Baltimore
Interning through the Baltimore Onward Israel program will give you the professional, competitive advantage you need to kick start your career! You will have the opportunity to build your resume with a wide variety of companies, organizations, and institutions in Israel while immersing yourself in Israeli culture.
Unique to our program, all interns will participate in a weekend retreat to Ashkelon, Baltimore’s partner city, and connect with Jewish peers from across the globe! This program is supported in part by The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore.
Applications for this program have closed.
The Baltimore Onward Israel program in Tel Aviv offers the opportunity to develop your professional future and build your resume through a high-level internship experience in Israel.
You will intern four to five days a week working alongside Israeli peers and immersing yourself in contemporary society. Onward Israel provides exclusive day trips, overnight experiences, and seminars for deeper learning and travel. In your free time, explore Tel Aviv’s amazing restaurants, beaches, and nightlife with a cohort of other young adults from Baltimore.
*Please visit our Covid-19 Response for the most up to date information regarding vaccination requirements and entry into Israel.*
This Onward Israel – Masa program is operated through a partnership between the Beacon and Shapira Foundations and other leading philanthropists, the Birthright Israel Foundation, and Masa Israel Journey. For more information about participating in a longer-term Masa program after Onward Israel and the potential impact of participating in Onward Israel on future Masa grants, view our FAQ here.
Admission is rolling. Applications will close in the beginning of March or earlier if the program fills. Apply now!
Dates
Wed, June 7 – Tues, Aug 1, 2023
Participants MUST be available to participate for the entire length of the program.
If for public health or security related reasons the program cannot take place in Israel, Onward Israel will make efforts to conduct the program remotely. Click here to review our FAQ, including information on remote programs regarding internships, programming, and more.
Program Cost
$800
The program cost includes housing, educational program, program staff, medical insurance, partial laundry provisions, and ground transportation within the city of residence. In addition, participants will be required to submit a $400 security deposit in advance via credit card. Deposits will be refunded at the end of the program pending good standing.
All participants are responsible for the cost and arrangement of their own flights and spending money upon arrival in Israel (including for food). Participants should not purchase flights until approximately one month before the program begins and are encouraged to purchase flights with a good refund policy or flight insurance. Onward Israel is not responsible for the cost of flights should the program be cancelled or shifted to be remote. Note, participants will be told approximately a month or two before the program begins their expected arrival and departure times.
Applicants participating in Birthright Israel trips ahead of an Onward Israel program must join their group on the first day of their Onward Israel program. Applicants will be responsible for their own accommodations if there is a gap between Birthright Israel and Onward Israel programs.
The actual cost of the Onward Israel program is much higher, and is subsidized up to 70% by Birthright Israel, private donors, and local Jewish communities and institutions.
Scholarships to help offset the program cost may be available to for those who need additional assistance and meet Onward Israel’s eligibility criteria. For more information, contact Onward Israel or your local partner professional.
Accommodations
Apartment, hostel, hotel, or dorm-style housing in Tel Aviv.
The number of participants to an apartment or room is dependent on the size of the accommodations and number of participants on the program. Though Onward Israel housing can vary from program to program, it generally meets basic Onward Israel standards. To learn more about this and other Onward Israel housing details, please visit our housing FAQ.
-Priority given to college students and recent graduates from Baltimore, Maryland
-Applicants between 19-30 years old (or at least one full year post-high school at the start of the program)
– Be Jewish (please refer to our FAQ for more information)
– Applicants must NOT have spent 3 or more consecutive months in Israel after high school (this includes semester abroad, gap year, or any other MASA or Onward Israel program)
– Must meet Masa Israel Journey Eligibility criteria (click here to review), including not having received Masa funding towards participation on a previous program. Note, Alumni of Onward Israel and Masa Israel Journey programs are typically not eligible to participate on a second Onward Israel program. In a small number of cases it might be possible for alumni of both initiatives and those who do not meet Masa Israel Journey criteria to participate (individuals can check with Onward Israel staff on a case by case basis), but program subsidies will be significantly lower and therefore the program fee will be higher.
-Fluent in English
-Have a valid Passport (must be valid for at least 6 months after the program end date)
-Previous participation in Birthright Israel is encouraged but not required. Onward Israel alumni are not eligible for Birthright Israel trips. If you wish to participate in a 7- or 10-day Birthright Israel trip, consider participating in a Birthright Israel trip prior to an Onward Israel program.
Please click here to review the application process. Note: there could be slight differences between programs.
Sample Internships
Internships in the past have ranged from hi-tech and finance to communication and the arts. Whatever your passion is, our internship coordinators will work one-on-one with you to find a match between your skills and interests and the opportunities available in Israel.
Hear from our past Baltimore Onward Israel participants about their internships:
“This summer I am interning at Restoration Vacation as a Finance and Strategy Intern. I came to Israel to further pursue my professional career with an experience through the lens of a startup nation. Onward has not only been an incredible experience for my professional growth, but also for my personal growth. I’m thankful for Onward Israel for all the opportunities and continuous support!” -Nathaniel, Elon University, Summer 2022
“With the Baltimore Onward Israel program, I have begun to learn the ins and outs of operating and managing a business as well as many professional social norms. I am very grateful for Onward Israel presenting me with this opportunity because I have learned so much and met so many amazing people! This has truly been the experience of a lifetime!” -Denis, University of Maryland College Park, Summer 2022
“I am an intern at the Jerusalem Institute of Justice. Some of my daily tasks entail doing research and writing about human rights issues in Israel, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I’ve met some of the most amazing, brilliant people at the Jerusalem Institute of Justice. I’ve also learned so much about Israeli politics and am glad to be able to bring this knowledge back to the states with me!” -Jessie, Brandeis University, Summer 2022
Applicants interested in internships in the fields of Engineering, STEM, Green Energy, Computer Science, Finance, Law, and Medicine please click here for some important information regarding placements:
For More Information
Sarah Jacobs
Insight Israel Forum Manager, Community Planning and Allocations at The Associated
sjacobs@associated.org, 410-369-9210
