Israel Programmes

Once your application has been reviewed, you’ll be invited to an interview. If you’re successful, we’ll email you and a non-refundable deposit of US$500 / £500 becomes due.

You’ll then have a follow-up meeting to ask questions and talk through your internship options. Full payment is due once your internship is confirmed or two months before the programme starts, whichever is sooner.

Hard-working, ambitious university students who want to make the most of themselves and the world around them, and who are interested in exploring their Jewish journey, for example through Jewish community life, Shabbat dinners or Jewish learning.

Participants should expect Shabbat experiences and sessions exploring Jewish wisdom and ideas as part of the programme.

Our programmes are highly oversubscribed, so some candidates who would otherwise be accepted miss out purely for lack of space. We look for applicants who will gain most from the educational side of FJL and stay connected afterwards.

FJL welcomes Jews of every level of observance and background; a Jewish education is not required. Applicants about to start full-time work may be prioritised over younger applicants, subject to merit. Our alumni programming is open to everyone.

Deadlines vary by cohort and are listed on each cohort’s page. Programmes fill quickly, so we recommend applying early.

Yes, you can still be considered, but you may not be eligible for the Birthright Israel Onward scholarship, and would pay that amount on top of the programme fee.

You won’t be eligible for the scholarship if you’ve already done an Onward programme or a post-high-school programme longer than three months, or spent three consecutive months or more in Israel after 18 within the last 24 months.

Places are offered on condition of full participation in the internship and the evening and weekend programme; internships are short and can’t be arranged around absences. If a family simcha in Israel clashes with the itinerary, tell us in advance and we’ll review it for an exemption with a make-up session.

Yes. As long as you’re still at university or recently graduated, you can apply for the 2028 programme.

Running the programme costs more than US$7,000 (six weeks) or £5,000 (five weeks) per participant, covering accommodation in midtown Tel Aviv, educational trips and food during programming. Birthright Israel Onward gives eligible applicants an automatic scholarship, and UK participants are supported by UJIA, so you pay much less. Your price is on your cohort’s page.

You can request additional assistance in your application. Costs are set in shekels; if the exchange rate drops significantly, we may need to ask for more.

Yes: your flight, occasional train and bus travel (with a Rav-Kav card or your phone), and travel health insurance, which all participants buy through FJL’s group policy. Dinner isn’t provided on free evenings. If your internship is further away, your host may cover travel.

See the deposit refund policy.

In business, finance, law, media, politics, engineering, start-ups, healthcare and non-profits, mostly in the Tel Aviv area.

Some fields need specific experience: computer science and engineering roles need particular programming languages, and VC, accounting and investment research roles usually need a finance or accounting degree and at least one related work experience.

Once you’ve paid your deposit and completed your Birthright Onward documents, an FJL Internship Coordinator interviews you about your preferred fields, goals and experience. They then share your CV with suitable hosts, and you interview with the host. Most hosts decide within a week. Your role is finalised with the host in the weeks before you arrive.

Every internship is different. Interns work alongside experienced professionals on real projects: research, meetings, day-to-day operations and sometimes independent projects they present. You’ll also see how Israeli businesses work, and many interns practise their Hebrew.

Most hosts work hybrid. FJL prioritises in-person placements and generally doesn’t place participants with fully remote organisations.

We aim to place you in one of the two or three fields you choose, but can’t guarantee a specific company, organisation or role. It depends on which hosts are taking interns that year and on the host interviews. Your coordinator works with you throughout to find the best possible match.

One page covering your education and relevant work experience, with a short description of each role and the skills it built. By applying, you agree to your CV being shared with relevant host organisations only. Your coordinator may ask you to tailor it for a company or field.

Jewish education is at the core of FJL. Twice a week there are interactive group discussions on Jewish philosophy and contemporary questions, including Jewish ethics, public policy, business and finance, led by FJL educators and guest educators from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Keynote talks take place each week.

One evening you’re hosted at a Jerusalem yeshiva or seminary, and community Shabbatons include home hospitality, group meals, Israeli peers, guest speakers and musical havdalah.

No. The programme is for all Jewish students, whatever their beliefs or level of observance. Shabbat together includes a Friday-night Kabbalat Shabbat and group meals. Shabbaton hosts are Shabbat-observant families who are respectful of everyone’s background; we ask that Shabbat is respected in public areas.

One or two evenings a week after work there’s a guest speaker with an FJL session, or a social activity, always with dinner, usually finished by 9pm. Other evenings are yours to relax or explore Tel Aviv.

Yes. Internships usually run Monday to Thursday. Friday and Sunday are split between one free day and one programme day, and at least two or three weekends are completely free. Programmed Shabbatot include group meals, seminars and time to relax.

In apartment-style accommodation in Tel Aviv: two-bedroom or studio apartments, with three participants per room, each in their own bed. Accommodation is confirmed closer to the start date.