Onward Israel Gateway
Decided to defer admission to college? Looking for something to set yourself apart? This winter, gain valuable internship experience, and immerse yourself in everything Israel has to offer! This 10 week program is designed for recent high school graduates with a passion for exploration and professional development. The program offers the opportunity to build your resume through a remote internship prep course followed by an in person internship experience along with unforgettable and exclusive day trips, and connections that will last beyond your time in Israel*.
*If health and safety conditions allow. If not, the program will shift to being entirely remote. The decision will be made by November 15. Please note, if this happens, it will affect the types of internships available. Participants who do not wish to participate on an entirely remote program will be permitted to withdraw and receive a full refund for their program fee.
Begin your winter adventure from home! During the Remote portion, you will be introduced to your employer, connect with your cohort through distance learning and activities, be given an intro to Israeli society and work culture, and have practical Hebrew lessons.
While in Israel, you will 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 Tel Aviv’s amazing restaurants, beaches, and nightlife with a cohort of other young adults.
Masa-eligible participants in programs which are part of the Onward/Masa partnership may qualify for additional scholarships. For more information, call Onward Israel or your local partner professional.
This Onward Israel – Masa program is operated through a partnership between the Beacon and Shapira Foundations and other leading philanthropists, and Masa Israel Journey. It is organized by Israel Experience.
Participants on Onward Israel – Masa programs may return to Israel on long-term Masa programs after Onward Israel. They may also be eligible for additional scholarships from Masa to help fund their participation, although the size of that scholarship may be influenced by prior participation in Onward Israel. For details please contact Masa Israel Journey directly.
Admission is rolling. Applications will close in December or earlier if the program fills.
Dates
You MUST be available to participate for the entire length of the program.
Remote: Sunday January 10 – Thursday, January 21, 2021 (2 weeks)
In Israel: Wednesday, January 27 – Tuesday, March 23, 2021 (8 weeks)
Note, there is a chance that health/safety conditions will require us to implement a 2 week quarantine upon arrival in Israel. There is also a chance that the program will shift to entirely remote if safe and secure travel to Israel is not possible. For more information, visit our FAQ responding to COVID-19.
Program Cost
$550*
The program cost includes housing, medical insurance, a modest food stipend, and ground transportation. Participants will be required to submit a $250 security deposit in cash upon arrival in Israel or 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. Flights should not be purchased until a decision has been made about the viability of the program.
* If this becomes a remote program, the program cost will change to reflect this shift in expenses. The
program cost will then be $100.
The actual cost of the Onward Israel program is much higher, and is subsidized up to 70% by Onward Israel, private donors, and local Jewish communities and institutions.
Want to Learn More?
Please contact: Desiree Neissani at DesireeN@onwardisrael.org
– Applicants between 18-19 years old
– High School Class of 2020 Graduate
– Must meet Masa eligibility – identify as Jewish and have NOT spent 3 or more months in Israel as part of an educational or peer-program (this includes semester abroad, gap year or any other Masa or Onward Israel program)
– Fluent in English
Accomodations
Remote Portion: Home, school, wherever you are based. We will be going over best practices for remote work as the program approaches
Israel Based Portion: Apartment 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. While meeting common standards, Onward Israel housing differs by and within each program. To learn more about this and other Onward Israel housing details, please visit our housing FAQ.
Sample Internships*
– Marketing internship with local NGO or nonprofit
– Programming internship at a growing social network agency
– Business Development internship with social media start-up
– Research assistant at local university
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!
*In the event that the program needs to shift to be entirely remote, there could be additional limitations on the types of internship placements available. Participants will be asked to be flexible under these circumstances and Onward Israel is committed to making sure participants still have a professional and positive work experience.
*If the program cannot take place in Israel, participants would be paired with an Israeli company or organization and assigned work projects to complete over the course of the program. It is expected that participants complete their work projects during the designated dates of the program and fully participate in all required enrichment activities. The type of work that participants would complete remotely might differ from what they would be doing in person. Additionally, some fields or internship types might not be available as hands-on work won’t be possible.