ZOA Summer Internship Program
This year’s six-week internship program for outstanding student leaders proved to be one
of the most successful ever. A select group of interns — chosen from a large pool of highly
qualified applicants from campuses across the country — were based at ZOA’s national headquarters
in Manhattan. They worked in tandem with ZOA Campus Coordinators to create
factually informative campus material, including new and dynamic digital flyers focused on
Zionism, Jewish refugees from the Middle East, and Israel’s international humanitarian aid
efforts. In addition to their research and production of new campus resources, the summer
interns also worked under the guidance of ZOA’s National Director of Marketing and Communications
and ZOA’s National Director of Development to learn about effective social
media strategies and the various dynamics related to community outreach and organizational
growth strategies.
From The Interns:
Sean Lewis
A Little About Me
I am currently a junior at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York pursuing a major in Information Management
and Technology. I arrived on campus having already made a commitment to myself to remain focused
on my Jewish identity, avoiding a possible struggle that is common amongst first year students. I’m proud to say
that after only two years, I was amongst the most active students in Jewish and pro-Israel life on campus.
Strong Ties to the ZOA Led to Unforgettable Experiences
I became aware of the ZOA through my mother, ZOA National Board Member Shira Lewis, and my brother,
who interned for the ZOA in 2016. And after ending the spring semester feeling really engaged with Israel, I
knew that I had a strong passion for Israel - so I decided to pursue the ZOA internship. During the application
process, I was made aware of the ZOA Campus Student Leadership Mission to Israel, which I quickly signed
up for. My experience in Israel with ZOA Campus was incredible and a once in a lifetime opportunity. This
trip introduced me to new insights, experiences, and places. What sets the ZOA trip apart from other organization
led trips, is the access that we received; The ZOA brought us to sites, such as the Gaza and Syrian border,
Hebron, The Temple Mount, Ariel, Nokdim, Gush Etzion ,Shiloh, and more. The ZOA is one of very few
organizations to take people to Judea and Samaria and that also provides the option to see the Temple Mount
and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre – that says a lot about the trip’s inclusivity and open approach, which
every participant valued and enjoyed.
After two inspiring weeks in Israel with peers from different campuses across the country, I returned to New
York feeling super motivated to begin the ZOA Internship and also more secure in my positions and knowledge
relating to the situation in Israel. The internship was equally rewarding, as it was a great opportunity for me to
learn more about fundraising and the different ways that a nonprofit organization works toward meeting its
fiscal goals, whether that be through data collection and analysis, digital marketing, or grassroots efforts. I was
also very involved in the creation of pro-Israel print materials that will be used by ZOA Campus in its efforts to
spread the truth about Israel on campuses throughout the country.
Rebecca Oestreicher
From the First Glance
While a student at Stony Brook University, I got involved with the Seawolves for Israel club and participated
in the Soroff Israel Fellowship, which provided me access to a number of events, one of which was a ZOA networking
event. It was at this event that I heard about the ZOA Summer Internship Program and quickly applied
to be an intern on the Marketing and Communications track.
A Deep Dive into the ZOA Archives
As part of my responsibilities, I was charged with going through the ZOA archives. When I first came across
this photograph, my heart broke for the little girl pictured, and I became even more saddened when I found no
information regarding her identity, or even where the photo was taken, or when. All I had was the copyright
mark of the photographer — David Harris.
The ZOA is
one of very few
organizations
to take people
to Judea and
Samaria and
that also provides
the option to
see the Temple
Mount and the
Church of the
Holy Sepulchre
– that says a lot
about the trip’s
inclusivity and
open approach,
which every
participant
valued and
enjoyed.
ZOA Campus 51