What to expect before the volunteer placement
Placement
Volunteer Corps placements are determined by matching individual NGOs' needs with participants' skills, desired length of service and interests. Participants are matched with NGOs after they have been accepted and have formalized their commitment to the program. Participants may be placed in proximity to other AJWS volunteers, or on their own. Most placements are in capital cities or smaller regional cities, but we occasionally place participants in rural areas.
Learn more about AJWS's partner NGOs.
Please note: AJWS does not place volunteers with all of these NGOs, and also places volunteers with other like-minded NGOs that do not receive financial support from AJWS.
Orientation
All volunteers participate in an orientation prior to service. Those who will be serving in high-volume locations will attend a week-long orientation with other volunteers in their country of service; others will receive orientation at AJWS's New York office or over the phone. AJWS also provides country-specific pre-departure materials for all participants.
Every orientation includes:
- An introduction to AJWS and the work of our partner NGOs overseas
- Cross-cultural training and country-specific sessions
- A safety and security overview
- Jewish text study relating to international development using AJWS's core curriculum, Expanding the Universe of Obligation: Judaism, Justice and Global Responsibility
- Time to get to know other participants, partner NGO staff and AJWS staff






