1. What is Onward Israel?

Onward Israel is a framework for six to ten week immersive and resume building experiences in Israel for students and recent graduates from all over the world. Many Onward Israel programs are specifically constructed through a partnership between Onward Israel and a Jewish community or organization. For those that are not eligible through a partner program, Onward Israel offers Theme Based programs based on applicants’ desired field of work. Our programs are intended as a more meaningful and immersive follow-up to an initial, short-term experience in Israel.

In the context of the global health crisis, Onward Israel has cancelled most of our programs for summer 2020. As part of our ongoing work to best serve the Onward Israel community, Onward Israel is planning to run two programs unique to summer 2020 – Onward Israel Remote Internship and Onward Israel July 2020 Fellowship.

Please see information regarding Onward Israel Remote at this link:

This FAQ provides information relevant to the July 2020 Onward Israel Fellowship.

2. How is the cost of an Onward Israel program so inexpensive?

The actual cost of the program is much higher than the price the participant pays. Programs are subsidized up to 70% by the Onward Israel, private donors, and local Jewish communities and institutions. The price of Onward Israel has been set in order to make it a reasonable and attractive option for students and young adults. Onward Israel hopes that participants see the generous subsidy of programs in the spirit that it is intended – as an investment of philanthropists and Jewish public bodies in talented young adults towards a richer Jewish future.

3. What does the price include?

The price of Onward Israel includes housing for the full duration of the program, room and board (most participants receive modest stipends for food), laundry services, transportation for activities and programs, educational programming, insurance, and program staff and supervision. It does not include spending money for recreation and free time, additional travel on weekends, additional money for food not covered by the stipend, and an Israeli SIM card or cell phone.

4. How long are Onward Israel programs? Do I need to participate in the whole program?

The typical length of Onward Israel programs can vary from six to ten weeks, depending on program type and content. The Onward Israel July Fellowship is a unique program on the Onward Israel landscape and because of the unusual conditions of summer 2020, the program length is four weeks. Participation in the entire program is mandatory. Permission to miss days of the program will be considered on a case by case basis by the program organizer and/or Onward Israel staff 

5. What is Onward Israel’s agenda?

Onward Israel aims to provide personal and professional development to young adults through the immersive, internship-based Israel experience. Onward Israel also aims to bolster the connections between young Jewish adults and Israel, and to strengthen Jewish identity and identification. Onward Israel’s agenda is broad based and it’s program and population is diverse. Our enrichment and education offerings encourage a deeper encounter with Israeli life in a well contextualized, balanced, and interactive fashion. For more details about Onward Israel’s educational approach and programming, please refer to – https://onwardisrael.org/resources/educational-content/

6. Is this a religious program?

Onward Israel welcomes participants from all Jewish backgrounds and is not specifically a religious program.There are opportunities to explore your Jewish identity and your relationship to your heritage. You will need to determine your own degree of observance regarding kashrut and Shabbat along with your roommates. During the Onward Israel Breakout Seminar/ Shabbaton, the Sabbath will be observed in the public sphere, and the food will be kosher. In certain specific cases, an event site may not have an official rabbinic kashrut license. In these cases: all food will be vegetarian, participants will be notified beforehand, and participants will be able to request a kosher meal through Onward Israel.

7. Who can I turn to with any questions while I am on the program?

Each Onward Israel program is run in conjunction with a licensed Israel-based program organizer, who supplies a full-time coordinator/counselor for every twenty-five participants. The Israel-based organizer for the Onward Israel July 2020 fellowship is Destination Israel. This coordinator/counselor is the first contact for all questions and concerns during Onward Israel. We encourage you to address all challenges with your program staff on the ground.  Should you have any challenges reaching out to your program staff in Israel, the Onward Israel central staff is available. Contact details for the Onward Israel central staff are available here.

8. What is my commitment after the program to Onward Israel?

Onward Israel programs offer an immersive, impactful experience in Israel. Our hope is that the experience will provide motivation and inspiration for greater involvement in Israel related activities and in Jewish life after the program.

Participants in the Onward Israel July 2020 Fellowship are eligible to apply for a full Onward Israel program in upcoming seasons. Eligibility is conditional on successful participant completion of the July 2020 Fellowship and all its aspects.

