating, therefore thermal undergarments are recommended.

  What to bring

Pack lightly. If you are coming in the summer, it is best to bring light colored cotton clothes.

Long-Term
1. Washcloths
2. Converter/adapters for your hair dryers, etc...
3. Summer clothing: sunglasses and a hat are a must; clothing (cotton is best because it is coolest), skirts for women (longer and full); pants, walking shorts (knee length), shirts/tops, (Short skirts, short shorts, halters and tank tops are not appropriate for women in Arab or Orthodox Jewish cultures. Blouses and shirts with elbow length sleeves are appropriate.) light jacket or sweatshirt for cool evenings. (Women bring more than one pair of long pants or a skirt that will slip on over other clothing.) Bring one dress-up outfit.
4. Shoes: comfortable, sturdy walking shoes. (Thongs are impractical and dangerous on stone.) Sturdy sandals are popular.
5. Bathing suit
6. Sewing kit
7. Small Bible for your backpack (if you do any day trips), Hebrew Bible and any helpful materials/notes that you may have that you think will make your studies more efficient. All of these can be purchased in Israel
8. Cassette walkman (with radio) for listening to lessons and practicing Hebrew. Bring extra batteries.
9. Clock (battery operated or wind up only)
10. Camera and film. Film is very expensive in Israel. Bring extra film and camera battery
11. Notebook and pen
12. Eye glass prescriptions
13. An adequate supply of any prescription drugs you currently take
14. An adequate supply of medications for common problems such as sore throat, cough, cold, insect bites, diarrhea, headaches & sunburn
15. Toiletries (much cheaper to purchase in your home country than in Israel). It's better to bring too much and leave here in Israel than bring too little
16. A backpack for day trips

Do not bring unnecessary valuables!

  Other Information

Electric current in Israel is 50 cycles, 220 volts. Small converter-adapters, capable of 1,500 watt conversion, are adequate for use with shavers and hand hair dryers.

Major currencies are easily exchanged anywhere in Israel. Major credit cards are also widely accepted.

Traveler’s checks are accepted in Israel. Since a bank fee is charged for cashing each check, denominations of $50s and $100s are preferable to $10s and $20s. Cash receives a higher exchange rate than checks.