Dates
Track 1: June 7 – August 1, 2023
Applications for this track have closed. 

Track 2: June 14 – August 8, 2023
Applications for this track have closed. 

Track 3: June 21 – August 15, 2023
Applications for this track have closed.

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 via credit card hold. Deposits will be refunded at the end of the program pending good standing. Charges will not be made if participants complete the program in 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 and the Chicago Jewish community through the Jewish United Fund of Chicago.

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. 

– This program is open to college students from Illinois, and/or attending school in Illinois or at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
– Applicants between 19-30 years old and not currently enrolled in high school
– 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 (passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the program end date)
– Previous participation in Birthright Israel is encouraged but not required
– Graduating seniors are not eligible.
-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.

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.

Sample Internships

-Social Media and outreach internship with local NGO or non-profit
-Business Development internship with social media start-up
-Event coordination and promotion intern for management company
-Public Relations internship with a museum
Not sure what type of internship you are looking for or unsure if you can find it in Israel? Our internship coordinators work one-on-one with each participant!

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:
CLICK HERE

For More Information
Please contact onwardisrael@juf.org