YU Summer Internships in Israel
Every year, Yeshiva University offers dozens of undergraduates the opportunity to live and work in Israel on programs ranging between 5 and 8 summer weeks. Fully supported by a permanent YU campus in Jerusalem and a team of talented and dedicated staff, students get the chance of a lifetime to connect with the Jewish people, their talents and their needs, and the beautiful land of Israel.
Counterpoint Israel
Supported by the Jewish Agency for Israel and the World Zionist Organization, Counterpoint Israel aims to bridge communities and inspire long-lasting, positive change.
This summer was like no other – both for the 20 Counterpoint participants and for those they came to help. From helping on farms in the south, to painting and repairing houses in towns and villages on the Gaza border, they set to work doing all they could for their Israeli brothers and sisters who have endured so much loss and sadness. They also visited key memorial sites, such as the Nova Festival ground and the famous Sderot police station – where the heroic acts of security staff and civilians will forever be remembered.
One particularly moving event was a special activity Counterpoint held for the children of Sderot. Addressing the group, the mayor, Alon Davidi, was visibly moved as he told the YU students how much their presence and solidarity meant to the town.
The fact that Counterpoint Israel was full to capacity this year, despite the war, reflects the commitment and resilience of the students. They experienced a summer they will never forget, embodying the spirit of Livnot Ulehibanot – helping to rebuild and bolster Israel when she needed it the most.
Summer Internships
YU’s Summer Internship program – rooted in YU’s Winter Break internship opportunities – is now in its fourth year. In partnership with the renowned accelerator “Mass Challenge Israel” and generously sponsored by Jonathan and Laura Heller, the program provides students with an immersive experience in the heart of Israel’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Through hands-on experience and mentorship, some 25 YU students gain invaluable insights into the Israeli startup culture, while making meaningful contributions to their host companies, which include start-ups, non-profits, government offices, media outlets and more.
“On top of the hands-on experience they gain, YU students worked with top-level executives and leaders in their fields – many of whom are themselves YU graduates,” explains YU in Israel Executive Director Stephanie Strauss. “This is a beautiful example of a win-win situation – especially during the war, when our students filled in for vital staff serving in the army or who were absent for other heartbreaking reasons.”
Scientific Research
For 14 years, YU has collaborated with Bar-Ilan University to offer a unique summer research internship program. Thirty YU students immerse themselves in a rigorous eight-week study experience, working side by side with faculty and students at this world-renowned university, and conducting experiments in state-of-the-art labs. This program nurtures students’ intellectual curiosity and equips them with invaluable skills in critical thinking and problem-solving.
Spanning a range of research fields – life sciences, brain research, exact sciences and engineering – the Bar-Ilan internship program is a testament to YU’s commitment to fostering a passion for knowledge and academic growth among its students. This year, students were even more determined to contribute towards exciting scientific advances in the absence of many researchers on prolonged reserve duty.
Archeological Adventures
Under the guidance of Dr. Jill Katz and Professor Steven Fine from YU’s Center for Israel Studies, Jewish History students embark every year on an awe-inspiring journey of discovery through archaeological digs in Israel.
This year, due to war-related constrictions, the students were taken on a unique journey, following in the footsteps of ancient Jewry from Rome to Israel. Eighteen humanities students, including one graduate student, spent six days at historical sites in Italy’s capital city, as well as in Pompei and Herculaneum, seeing the events that happened there through the eyes of chazal. Arriving back in Israel, they got a glimpse of “the world after the Churban,” by visiting the ancient synagogue and village in Ein Gedi, as well as the botanical gardens of the area, including Nachal David. They were then able to compare the worlds of ancient Rome and ancient Israel at the Israel Museum.
“Beyond the educational value of the trip, the students – who came from an array of backgrounds and interests – bonded over their love of Jewish history,” said Professor Fine. “It was amazing to see them all gel so beautifully in their excitement over understanding their shared history from a completely new perspective.”
