Summer Internship Program

June 21 – August 31, 2010

Take 10 weeks at Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in the foothills of the Berkshires to discover yourself through our unique internship program, incorporating: Jewish spiritual practice; healthy, natural living; service to others; and membership in a loving, inclusive community within which to connect deeply to Jewish life, learning, lore, and spirituality.

As an intern, you will give 36 hours each week of service to facilitate the experience of summer retreat participants. You will choose the study opportunities that interest you, and learn from great teachers of esoteric, spiritual, artistic, and grounded aspects of Judaism. You will help build a conscious community and develop personally motivating spiritual practices. You will have daily and weekly opportunities to explore meditation, yoga, communal prayer, organic gardening, Torah study, the great outdoors, and Shabbat.

Throughout the course of the program, you will dwell in a community rooted in emotional safety, mutual respect, and authentic sharing. This conscious community supports each individual’s exploration of self, God, Jewish identity, and personal relationships in a vibrant, deep, and inclusive Jewish context.

Interns generally range in age from 20s to 60s. They come from all over the world and from diverse backgrounds with different levels of Jewish education and practice. Interns may work in recreation (lifeguard at pool and lake, nature hiking, rope course and rock scramble), arts and crafts, children’s program, kitchen, housekeeping, retreat and A/V production, &/or guest services.

It is important that interested applicants are: willing and able to work hard and to see work itself as a spiritual practice; willing to co-create and participate whole-heartedly in a respectful and caring, multi-generational and diverse community of interns, staff members, teachers, and retreat participants.

The Internship program costs $180 including work, all programs, very basic housing, and wholesome kosher meals. Spaces are limited. Acceptance into the program is at the sole discretion of the Summer Internship Coordinator and Isabella Freedman’s executive leadership. The program is trans-denominational and inclusive.

Applying to the Program

Please click here for the 2010 Summer Internship Application. All applications must be submitted to Rhonda Rosenheck, via email, by May 27, 2010. Admission is rolling.

The program application fee is $80. If you are accepted as an intern and choose to participate in the program, this $80 application fee will be applied towards the $180 Internship Program fee. If you are not accepted into the Internship Program, we will refund your $80 application fee.