Birthright Israel Onward

Build your resume through a high-level internship based on your skills, interests, and future plans.

Spend two months in Tel Aviv, intern 4-5 days a week and immerse yourself in contemporary Israeli society.

Through Israel Now Days, group activities with fellow UMD students, a weekend Shabbaton with participants from other Onward programs and much more, this is a summer you don’t want to miss.

Birthright Israel Onward – Masa

This Birthright Israel Onward – Masa program is operated through a partnership between the Beacon and Shapira Foundations and other leading philanthropists, the Birthright Israel Foundation, Hillel International, University of Maryland Hillel, and Masa Israel Journey. It is organized by IGT.

For more information about participating in this program, please  view our FAQ.

Important Information

Applications for Summer 2025 are officially open! Please apply here

Tentative Summer 2025 Dates

Wednesday, June 18 – Tuesday, August 12, 2024

Participants MUST be available to participate for the entire length of the program.

*The chosen dates are to accomodate our 10 day Birthright Israel trip to flow right into Onward within a day*

Click here to review our FAQ

Program Cost

$1,499

The program cost includes housing, educational programs, program staff, medical insurance, laundry provisions, and ground transportation within Tel Aviv. In addition, participants will be required to submit a $400 security deposit via Zelle or check in advance of the program. 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 purchase flights at their earliest convenience once accepted into the program. 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 program must join their group on the first day of their Onward program. Applicants will be responsible for their own accommodations if there is a gap between Birthright Israel and Onward programs. In addition, Birthright Israel will cover the flight to Israel, with an additional change fee for your return flight.

The actual cost of Birthright Israel Onward is much higher, and is subsidized up to 70% by Birthright Israel, private donors, and local Jewish communities and institutions.

Masa-eligible participants in programs which are part of the Onward/Masa partnership may qualify for additional scholarships. For more information, contact Birthright Israel Onward or Adam Bershad.

FAQs

Apartment, hostel, hotel, or dorm-style housing in Tel Aviv.

The number of participants in an apartment or room is dependent on the size of the accommodations and number of participants on the program. Though Onward housing can vary from program to program, it generally meets basic Onward standards. To learn more about this and other Onward Israel housing details, please visit our housing FAQ.


  • Applicants must be a Sophomore or a Junior at the University of Maryland
  • Must meet MASA eligibility – identify as Jewish and have NOT spent 3 or more months in Israel as part of an educational or peer-program  after high school (this includes semester abroad, gap year or any other MASA program
  • Fluent in English
  • Valid Passport (passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the program end date)
  • Preference given to those who have perviously participated in Maryland Hillel’s Birthright trips (including Summer 25)

  • Research internship at Israeli political think-tank
  • Business Development internship with Israeli start-up
  • Consulting Internship with international consulting firm
  • Social Media or communications internship with public relations company
  • Policy or Social Media and outreach internship with local NGO or non-profit

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!