Lainer Interns for Jewish Education

Established in 1992, the Lainer Interns for Jewish Education has quickly become a model program for recruiting new professionals which includes support and mentorship to prepare them for an exciting career in Jewish education. The response from communal leaders, funders and professionals in the field has been overwhelming.

What is the Lainer Interns for Jewish Education Program?

• A unique and innovative approach to recruit university students for careers in Jewish education by spending two years, one in Israel and the other in North America, actively involved in learning about and working in the field.
• The first organized effort by a broad partnership of institutions, including the Jewish Agency For Israel, Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University, and JESNA, to translate the enthusiasm and heightened self-identification of Jewish college students into a lifelong commitment to serving the Jewish people.

Who are the Lainer Interns?

• Students at North American universities who are studying in Israel as part of the Junior Year Abroad experience at Hebrew University or Tel Aviv University.
• Actively involved young adults who are exploring ways to enhance their personal involvement in the Jewish community, both as students and as career possibilities.
• Undergraduates who were actively involved in their high school years in both formal and informal Jewish experiences.

What do the Lainer Interns do in Israel?

• Take a specially designed credit course, Issues in American Jewish Education as part of their studies in the university.
• Participate in field trips, shabbatonim and workshops designed to give hands-on exposure to educational issues.
• Meet outstanding North American and Israeli Jewish educational leaders.
• Experience first-hand a program or institution in Israel involved in Jewish education in the Diaspora through a field work internship.

What do the Lainer Interns do upon return to North America?

• Take on a mentored Jewish teaching or youth position in their university community during the senior year, arranged by JESNA.
• Attend a mid-winter seminar/reunion during the senior year to meet with faculty from the graduate schools of Jewish education, together with outstanding professional educators and lay leaders.

What do the Lainer Interns do after graduation?

• Pursue graduate degrees in Jewish education and Jewish communal service.
• Accept teaching, youth work and/or administrative positions in day schools, synagogues, central agencies for Jewish education and communal Jewish organizations.
• Study advanced Judaica at institutions in Israel.
• Make Jewish education a part of their life, while pursuing other work or study plans.

What is JESNA's role in the Lainer Interns for Jewish Education?

• Sponsor, recruit and administer all aspects of the program in Israel.
• Assist with placement in a Jewish educational position in the university community during the senior year.
• Arrange for a mentor to assist in developing the Interns' educator skills.
• Provide guidance and support to the Interns and Mentors.
• Coordinate all arrangements for the Mid-Winter Seminar/Reunion, including travel, faculty and staff supervision.
• Promote graduate education through resources such as JESNA's annual Academic Guide to Programs in Formal and Informal Jewish Education which lists Masters programs in Jewish Education and Jewish Communal Service.
• Assist in career placement through personal contacts and referrals.

Funding for this program is provided by generous grants from the Lainer family, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, the Jewish Agency For Israel and other sources.


Recruitment and Retention Resources