This summer, thanks to several generous gifts in support of Dean David N. Hempton's campaign initiatives, HDS launched a new effort to provide students with financial support so that they can serve communities locally and abroad through organizations unable to offer paid summer experiences.
The inaugural Dean's Summer Internship Awards are $4,000 stipends that enable several MTS students to make positive contributions through internships with nonprofit or public service organizations, and then take those experiences with them back into the classroom in the fall.
Below, one of the award recipients, Erez Golan, explains in his own words how the stipend allowed him to work for the New Israel Fund (NIF) in Newton, Massachusetts, and the impact his internship is having on the community and himself.
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Receiving the Dean's Summer Internship Award made my summer meaningful and fruitful. The experiences I had while working with the local office of the New Israel Fund have surely contributed to my growth as a student of religion, as well as to my thinking about the intersection between the academic study of religions and the "real world."
The NIF is an American-based, pro-Israel organization that supports progressive, Israeli, non-governmental organizations by awarding them with grants and providing them with volunteers.
NIF's grantees typically work on issues such as religious freedom, strengthening the Israeli democracy, promoting Jewish-Arab coexistence, and combating racism and gender inequality within Israeli society. NIF's work and success depend on the organization's ability to engage American supporters—mostly Jews—who feel connected to Israel and who wish to impact positively on its society.
During my seven weeks at NIF, my position and work were dedicated to providing the local office with better tools for the engagement of potential supporters, as well as to strengthen existing micro-communities of prominent NIF volunteers and leaders.
My primary job was designing an educational curriculum that will be implemented in the future by local leaders. The curriculum explores Israel's history, social fabric, and current challenges through Israeli cultural expressions—such as art, literature, cinema, and music—as well as classical Jewish texts. The curriculum gives special attention to NIF's work in Israel and to different progressive NGOs in Israel.
The vision of the project is twofold. First, to cultivate among those who will participate in the classes a personal connection to Israel and a desire to work actively toward the betterment of its society. Second, to expose participants to Israeli allies with whom they share values and world views.
My first year at HDS provided me with essential tools for the work on my project. A large part of my position revolved around conducting research, writing lesson plans, and constructing teaching methods that encourage active participation, self-learning, and community building. My experiences at HDS—mainly, learning from outstanding teachers and interacting with talented peers—guided me through my work.
Additionally, I participated in a few NIF events, met with donors and Israeli activists, and "beta tested" the classes with the local office's team. Through these experiences I came to learn that the issue of interfaith dialogue in Israel is of great importance to many of NIF's supporters.
Naturally, my studies at HDS, which included acquaintance with several faith traditions, as well as exposure to worldwide work on interfaith relations, proved to be relevant, enriching, and a source for sharing knowledge and visions.
My summer internship will impact the way I approach my second year at HDS. Seeing the role religion plays in mobilizing people to repair the world has left an impact on me that will surely endure in the future. I know that today I have a clearer sense of the relevance of the ancient histories and texts we study in the classroom, to the lives of those currently living in my country, and to the lives of those who care about the country.
I believe that my summer internship with NIF will have a humble impact on the organization, the local Jewish community, and—most importantly for me—the state of Israel. The classes I have designed will be available to new supporters of Israel and NIF's work in the country, and while they will not change the world, they will make a change.
—Erez Golan is a master of theological studies degree candidate at HDS