“Ruach Tova” offers the most information about volunteering in Israel. So far there has been no concentration of information about the various volunteering opportunities in the country. “Ruach Tova” has established a unique startup, aiming at encouraging nationwide volunteering and increasing the volunteer pool. Until today one couldn't systematically locate a volunteer position to fit one's aspirations, abilities and wishes. Anyone who was willing to volunteer had to initiate contact and offer to volunteer in various organizations, without knowing whether they are currently in need of volunteers and whether they are able to use his or her skills and fulfill his or her wishes. "Ruach Tova" offers personal matching of volunteer activities through a single application. It connects the applier with an organization who's in need of volunteers and accompanies the volunteer, while attempting maximum suitability to the volunteer's will and abilities. If the offered volunteer position does not suit the volunteer, "Ruach Tova" will locate another volunteer position, until the volunteer is assigned and integrated in the organization, to the satisfaction of both the volunteer and the organization that needs him or her.

Turning directly to various organizations in order to offer to volunteer is now redundant. By turning once by phone, the Internet, fax or mail, and filling a short questionnaire, that tries to match the volunteer's will with a volunteer position, the volunteer can be connected with the proper position. "Ruach Tova" would locate a personally matched position for the volunteer and accompany him or her until the volunteer is assigned and integrated. "Ruach Tova" operates throughout the country and is able to connect between volunteers and various organizations according to the will of the volunteer, whether in the volunteer's place of residence, place of work, or anywhere else. If a volunteer wishes to change the form of his volunteering after a while, he or she may turn again to "Ruach Tova" and it will locate a new volunteer position.

"Ruach Tova" is funded by private donations and donations from the organization's partners. Some of the donations are monetary, some are of equal value. Every donation to "Ruach Tova" is meant for encouragement of volunteering and various projects and is not designated for salaries.

The "Ruach Tova" association deals in matching volunteer positions to those who wish to volunteer and directing them to volunteer positions. Nevertheless, the very activity of the association is carried out by a small number of both paid workers and volunteers who fill different roles in the association. If you are interested in volunteering in the organization please contact us and we'll be glad to serve you.

"Ruach Tova" values maintaining contact with volunteers who were assigned through it. In order to maintain productive, positive relationship, "Ruach Tova" cooperates with local volunteer coordinators, whose role, among others, is maintaining continuous contact with volunteers, even after directing them to volunteer organizations. The volunteer coordinator contacts the volunteer after the first and second meetings at the place of volunteering, in order to assure the volunteer's suitability and satisfaction. Even after that, the volunteer coordinator maintains contact, and is able to try helping about the volunteering, including matching a different volunteer position if the need rises.

Absolutely not. Unfortunately, Israel welfare services are not able to provide the immense needs in this area. Various associations and organizations try to fill the lack of manpower with volunteers. Volunteer activity is supplemental to that of paid workers and does not replace it, and most of the time is conducted in order to add activities to associations and organizations, that could not be realized without volunteer work.

Minimum time commitment is not required in order to volunteer through "Ruach Tova". One could find suitable volunteer activity even while working on a full time job. "Ruach Tova" would make every effort in order to find someone who is willing to volunteer for an activity that suits one's time limits and ability to contribute. For example, one can volunteer for unique, one-time projects that are published on the website; those do not require permanent time frames. One can volunteer from home or through one's work place. However, in order to take part in volunteer activity, permanent commitment and responsibility to complete one's obligation are required, and if the volunteer committed to work once in a period, he or she must do whatever they can in order to keep their commitment.

"Ruach Tova" is willing to cooperate with as many organizations and other volunteer bodies as possible, both in order to create a consistent, efficient volunteering network and in order to allow the widest variety possible of volunteer opportunities to those willing to volunteer. More and more organizations recognize the advantages of recruiting volunteers through "Ruach Tova" and join the vast pool of "Ruach Tova"'s registered organizations. However, "Ruach Tova" finds it important that the organizations to whom it directs volunteers maintain serious, responsible attitude towards volunteer activity in general and volunteers in particular. Therefore, not every organization or volunteer body can get volunteers through "Ruach Tova", only organizations and body who show serious attitude towards the volunteer activity they conduct.

"Ruach Tova" offers a most wide variety of volunteer areas. The main areas for volunteering are: Working with seniors; Working with adults; Working with children; Working with youths; Working with babies and toddlers; Working with animals; Working in the area of education; Working in the area of sports; Working with the mentally ill; Working with terror victims; Working with the handicapped; Working with the sick; Working in the area of arts; Working in the area of professional training; Working in the area of knowledge of the land and traveling; Working in the area of computers; Working in judicial aid; Working in human rights; And more. However, even if the candidate couldn't find an interesting area among those described above, we would be glad to meet the volunteer and together learn what would answer his or her expectations and find the most suitable area and place of volunteering.

