Through BICEP Israel Strategy Grant funds we are able to offer Israel-related events at Penn and to enhance our Birthright trips with special, BICEP-only excursions. Upon return to Penn, post-trip events keep BICEP students engaged in the Israel conversation as well as in their Birthright community.
We are currently looking for an Israel Engagement Fellow in a Part-Time, Salaried Position
The Israel Engagement Fellow (“the Fellow”) serving Jewish Heritage Programs (JHP) and the Chabad at Penn will work in conjunction with staff and student leaders to plan and execute a robust annual Israel engagement strategy, with a focus on its Birthright Israel program. The Fellow will be a dynamic self-starter, capable of envisioning and delivering upon a plan to grow the number of students traveling on JHP and Chabad at Penn’s Birthright buses as well as providing support and inspiration to Birthright Israel participants before and after their trip. The Fellow will develop exciting experiences that engage participants in Jewish life once back on campus, and will enable students to think meaningfully about how they want to grow in their Jewish identities, and what role Israel will play in their lives.
The Israel Engagement Fellow will possess contagious Jewish passion, entrepreneurial energy, strong leadership, and networking skills. The Fellow will build and cultivate relationships with students, create engaging events, develop brand-centric marketing materials, and supervise and motivate student leaders.
Responsibilities
- Build personal relationships with students who are not already involved in Jewish life
- Serve as a thought partner and entrepreneurial leader
- Manage JHP and Chabad at Penn’s Birthright Israel program including recruitment, interviews, pre-trip orientations, post-trip evaluation, and improving the trip experience
- Create and plan Israel engagement programs throughout the year, such as speaker events and seminars
- Engage student leaders in all outreach processes
- Attend weekly staff meetings
Qualifications
- BA from a residential, 4-year college
- 0-2 years of professional work experience
- Prior travel experience to Israel and a familiarity with Israeli society and culture
- Training or other experiences, such as an Emerson Fellowship, a plus but not required
Skills
- Entrepreneurial energy, a passion for all things Israel, and highly developed logistical skills
- Natural networker and authentic relationship builder, capable of engaging students in all stages of their college career from a variety of backgrounds, including Greek life and various campus communities
- Excellent follow-through on projects with many moving parts, and able to see projects through from start to finish every time
- Creativity, the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, ability to take initiative, interest in professional growth, and excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership development skills
- Capability to work both independently and as part of a team
- Ability to prioritize and handle multiple assignments
- Social media savvy
Position Location
The position is based in Philadelphia, adjacent to the University of Pennsylvania. The Fellow must be able to be in person much of the time. Remote work is possible in a limited capacity.
To Apply
Submit a cover letter and resume to jane@jhp.org. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
After being a student at Penn for three years, it was so nice to open up and talk about my IDF service in a warm and comfortable environment. Although my experience as a combat soldier is very different than what most 18-20 year olds experience in the states, it was cool to put things into perspective for my friends. I loved giving them a window into “a day in the life” as well as learning about the other Penn undergraduate students who used to be soldiers. I am so thankful for JHP and the BICEP grant for allowing me to engage with Penn students in a constructive, positive, and exciting way through events like the IDF panel as well as the unique opportunity to travel with Chabad last year on Birthright.”
