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Interning in Israel
CAREER EXPERIENCE Interning in Israel Summer internship programs afforded alumni the unique opportunity to work in Israel during the pandemic
While Israel had tightened its borders over the summer to visitors and non-Israeli citizens, the country was still allowing educational and group programs from the U.S. to enter. Programs, such as Ascend, Top Israel Interns and Onward Israel, allowed our alumni to gain valuable work experience while being able to live in Israel during the summer months. Our alumni shared with us how valuable their experiences were and how much it meant to be living in Israel.
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Emily Berger ’19
This summer, I worked at a start-up app called SafeUP. As a member of their marketing team, I was tasked with the project of extending their customer outreach. I also worked in their business development branch and served as a liaison to potential partners. Although I have been to Israel many times, living in an apartment, working at a company, and navigating the public transportation systems truly gave me the authentic Israeli experience. I made so many new friends and memories like no other! ” This summer I participated in Onward Israel’s Law and Entrepreneurship theme-based program. I was a marketing and research intern at the Combat Antisemitism Movement in Tel Aviv. I would first research for any antisemitic incidents and then I would write petitions or articles using my research. It was wonderful to be able to see the published articles and significantly contribute to a cause I feel passionate about. The internship provided me with crucial work experience and living in Tel Aviv gave me a taste of true adulthood. After having an amazing experience on Neshama, I have been waiting to return to Israel. This summer allowed me to truly experience living and working in Israel, and I can’t wait to go back!
Fanya Hoffman ’19
oujlicsummer.org/ascend
onwardisrael.org
topisraelinterns.com Over the summer, I traveled abroad with Onward Israel and lived in Tel Aviv. I had the privilege “ of interning at the Center for
Contemporary Art in Tel Aviv, just outside of Shuk HaCarmel, where
I helped design a new library for the gallery. Along with designing the new space, I was able to go through archived exhibitions and previous collections from the museum to display in the library for the public. In addition to my internship, I was lucky to be living in such an incredible city alongside my close friends while meeting so many people each day. The program gave me the opportunity to travel the country on my own, explore the culture and learn what it’s like to live in Israel in my 20’s. I made friendships that will last a ”lifetime and am beyond grateful for the summer I was able to have.
Michelle Bilmes ’19
I participated in Onward Israel in Tel Aviv through Cornell University. Onward was no question one of the best summers I’ve ever had. They matched me with an internship at a robotics startup company called Cogniteam. They make robots for the Israel Defense Forces and other clients.”
Nadav Soudry ’20
Dr. Yehuda Elmaliah, Ph.D Co-founder and CEO
“Over the summer I had the opportunity to go to Israel as part of the Ascend program, which combined internship work with Torah study in the Old City of Jerusalem. I interned for a professor of political science at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and spent my free time exploring the Old City and getting a taste of living in Israel. I don’t think I would have considered a trip like this if it hadn’t been for my senior year Neshama trip at Golda Och. The love of Israel and Judaism that I gained on the semester-long experience cemented my desire to go back as often as possible ”and hopefully, one day, to stay.
Theo Hyman-Bockman ’19
This past summer I attended Top Israel Interns, an internship program located in Tel Aviv. I had the opportunity to work in a vintage store alongside other interns my age. Through this experience I was able to speak to customers as well as create content relevant to Israeli “ culture. I even got the chance to see my friends from Merchavim! This was such an eye- opening experience that allowed me to grow both as a student and individual.”
