About
What is Skilled Volunteers for Israel (SVFI)?
Skilled Volunteers for Israel is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in the United States. Established by Executive Director Marla Gamoran in 2011, SVFI’s purpose is to connect the wisdom and experience of Jewish retirees with societal needs in Israel.
SVFI pioneered Jewish retiree volunteerism.
We were the first volunteer program in Israel to specifically recruit Jewish seniors from the Diaspora.
"I wanted to use my professional skills for a cause close to my heart. Skilled Volunteers for Israel offered me just that."
Our History
We began with on-site volunteering in Israel.
Beginning in 2011, SVFI retirees volunteered on-site in multiple Israeli nonprofits, schools and social services. They contributed in areas such as strategic planning, refugee services and English tutoring.
In 2020, faced with the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, our in-person program came to an abrupt halt. Skilled Volunteers for Israel pivoted with the times.
Transitioning to an online program—combined with our focus on young Israeli adults—gives SVFI the ability to work with more volunteers and serve more Israelis than ever before!
Marla Gamaron
Executive Director
Skilled Volunteers for Israel
New York, NY
The Good People Fund podcast on English B'Yachad:
Practicing English...Finding Hope and Friendship
We transitioned to online volunteering.
Skilled Volunteers for Israel developed a new program, English B’Yachad, in which senior volunteers could work from home. We began to focus on a single need in Israel.
Today, our sole focus is enhancing the lives of young adults from less-advantaged Israeli communities through the efforts of our senior volunteer tutors.
Learn more about the English B'Yachad program.
About
What is Skilled Volunteers for Israel (SVFI)?
Skilled Volunteers for Israel is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in the United States. Established by Executive Director Marla Gamoran in 2011, SVFI’s purpose is to connect the wisdom and experience of Jewish retirees with societal needs in Israel.
SVFI pioneered Jewish retiree volunteerism.
We were the first volunteer program in Israel to specifically recruit Jewish seniors from the Diaspora.
"I wanted to use my professional skills for a cause close to my heart. Skilled Volunteers for Israel offered me just that."
Our History
We began with on-site volunteering in Israel.
Beginning in 2011, SVFI retirees volunteered on-site in multiple Israeli nonprofits, schools and social services. They contributed in areas such as strategic planning, refugee services and English tutoring.
In 2020, faced with the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, our in-person program came to an abrupt halt. Skilled Volunteers for Israel pivoted with the times.
We transitioned to online volunteering.
Skilled Volunteers for Israel developed a new program, English B’Yachad, in which senior volunteers could work from home. We began to focus on a single need in Israel.
Today, our sole focus is enhancing the lives of young adults from less-advantaged Israeli communities through the efforts of our senior volunteer tutors.