Detroit
A life-changing, 8-week internship program in Tel Aviv! Who can say no to that?!
Detroit’s Onward Israel program offers young adults the opportunity to gain international work experience while living in Tel Aviv, Israel’s cultural and economic center. Travel to Israel with fellow Metro-Detroiters where you will explore your professional interests, experience Israel like a local, and build life-long friendships. Participants will have the ability to connect with Israel and the Detroit Jewish community in unique, fun and meaningful ways!
Applications for this program have closed. Click here to apply for another program.
Detroit’s Onward Israel program helps young adults start up their professional and Jewish futures through immersive, resume-building internships and educational travel in Israel. Through the program, participants will connect with Israel and the Detroit Jewish community, socially and educationally, while acquiring real-world, professional experience.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to Israel with fellow Metro-Detroiter’s, grow personally and professionally as you explore contemporary Israel, gain valuable work experience, and make new friends!
Enjoy time visiting and being hosted by Israeli families in Detroit’s Partnership Region, the Central Galilee, for a special home away from home experience! Learn about the strong connections of the Partnership Region which are the result of the many Detroit Federation’s people-to-people programs .The Israel Now days, Chugim and Shabbatonim will include visits to local NGOs and explorations of contemporary Israeli culture, environment, and politics.
Intern four to five days a week alongside Israeli peers and immerse yourself in contemporary Israeli society. Experience Israel through Onward Israel’s exclusive day trips, overnights and seminars. In your free time, explore Israel’s amazing restaurants, beaches, and nightlife with a cohort of other young adults.
Join The Jewish Federation of Metro-Detroit’s Onward Israel program and have the summer of a lifetime!
*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, the William Davidson Foundation, the Jewish Federation for Metropolitan Detroit, and Masa Israel Journey. It is organized by Tlalim. 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.
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.
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 cash upon arrival in Israel. 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.
– Applicants between 19-30 years old and not currently enrolled in high school, with a permanent address in Metropolitan Detroit, with a preference for those that have been to Israel once before on Birthright Israel or another short-term 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)
-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
-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:
Jaime Bean (bean@jfmd.org) or Yoav Raban (raban@jfmd.org)
