About This Program
Detroit’s Birthright Israel Onward program gives you the chance to travel to Israel to explore your professional interests, experience Israel like a local, and make new friends — while living in Tel Aviv, Israel’s 24-hour cultural and economic center.
This once in a lifetime opportunity helps you grow personally and professionally as you explore contemporary Israel, gain valuable international work experience and travel with fellow Detroiters your age.
You’ll intern four to five days a week alongside Israeli peers and immerse yourself in Israeli society. You’ll experience Birthright Israel Onward day trips, overnights and seminars. With free time to explore Israel’s amazing restaurants, beaches and nightlife.
Unique to the Detroit program is a visit to our Partnership Region in the Central Galilee, for a special home away from home experience! This is a place where Detroit Tiger baseball hats and Tamarack sweatshirts are commonplace and includes visits to local NGOs and exploration of Jezreel Valley culture, environment and politics.
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.
*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.
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 the Jewish Federation of Detroit. It is organized by Tlalim. For more information about participating in a long-term Masa program after Birthright Israel Onward and the potential impact on future Masa grants, please contact Masa Israel Journey
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.
- Applicants must have a permanent residence in the Detroit metropolitan area
- Applicants between 18-34 years old and not currently enrolled in high school
- 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 a Birthright Israel trip after participating on Onward.
Sample Internships
In the past, Detroit-area participants have interned in a variety of fields from business, high-tech, nonprofit, education, entertainment and more! Not sure what type of internship you are looking for or unsure if you can find it in Israel? Onward Israel internship coordinators work one-on-one with each participant!
Applicants interested in internships in the fields of STEM, Finance, Law, and Medicine please click here for some important information regarding placements.
Contact
Shoshana Fain – fain@jewishdetroit.org
or Yoav Raban – raban@jfmd.org
