University of Florida Hillel
UF Hillel’s Onward Israel program is an eight week immersive internship experience in Tel Aviv that gives Jewish Gators the chance to work, live, and engage in local Israeli communities. Participants will intern with an Israeli employer in a field specifically tailored to their interests and partake in travel days, weekly evening programming, and other opportunities to take advantage of all that Israel has to offer.
Applications for this program have closed
Participants on UF Hillel’s Onward Israel program live in Tel Aviv for eight weeks, immersing themselves in Israeli life and culture and interning with a local company. Internships are available across many career fields. Students are paired an Israeli company or nonprofit organization that matches their field of interest, enabling them gain valuable professional experience.
Participants will also learn about Israeli society, economy, technology and more through programming opportunities exclusively designed for the UF Hillel program, a weekend retreat with other Onward Israel participants from North America and around the world, evening activities and more. In your free time, explore Tel Aviv’s exciting nightlife, beaches, food scene, and culture.
*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, University of Florida Hillel, Hillel International, 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.
Applications for this program have closed
Dates
Tuesday, May 23 2023 – Monday, July 17 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
$1200. Birthright Israel alumni who participated in a UF Hillel trip in December 2022 or before are eligible for a $400 scholarship.
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 check 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.
–This program is open to University of Florida and Santa Fe College students with at least two more semesters left on campus after the conclusion of the Onward program
–Applicants between 19-30 years old (or at least one full year post-high school at the start of the 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)
–Applicants that participate in a Birthright trip with UF Hillel will receive priority in being selected for the UF Onward Israel program.
–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:
Contact
Ashley Jones ajones@ufhillel.org