In addition, Onward Israel offers a peer recruitment program involving financial incentives for alumni through the Share Some Friends app, as well as other opportunities to help market and recruit the program. We will periodically reach out with information about opportunities for you after program completion.

9. Is additional financial aid available?

Beyond the heavily subsidized price of Onward Israel, additional local scholarship sources may be available through synagogues, local Hillels, sources at your Federation, and elsewhere. Feel free to consult with Jewish campus life professionals or other entities in the community to find out about these financial possibilities. Participants in programs which are part of the Onward/Masa partnership may be eligible for additional scholarships.

10. What are the age limits for Onward Israel participants?

The minimum age for Onward Israel participants is 18 (participants who are 18 must be one year post-high school graduation). Participants cannot be older than 27 by the first day of the program.

11. What determines which Onward Israel program I am eligible for?

Onward Israel partners with local Jewish communities and organizations. In some cases, your place of residence will be a critical factor in the program you are eligible for (either your permanent or temporary address); in other cases, your affiliation with a particular university, organization, or framework will determine your eligibility. On the web page for each program you may find a clear definition of eligibility for that particular program. Those who are not eligible for a community program are eligible for Onward Israel Theme-Based programs.

For specific information regarding eligibility for the Onward Israel July 2020 Fellowship, please see the program page.

12. What type of other participants will be on this program?

Onward Israel is designed for students and young adults who have had only one previous short-term experience in Israel (Birthright Israel, teen tours, etc). Participants in a given program share either a geographical commonality or a similar affiliation to a local Jewish organization or framework. Theme Based Program cohorts are grouped together by the focus of their internship.

Although in a typical summer, Onward Israel hosts thousands of participants, the July 2020 Fellowship has a limited number of participants based on the conditions on the ground in Israel. In total, Onward Israel will accept between 100-125 participants for the July Fellowship.

13. Can I participate in Onward Israel if I have never been to Israel on an organized program before?

Onward Israel is designed for students and young adults who have already had one short-term organized peer experience in Israel. If you have never been to Israel before, we strongly recommend Birthright Israel instead.

14. Can I participate in Onward Israel if I have already done a MASA program?

Onward Israel is intended as a second-time, immersive experience in Israel. If you have already participated in a half-year or year-long program in Israel, Onward Israel is not appropriate for you.

15. Can I participate in Onward Israel more than once?

Eligibility for Onward Israel is standardly limited to one time only. However, alumni of non-internship Onward Israel programs that are fewer than six weeks in duration are eligible for and may be considered for a future Onward Israel internship program that is longer than six weeks. We strongly encourage our alumni to explore Masa program opportunities as the best option to return to Israel after Onward Israel. It is important to note that Onward Israel alumni who participated on Onward Israel- Masa programs  may return to Israel on long-term Masa programs after Onward Israel. They are also eligible for additional scholarships from Masa to help fund their participation, although the size of that scholarship may be influenced by prior to participation on Onward Israel. For details contact Masa Israel Journey directly.

Participants in the Onward Israel July 2020 Fellowship are eligible to apply for a full Onward Israel program in upcoming seasons. Eligibility is conditional on successful participant completion of the July 2020 Fellowship and all its aspects.

16. If I am not able to participate in the entire length of the program, can I participate for part of it?

No, participation is required for the entire duration of the program. The expectations of the placement sites, the educational program, and the subsidy rate, are all based on the expectation that each participant participates in the full length and scope of the program.

17. Is there a registration deadline for Onward Israel?

Registration begins April 21st, 2020 and closes May 15, 2020.

18. Where will I live?

Onward Israel participants on this program will live in apartments or in dormitory-style housing in Tel Aviv.

Housing solutions are procured on the open market, and by definition vary in terms of location, amenities, proximity to one another, and type. Onward Israel participants should expect to encounter such divergence as they meet participants from other programs over the summer and from participants within their same cohort.

19. What is provided by the Onward Israel trip organizer? What do I need to bring?

All housing provided by Onward Israel trip organizers are required to include basic furniture including beds, mattresses, pillows, blankets, linens and towels. All housing must also include a lavatory, bathroom, equipped kitchen (refrigerator, toaster oven, stove OR hotplate (Israeli kitchens often do not have both), cutlery, and crockery, and air conditioning. You will be responsible for your own cleaning (including purchasing cleaning supplies while on the program), though the housing accommodations might include some basic cleaning supplies (enough to get you through the first few days). Equipment in dormitory-style housing might not include the above depending on if the organizer is providing regular meals to the participants. Participants should bring spending money, personal belongings and other items as detailed by the packing list they will receive from the program organizer. Participants are also expected to supply or replenish cleaning supplies, etc. in their own apartments.

