The Service Year program recruits inspirational young people as full-time volunteers for one year, ahead of their Military Service. Throughout the year, the Shinshinim learn about themselves as Leaders.
The Service Year volunteers, known as ‘Shinshinim’ live and work in communes across Israel. They act as Young Leaders, supporting the young people undertaking their Award in these communities. They also provide practical support within their communes and are viewed as role models because of the volunteering work they undertake. They live with fellow Shinshinim in the communes in which they work. For most, this is the first time they have lived away from home.
The Shinshinim each provide 40 hours of volunteering a week to the Award. In exchange The Award in Israel provides 12 hours of leadership training weekly in their local communes. The Award in Israel also delivers monthly group training for all the Shinshinim from all the communes.
Service Year volunteers undertake their Gold Award within their Service Year.
The Service Year operates in eight communes: Dimona, Ashdod, The International School (Givat Haviva) and Haifa, Holon – Tel Aviv, Kfar Saba, Yoqneam, Jerusalem and Upper Galilee. Shinshinim are carefully selected by The Award in Israel staff. The communes are diverse. Shinshinim work in a variety of settings, including boarding schools, urban areas, and specialist centers for young people with special education needs.
The Award in Israel is recognised by The Ministry of Education as a Service Year provider.The Service Year has been run by The Award in Israel since 2020. In the first year, there were 20 Shinshinim. In September 2025, there are 72 Service Year volunteers.
In addition to offering the Service Year, we have a Nahal group in the Upper Galilee.
A Nahal group is a form of community service that combines social volunteerism, agriculture and military service. It has a deeply positive impact on the social fabric of the communities to which it is attached.
The October 2023 war and prolonged security crisis that affected Israel’s northern region has left a deep, lasting impact on the communities of the Upper Galilee. Families were evacuated from their homes for many months. Educational and community frameworks collapsed. Consequently, a growing sense of uncertainty and lack of belonging arose.
As these communities gradually return home, there is an urgent need for a holistic approach to rebuilding. In addition to the physical rebuilding, community renewal is essential; the strengthening of emotional and social resilience, and the rebuilding of a shared sense of hope, belonging, and purpose. The Nahal group will play an integral role in community renewal in the Upper Galilee.
Nahal is a 3-4 year commitment. Participants make a deep commitment to Israeli society.
Year 1: Service Year. Also includes some Nahal Army training
Years 2 -3: Nahal Infantry Brigade Military Service. Also includes some time in their original Service Year communes and additional leadership training provided by The Award in Israel
Year 3-4: National Mission period. Living and volunteering back in the commune where they undertook their Service Year. The Nahal group lives together in the commune.
