The Israel Government Fellows Program (IGF) is an initiative of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in affiliation with MASA.  The IGF program is endorsed by the Office of the Prime Minister in Israel, and offers outstanding and highly motivated young Jews an experience at the heart of the Israeli government establishment.  The program combines an internships in government offices with educational seminars and Hebrew language instruction. It is the only existing program of its kind for non-Israelis and is available for Jews aged 22-30 with at least a first degree.

The program’s duration is ten months and is based in Jerusalem. As well as working closely with a government official in a Ministry or other government branch, participants will attend weekly seminars, as well as joint activities with Israeli counterparts. They will travel throughout the country, and will meet with Israeli officials, policy makers, journalists, and a wide range of other public figures.

IGF is a program of MASA, and, as such, has an overriding mission to help young Jewish people from around the world to forge a lifelong connection with the State of Israel. Uniquely, IGF does this through a combination of work experience exposing them to the workings of Israeli government, and a series of educational seminars on different aspects of Israeli politics and society

The program encourages professionalism and self-development, while also enabling participants to make a real contribution to the governance of the State of Israel

As an initiative of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center, which looks to preserve the memory of Israel’s sixth Prime Minister, the program is also based around values that reflect his vision of a Jewish and democratic Israel, driven by a commitment to individual liberty, social justice, the rule of law and equality for all its citizens.

This program provides participants with invaluable work experience and leadership training, which will be transferrable to future employment and will be impressive additions to any CV. It is a unique opportunity for aspiring Jewish leaders to acquire new skills while contributing to Israeli politics and society, to learn about Israeli history and culture, and to strengthen their connection to the Jewish state.

All applicants to the program must have a first degree, but that is the minimum requirement. IGF participants will be working with leading figures inside the most influential governmental departments, including the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, and the program is therefore seeking exceptional candidates. The application process will require that applicants demonstrate excellent research and analysis abilities as well as a clear commitment to the well-being of Israel and the Jewish people.

An Israel Government Fellow is expected to take the program seriously - committing themselves to their work experience mentor for the duration of their internship, and attending every seminar and activity that makes up the educational component of the program. They are expected to treat their fellow participants with respect and to show a high level of personal responsibility. Fellows are expected to appreciate the unique opportunity they are being offered and to do all they can to make the most of the experience.

Program Alumi will join a global network of IGF past participants, and will help to fulfill the main vision set out by the IGF program, namely - strengthening the connection between the State of Israel and the communities in the Diaspora, as well as enhancing initiative and leadership in various fields in the Jewish world. 

During the first month Fellows attend a daily seminar at the Begin Center. During that month there will be one trip outside of Jerusalem for three days. 
 
After these orientation weeks, Fellows will work Sunday-Wednesday at the government office where they have been placed. Thursday will be a seminar day where they will have the opportunity to meet and listen to leading decision makers and opinion-formers in Israeli society.

Most weekends (Fri-Sat) are free. Fellows will have several long weekends scheduled throughout the year (three days), and will enjoy vacations on Jewish and national holidays. Each month one weekend will be set aside for special programs and tiyulim (trips around Israel).

Fellows will be able to be absent for a few additional days of their choosing for personal reasons.

Fellows will all receive a special certificate confirming completion of the program. They can also request a letter of recommendation.

IGF is only program that offers the opportunity to intern in the Israeli government – as opposed to the private, or non-profit, sectors. In addition, IGF provides an educational program of seminars and talks by high-profile political figures, which is not mirrored in other programs.
IGF is not for everyone, and it may be, that one of the other MASA programs suits you better - if for example you are looking for an internship in the private sector.

Download the application form from the website, or contact the Program staff, by email or phone: +972 2 5652027 /1, for an application form.

Applicants must be between 22-30 years old and have a Bachelor’s Degree plus a minimum of two years work experience OR a Master's Degree. (A part-time job or other internship can also be considered as work experience for these purposes.) Applicants must have fluent English and be eligible according to MASA’s guidelines.

The registration officially closes on April 15th, 2010.
The application form can be downloaded from the website.

We will have two rounds of acceptance of applications. For complete applications received by February 15th 2010, answers will be given by the middle of March. For complete applications received by the final closing date of 15 April, answers will be sent by 1st June.