20. Will I share a room, and how are my roommates chosen?

The housing arrangements for Onward Israel are generally based on two-to-three residents per room and eight per apartment (subject to more depending on room and apartment size and housing style). Roommate assignments are most often handled by the program organizer upon arrival in Israel and subject to partner approval.

21. Can I participate in an Onward Israel program without living with the group?

No, living together with other Onward Israel participants is a central and required component of the overall experience.

22. How are food arrangements handled?

For most Onward Israel programs, Onward Israel participants buy and prepare their own food and receive a monthly food stipend, either by cash, check, or through a program-provided debit card. These stipends are either individually based, or in some cases, given to each apartment unit. Food during seminars and overnight trips is provided directly by the program. Food that is directly provided by Onward Israel during seminars and other educational programming will be typically be kosher (and if not, will be indicated and an alternative meal solution will be provided to those who wish to keep kosher). On days when the group meets for the course, a snack will be provided. Participants need bring with them to each course session their own food to eat during breaks. Most of the food that is bought individually in Israel is also kosher, but each apartment will make its own decisions about the degree of kashrut it wishes to maintain. Kosher dishes can be provided on request.

It is important to note that participants are provided with a modest stipend to help them cover the cost of food during the program. Participants are encouraged to pool their money with their roommates and use the opportunity to get to know their local neighborhoods and cities by shopping in the shuk and supermarkets. We recommend participants plan to bring additional spending money to supplement the stipend, especially for those who might not want to cook as often.

23. Are there host families in Onward Israel?

There are no host families, although some programs might include a weekend in their Partnership Together communities that will include a component of lodging with a host family. The emphasis of Onward Israel is on creating connections with Israeli peers, rather than with host families.

24. I’m having a problem with my housing, who should I contact?

For any housing related issue, participants are advised to be directly in touch with their group counselor/madrich(a). Like any housing on the open market (even in participants own homes), different housing related issues can take varying amounts of time to address depending on a variety of factors including the specific nature of the issue and when staff is made aware of the problem. Trip organizers will work as quickly as possible to address problems. If for some reason, a participant is not getting a response or update from their direct counselor/madrich(a), they should be in direct touch with the program director from their organizer.

It is important to note that participants are expected to take an active role in problem-solving and avoiding housing related issues. This includes taking responsibility for the cleanliness of apartments, taking out garbage, and general care of the facilities provided, etc, to avoid unwanted damage. If it is found that participants damaged anything in their apartment, it is possible that the cost of fixed or replacing such items could be charged against their participant and security deposits.

For further questions and more information, please contact inquiries@onwardisrael.org.

25. Do I need to fly to Israel with my group?

Most Onward Israel programs leave flight arrangements up to the participant. Your responsibility is to arrive at the pre-arranged location for the official beginning of the program. Required arrival times will vary by program and as such participants are expected to arrive in Israel before 10:00 am Israel time on the day their particular program begins. Participants can choose to arrive later on the day of their program start date if they are informed by their organizer that they may do so (this information should be distributed to participants approximately a month before the program in their pre-program packet, should you wish to book your flight earlier, you may ask your program organizer before the pre-program packet is distributed). Participants are expected to book return flights home for no earlier than 4:00 pm (16:00) Israel time the day that their program finishes. Participants who arrive prior to their program start date and/or who wish to stay in Israel after their program finishes are responsible for arranging their own accommodations. Those who do so are not considered program participants and therefore Onward Israel, its program partners and organizers are not responsible for providing any of the program benefits, including but not limited to housing, health insurance, etc. during that time period. In some cases, the local partner to Onward Israel might organize a group flight; in these instances, the price of the program includes air travel to and from Israel.

26. What is covered in the health insurance?

The organizer must insure each participant with appropriate medical insurance according to the acceptable standards of tourist insurance in Israel for the entire duration of the program (the program start date until the program end date). The organizer, based on the full disclosure of medical information by the participant (as required by Onward Israel) must inform participants of any limitations to health insurance prior to the program start.

