Housing and Living in Israel
HOUSING:
- You will be staying in a shared apartment (the ULM Jerusalem Christian Guest House) with other volunteers or guests, but you may be asked to move from time to time into the main house depending on room availability. The Guest House has two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a kitchen with a combined living area. For pictures and more information on the Guest House's accomodations, click here.
- If more than one person or married couple is staying in the Guest House, 2 bathrooms will be available for use. One bathroom is located in the Guest House, and the other is in the adjoining main house.
- If you are utilizing the second bathroom in the main house, please understand and respect that the rest of the main house is private for Pastor Michael and Pastor Jane’s personal use and is not accessible to volunteers.
- A volunteer will need to donate 2500 NIS (around $750)/ month to their housing. For a couple, the donation amount would be 3500 NIS (around $1000)/ month). This donation amount covers housing, utilities, and wifi; but it does not include meals, groceries, transportation, health insurance or other personal expenses. Please budget for around 5000 NIS/month for all combined expenses (this amount includes the housing donation).
TRANSPORTATION:
- Israel has an extensive public bus and train system, and there is a bus stop that is located very close to the Ministry Center.
- Taxis are also available if needed, although they are a more expensive than taking the bus.
CLIMATE:
- During the summer season, the weather in Jerusalem is quite sunny and hot. The average temperature can be anywhere from 63-98 degrees F.
- The winter season is generally rainy and cold with temperatures between 41-55 degrees F. Last year 2021, we had snow in Jerusalem, which happens every few years.
CLOTHING:
- Clothing is generally casual for volunteers. You may need to layer your clothing as it can be warmer during the day and cooler at night.
- Please keep in mind that bare shoulders are offensive to Jews and Muslims, so we ask that both men and women wear modest apparel. Short sleeve shirts are okay, but no capped sleeves or tank tops.
- Good walking shoes or sandals are comfortable footwear choices for both men and women.
- If volunteering during the winter, a warm coat may be necessary. A light jacket or wrap may also be preferable during the nights of the summer, spring and fall.
- Men: Loose-fitting shirts, pants or jeans.
- Women: Modest, loose-fitting shirts, blouses, pants, jeans, or long skirts. A modest, 1-piece swimsuit for any excursions to the coast or the Dead Sea on your days off.