Asaf Mendelovitz, armed with degrees in physics and business administration came from Toronto a month ago to "check out Israel as an option." A friend recommended Tnuat Aliyah's Internship Program, and Asaf, a single 27-year-old, decided to give it a go. Combining an interest in the environment with advanced tools in science and economics, Asaf landed a position in the Public Utility Authority developing a pollution tariff for the Electric Company. "It is a perfect job," says Asaf, "interesting, challenging and not one of my Israeli colleagues has questioned my coming to Israel at a time like this. In fact, they are openly appreciative of me. They do, however," Asaf smiles, "think me quite odd for agreeing to work without pay."

 

Interns working in an architectural firm (above), and an animal rescue site (below).

The Internship program, hosting 250-300 participants a year, gives young adults from the West the opportunity to see an Israel hidden from the tourist. Vered Layish, three year coordinator of the program, explains that "interns come for an average of three months. They are students or college graduates, coming with a wide range of professions and interests, and they intern at a growing variety of commercial, public and voluntary institutions. Most 20-somethings from the West don't know exactly where they want to live. The Internship program can make what was a vague possibility into a concrete option. About ten percent of our interns make aliyah, and all of those who go back return with a revitalized commitment to the Jewish people."

Employers are happy to employ interns, because they view it as an opportunity to contribute to the Zionist cause and not just because of the perk of free hours. Employing an intern demands investment - each intern should have a specific project, and someone in the company has to oversee the intern. Vered continues, "this summer at our employers conference, all the employers received certificates of appreciation and the outstanding employer was awarded a prize."

Shachar Eidelman, who grew up in Maryland, and graduated from the University of Maryland in economics, came to Israel this past summer for a family visit. "It was just clear to me after a few days, that I had to stay for longer and see what Israel was really about," explains 24-year-old Shachar who left a promising federal job in DC. "I told Vered at Tnuat Aliyah that I was looking to do something meaningful. Within two days, I was interviewed at the Peres Center for Peace where I am now interning." Shachar, who loves his job, found an apartment in central Tel Aviv and was recently offered a permanent position. If he stays on or returns to the US, Shachar concurs that the experience will stay with him forever.

 Next