LIVE IN
BUENOS AIRES
VOLUNTEER
MAKE AN IMPACT
Multi-Week Global Jewish Service Corps | ARGENTINA
Connect with Latin America’s largest Jewish population and help support local social welfare organizations such as a soup kitchen, community medicine bank and pre-school for at-risk children.
ABOUT JDC IN LATIN AMERICA
Argentina is home to Latin America’s largest Jewish population, being the 7th largest Jewish population in the world. A prosperous community for most of its history, which dates back to the Spanish and Portuguese inquisitions, Argentina’s Jews were devastated by the 2001 economic crisis that turned middle-class families into “the new poor” virtually overnight.
JDC responded immediately and efficiently to the Jewish community’s sizeable needs, leveraging decades-long partnerships to expand existing relief services to aid those hit hardest by the crisis. Today, fifteen years after the financial crisis, Argentina’s Jewish community is nearly self-sufficient, with the local Jewish institutions’ overall health largely restored. As a result, JDC is phasing out of its responsibility to provide emergency relief and has resumed its historic role in Argentina as a community-development expert.
VOLUNTEER PLACEMENTS
LE DOR VA’DOR
Le Dor Va’ Dor is an old age home for elderly members of the Argentinian Jewish community. Fellows assist residents with art based occupational therapy and other programs as needed.
SHOLEM SCHOOL
The Sholem School is a kindergarten for at-risk youth in Buenos Aires. Fellows assist teachers in the classroom and can work with specific children who need extra attention.
TZEDAKA
FOUNDATION
Tzedaka runs a pharmacy that provides much needed medications to Jews and non-Jews in Buenos Aires. Fellows work alongside elderly Jewish community members who volunteer to help organize and operate the pharmacy.
OTHER
OPPORTUNITIES
Serving food and spending time in innovative soup kitchen
Being companions to Holocaust survivors in local program
*JDC Global Leadership Grants JDC does not want the cost of the program to prevent your participation. If you are unable to contribute the full participation fee, we encourage you to apply for a JDC Global Leadership Grant (see JDC Global Leadership Grant section of online application). JDC willaward JDC Global Leadership Grants to a select number of participants on an as-need basis. Your decision to apply for a JDC Global Leadership Grant will not impact selection decisions. Beyond applying for a JDC Global Leadership Grant, we also encourage you to fundraise to cover the cost of your participation. We are happy to provide guidance as you reach out to friends and family to seek donations for this worthwhile experience.
Program Dates:
October 14-December 16,2016
Application Deadline:
September 9,2016
Desired Qualifications:
• Strong leadership, communication skills, and capacity for independent work
• Background or passion for working with vulnerable populations
• Experience working with young children and or elderly
• Basic Spanish is a must
Participation Fee: $2,600 (Global Leadership Grants available)* This includes:
• Comprehensive health and emergency medical evacuation insurance
• Housing
• Volunteer placement
• Program activities
This does not include:
• Roundtrip airfare to and from Argentina
• Visa
• Meals
• Any personal expenses
Fill out this form if you're interested in applying!
WHAT ARE PARTICIPANTS SAYING
“I spent several months in Buenos Aires with the JDC volunteering at a progressive preschool (supported by the local Jewish community) with the children of immigrants. My experience there was both life changing and the opportunity of a lifetime, allowing me to become a part of my students’ families. It opened my heart, learning to value the mores of my host country and learning how different but also similar we all are. These are lessons I will carry with me always.”
“My experience in Buenos Aires, Argentina was a very meaningful experience. I got to have a real life impact on the community of Buenos Aires, and to impact the families, hospital and municipalities who I worked to provide access to medications. I support JDC and Tzedaka in all their endeavors in improving healthcare and the education of people living in BA. I am very proud and have been privileged to have this opportunity.”
“As a JDC Multi-Week Fellow in Argentina I learned that aid is not just material. I saw and felt that in the community soup kitchen in NCI, a smile, a kiss, or a kind look can be very significant and important for human beings.”