Have a question that’s not in here? Feel free to contact us.
Have a question that’s not in here? Feel free to contact us.
Yes, Livnot U’Lehibanot is a tax deductible organization in Israel: Seif 46 File #: 580069912. American Friends of Livnot U’Lehibanot is a 501(c)(3) tax deductible organization: Tax ID #: 13-3500786
We are a non-denominational organization offering Jewish identity programs with an emphasis on community service, nature, hiking, and spirituality. Our alumni walk in all streams of Jewish life and you can read a few of their stories here.
Livnot U’Lehibanot (pronounced: leev-note oo-leh-hee-bah-note) is Hebrew for ‘To Build and Be Built.’ The name refers to the physical volunteering and creative learning process on which all of our programs are based, which is that you can best discover and build up yourself by helping and building up others. We bring this philosophy to life mostly through volunteer activities with local Israelis and community bonding with your fellow participants.
Our Israel Experience Programs (Onward Israel: Galilee Trek & Connect and Northern Exposure), are for ages 21-30.
If it’s a good fit in every other way, we won’t hold your exact date of birth against you. After applying, there is a personal phone interview where we swap questions and find out together if this program is right for you. If you are under 20, please do not apply but keep us in mind for the future.
Our programs are geared for a slightly older, young adult, crowd. Check with your local Jewish Federation for ideas on suitable Israel programs.
We work in cooperation with many other non-profit and social service organizations in and around Tzfat to volunteer as a group where help is most needed. This includes renovating apartments of the disabled or disadvantaged, creating green spaces, working in food/clothing banks, absorption center for Ethiopian immigrants, preserving 16th century archaeological discoveries, the senior living center, child development center at Ziv Hospital, and much more. Participants do not pick individual projects, rather we work in a group, as a team, in the places that most need our help during the program dates.
Northern Exposure programs begin every Sunday afternoon during the summer and winter program seasons. We’ve found that it’s not ideal for group dynamics to introduce new people in the middle. Many of our Birthright-extending participants also have a few days in between and often find new friends from their trip to make plans with, including revisiting sites that you wish you’d spent more than a couple of hours at, lounging at the beach in Tel Aviv or staying at the Heritage House or Avraham’s Tent in the Old City of Jerusalem. Talk with other people on your trip to see what others are planning and what sounds good to you. It is a good idea to have a few down days after your Birthright trip to rest and recover.
Stumped the FAQ? Great! We love questions. Write to us here.