​UF Hillel’s Birthright Israel Onward program is an eight week immersive internship experience in Tel Aviv that gives Jewish Gators the chance to work, live, and engage in local Israeli communities. Participants will intern with an Israeli employer in a field specifically tailored to their interests and partake in travel days, weekly evening programming, and other opportunities to take advantage of all that Israel has to offer.

 

Participants on UF Hillel’s Birthright Israel Onward program live in Tel Aviv for eight weeks, immersing themselves in Israeli life and culture and interning with a local company. Internships are available across many career fields. Students are paired an Israeli company or nonprofit organization that matches their field of interest, enabling them gain valuable professional experience.

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Participants will also learn about Israeli society, economy, technology and more through programming opportunities exclusively designed for the UF Hillel program, a weekend retreat, evening activities and more. In your free time, explore Tel Aviv’s exciting nightlife, beaches, food scene, and culture.

 

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 University of Florida Hillel and Hillel International. It is organized by IGT. 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.

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Program Dates

UF Hillel's Birthright Israel Onward program runs from May 20 - July 14, 2026. Students who have not previously participated in Birthright Israel must also register for a UF Hillel Birthright Israel trip. The May 10-21 Birthright Israel trip is scheduled to complement this program.

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Program Cost

The $1499 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. Most students choose to participate in Birthright Israel and Birthright Israel Onward consecutively to take advantage of the flight included as part of the Birthright Israel trip.

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Accommodations

Participants live in apartment or dorm-style housing in Tel Aviv. 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.  

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Acceptance Criteria

• This program is open to University of Florida and Santa Fe College students with at least two more semesters left on campus after the conclusion of the Birthright Israel Onward program.

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

• Applicants between 18-34 years old and not currently enrolled in high school

• Participant must be registered for a UF Hillel's Summer 2026 Birthright Israel trip, have previously participated in a UF Hillel Birthright Israel trip, or not be eligible for Birthright Israel.

• 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.

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Sample Internships

• Social Media and outreach internship with local NGO or non-profit.

• Research in a lab at Tel Aviv University.

• Business Development internship with social media start-up.

• Medical assistant at a hospital or doctor's office.

• Event coordination and promotion intern for management company.

• Legal intern with a local attorney.

• Public Relations internship with a museum.

 

Applicants interested in internships in STEM, Finance, Law, and Medicine, please click here for important information regarding placements.

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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.

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Safety and Security

The safety and well-being of Birthright Israel Onward participants is our primary operating principle and our foremost concern. Birthright Israel takes great pride in its reputation for being cautious and responsible with a well-deserved reputation from hosting over 850,000 travelers over the past 24 years. We will not hesitate to further adjust our approach, as necessary.

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These adjustments may include changes in housing arrangements, transportation, the ability of participants to travel freely on their own and the educational program, among other elements. Onward participants are not allowed to travel into areas in the West bank (Judaea and Samaria)- Areas A and B- that, according to the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Israelis are not permitted to enter. Travel is possible to area C of the West Bank (Judaea and Samaria) under certain limitations).

 

Birthright Israel trips operate under strict safety and security standards set in accordance with the IDF's Homefront Command guidelines. These guidelines include geographical travel boundaries, limiting groups from travelling within a 20km range of the Lebanese border, exact protocols of how to operate during the sound of a siren, personal safety guidelines and more. Birthright Israel's operations department and field teams are in constant contact with trip staff and oversee the group's operations and safety.

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Additional Information

Visit the Birthright Israel Onward FAQ or contact Rachel Waldorf at rwaldorf@ufhillel.org.