What do you do when you fall in love with Israel and want to experience the country for more than 10 days? You go back with Onward Israel LA!
This summer, 20 Angelenos between the ages of 19 and 26 will participate in Onward Israel LA, an 8-week internship that gives them a chance to build their resumes and experience life together in Tel Aviv. Working with companies and organizations related to their individual skills, backgrounds and interests, this year’s group embarks on their journey on June 19th.
Participants include:
- Michelle Agroskin – A sophomore studying social psychology and communication at University of Southern California (USC), Michelle will be working at Zeekit, an Israeli e-commerce start-up that allows people to virtually try on clothing before purchasing.
- Maximilian Brichta – A graduate of California State University, Northridge (CSUN) with a BA in Communication Studies, Maximilian will be working at University of the People, the world’s first nonprofit, tuition-free, accredited online university.
- Jonathan Castro – A biomedical engineering student at USC who was born in Costa Rica and raised in Panama City, Panama, Jonathan will be working at Milbat: The Israeli Center for Assistive Devices, Building and Transportation for the Disabled.
- Diane Dallal – A graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), with a degree in psychology, Diane will be working at the Liad Mudrik Lab at Tel Aviv University.
- Ariana Eskenazi – A junior at CSUN studying photography, Ariana will be working at The PhotoHouse, a family-owned photo archive shop established in the 1930s that sells the art of photographer Rudi Weissenstein.
- Jake Ettinger – A student of philosophy, politics and law at USC and a Campus Engagement Intern at USC Hillel, Jake will be working at University of the People.
- Katie Farr – A student of human biology and society at UCLA who speaks Persian, Hebrew and some Spanish, Katie will be working at Manna Center Program for Food Safety and Security at Tel Aviv University.
- Sydney Flynn – A student of international relations and history at Claremont McKenna College, Sydney will be working at Amit LaDerech, an association that helps to integrate and empower young adults, post-army, from Israel’s periphery — founded and run by a PresenTense Israel Fellow. Keep checking our blog for updates from Sydney throughout her summer in Israel!
- Charles Harris – A sophomore studying biomedical engineering at USC whose interests include 3D printing, nanotechnology, wearable technology, tissue engineering and consulting, Charles will be working at Emerald Medical Applications in Petach Tikva.
- Jake Hertzberg – A film student at USC, Jake will be working at Greenhouse, a development program for documentary filmmakers.
- Jessi Jacobowitz – A sophomore studying architecture at USC, Jessi will be working at Israelevitz Architects, a family-run architecture firm.
- Jonathan Levine – A Brazilian-American mechanical engineering student at USC, Jonathan will be working at the Yoav Linzon Optomechanics Lab at Tel Aviv University.
- Sheyla Nemandoust – Studying international development at UCLA, Sheyla will be working at the Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration (ORAM), an organization that specializes in protection of exceptionally vulnerable refugees, including LGBTI individuals.
- Dani Reisbaum – A psychology major who is interested in creating environments that cultivate intrinsic motivation for individuals with severe mental illness, Dani will be working at the Herczeg Institute on Aging at Tel Aviv University.
- Gabe Rifkin – An environmental engineering student at USC researching microbial fuel cells, Gabe will be working at ecoOS, an Israeli start-up that enables businesses to improve their environmental impact and sustainability.
- Andrew Rose – A real estate development major at USC, Andrew will be working at Stay at My Place, a listing company for vacation and holiday rentals in Israel.
- Madeline Sloan – A sociology student at CSUN and former counselor at Camp JCA Shalom in Malibu, Madeline will be working at BINA, Federation’s partner that runs Onward Israel and year-round programs for Israelis and international students at their secular yeshiva in South Tel Aviv.
- Guy Topf – A student of business administration and international relations at USC, Vice President of Religious and Spiritual Life at USC Hillel, and a Brawerman Fellow, Guy looks forward to receiving his Onward Israel internship assignment soon.
- Eryk Waligora – A graduate of UCLA with a BA in economic history, Eryk will be working at Veed.me, an online resource for businesses to connect with videographers.
- Tal Weiss – An economics major at USC and Freshman Engagement Chair of USC’s Hillel, Tal will be working at Tavor Economics Consultants.
With a plethora of passions and myriad experience, our 2016 cohort reflects the diversity of our Los Angeles Jewish community. We can’t wait to see how Onward Israel LA impacts their lives this summer and beyond!
For more information about Onward Israel and other immersive experiences, please contact Margalit Rosenthal at (323) 761-8208 or MRosenthal@JewishLA.org.