The health insurance must cover the following aspects:

• Transportation to hospital when required
• Hospitalization costs including payments for doctors, operations, emergency care, ambulatory care, tests, x-rays and medicine during hospitalization.
• Non-hospitalization medical costs stipulated as necessary by authorized doctors: doctor payments, tests, x-rays, prescription medications
• Emergency dental coverage
• Non-emergency medical needs in the same city that the participant is living in

The medical coverage listed above covers Coronavirus medical related issues as well. However, insurance does not cover travel costs due to Coronavirus.

Please note that this insurance does not typically cover pre-existing conditions or any injuries/illnesses that result from drug or alcohol usage. It is also important to note that the insurance provided by the program organizer is only covering the participant in Israel.

27. How is laundry handled?

All Onward Israel housing will either include laundry services or have access to laundry services within a short walking distance. Laundry costs are covered in the overall program cost, however, solutions for laundry can vary by program (either through a laundry service, laundry machines in apartments, or a modest stipend provided for participants to do laundry in a local laundromat). If a stipend or laundry service is provided, it may only cover laundry to be done a certain number of times throughout the summer. Participants should consider this as they pack and prepare for their programs.

28. Are transportation costs covered by Onward Israel?

Transportation costs that are directly covered in the Onward Israel program include travel to and from internship placements through the use of a RavKav (Israel’s public transportation passes), and all transportation connected to mandatory educational content. Additional transportation (optional weekend travel, travel for social purposes) is not covered by the program. In most cases, transportation to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the program is not included.

29. Is there a program deposit? Is it refundable?

In addition to the program fee*, participants are required to submit a refundable participation & security deposit (amounts vary based on the program). This participation & security deposit will be refunded upon full participation and completion of the Onward Israel program, given that the participant is in good standing (has participated fully in all required program components) and the participant’s housing has incurred no damage.

*In most Onward Israel programs (please check individual program pages for greater detail) there is a program fee that accepted applicants must submit in order to reserve their spot on the program. This is a non-refundable fee to cover the participants contribution to the program. In most cases, participants must also pay for their own travel to and from Israel.

30. Am I required to have an Israel cell phone or SIM card?

Yes. Using an American line on Whatsapp is not acceptable. Your program organizer will help arrange this for you as part of your registration process. Cell phone costs are not included in the cost of Onward Israel.

31. How many day trips (Israel Now days) within Israel are included in the Onward Israel program?

Each Onward Israel program at least 3 days of interactive daytrips throughout Israel during the duration of the program. In weeks without a day trip, informal educational programming will be provided at least one evening per week. In addition, the Onward Israel seminar will likely take place outside of where you live for the duration of the program. Most weekends will be free, and you can travel freely in the country at that point.

32. Are all the content pieces and trips mandatory?

The Onward Israel initiative is supported by the Beacon and Shapira Foundations, as well as other leading philanthropists, and is conducted in partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel. The generous support of philanthropic funds make Onward Israel possible, and drastically reduces the program costs incurred by participants.

While participating in Onward Israel, you will have both the benefit of a formal program and the flexibility to explore Israel in your own way. The formal program requires participation in the following:

• Participation in the entirety of the program from the first official day until the final day.
• Your professional course
• Educational programs, including but not limited to educational content days, group activities defined as mandatory by the organizer and/or by Onward Israel, including seminars, workshops, and day outings (Israel Now days)
• A weekend Shabbaton/breakout seminarPre, end of survey and post program surveys (we need your feedback to assess the program and strengthen it for the future).

Participants who fail to take part in mandatory program aspects will face disciplinary action – from warnings, to probation, to removal from the program.

33. How much free time will I have on the program?

The amount of free time varies between the various Onward Israel programsThe professional course will take place 3 times a week, and each meeting will be 4 hours.educational and cultural programming will be offered in the evenings, typically once a week Each program also includes a four-day Onward Israel Shabbaton/Breakout Seminar. Fridays and Saturdays are free, and participants are encouraged to travel on their own throughout Israel. Onward Israel will also offer throughout the program a variety of optional activities and opportunities. Participation in these optional events are up to the discretion of the participant.