About This Program
Champion your professional development with a 4-5 day/week global internship experience in your field of interest. Spend the summer connecting with other budding leaders during networking activities, focused day trips and overnight experiences, workshops full of thoughtful dialogue, and much more. The 2025 Cleveland Birthright Israel Onward program has many tailored perks including an added cohort of Israeli peers that will join throughout the summer and a special excursion to Cleveland’s sister-city, Beit Shean. Build for your future with Summer 2025 in Israel!
This Birthright Israel Onward– Masa program is operated through the philanthropic support of leading North American Foundations through the Birthright Israel Foundation, the Government of Israel and the Jewish Agency, along with Jewish Federation of Cleveland. It is organized by Authentic Israel. For more information about participating in a long-term Masa program after Birthright Israel Onward and the potential impact on future Masa grants, view our FAQ here.
Program Cost
$999
In addition, participants will be required to submit a $400 security deposit in cash upon arrival in Israel. Deposits will be refunded at the end of the program pending good standing.
The program cost includes housing, educational programming, program staff, basic medical insurance, and ground transportation within the city of residence.
Participants are responsible for the cost of flights, food, and phone coverage. To learn about this and other Birthright Israel Onward program details, please visit our FAQ. Birthright eligible participants are encouraged to join a Birthright Classic 10 day trip (the Cleveland community trip runs from May 21- June 1).
Accepted Cleveland Onward participants can receive priority on the Cleveland Community & Federation Birthright trip, which will travel directly prior to the start of the Cleveland Onward program. Note, participants will be responsible to extend their Birthright Israel trip plane ticket.
*Participants are encouraged to purchase flights with a good refund policy or flight insurance. Birthright Israel Onward is not responsible for the cost of flights should the program be cancelled. Note, participants will be given their expected address approximately two weeks before the program begins, if not earlier.
*Scholarships to help offset the program cost may be available for those who need additional assistance and meet Onward’s eligibility criteria. For more information, contact Birthright Israel Onward or your local partner professional.
Accommodations
Apartment, hostel, 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 Birthright Israel Onward housing can vary from program to program, all housing units meet Birthright Israel Onward standards. To learn more about this and other Birthright Israel Onward housing details, please visit our housing FAQ.
Acceptance Criteria
- Participants MUST be available to participate for the entire length of the program.
- Cleveland Onward welcomes post-secondary students ages 19-26 who are from or currently living in the Cleveland area, with priority given to rising college juniors and seniors. Students who attend Kent State University, Miami University, Ohio University, or University of Akron who do not have another eligible Onward program, may also be qualify (those who have another eligible community Onward programs will be directed to those programs).
- Identify as Jewish- please refer to our FAQ for more information.
- Applicants must NOT have spent 3 or more consecutive months in Israel after high school, or participated in a Birthright Israel Onward program or any other mid-term or long-term educational program in Israel.
- Fluent in English.
- Have a valid Passport for at least 6 months after the program end date.
- Must meet Masa Israel Journey Eligibility criteria, including not having received Masa funding towards participation on a previous program.
To review eligibility – click here.
Please note: If you wish to participate in a 10-day Birthright Israel trip, consider doing so prior to an Onward program. You will not be able to participate on Birthright Israel trip after participating on Onward
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
Applicants interested in internships in the fields of STEM, Finance, Law, and Medicine please click here for some important information regarding placements.
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!
Contact
Allison Cohen, Jewish Federation of Cleveland
acohen@jewishcleveland.org
(216) 593-2792
