Given the current conflict in the region, traveling to Israel, including Judea and Samaria (also known as the West Bank), requires careful consideration and a personal decision on if now is the right time for you to come to Israel. However, we encourage people to consider coming despite the ongoing war that Israel is fighting against their enemies. Your presence and support are profoundly meaningful to the Jewish people, especially during times of conflict. Standing with them not only offers practical assistance but also provides a powerful statement of solidarity and encouragement.

As you make your decision, it may be helpful to know that:

1. Our volunteer base camp is situated within secure areas protected by the Israeli military around the clock
2. There is a strong military presence on the roads and highways we use while volunteering and touring
3. Our volunteer base is located north of Jerusalem and is not in close proximity to either the Gaza border or the Lebanon border.
4. Despite the current situation, we are committed to doing everything in our power to ensure the safety and well-being of all volunteers that come to Israel for one of our programs.

Our grape harvest trips are for ages zero to 70. Please note that children under the age of 18 must come with a parent.

You should be physically fit and in good health to participate in this program. Applicants over the age of 60 may be asked for a signed letter from their doctor giving permission to travel internationally and participate in this program.

We do not accept volunteers for this trip over the age of 70. If you are 71 or older, we recommend that you check out our Heartland Experience trips.

For senior citizens who are under 71, please be aware that our volunteer work is mainly done on rocky mountainsides, and in the summer, it does get very hot. We encourage those who are coming to prepare themselves physically by spending time outside, taking walks, and getting some exercise in the weeks leading up to their Israel trip. If you are concerned that climbing hills and traversing steep, rocky terrain might be too strenuous for you, consider coming on one of our Heartland Experience trips. The workload is much lighter, it’s not in the summer heat, and you will still get the opportunity to do some volunteer service.

No vaccine is required. As of March 1, 2022, Israel is welcoming foreigners from abroad regardless of vaccination status or COVID recovery status.

No testing is required. As of May 20, 2022, all PCR testing and quarantine requirements have been lifted for foreigners entering Israel from abroad.

To be eligible for one of HaYovel’s programs, the country that issued your passport must be on Israel’s list of allowed, visa-exempt countries. If you hold a valid passport issued by one of these visa-exempt countries, you are eligible to apply for a trip with HaYovel.

Volunteer locations will be various small farms and vineyards throughout Judea and Samaria.

On your trip, you’ll have the chance to tour different biblical and historical sites that are in proximity to where we are volunteering. However, these trips are designed with a focus on volunteering, meeting the local people, and enabling each participant to make a valuable contribution to the land and people of Israel. Because of this, we don’t have a guaranteed itinerary or list of tour destinations. The only two planned tours include a visit to Elon Moreh and a day in Jerusalem.

Other well-known tour destinations such as the Sea of Galilee or the Dead Sea are not part of this trip.