Israel On Campus and Abroad
Engaging on Campus
Berkeley Hillel connects you with learning opportunities, fellowships, and student groups that explore Israel through multiple lenses.
Fellowships
Mishelanu
- The fellowship is for Israeli-American students and covers important topics unique to Israeli-American students, such as identity, relationship to Israel, and leadership.
- For more information about Mishelanu, contact our Israel Fellow, Shaked Bustnay at sbustnay@berkeleyhillel.org .
Israel Fellowship
- Check back here soon for Spring Semester’s Israel Fellowship!
Hebrew Chavurah
Hebrew learning for beginners! Join us once a week to learn Hebrew in a fun, low-pressure, interactive way! If you’re interested in learning the basics- the Aleph-Beit, basic vocabulary and later on some Hebrew songs, this is for you. Hope to see you there!
Check out this link for more information and to register.
Student Groups
Run by and for students, these diverse groups represent different ways that Berkeley students relate to and engage with Israel.
- Bears for Israel is an inclusive pro-Israel voice that promotes open dialogue on campus and advocates for the existence of a democratic Jewish state. Â It works to bridge relationships between various campus groups to form a more unified pro-Israel body.
- J Street U is the student organizing arm of J Street, the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans. J Street U is a nationwide movement of campus chapters advocating and educating on colleges and universities, in communities and on Capitol Hill for vigorous and sustained American leadership in facilitating a negotiated, two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Tikvah, the Zionist voice at Berkeley, represents an alternative approach to the methods of the current network of “pro-Israel” institutions in America. We are an independent organization of activists who deeply believe in our cause. Tikvah rejects shallow advocacy and blind support and hope to foster a deeper connection between Jews at Cal and their national identity and homeland.
- Mishelanu promotes an active and strong Israeli-American community on college campuses, in order to strengthen and maintain the next generation’s identity: culture, language, heritage and strong connections to Israel.
- The TAMID Israel Investment Group is a student-led non-profit organization, which develops and fosters the future economic relationship between American business minds and the Israeli economy. TAMID’s on-campus program is consists of education, consulting, fund management, and an internship.
- For more information about joining, TAMID, visit the group page.
Travel to Israel
Travel during Winter Break
Birthright:Â Are you interested in traveling to Israel? Join us on our Birthright Israel trip with 40 other Berkeley students! For more information about this FREE program, check out the Birthright Israel page or contact our Israel Fellow, Shaked Bustnay at sbustnay@berkeleyhillel.org .
Want to go for longer? Check out Onward Israel Summer Internships
- Live, work and play in Israel this summer while building your resume and making lifetime memories! Onward Israel offers exciting resume building opportunities and internships, providing a global, cross-cultural experience in Israel and direct contact with Israeli peers.
- If you are interested in spending a longer period of time in Israel, MASA Israel Journey provides resources to study, intern, and volunteer. Offering over 200 different opportunities, MASA provides young Jewish adults with connections to programs, grants, and scholarships towards program fees, as well as support, activities, workshops, and resources while in Israel.
- For information about studying abroad in Israel, visit the Study Abroad page.
Campus & Community Partners
Berkeley Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies
The Berkeley Institute houses two core programs, the Berkeley Program on Israel Studies, a nationally-recognized initiative for the study of Israel, and the Berkeley Program on Jewish Law, Thought, and Identity, the only program of its type in the western United States.
Together the Institute’s programs promote student and faculty engagement by developing opportunities for research, programming, and mentorship; by bringing visiting faculty and scholars to UC Berkeley; and by organizing colloquia, programs, and classes to strengthen academic inquiry and discourse across the Berkeley campus.
The Consulate General of Israel in SFÂ
- Information about Israeli culture, news, products as well as consular services for Israeli citizens.
The Jewish Community Federation of the Greater East Bay
- The Jewish Federation based in Oakland serves Alameda and Contra Costa counties and supports a wide variety of Israel programming for adults, youth, and students.
Read Berkeley Hillel’s Israel Policy here