IGF looks to secure the most diverse possible group of Fellows in terms of background and nationality, as well as aspiring to achieve an equal gender balance.

The purpose of the essays is to assess the extent to which applicants can research and analyze complex issues and present their arguments. Applicants are advised to choose the question that most interests them, do as much relevant research as possible and come to a conclusion that can be explained and presented in the essay.

IGF places great importance on the references provided by previous employers, professors, academic supervisors, community leaders or shlichim. We provide a letter for prospective referees, which outlines what we require from them in a letter of recommendation. Applicants are advised to carefully decide on the referees who can best describe how they will be suitable for the program, with reference to the qualities and skills that are required.

An internship, as envisaged by the IGF program, is a placement where the reward is in the experience gained and the skills developed. Volunteering is a central aspect of the Fellowship.

Fellows on the program are placed in positions of genuine responsibility working with senior figures in the Israeli government establishment.

Every Fellow will be given a list of the possible options for internship and, after a one-on-one discussion with the program Director, they will choose four placements from the list. Their CVs and relevant details will be sent to the offices of these four potential placements and the final decision will be made according to the requirements of those offices in conjunction with the judgment of the program Director.

The working language of the program will be English - with all seminars and meetings conducted in English. Internships will likewise be for English-speakers, with the only language that could be used in place of it being Hebrew. Nontheless, any additional languages could well be beneficial in certain placements.

The educational program is a combination of a month long opening seminar, weekly seminar days, and tours around the country – all providing the educational component of the program.

The education program provides Fellows with a framework of knowledge that will help them to understand the workings of the Israeli state, introducing them to the key issues and challenges that have faced Israeli governments past and present. It also offers them professional training which will support their experience as interns.

The IGF program aims to develop the leadership skills of its participants. A core belief of the program is that good decision-making is based on the widest possible knowledge, and that leaders must have an understanding of the different perspectives that exist on particular issues and the different solutions presented. The education program exposes Fellows to all sides of the various debates in Israeli politics and society – left and right, religious and secular, Jewish and Arab.

Over the course of the ten-month program, there are several tiyulim, or trips, around the country lasting 3-4 days. These will enable Fellows to experience Israel in all its diversity, and to get to know the country better. There will also be day trips in Jerusalem, where Fellows will live and work.

Ulpan is Hebrew language instruction. English is the working language of the program but it is hugely beneficial for Fellows to develop basic conversational Hebrew, both to support their internship experience in Hebrew-speaking environments, and to assist their general development as Jewish, Zionist leaders.

Fellows will attend daily Ulpan sessions throughout the first few weeks afterwhich preiodic follow-ups will take place.

IGF uses a tried-and-tested ulpan course which specializes in spoken Hebrew.

The IGF program is proud of its record of exposing its participants to the very highest quality speakers. The program chooses political and public figures from across the political spectrum, expressing the full range of opinions that feature in the vibrant Israeli democracy. Special emphasis is placed on the speaker's field of expertise, therefore, many of the lectures will be held with leading scholars.  

The educational program will include a series of lectures, as well as participation in a wide range of conferences, tours and meetings around the country (for more details please see education program section of the website). 

The cost of the program is $11,000. However, all Fellows are eligible for a grant from the Begin Center as well as a grant from MASA (the precise amount is according to country of origin and other criteria - see website for further information: www.masaisrael.org).
The MASA grant application also contains the option of requesting a further ‘scholarship’. Some applicants will be successful in receiving this in addition to the grant.

Assuming these options are taken up, Fellows will be left paying only a small proportion of the full cost, if any.

The total includes a $100 application fee.

Grants are available from MASA (grants may vary according to country of origin; see MASA website for details). The MASA grant application also contains the option of requesting a further ‘scholarship’. Some applicants will be successful in receiving this in addition to the grant.

Funding may also be offered by other Jewish/Zionist institutions such as UJC-Federations in the US or the UJIA in the UK. Applicants are advised to explore whether their local and national community organizations have grants available.
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It is not recommended that participants miss parts of the program but it is understandable for important family events.
Fellows have a certain amount of days that they are allowed to be absent from the program. They are free to use these days to take time off for family events or visits, or as they choose.

A team of professional staff from the Begin Center led by the Director of the program, Tamar Darmon.

IGF Program
E-mail: tamard@begincenter.org.il
Phone number: +972-2-5652027 / 1