KIBBUTZ ULPAN FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question: Who is eligible to join the Kibbutz Ulpan program?

Anyone between the ages of 18 and 28 who is in good health. (A medical exam is required as part of the registration process.) They can be single or married. People with children are not eligible.

Question: I want to experience the REAL Israel. Can I find it on a kibbutz?

Although less than 3% of the Israeli population live on kibbutzim, the communal society of the kibbutz is a uniquely Israeli phenomenon and the kibbutznik symbolizes Israel in the eyes of the world. However, in searching for the "real" Israel, you should keep in mind that the land of Israel is composed of many subcultures, each of which have a valid claim to being the "real" Israel. The kibbutz is one of these subcultures.

Question: What does the kibbutz provide the ulpanists?

The kibbutz provides the ulpanists with room and board, sheets, blankets, pillows, and laundry services.

Question: What kind of living accommodations are provided for the ulpanists?

Ulpanists share rooms (2 to 4 people per room) with adjacent toilet and shower facilities. Each ulpanist is provided with a closet and space to do homework.

Question: How is the day divided up between work and study?

That depends on the ulpan. On some kibbutzim, ulpanists work 3 days a week and study 3 days a week. On others, ulpanists work half a day and study half a day.

Question: I heard that Kibbutz Ulpans are for people who don't know any Hebrew at all. I know some Hebrew though I'm not fluent by any means. Can I still go to Kibbutz Ulpan?

Most Kibbutz ulpans have classes for both beginners and advanced beginners (kitot aleph and bet). Some offer intermediate level ulpans, and there are a few that even offer ulpans for more advanced levels.

Question: What kind of work will I be expected to do on the kibbutz?

Ulpanists can be assigned to any type of work to be done on the kibbutz, but they generally gravitate towards agriculture work, kitchen duty, work with children, laundry or untrained factory work.

Question: Can I choose which kind of work I do?

You can ask for a certain type of work or not to be given a certain type of work, but you may not get what you ask for. Keep in mind that the metapelet (ulpan coordinator on the kibbutz) will try to rotate the work assignments so that everybody gets a chance to try everything.

Question: Are all kibbutzim alike?

Not exactly. There is a kibbutz lifestyle and ideology which binds all the kibbutzim together but individual kibbutzim can differ from each other in their size, location, degree of communalization, financial well being, the age and origin of their members, and their industry and agriculture.

Question: Is there a kibbutz ulpan on every kibbutz.

No. There are about 20 kibbutzim with ulpans. These kibbutzim are located all over Israel and represent all three kibbutz movements.

Question: Will all the Ulpanists be speaking English?

The Kibbutz Ulpan provides the participants with a wide, cross-cultural experience.  There will be participants, both as tourists and new immigrants, from all over the world.

Question: How long does a kibbutz ulpan last?

Five months.

Question: Can I choose which kibbutz I want to go to?

Yes, but your choice is limited to those kibbutzim that are starting an ulpan at the time you want to join the program. If your first choice for the Ulpan is full, then you will be placed in your second choice Kibbutz. 

Question: What about free time?

The kibbutz will take you on approximately 5 excursion trips to sites in various parts of Israel. You will find yourself with plenty of free time on your hands on the kibbutz as the activities that normally eat away at your free time (i.e. cooking, cleaning, laundry) is taken care of by the kibbutz. Kibbutzim usually have pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, clubhouse/recreation rooms with TVs, and weekly movies.

Question: Do kibbutzim have a dress or behavioral code that they expect ulpanists to adhere to?

Much has been written about how a kibbutz is a social experiment or an economic unit. What tends to be forgotten is that a kibbutz is first and foremost the home of the people living there, the kibbutzniks. Therefore, it is expected that ulpanists will behave and dress in an appropriate manner. You definitely should not have any hesitation about asking your kibbutz supervisor if you have any questions about what is acceptable or unacceptable dress and/or behavior on your kibbutz. Better to ask first than be embarrassed later.

Question: Is the food on the kibbutz ulpan Kosher?

Only religious kibbutzim observe the laws of kashrut. If you are traditional, Orthodox, or wish to keep kosher, you should consider the option of a religious kibbutz.

Question: What if I'm unhappy on my kibbutz. Can I change to another ulpan?

Unfortunately, this is not possible.

Question: What if I want to volunteer on a kibbutz without learning Hebrew in an ulpan?

You may do so by joining the Volunteer Program: In order to participate, there is a minimum two-month commitment. In exchange for working 8 hours a day for 6 days/week, the volunteer receives food, lodging, laundry services and an allotment for personal needs and toiletries. However, the volunteer can stay as long as s/he wants and as long as the kibbutz will have him/her (he can transfer to a different one after those two months). The cost of this program is $370 plus health insurance.  

Question: What if I can participate in a kibbutz ulpan only in the summer?

You may join the short Summer Kibbutz Ulpan: This 6-week program combines the challenge of living and working on a kibbutz with the opportunity of learning Hebrew and touring throughout Israel (including hikes and museum visits).

Question: Where can I find more information about Kibbutz Programs?

In North America, you can contact directly:

Kibbutz Program Center
114 west 26th street, suite 1004
New York, NY 10001
Tel: Phone: 212-462-2764 / 212-462-2765
Email: mail@KibbutzProgramCenter.org

Question: How do apply to the Kibbutz Ulpan Program?

   To download the Kibbutz Ulpan application, please click here

   To download the medical form, please click here