Last summer, 37 college students from 15 campuses spent eight weeks living in Tel Aviv through Onward Israel, a partner of JUF. Through Onward Israel, students participate in internships related to their field while engaging with Israeli history and culture on a deeper level.
"I knew I wanted to spend the summer doing something meaningful, as well as put myself in a new environment-and Onward was exactly that," said Hannah Spevak, a student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. "The program unites the opportunity for work experience in my field of interest and living in Israel to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Onward Israel was created to provide young adults who had traveled to Israel previously the opportunity to partake in a longer, more intensive experience. Students return engaged and inspired to partake in Jewish life and Israel advocacy on campus.
Students live in Tel Aviv and spend four days a week interning at top Israeli businesses and organizations, while one day per week is spent learning about contemporary Israeli society.
"The group sessions have been an important part of my experience," said Alexis Levitt, a student at Northwestern University. "They have allowed me to see Israel on a much deeper level and understand the intricacy of living in a country like this. I feel like I have learned and grown so much."
Placements can be arranged in a variety of fields ranging from start-ups and technology to real estate and design. Last summer, students interned at the Tel Aviv University's Tami Steinmetz Center for Peace Research, Ahava, Sheba Cancer Research Center, and Save a Child's Heart.
Applications for next summer are being accepted on a rolling basis through March 15
.
The program runs from June 20 to Aug. 14. College students who either are from Illinois or attend school in Illinois are eligible. To learn more or apply, visit
onwardisrael.org/chi
.
