Who: Students aged 18-22, both men and women who have not participated in a Gap year Program, or are not interested in as intensive a Beit Midrash program.

When: TBD

What: Participants will live in Jerusalem (separate men’s and women’s apartments), work in an internship of their choice during the day, study Torah on traditional and experiential levels, and explore Israel in the evenings and on weekends. Details below.

Cost: TBD

The program includes

• Housing in Jerusalem (including WiFi, AC, and kitchen; separate apartments for men and women)
• Professional and personalized internship placement in the field of your choice
• Educational staff and programming
• Trips exploring Israel
• Shabbat Meals and Programming
• Health insurance

Please note: participants will be ineligible for future MASA funding. Please contact us for details.

Program Overview

SIJ ASCEND offers professional internships during the day and a vibrant evening program offering a full array of teachers, social events and learning opportunities.

• Spend the summer living in an apartment in Jerusalem.
• Internship program designed to build your resume and develop work skills. Our professional internship team will find you a fun and exciting summer
  internship!
• Illuminating weekly trips around the Jerusalem area!
• Fun social programming to explore Jerusalem and make friends.
• Vibrant Torah study on a variety of topics featuring well known teachers from all across Israel and America. The learning program will be split into different classes and levels, and will be accessible for people of all learning backgrounds and skill levels. The learning program will take place in the Beit Midrash 2 nights a week, and once a week will be an educational trip.

Program Tracks:

Ascend offers 2 different learning tracks to cater towards our 2 different populations. Program tracks under the ASCEND program are geared towards creating a space for students to connect with their peers in a more intimate environment. While much of the program is together, the tracks allow for students to participate in Torah learning and programming that is created specifically for their program track.

General ASCEND College track – The General ASCEND learning track will consist of college students from around the world who did not spend a gap year in Israel. The learning will be very hands-on, allowing for students to ask questions and explore their Judaism in a spiritual and experiential way. You will meet students from many different campuses, allowing you to expand your network and form connections with like-minded students. The various trips and programming will have you walking away with lasting friendships. If you are looking for a memorable, impactful and life changing experience in Jerusalem this summer, this track is a good fit.

Post High School Track -If you are currently a high school senior and are not planning to spend a gap-year in Israel, this track is for YOU! The post-high-school track was created to give rising college first-years the opportunity to connect with Israel and Judaism on a deeper level, expand their professional networks, and build lasting friendships. Through trips, internships, Shabbatons, Torah study, and group activities, you will explore the land of Israel and your personal Jewish identity, and will walk away feeling empowered to take those connections and relationships with you to your college campus.

Sample Weekly Schedule