Kibbutz GEZER

Strolling around our kibbutz early in the morning, you notice a beautiful sunrise over the surrounding fields, the chirping of a variety of birds, the mooing of cows from the kibbutz dairy, parents escorting their children to the kibbutz childcare center, some people walking to work or driving a small tractor or golf cart if they work on the kibbutz, and others driving their cars to neighboring cities or train stations to get to work. You might catch the scent of food cooking in the early childcare center kitchen or the smell of mowed grass and, of course, the heavenly scent of wild flowers and herbs in season.
Later on in the day you can see parents walking their babies in strollers or older kids by foot… you might hear the gentle winds in winter or the splashing at the pool in summer. Towards the south, ancient Tel Gezer looms on the horizon, a famous archeological site from the time of King Solomon and just a half hour walk away – part of our back yard. You will hear snippets of conversations in Hebrew, English (with American, English or South African accents of the many English-speaking members and residents of the kibbutz), or even Spanish, Russian or Amharic, illuminating the diverse population of the Kibbutz.
As the sun sets magnificently over the softball field, the coach instructs kids in playing the game, and later cheering for the Gezer team rings out as it hosts a visiting team. The basketball court is also a popular place for kids and adults. On weekends, cyclists, hikers and runners do laps around the kibbutz or in the surrounding fields. Families are at home spending time relaxing together after the busy week; some are gardening or engaging in other projects together. Sometimes there are social activities bringing the community together.
What are some of the things which make Gezer special? Friendly and warm people, open to visitors, many with a deep caring of the environment and with an altruistic nature. Social activities include working in our community garden, parties, olive picking in the season and fitness groups. Birkat Shalom, a reform synagogue which holds musical Sabbath services on Friday evenings for those interested, also arranges social and cultural activities once in a while.
Gezer is situated in the center of Israel in the scenic Ayalon Valley, about 30 minutes’ drive both from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, not far from  historical sites such as Tel Gezer, the Latrun Monastery, Emaus and the town of Ramla (not Ramallah) which exudes history of the Jews, Christians and Muslims. From Gezer there is easy access to train stations and buses heading to destinations all over the country and to the major highways.
For many years volunteers were a central part of the kibbutz, over the last years we have been hosting volunteers for only part of the year. We are now expanding the program to once again be year-round, we are looking forward to having some new faces from all over the globe.
Where would you work?  Work places depend on the need at the time but might include childcare, agricultural projects, e.g., olive picking and pruning, milking cows, gardening, maintenance and assistance in various projects as they come up. The choice of work might also depend on how long you stay on the kibbutz.
Volunteer quarters are situated in the center of the kibbutz and consist of a ground-level building with bedrooms, a communal kitchen and eating area, and showers and toilets.
Gezer awaits volunteers who can be responsible workers and who would like to immerse themselves in the diversity of our community and enjoy a different environment than the one you know.

Work place on the Kibbutz:  Dairy Farm, landscape gardening, pre-school education. 

The living accommodation of the volunteers in the kibbutz: All the volunteers live in the same building which includes open living space with table, chairs, couches, and a kitchen. There are 5 rooms, and 2 volunteer share a room. Each room is furnished with two beds, blankets, pillows, towels, night tables, clothes cupboard, air-conditioner. Volunteers who work outside receive work shoes, and they are welcome to take work clothes from the second-hand shop. There are separate facilities for men and women's showers and toilets. The building also includes a washer and dryer for their use. The kibbutz provides cleaning and laundry products. Volunteers eat breakfast and lunch with their work-places, and are responsible for cooking their own food in the evening.