• Cleveland

    Join the Cleveland cohort and spend 8 weeks living and working in the heart of Tel Aviv! Further your career trajectory, gain résumé-boosting experience, enhance your social and professional networks, and immerse yourself in the vibrance of Israeli culture and society. Whatever your ambition, Israel is yours to discover!

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    Champion your professional development with a 4-5 day/week global internship experience in your field of study. Spend the summer connecting with other budding leaders during networking activities, focused day trips and overnight experiences, workshops full of thoughtful dialogue, and much more. The 2024 Cleveland Birthright Israel Onward program has many tailored perks including an added cohort of Israeli peers that will join throughout the summer and a special excursion to Cleveland’s sister-city, Beit Shean. Build for your future with Summer 2024 in Israel!

    This Birthright Israel Onward– Masa program is operated through the philanthropic support of leading North American Foundations through the Birthright Israel Foundation, the Government of Israel and the Jewish Agency, along with Jewish Federation of Cleveland. It is organized by Authentic Israel. For more information about participating in a long-term Masa program after Birthright Israel Onward and the potential impact on future Masa grants, view our FAQ here. 

    Important Information

    Admission is rolling. Applications will close in the beginning of March or earlier if the program fills.

    Dates:
    June 5 – July 30, 2024

    Participants MUST be available to participate for the entire length of the program.

    Program Cost: $999*

    In addition, participants will be required to submit a $400 security deposit in cash upon arrival in Israel. Deposits will be refunded at the end of the program pending good standing.

    The program cost includes housing, educational programming, program staff, basic medical insurance, and ground transportation within the city of residence.  

    Participants are responsible for the cost of flights, food, and phone coverage. To learn about this and other Birthright Israel Onward program details, please visit our FAQ.

    Accepted Cleveland Onward participants can receive priority on the Cleveland Community & Federation Birthright trip, which will travel directly prior to the start of the Cleveland Onward program. Note, participants will be responsible to extend their Birthright Israel trip plane ticket.

    *Participants are encouraged to purchase flights with a good refund policy or flight insurance. Birthright Israel Onward is not responsible for the cost of flights should the program be cancelled. Note, participants will be given their expected address approximately two weeks before the program begins, if not earlier.

    *Scholarships to help offset the program cost may be available for those who need additional assistance and meet Onwards eligibility criteria. For more information, contact Birthright Israel Onward or your local partner professional. 

    Accommodations:
    Apartment, hostel, 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 Birthright Israel Onward housing can vary from program to program, all housing units meet Birthright Israel Onward standards. To learn more about this and other Birthright Israel Onward housing details, please visit our housing FAQ.

    Acceptance Criteria

    • Applicants between 19-26 years old, from or currently living in the Greater Cleveland area, with priority given to rising juniors, seniors, and recent graduates.
    • Must 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, or participated in a Birthright Israel Onward program or any other mid-term or long-term educational program in Israel.
    • Must meet Masa Israel Journey Eligibility criteria (click here to review), including not having received Masa funding towards participation on a previous program
    • Fluent in English
    • Have a valid Passport for at least 6 months after the program end date

    Please note: If you wish to participate in a 10-day Birthright Israel trip, consider doing so prior to an Onward program. You will not be able to participate on Birthright Israel trip after participating on Onward

    Please click here to review the application process.

    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 STEM, Finance, Law, and Medicine please click here for some important information regarding placements: 

    For More Information Contact:
    Elle Henig, Jewish Federation of Cleveland
    ehenig@jewishcleveland.org
    (216) 593-2899


    Organizations That Make This Program Possible

    Testimonials