Program Overview
Jerusalem is one of the most ancient and unique cities in the world, combining over 2000 years of history with all the characteristics of modern life. Living in Jerusalem you will find at your doorstep a mix of cultures, aromas, tastes, languages, religions and all sorts of sights and people. WUJS Intern Jerusalem is a program that gives you the opportunity to combine a professional internship in a field of your choice with the additional benefits of a regular Ulpan (Hebrew language) course, weekly field trips, overnight hikes, and living in accommodations with Israeli peers who partake in program activities. Participants will live in apartments close to the trendy area of Emek Refaim and intern in almost any area of industry and commerce, public and private sector, art and culture, hi-tech, politics, medicine and much more. This is a great opportunity for you to enhance your resume and live like an independent Israeli, all within a warm yet dynamic environment and supported by professional and experienced staff.

WUJS Intern Jerusalem weekly schedule   

  

The Internship
WUJS Intern Jerusalem provides participants with tailor made internships for career advancement and personal satisfaction. Prior to your arrival an Israel, a member of the WUJS staff will be in contact with you to discuss your areas of interest and your resume. Following that, you will be presented with potential internship placements and asked to be in contact with each one individually, before making a final decision on your five month placement. Please note that acceptance to an internship is often dependent on your experience and qualifications. In addition, those who have a good command of the Hebrew language will have more options available to them.

Jerusalem Internship Opportunities
In Jerusalem you can find internships in all areas, however, there are certain fields that are more prevalent than others, and many of the most successful organizations in these fields are based in Jerusalem. The following fields are popular in Jerusalem:

Jewish Communal Work - it is not a surprise that many of the international Jewish communal organizations are based in Jerusalem - Israel’s capital.

NGO’s and Non-for-Profit Sector - Jerusalem is home to many non-for-profit organizations and NGO's. There are many organizations dealing with citizen's rights, advocacy, and assistance to Israel's vulnerable populations.

Co-Existence - Jerusalem is a mixed Jewish and Arab city and there are organizations working to bring the populations together and create less of a divide. The internships in this field are eye-opening, educational and exciting!

Medical and Scientific Research - Jerusalem is home to Hadassah Hospital and Hebrew University - 2 major players in the Israeli medical and science field.

Tourism - Jerusalem is the most visited city by tourists in Israel and therefore there are many opportunities in the field.

Government/Politics – although it is very difficult to arrange an internship in an Israeli government office due to the intense security background check, Jerusalem has many government think tanks and research facilities whose work is often used by government offices and effect changes in policy and decision-making.

Journalism - Jerusalem is home to the Jerusalem Post and many other publications that are seeking interns - there are numerous options to choose from!

Museums - Some of the major Israeli museums are based in Jerusalem and they offer wonderful internship opportunities

Archeology - Jerusalem is where it all happened – it's the most historical city out there!

Past WUJS participants have all had wonderful internships in each of these fields, and in many more!
To learn more about possible internships

Beyond the Internship

Hebrew Ulpan
The Hebrew Ulpan classes on WUJS Intern Jerusalem are run by the Hebrew Department of Young Judaea Israel Programs. During the five month program, the studies are as follows:

1. One week intensive Ulpan during the second week of the program. This builds up a strong feeling of self-confidence in using Hebrew to communicate in Israel from the very beginning of the program.
2. Throughout the program, Ulpan two evenings per week.

Key Issues in Israel Seminars
During the first month of the program, in addition to the Hebrew Ulpan, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of educational seminars that tackle the key issues that any participant on a long-term program in Israel should consider. These may include such topics as: History of Israel, Overview of Israeli Political System, Religion and State, Understanding the Conflict, The People of Israel, Israeli Culture and more.

Judaism 101
All participants will have the opportunity to take a Judaism class once a week.
Example of class on the course:
Why do Jews Pray? Prayer is Tough
The concept of Tefilla (Prayer) in Judaism is vastly more complex than simply asking God to fulfill our needs. For these two sessions we will be diving into the world of Jewish Prayer. We will answer the questions 'Does God really need MY prayers?', 'What if I think praying is boring?', 'I don't even understand the prescribed prayers when I read them in English, so why do it at all?', 'I'm not even sure I believe in God, so why pray?', and 'Going to Synagogue makes me nervous, can't I just pray on my own?'

We will look into the Siddur (prayer book) and examine both the text and the tune of different prayers. Also, we will travel through the Amida, which is the central Jewish prayer, and see the three elements that are considered integral to the act of praying. In addition, we will look at the various categories of Brachot (blessings) and see that there is a comprehensive system of blessings for almost every occasion imaginable. By the end of our time together we will understand that, in its ideal form, prayer is really a constant ongoing process of self transformation.

Jewish Experience
One of the greatest advantages of spending five months in Jerusalem is the opportunity to experience Judaism. Explore the options, feel the fervor, learn and encounter Judaism as you never have before. WUJS, as part Young Judaea/FZY Israel programs, is a Jewish pluralist program; whether you are Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist or non-affiliated, you will be given space to express your Judaism your way.

Israel Experience
Beyond the classroom and the siyur (field trip), participants on WUJS Intern Jerusalem will have the option of participating in a variety of informal educational and cultural activities that primarily take place in the evenings. These may include meeting with Israeli speakers, Israeli film night, going to an international soccer match, visiting a new bar in the German Colony, going to a political rally, meeting an environmental lobby, going to a concert or play and much more. In addition, during free time, participants can enjoy all the wonderful cultural and social opportunities that Jerusalem has to offer.

Adopted Families
The WUJS Israel program arranges for students to be "adopted" by a family in Jerusalem. This provides a home away from home and an opportunity to get to know an Israeli family. These families are often immigrants themselves from around the world. It can be a way of practicing Hebrew and discovering Jerusalem from a different angle. While this is not a compulsory part of the program, experience has proven that life-long relationships can be formed between students and local families.

Weekends
The weekends are often one of the highlights of the program as participants have the time to get out and about exploring the country from north to south. All WUJS participants have the luxury of using our tiyul (hiking) consultant who will help you to plan your treks around Israel and even provide you with maps, tents and gas burners.

Shabbatot
There are a number of Shabbatot (weekends) over the course of the program in Jerusalem that we spend together as a group. Each Shabbat can be meaningful in its own way either due to a new and interesting encounter or simply because of the unique atmosphere that each Shabbat brings. Just be ready to be spiritually uplifted in some way.

Accommodation
All participants on WUJS Intern Jerusalem receive accommodation in apartments within the city of Jerusalem. The apartments are situated in the Baka neighborhood conveniently situated close to the trendy Emek Refaim and a short ride away from downtown Jerusalem. The area provides easy access to all of Jerusalem's highlights including restaurants, cafes, bars, museums, theaters and more. In most cases four to six participants live per apartment (two people per bedroom). Some of the residents might be Israelis your own age. Each apartment is equipped with beds, closets, sofas, table and chairs. In addition the kitchen is supplied with a toaster oven, electric stove, refrigerator, freezer and all necessary cooking utensils.

Please note that Israeli standard apartment might not be similar to what you are used to back home.
If you want to learn more about the apartments, click here.

Getting Around the City
As anyone who lives in Jerusalem will tell you, the most enjoyable way to get around the city is on foot. However, just in case, participants will also be provided with monthly bus and train passes that allow you to get around the city freely using the vast public transportation system.