Tel Aviv Summer | Australia

Once you have filled out an application and your application has been reviewed you will be invited for an interview. If you are successful in the interview, you will be notified via email at which time a non-refundable deposit of US$500 will become due. Following your commitment to the programme, you will be invited to a follow-up meeting where you can ask further questions about the programme and discuss your expectations and options for your internship (see FAQ on internships for more information). Full payment will become due once your internship is confirmed or two months before the programme start date (whichever is sooner). You will not be able to participate in the programme before full payment has been received.

The full cost of setting up and running the programme which includes accommodation in midtown Tel Aviv, educational trips throughout Israel, food during weekday and Shabbat programming (and more) is in excess of US$7,000 (6 weeks) & UK£5,000 (5 weeks) which is over $1000 per week. Due to the generosity of Birthright Onward Israel, any applicant who has not completed an education-orientated Israel programme for longer than 3 months (in the last 3 years) will be granted an automatic scholarship, bringing the programme cost to US$3,950 for the Canadian programme and $4,550 for the American programme. The price for UK participants is GBP £2,495 thanks to our partnership with UJIA. You may apply for additional assistance by indicating this below in the application. Programme costs are in Israeli Shekels and based on a US$/Shekel exchange rate of 3.00 (UK£ 4.1). If there is a significant drop in the exchange rate, then we may have to ask for an increased payment.

Please see this document for more information.

FJL is aimed at hardworking, ambitious students who are passionate about making the most of themselves and the world around them. Additionally, as part of FJL’s core mission of strengthening the Jewish future, consideration will be given to applicants who display an interest and commitment in further exploring their Jewish journey which includes participation and taking on leadership roles in a Jewish community, Shabbat dinners, and Jewish learning opportunities. Applicants should expect to participate in Jewish educational experiences that immerse them in Shabbat environments and sessions exploring a range of Jewish wisdom and ideas that animate one’s Jewish journey. For other eligibility requirements, please refer to the FAQ’s on the list.

You may still be considered for a participant spot, but you may not be eligible for the specific scholarship granted to first time participants of an organized educational experience in Israel. You would then be charged this additional funding amount, on top of the program fee. As the scholarship is granted by Birthright Onward-Israel, FJL is bound to the same set of eligibility criteria explained in the application and on Birthright Onward-Israel’s website. If you have already participated in a Birthright Onward-Israel programme, a programme of more than three months post high-school, or spent three consecutive months or longer in Israel after the age of 18 within the last 24 months, you will also not have access to this scholarship.

Our trips are highly oversubscribed; unfortunately there will be candidates who would have been accepted, but are not purely due to lack of space. Beyond that we look to identify who will gain most from the educational components of the FJL experience, who will be inclined to continue their connection to FJL in the future, as well as who identifies with what we stand for (see About page on this website and FAQ on criteria for acceptance). FJL is committed to welcoming Jews from all levels of observance and educational background. A Jewish education or lack thereof is not a barrier to applying. Another consideration is age, in that applicants who are about to start full time work and may not have the time in the future to participate may be prioritised over younger applicants (subject to individual merit). Despite not being able to offer trips for everyone, our alumni programming, which is highly regarded, is open to all and several of our most involved alumni did not attend these internship programmes previously.

As long as you are still at university, or recently graduated, you will be eligible to apply for the 2028 programme.

Our programme is in high demand and fills up quickly. Application deadlines vary by track/country- we refer you to the application page which has this information or contact the FJL office.

Yes. The programme cost does not include your flight, and occasional train trips. Train/Bus payments are processed through purchasing a Rav-Kav pass or through your phone. In some cases, where your internship is further away, your host company may cover travel expenses. As partners with Birthright Onward Israel, participants are required to purchase travel health insurance through the FJL group policy. Details on this will be provided later in the process. On free evenings without programming, dinner will not be provided. Some optional dinners may occur.

Internships are available in a variety of sectors including business, finance, law, media, politics, engineering, startups, and nonprofits. Most of these will be based in the Tel Aviv area and are an ideal opportunity to build your CV and create a prestigious experience to aid future job applications. You can learn more about the companies we have worked with in the past in the internship section of our website. Certain internship industries will require specific industry knowledge and/or at least one prior work experience in that industry to apply for that internship. In particular, computer science/engineering internships require specific coding/programming language based on the technology, and many financial industries (venture capital, accounting, investment research/analyst) require finance/accounting degree and at least one related work experience.

Once you have paid your deposit, and have completed & submitted all the necessary documentation needed for Birthright (e.g. medical/ travel documents), you will begin the internship placement process with one of FJL’s Internship Coordinators. Your designated coordinator will contact you by email to arrange an interview. During this meeting, you will discuss your preferred industry, career goals, and the types of companies that best match your skills, experience, and interests. Following the interview, your CV will be shared with suitable host companies until you are invited to interview. Once a company expresses interest, you will interview with the host organisation.Most companies provide a decision within one week of the interview. If you receive an offer, you will be required to confirm your acceptance. Depending on the host company, you may also need to complete additional documentation before your internship begins. Your specific internship role and responsibilities are typically finalised in the weeks leading up to your start date in collaboration with your host company. The remaining balance of your programme fee is due once your internship placement is confirmed, or two months before the programme start date, whichever comes first.

