Internships

ITIM operates an internship program for North American college students.

The ITIM-Reiter Family Internship Program is designed for North American college students interested in religion-and-State issues, law, public policy, and/or social activism. It is appropriate for students preparing senior theses. The program consists of:

• Individualized research projects tailored to interns’ strengths and interests
• Mentoring from ITIM’s staff attorneys, rabbinical court advocates, case managers, and others
• Work within ITIM’s core programs: the ITIM Assistance Center, Public Policy Center, Legal Center, and Giyur K’Halacha Conversion Court Network
• Meetings with Israeli civic and religious leaders, including Knesset Members, governmental officials, attorneys, and rabbis
• Field trips to the Knesset, government offices, and civil and rabbinic courts to see ITIM’s work in action
• Text study, Jewish history lectures, and current affairs discussions led by ITIM Founder and Director, Rabbi Seth Farber, PhD, and ITIM staff

Participants:

• Gain professional work experience at one of Israel’s leading not-for-profit organizations
• Learn how Israel regulates and administers matters of Jewish life, including personal religious status, marriage, divorce, conversion, and burial
• Broaden their understanding of the historic, cultural, and religious diversity of the Jewish people
• Deepen their connection to Judaism, the Jewish people, and Israel

Eligibility: North American undergraduates with good oral and written Hebrew may apply. Five interns will be selected.

Dates: The Internship Program will take place June – August, 2025. (Exact dates TBD).

Further Information: [email protected]

Quotes from last year’s summer interns:

• “Working at ITIM has been extremely inspiring, enlightening and thought provoking. I have learned so much about the bridge of religion and state in Israel and its effect on Israel’s population. I have learned about the importance of fighting for someone’s right to be Jewish and live in Israel. I feel so blessed to have worked at ITIM, alongside the highly distinguished staff. I will always remember my wonderful and unique summer at ITIM.”- Emma Vorchheimer
• “This summer at ITIM, I’ve learned about the complexities of what it looks like to have a religious and democratic state as well as the impact of the religious establishment on daily life. I’ve had the opportunity to better understand the many ways that religious life and state bureaucracy intersect by meeting with various speakers such as leaders of the Ethiopian community, those championing a woman’s right to a get, and experts in Jewish conversion. Every day that I got to come into the office and absorb the knowledge of everyone who works at ITIM, I’ve been able to witness what it means to advocate for a state that is both religious and inclusive by both promoting systemic change and taking on individual cases to help people navigate the religious establishment and life in Israel.”- Tova Oliff
• “While interning at ITIM I had the amazing opportunity to deepen my understanding of the complex relationship between religion and state in Israel. From my personal project in Giyur K’Halacha to our engaging speakers and trips, each experience helped me strengthen my own opinions and understand the nuances between different organizations in Israel working to promote an inclusive religious establishment”.- Rachel Landesman

Pictures from last year’s interns:  some of the exciting speakers and trips from this past summer!

Interns at a weekly meeting with founder and director of ITIM, Rabbi Farber.

Field trip and tour of the Knesset, Israel’s Legislature.

Interns meeting with Yehuda Zeiderman, director of Tzohar Kashrut at ITIM’s office.

Interns visit and tour the Supreme Court in Jerusalem.

Interns traveled to Kiryat Gat to meet with leaders of the Ethiopian community, Rav Sharon Shalom and Keis מנטסנוט אלי וונדה.

Interns speaking with commanders and officers at Nativ army base, one of the army’s largest conversion bases.