Penn Hillel
Spend the summer in Israel with Penn Hillel on Onward Israel! Gain international work experience to set yourself apart as you move forward on your career path. This 8 week Penn Hillel Onward Israel program offers you a chance to expand and deepen your professional skills, relationships, and experience. You will spend your time on the program interning in Israel and immersing yourself in Israeli culture, all with your Penn friends.
Applications for this program have closed.
Build your resume through a high-level internship based on your skills, interests and future plans. During your time in Israel, intern 4-5 days a week and immerse yourself in contemporary Israeli society through the Israel Now Days, group activities, and a weekend seminar with participants from other Onward Israel programs and more, all with fellow Penn students. The Israel Now days will include visits to local NGOs and explorations of contemporary Israeli culture, environment, and politics.
During your free time, explore Tel Aviv’s exciting nightlife, beaches, foodie scene and culture. Enjoy a weekend with peers from around the world at an Onward Israel breakout seminar and explore all that Israel has to offer during your free weekends.
*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, Penn Hillel, Hillel International, the Birthright Israel Foundation and Masa Israel Journey. It is organized by IGT. 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
Monday, May 29 – Sunday, July 23, 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 via Zelle or cash in advance. 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.
Contact
Steven Field
IACT Coordinator at Penn Hillel
sfield@pennhillel.org
-Applicants between 19-30 years old and not currently enrolled in high school, studying at University of Pennsylvania with priority to those who have been on or are going on Birthright Israel with Penn Hillel.
-Applicants who have not yet participated in a Birthright Israel trip and are eligible to do so must do so in advance of Onward Israel with Penn Hillel Birthright. This summer’s trip dates are May 14-25, 2023. Applicants who are accepted to Penn Hillel Onward are guaranteed a spot on Penn Hillel’s Birthright trip, assuming they meet all registration deadlines and requirements.
–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:
- Data and financial analytics with a local startup
- Marketing internship with an Israeli food company
- Program coordination with an Israeli government agency or non-profit
- Social media and website coordinator
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:
