Sarenka Smith is a participant on the Career Israel Summer Internship Program, with an internship in Journalism.  She is completing her BA in Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins.

Career Israel has provided me with the remarkable opportunity to intern at The Jerusalem Post, the world’s top English-language daily newspaper covering Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World.  My major at Johns Hopkins University (creative writing) coupled with my interest in sociopolitical issues (particularly those pertinent to the Middle East) has made this internship a worthwhile experience.

At the Post, I have learned valuable tools that are crucial to any newspaper/journalism professional. I have learned to use the online database, upload articles onto the Jpost website, moderate talkbacks (readers’ comments), copy edit, and even report.  The most exciting job I was given was the opportunity to cover the Israeli Presidential Conference, hosted by Israeli president Shimon Peres.  The conference welcomed scholars, politicians, and activists from all over the world.  Because it was an international media event, it focused on vital issues, decisions, and initiatives that must be implemented in order to guarantee a ‘better tomorrow’ for the State of Israel and the Jewish people.  I was able to see Tzipi Livni, Bibi Netanyahu, and Shimon Peres speak; I even received a press pass so that I could report back to Jpost.  In early August, I will attend another international conference, ‘Wikimedia,’ that focuses on sharing knowledge and information via the internet.

In addition to my internship, I, along with my peers on the program, have explored Tel Aviv, a city that truly never sleeps.  My roommates and I have sampled some of the best restaurants in the city, stumbled upon countless trendy bars, and exhausted the city’s shopping districts- some of which are less than a block away from our housing!  I have taken wonderful trips to Yaffo, Jerusalem, and even a hike/camping trip near the Sea of Galilee.  In the past two months, I truly feel as if I live in Tel Aviv.  I know the bus routes, can recommend the best streets in the city, and my Hebrew has improved remarkably.  Just a few days ago, two friends and I went to Haifa to see the finale of “Kochav Nolad”, the Israeli version of American Idol.

There is never a shortage of excitement, or things to do, in Tel Aviv.  Living fifteen minutes away from the beach always guarantees a relaxing evening after work, and our apartment’s location in central Tel Aviv is ideal for college students.  I called my parents yesterday, and told them I truly do not want to come home.  The past two months have gone by too quickly, and I have really relished my time here.  It is impossible to describe the experience I have had this summer, but to sum it up in a word–it has been unparalleled.  When I leave, I will be counting the days until I return.

Internship in Psychology Research in Tel Aviv- and traveling and shopping on the side!

Erinn Kohn is on Career Israel Summer Internship Program.  She is a senior at Michigan State University and has an internship in Psychology Research at Tel Aviv University.

With only 6 weeks left to go, my Career Israel summer internship experience in Tel Aviv has been unparalleled to any other.  With regards to my internship I have found that I am able to accomplish what I had set out to, while dipping my toes into many different opportunities such as research, volunteering and travelling.

Camping in the north

I am entering my senior year of college as a Psychology student at Michigan State University, and therefore have a bit of experience working in psychology labs. I was interested in harnessing my skills in the lab but using them in a new country and a new atmosphere. The lax, yet scholarly vibe that Tel Aviv University emits has helped me undertake serious projects that can only be found in Israel.  I am working on the data entry for a very interesting study regarding political violence and its implications on children and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). I also have spent time working in a school for children with severe Autism; an experience that would not come so easily in the United States.

Night Out in Tel Aviv

When I am not working I am out exploring Tel Aviv and the rest of the country- browsing all of the unique boutiques, shopping in the market, and sampling all of the delicious restaurants.  It’s been amazing experiencing the nightlife in Tel Aviv; it’s lively and full of beachside bars and sparkling nightclubs.  I even took a weekend trip to Northern Israel to go camping and for a little change of pace and scenery.

Interning with Children with Developmental Disabilities while living in Tel Aviv!

** Written by Riana Goren, participant on Career Israel Summer Internship Program.  Riana is a senior at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania, completing her BA in Sociology and Education, and interning in Tel Aviv/Rishon Ltzion with children with Developmental Disabilities**

I decided to come on Career Israel’s summer internship program because I had an incredible experience last summer studying at Tel Aviv University.  It was a great opportunity to get to know my family who lives here inIsrael, and I met a lot of Israelis and locals that I kept in touch with all year.  I spent this past year at school thinking about my time here and planning how I could come back and do something productive.

@ Maccabi Tel Aviv Game

This summer I am interning at Gan Aviv, a kindergarten that is part of the Association for Children at Risk, in Rishon Ltziyon.  My class at Gan Aviv is made up of a group of 10 children, mostly somewhere on the autism spectrum, and approximately 10 adults- “ganenets”, classroom teachers, and therapists who care for the children wonderfully.  I arrive every morning and work through the early afternoon, play with the children, help them interact with each other, and observe and participate in group therapy sessions organized by the therapists.  I also work one on one with children, reading with them, doing exercises with them that help improve their strength and coordination, and help them explore on their own so they can learn.  A highlight is always when I can make a child laugh because it shows I have been able to connect with them.

With my roommate in TLV!

As great as my internship is, the best part of my summer has been the people I have met.  I arrived here open to meeting and getting to know everyone, and it has been amazing to see how my relationships with family that I didn’t know well until last summer have become so much stronger, and friends I met only recently have become like family.  I have really gotten to know Tel Aviv and it’s culture.  The combination of my internship, building relationships and living in Tel Aviv has been really valuable.

Representing Career Israel and MASA at Ethiopian Memorial Service on Har Herzl

Written by Ben Menahem, intern in politics (at World Likkud) on Career Israel Internship Program

Having embraced the multitude of activities and events (both within and outside of the Career Israel internship program) in the upbeat City of Tel Aviv, I set off to historical Jerusalem to take part in the celebrations of Yom Yerushalyim, where we celebrate the Unity of our Capitol from 1967.

As part of the colossal Career Israel Experience, I was invited by MASA to represent my programme at an “Ethiopian Memorial Service” on Mount Herzl. The ceremony honoured the thousands of Ethiopians who have died over the past several decades on their journey from Africa to Israel.

Career Israel Participants on Jerusalem Day 2011

Ethiopian Jews Memorial

Little did I know that I would witness Israeli President, Shimon Peres greet Ethiopian Israeli dignitaries at the Memorial Ceremony. The monumental figure, who was so instrumental in the history and construction of this Start Up Nation, was now sat a few feet away from me. As he rose to deliver his speech on the podium, I felt nervous at being so close to this iconic figure whose consistent contribution makes him a true symbol of this great country.  He offered thanks to the immense Ethiopian contribution to Israel and spoke about the centrality and importance of our Capitol, Jerusalem.

Shimon Peres

As I sat there, toasting in the glorious morning sunshine, beads of cool sweat poured down my forehead and I could feel the excitement and pride within.  My name would be called out, as I accompanied Natan Sharansky, Chair of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel and Moshe Batar, Jewish Agency for Ethiopians, to help deliver a reef on the central platform. The event had further performances of “Yerushalyim shel Zahav” from an Ethiopian girls choir and a speech by MK Sofa Landver. The ceremony climaxed with a heart-warming rendition of the Hatikvah performed by a female military officer named Shai.

I then met up with friends from C.I. to join the unbelievable 40,000 peoplestrong parade in the streets of Jerusalem all the way to the Kotel !!  This was yet another fantastic opportunity Career Israel internship program offers, and I am grateful for taking part.

West Bank & Sderot/Gaza Trip – Oh my!

Hello everyone and happy start to the new week!

I want to first comment on my experience staying with the family in the West Bank. Last weekend I had the pleasure (thanks to the lovely Career Israel staff) to stay with a host family for Shabbat in the West Bank. The family I stayed with, The Epsteins, were a lovely family and were fantastic hosts to my friend Nathan and I. What was so interesting about the trip was that I really learned about life on the “other side” — that is, life in the settlements. In addition to going to a great Shabbat service at the local synagogue and getting a lovely Shabbat meal, I learned a lot about the challenges and issues the settlement and the family themselves face. It was a fascinating and eye opening experience, and I’m grateful to the Epstein’s as well as the other family’s that took us in for a night and house us.

Right before returning to Tel Aviv, we had a fascinating Q&A session with another settler family (with the whole group together) discussing his opinions on the future of the settlements and politics surrounding them. Again, an amazing experience because we were being exposed first hand to the settlements, not through the media! Thank you Career Israel again for giving me this amazing experience!

Us Career Israelites also recently embarked on a harrowing journey South of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to the small town of Sderot. For those of you who may not be completely familiar with that name, Sderot is a city of about 25,000 or so people in the northern Negev that has been bombarded by rockets and mortar bombs from Gaza for the past decade. The town is literally a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Gaza border….. so close we got to see the border for ourselves! And it was an amazing site. In Sderot, we got a great array of opinions on the situation from both sides of the political sphere. We got lectured by a centrist and right wing activist. Again, this is great! We got great exposure to different Israeli opinions and it was very interesting to hear their point of view. Many of us agreed and disagreed with these speakers, but what mattered the most in terms of the program was that we were exposed to their views and had the opportunity to think about them deeply.

We then traveled to a nearby Kibbutz, literally right next to the Gaza fence/border. There we met with two women who were part of a leftist/progressive organization that believes in dialogue more than war to help resolve the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Again, fascinating to hear their points of view and their experiences…. they were able to get Gazans across the border for dialogue sessions. That’s pretty cool! Many of us were of course split on how we felt about these women. Some of us supported their views, some of us didn’t, but again, this is Israel, and it’s great to be exposed to different viewpoints/political standpoints!

After the lecture one of the women took us directly to the Gaza border fence, to a place called “the lookout”. Here, we were able to actually see much of Gaza (from over the fence of course!) buildings and all. It was very surreal seeing it in person, knowing the politics and situations surrounding the area. All of us were staring at it for a while, and it was a great day for views as well…… we even saw buildings from Gaza City!

Our last activity of the day was a visit to displaced residents from former Gaza settlements…. ones that were evacuated during Israel’s 2005 disengagement from the Gaza Strip. It was a little different from the rest of the day – here we went from discussing bombs and rockets from Gaza to Jews who used to live IN Gaza. Again, many of us disagreed on several of these issues – but we got GREAT speakers who gave us their views on the subject with great passion, which was an experience in and of itself.

I must say that so far this was my favorite activity since the Negev trip. I learned a lot on this day and it left my mind eager for more information and knowledge on the subject.

These are the kind of things I was hoping to get from my Israel experience, and Career Israel delivered it all!

Religion and State Seminar reflections and Upcoming Sderot/ Gaza Trip!

Hello everyone!

The week seems to be winding down, but that doesn’t mean things are winding down for us on Career Israel!

This Shabbat I’m heading off to the West Bank to spend a night with a Jewish family in one of the settlements! At first, it may seem a little frightening, but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to get a peak on what life on “the other side” is like. And I’m grateful that they’re kind enough to be taking me in! It’s going to be an incredible experience and I cannot wait!

About a week ago we also went on our annual Religion/State seminar in Jerusalem. This was a very serious trip that dealt with many heavily debated topics that face Israelis today. And they were VERY heavy topics. The main things that were discussed were Haredim serving in the army, civil/gay marriage in Israel, and the status of converts. Again, these are all very heavy topics that have NO clear solution…… but what was amazing was that we got to hear from three Israelis (all from different viewpoints) on these issues. It was a very engaging and interesting panel where all of these topics were discussed. Of course, we all disagreed on many things, but the debates were civil and fruitful. I really left the seminar learning a lot and actually being HOPEFUL for the future. Who would have thought?!

I must also briefly mention that our program is about 80% finished. Wow! We have about 30 days left as I write this and I still can’t believe how much I’ve experienced and learned in the past four months! I definitely feel “different”, but of course in a magnificent way!

This weekend we have our Sderot/Gaza trip. No….. we aren’t going to Gaza! But we are going NEAR there, to a small city that has been under constant threats from rockets and mortar bombs sent from Gaza for the past 10 years. In Sderot we will tour the city and get first hand experiences on what residents have had to endure for the past decade and how they are coping with living their daily life under constant threats. But of course, this is Israel! So there will be no discussion without bringing politics into the equation…. and I appreciate that! One of the great things about Career Israel and being here is listening to the infinite opinions that Israelis have. And they are all fascinating.

Expect a VERY long reflection on this event. Personally, this is THE event I have been looking forward to the most.

Until then, keep tabs of our new and improved website…(careerisrael.com) and our application process has begun for Fall 2011, Career Israel Session 11…. so if you haven’t yet, apply now!

I can tell you that you will be SO glad you did!

Have a great weekend everyone and Shabbat Shalom!

Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut

Hello, and happy start to the week everyone!

About a week ago us Career Israelites met up in Jerusalem to mark the emotional Yom Hazikaron holiday here in Israel. It was a fascinating and eye opening experience, mainly because we spent it on some of the country’s most treasured sites, Yad Vashem and Mount Herzl.

We started the day touring around various parts of the museum and learning about all of the Jewish communities in Europe that were decimated in the Holocaust. We had interesting discussions and lectures on Holocaust Denial and watched an amazing video about a pregnant mother who survived the concentration camps (who happened to be one of the program participant’s grandmother!).

After our activities at Yad Vashem we went to Mount Herzl to view the IDF soldier memorial. This was very emotional because we visited many graves of those who died in their battle to defend Israel. At the end of the day, we went to a MASA event that was catered to remembering all of the soldiers that died while serving and victims of terrorist attacks within Israel. Again, this was a very emotional ceremony. However, it is an experience that will always be remembered by me because I’ve never experienced these holidays before in Israel.

Monday night and Tuesday, the sorrows turn to celebration as the country commemorated its 63rd birthday! This is one of the most happy and celebrated days of the year here, as people joyously mark the occasion of the country’s victory in the War of Independence. A popular Israeli tradition on Yom Haatzmaut is to have barbecues…… it’s like America’s July 4th! There are even fireworks around! Another popular tradition is to have street parties/block parties. I couldn’t imagine trying to drive on these days because there were so many streets blocked due to people celebrating in them!

I guess this was all significant because the two holidays being celebrated back to back shows me that Israelis are able to move on with their lives and be happy despite all the war and tragedy that surrounds them. Very powerful stuff I must say.

Looking ahead to this week is the Religion and State seminar in Jerusalem on Thursday……….. expect my reactions and some pictures from this event next week.

The last two months or so in Israel have been very eventful. Lots of Holidays, ceremonies, and commemorations………. things might be taking a breather now that Yom Haatzmaut is over…… but not so fast!

Summer is coming and this is a very eventful time all over the state where people are always outside, happy, and there are tons of concerts. So I cannot wait to see what lies ahead the next couple of weeks!

Take care everyone and have a great week!

Nate