Every internship is unique and tailored to the host organisation, industry, and your individual skills and experience. While responsibilities vary, participants are given the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to their host company while gaining valuable professional experience in Israel’s dynamic business environment. Interns typically work alongside experienced professionals, often shadowing senior team members and industry leaders, contributing to real projects, conducting research, attending meetings, and supporting day-to-day business operations. Depending on the organisation, participants may also be responsible for completing independent projects, presenting their work, and collaborating with colleagues across different departments. Beyond the professional experience, the internship offers a unique insight into Israeli workplace culture. Participants gain first-hand exposure to how Israeli businesses operate, develop cross-cultural communication skills, expand their professional network, and, for many, have the opportunity to strengthen their Hebrew language skills through daily interactions in the office. Most host companies operate on a hybrid working model, combining in-office and remote work throughout the week. FJL prioritizes placements with companies that provide an in-person experience and generally does not place participants with fully remote organisations, except in limited circumstances where it is considered the best fit.

We aim to match participants with one of their preferred internship choices wherever possible. Participants are asked to select two or three preferred industries when applying. This allows us to maximise placement opportunities and identify the strongest possible internship match based on your interests, skills, and experience. While we make every effort to secure an internship that aligns with your interests, preferences and career goals, we cannot guarantee placement in a specific company, organisation, or exact internship role. The matching process is competitive and depends on several factors, including the internships offered by host organisations that year, the preferences of internship hosts following the interview process, and the outcomes of the interview and selection process. Throughout the placement process, you will work closely with your dedicated FJL Internship Coordinator, who will guide you through each stage, discuss suitable opportunities, and submit your CV to relevant host organisations. Our goal is to secure the best possible placement – one that provides meaningful professional experience, industry exposure, and opportunities for personal and career development, even if it differs from your first-choice role.

A CV should be no more than one page and include a broad overview of all educational achievements and relevant work experience to date, with a brief description of the nature of such work and the skills it developed. Please note that we will be forwarding your CV to our internship hosts, and that, by applying, you agree to your CV being shared with relevant third parties. We will not share your CV or application details with anyone not directly involved in the application process. You may be asked by our coordinators to tweak your CV to the criteria of a company or industry.

In addition to the valuable internship placement, the programme includes a seminar series, bringing participants face-to-face with high-profile figures from the investment and finance world, politicians, policy-makers, Jewish educators and communal leaders. Throughout the programme on non-internship days, the group will travel around Israel making the most of all the country has to offer. See sample itinerary here.

Jewish education sits at the core of the FJL programme. Participants engage in bi-weekly interactive group-based discussions that address key issues associated with Jewish philosophy and topics of contemporary significance, including the interaction of Jewish ethics, public policy, business and finance. The Jewish education is led by our in-house educators, as well as renowned Jewish educators from the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem Area. The range of sessions include text-based study in addition to facilitated workshops/discussions. Keynote lectures delivered by FJL educators or guest presenters address broader issues, and occur each week. Additionally, guest speakers often cite their own connections to Jewish ideas and values as being influential in their career decisions and experiences. One evening of the programme introduces participants to the higher level institutions of Jewish study, often referred to as a Yeshiva or Seminary (typically based in Jerusalem). Participants are hosted for an immersive evening of exploration of Judaism’s central legal and ethical text, and exposure to renowned Jewish scholars. The final component of FJL’s education are the community Shabbatonim which include home hospitality, group meals, meetings with Israeli peers, guest speakers, musical havdalah, and much more.

This programme is designed for all Jewish students regardless of religious beliefs or levels of observance. We will spend Shabbat together as a group which will include a Friday night “kabbalat Shabbat” prayer service and group meals, but there are no expectations of anyone in terms of requiring observance beyond that. In some communities, FJL participants may attend a synagogue/shul on Friday night. The hosts in the community Shabbatonim are Shabbat-observant families who are sensitive and respectful of the diverse backgrounds of their guests, however, FJL asks participants that Shabbat should be respected in public areas.

On 1-2 days after work, there is either a guest speaker with FJL educational sessions or a social group activity, always accompanied by dinner. On the other nights and after the group activities which will usually be finished by 9pm, participants are free to spend their evenings as they wish – enjoying some down time, hanging out with friends or exploring all that Tel Aviv has to offer.

In addition to the above, typically the internships will take place Monday through Thursday (see FAQ on internships for information about hybrid/remote working), and Friday/Sunday will be split with one day free and one day of programming. Out of the weekends on the programme, you will be free for at least 2-3 of them. On the Shabbatot with formal programming these will contain group meals, and seminars and a chance to relax and socialise.

Unfortunately, we can only offer places on the programme subject to full participation on both the internship itself and the accompanying evening and weekend seminar series. The internship placements are relatively short as it is and, as a result, it is simply not possible for us to secure placements in the event of someone needing to miss any part of the programme due to other commitments during the dates of the programme. At the same time, participants who communicate in advance of the summer regarding happy occasions such as a family wedding or bar mitzvah taking place in Israel that conflict with the itinerary, will be reviewed and granted an exemption with a makeup session.

Participants will live in Tel Aviv, in apartment-style accommodations. Each unit will be a 2-bedroom or studio apartment with 3 participants, each in a separate bed, per room. Accomodation will be confirmed closer to the program start date.