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About Aminadav |
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Aminadav was established in 1990 with the vision of facilitating volunteer placement for young women who are exempt from army service for religious reasons, and wish to serve their country as volunteers in welfare settings all over Israel. Since then, the vision has become a thriving reality, with over 1,500 volunteers each year, working in such diverse fields as education, special needs, new immigrants, welfare, the elderly, needy families, hospitals, youth at risk, and more. Each volunteer commits to full time service for at least one year and sometimes two.
The process of volunteer guidance begins with Aminadav representatives visiting high schools all over Israel to meet individually with high school seniors who are potential Aminadav volunteers. The Aminadav representatives present the various volunteering options, try to understand the students' areas of interest and abilities, and offer an array of placement options to each student. During the process of selecting a volunteer placement, the Aminadav representatives make themselves available to the students and assist them in making their choices.
Aminadav volunteers receive basic professional training in the field they have chosen, and ongoing professional guidance from the supervisor at their volunteering site. Aminadav provides its volunteers with comfortable housing close to their volunteer sites and monthly stipends for food and travel. Three times a year, the volunteers are invited to a full day seminar that offers professional enrichment as well as an opportunity to spend time with other volunteers and recharge their batteries for their challenging work. Once a year, the volunteers are treated to a refreshing weekend retreat in appreciation of their efforts and dedication.
Aminadav coordinators are located in every city or region in Israel. Each of the 35 coordinators is responsible for approximately 40 local volunteers, guiding and accompanying them throughout their year of service, through weekly group meetings as well as individual guidance according to need. The weekly meetings generally include a lecture or workshop related to volunteering or to spiritual or religious issues, and include time to raise issues and discuss them with the group with the facilitation of the coordinator. The national Aminadav supervisor offers guidance and assistance to the regional coordinators on an ongoing basis, and ensures that problems that arise are dealt with sensitively and professionally.
Aminadav promotes the ideology of religious Zionism and is dedicated to advancing unity, social welfare and community involvement in Israeli society.

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