Jewish college grads: Israel offering government fellowships

JERUSALEM (Press Release)–An Israel Government work placement program integrating high flying diaspora graduates to key ministries and departments is marking its first five years.

The Israel Government Fellows, (IGF) established in 2007 has placed over 100 graduates from the Diaspora in professional work placements in key Israeli ministries and departments with several going on to take up full time posts in the Foreign Ministry. The program is run by the Menachem Begin Heritage Center and brings to life the vision of former Prime Minister Menachem Begin to connect the Diaspora with the heart of life in Israel even at the highest levels.

Each year between 20-30 successful candidates aged 21- 30 pass through a rigorous a screening process and are placed in destinations including the Foreign Ministry, Justice Ministry, Finance Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office.  Most candidates join the program after graduating university, or following a few years gaining experience in their field.

Participants also take part in intensive Hebrew studies as well as weekly seminars and tours, dedicated to different topics relating to Israeli government and politics or the wider Jewish world. Speakers have included Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor, MK Isaac Herzog, Natan Sharansky, former minister Rabbi Michael Melchior, top professors Shlomo Avineri and Nobel Prize Winner Yisrael Auman.

Two San Diego graduates have taken part in the program so far both completing placements with the Israeli government in 2010.

Jason Weiss-Calamar (24) was placed in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor. He said: “The Israel Government Fellowship was an incredible experience both personally and professionally. During the year at the Ministry, I worked on foreign trade projects and at the Jerusalem City Council on foreign affairs. The chance to work for and contribute to Israel on this level, plus attend graduate-level seminars and trips all over the country, is something no other program can offer. I grew closer to Israel and Judaism, made lifelong friends, and gained real work experience in a government office.”

Jordan Hytken (27) completed his placement with the Foreign Ministry.  He said:  “Serving the Jewish state within the highest levels of the Israeli Government was extraordinary.  Israel is the only country in the world that would take a twenty-five year old directly from graduate school and allow that person to manage projects within their Foreign Ministry.  As a fellow you will not be making coffee.  You will use your education and international perspective to greatly contribute to Israel at a level to which you cannot fully comprehend until you arrive and start your job.”

Fellow Californian Leah Siskind (25) from Piedmont, California, completed a placement with the Israeli Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Agency for International Development in 2010 and was recently appointed new Director of Government Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in San Francisco.

She said: “My experience at the Foreign Ministry taught me the proper decorum to meet diplomats and foreign dignitaries from all over the world. Sharing Israel’s best practices and expertise with other countries also taught me a great deal about Israel’s political priorities and values. My mentors wanted me to learn everything about the department, attend all meetings regardless of the language and to be as involved as much as possible.”

Program Director Paul Gross said: “The first few years of IGF have exceeded our highest expectations. Not only are we attracting the best and the brightest young people from Jewish communities around the world, but we are receiving incredible feedback from the government ministries we are working with.

“IGF participants gain a level of work experience that they would be unlikely to find in their home countries, at their age.  Most countries are not rushing to bring foreign nationals into key ministries; however we believe that one way to connect diaspora Jews with Israel is to provide them with the opportunity to be involved with the decisions being made at the highest level in Israel.

The program meme relies on a team of mentors in each of the government ministries and departments who help train and integrate the fellows. Acting Deputy Director, of the UN & International Organizations Department at the Foreign Ministry, Marina Rosenberg said:  “It is always good to have fresh energy in the team, with a different focus, in this case a non-Israeli approach. This is particularly valuable in work which is related to forwarding foreign policy relations and state activities and advocacy towards non-Israeli sources.”

Many IGF graduates have gone on to work in Israeli missions abroad, including Israeli consulates, embassies & delegations to the UN.
The Israel Government Fellows welcomes applications for the coming year 2012. Visit www.igf.org.il for more details.

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Preceding provided by the Israel Government Fellows program