Volunteers who are directed to volunteer work through "Ruach Tova" go through an initial interview with volunteer coordinators who are experienced in volunteering and are familiar with many organizations. In addition to the initial screening of volunteers, the interview raises the chances of matching the volunteers to the activity of the organization, as volunteers are told about the organization's activity and expectations are matched. Therefore, no significant surprises are to be expected by the volunteer and there's a good chance for him or her to integrate in the organization and keep up their work. Additionally, those who volunteer through "Ruach Tova" are told about volunteering in general, their rights, and about volunteering and the responsibility of volunteering in particular. "Ruach Tova" sees it's important to maintain continuous contact and cooperation with the organizations to which it directs volunteers. This relationship brings mutual benefit. For example, an organization may turn to "Ruach Tova" in a case of emergency and receive large numbers of volunteers for a one-time project. The local volunteer coordinator maintains contact with the organizations and holds periodical "round table" conferences for all organizations in the coordinator's geographical area and aids new volunteer initiatives. Additionally, "Ruach Tova" trains and guides volunteers, and holds an annual volunteers convention, helping to improve the professional level of the activity, to maintain the spirit of volunteering and to increase volunteer motivation.

The local volunteer coordinator maintains continuous contact with volunteers, especially at the beginning of their volunteer activity. The coordinator contacts the volunteer after the first meeting with the place offered to the volunteer, in order to assure the volunteer's satisfaction and suitability to the place. "Ruach Tova" takes into account cases of unsuitability or lack of satisfaction from volunteers at the places of volunteering where they were assigned, and vice verse. Such situations are natural and common. In cases of unsuitability or lack of satisfaction from volunteers at the organizations where they had been directed or vice verse, the volunteers may meet the volunteer coordinator again and, if they wish to, be reassigned, according to their preferences, while aspiring to make the best of past assignation experience.

Yes. Most volunteer activities do not require time commitment, and those who do, tell it clearly to the volunteer, prior to his or her volunteering. However, members of the organization to which you were assigned expect you to help, and we, as the association that connects volunteers and organizations, hope our volunteers treat the activities to which they were assigned seriously. If volunteers are still dissatisfied by their volunteer positions, or any other reason, they can always turn again to "Ruach Tova", and we will match them to an alternate volunteer position.

Certainly! "Ruach Tova" is glad to help groups and families to find volunteer opportunities together, while taking part in common activities. In that way, you could tighten family and friendship relations and enjoy them while engaging in volunteer activities and at the same time present children with a positive "model" for people and citizens. There are even places that need large numbers of volunteers and/or families.

The answer to this one is not unchanging, as it varies according to the various organizations and bodies. Some organizations cover the volunteer's expenses fully. Some do so partially, and some do not cover volunteers' expenses at all. Information about that subject is available through the local volunteer coordinator, who's familiar with the organizations in his or her area, and with their expenses coverage policy.

Most volunteer activities require nothing but good spirit and the readiness to give and help. However, some volunteer activities require special training. Sometimes this training is available through the volunteer organization (that hold training programs for its new volunteers, e.g. ERAN, aiding centers for rape and sexual assault victims); Some volunteer activities can only be conducted by those with special training (judicial aid, psychological aid, private computer lessons etc.). Detailed information is available on the website, under "I'd like to Volunteer".

Anyone who turns to volunteer through "Ruach Tova" is interviewed by a volunteer coordinator. The goal of the interview is to get to know the volunteer and the volunteer's preferences and to match him or her with a suitable volunteer position according to the volunteer's skills, experience, options and more. At the interview the volunteer may receive information about optional volunteer places, positions and any questions about the type and character of the required volunteer activity.

"MATAN – Your Way to Give" organization works together with "Ruach Tova". MATAN coordinates volunteer activities of employee groups through their places of work. MATAN is available by phone number 03-5602121 and at the address Nahalat Binyamin 41st. Tel Aviv, 65162. They will match and organize the volunteer activity you want for your work place. Employee groups may turn to "Ruach Tova" as well in order to volunteer as a group to various projects and operations jointly conducted with "Ruach Tova" and periodically published.

One may volunteer from home or from one's work place. "Ruach Tova" offers various and many volunteer opportunities, in order to allow many people to volunteer. For example, a dentist can help by treating underprivileged patients free of charge or for a nominal fee; Lawyers can give judicial aid to the fortune-less people of Israeli society. Computer workers may volunteer from their home and help various associations and organizations by building websites and doing other things. All details about volunteer opportunities are available through the website search engine and through "Ruach Tova" coordinators, who would be glad to present them to you.

Each organization decides how to reward its volunteers. Most organizations hold honor or appreciation ceremonies for their volunteers, give out appreciation certificates and celebrate birthdays and holidays. Some organizations train their volunteers as well. "Ruach Tova" also rewards its volunteers, in various ways, such as significant discounts on "Habima" theater tickets, and more.