Hatzalah volunteers at the scene of a tragic bus crash in Jerusalem
Every year, the Central Bureau of Statistics releases a report on public volunteering in Israel — including how it is relevant to the chareidi sector. Their social study reveals that of the whole body of volunteers within the Jewish population in Israel, a quarter of the citizenship was indeed involved.
An analysis shows that among Jews, the highest percent of them came from the chareidi sector at a high 40%, among the religious the number was 32%, the traditional sector ran to 18% and the general secular population had a figure of 25%.
38% of the volunteers operated through an organizational framework; 44% volunteers on a private basis and 18% volunteered through both an organization and/or privately.
46% of the volunteers offered their help to the elderly, handicapped, poverty-stricken or youth at risk. 14% offered their help in the field of education and 8.4% through health services.
35% of the volunteers have been helping the public at the rate of nine hours per month; 31% of the public spirited gave 10 hours or more of their time per month; 25% had no specific times, while 5.9% volunteered on a one-time basis during the year.
The survey also dealt with the question of satisfaction on the part of the volunteers as adding to their quality of life. 93% report that they felt good about life. 53% went so far as to say that they were very gratified in general — as opposed to 38% who do not volunteer, and another 42% admitted that they were content.
People who volunteer are optimistic in outlook. 68% anticipate a happy future. 68%, compared to the 55% who do not volunteer.
