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 | Spring 2005 intern Ruba Batniji with Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi |
The Jerusalem Fund for Education & Community Development offers internship positions with its educational and research program, the Palestine Center, for graduate and undergraduate students. These positions are based in our Washington, D.C. office, located within walking distance from the U.S. Department of State, the K Street lobbyists' corridor, Embassy Row, historic Georgetown, and Dupont Circle.
The Palestine Center internship program provides undergraduate and graduate students with an opportunity to conduct primary-source research, develop writing and organizational skills, build valuable D.C. contacts, gain hands-on experience, and observe the extensive political and policy-related happenings in the metropolitan DC area. As important members of our team, interns gain valuable exposure to the functions of a highly productive non-profit organization working on issues of national and international significance.
The Palestine Center offers two types of internships: the fall and spring internship program, designed for graduate students with part-time availability, and the summer internship program, designed for undergraduate students with full-time availability.
 | Summer 2005 interns Rasha Uthman, Laura Breslin and Zack Bernstein |
Undergraduate summer interns coordinate a summer lecture series, conduct a guided research project, and assist with Palestine Center briefings, film screenings, and symposia. Graduate fall and spring interns work on an individual extended research project in coordination with Palestine Center staff. They are also called upon to assist periodically with staffing events. All interns are encouraged to attend relevant events in the area during their internship and to pursue avenues of research that are of personal interest to them, provided the research relates to the work of the Center. The Palestine Center staff provides guidance on research and logistics, helps to educate interns on the Palestinian issue, and advises them as needed on career development.
This internship is not paid, however there is a small stipend and letter of recommendation given upon the successful completion of the internship. We accept applications for full-time summer internships, and for part-time fall and spring internships. Students are responsible for all travel and living expenses during their internship.
Examples of Intern Duties and Responsibilities:
- Development of an annual summer lecture series  | Summer 2006 interns Shauna Trainor, Paul Lindemann and Claire Pavlovic |
for area interns to be held during July (for summer internships only)
- Drafting transcripts of Palestine Center briefings
- Independent research project as chosen by intern for publication on the Jerusalem Fund website
- General research as assigned by Palestine Center staff
- Attending Palestine-related events in DC area
- Assisting with event planning, organization, and set-up as needed for Palestine Center events
- Limited administrative support for office staff
Required Qualifications:
Strong GPA
Related major or course work  | Summer 2007 interns Nicole Modeen, Levi Thompson and Rob Halliday |
Excellent research and writing skills
Good communication and computer skills
Knowledge of Arabic preferred (not required)
Public interest volunteer work
Demonstrated leadership/initiative
Follow-through on directions
Reliability and punctuality
Ability to work on a team and take direction
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Internship dates and application deadlines:
Summer 2008 Internship: June 2 - August 8, 2008
Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Deadline April 11, 2008.
Fall 2008 Internship: September 8 - December 5, 2008
Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Deadline August 15, 2008.
Spring 2008 Internship: January 21 – April 25, 2008
Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Deadline December 14, 2007.
To apply:
For the summer internship program: submit a cover letter, an updated resume, a brief writing sample on a topic related to the Middle East or the Palestinian issue, and one letter of recommendation.For the fall and spring internship program: submit a cover letter, an updated resume, a letter of recommendation and a research topic proposal. Submit materials to:
Samar Uthman
The Palestine Center
2425 Virginia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Fax: 202.333.7742
or e-mail to suthman@palestinecenter.org
Example of Summer Intern Lecture Series:
The 2007 summer intern lecture series, "The Future of Arab-Israeli Peace: Challenges and Perceptions," addressed the ongoing internal and international challenges facing the Palestinian government, the fragile peace process from a variety of different viewpoints and how the media plays a role in the conflict. The summer 2007 interns also hosted a cultural event that allowed Washington, DC-area interns to network and learn how to dabkeh. Click below for transcripts of the lecture series presentations:
"The Dynamics of the Middle East Since 2006"
"The Next Step in the Peace Process"
"American Perceptions and Misconceptions"
In addition, the summer 2007 interns each produced an information brief, including A History of Western Bias and the Case for U.S. Non-Alignment; The One-State Solution: A Bold Proposal or Political Immaturity; and The Recycling of Israeli Leadership.
The 2006 summer intern lecture series, "Understanding Hamas: The Internal Politics of Palestine," aimed to bring the focus back to Palestine through a better understanding of Hamas and the current internal political situation. The summer 2006 interns also hosted a popular social event that allowed Washington, DC-area interns to network. Click below for transcripts of the lecture series presentations:
"Hamas: Past & Present"
"The Changing Political Landscape: Reorganization of Power & Action"
"Hamas, Its Neighbors & the Quartet"
In addition, the summer 2006 interns each produced an information brief, including The Humanitarian Crisis in the Gaza Strip; Israeli Activity in the Jordan Valley; and The Case for Divestment from Israel.
The 2005 summer intern lecture series, "In Pursuit of Peace: Dialogues on Final Status," addressed negotiations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine Center interns were responsible for all aspects of coordinating the lecture series, including researching speakers, arranging lecture dates, inviting the speakers, publicizing the event to area interns, setting up the lecture hall, and drafting summaries of each lecture for publication. In addition, the summer 2005 interns hosted two popular social events that allowed Washington, DC-area interns to network and learn how to dance dabkeh. Click below to read the results of their talent and effort:
"A History of Middle East Peace Initiatives"
"Politics and Perceptions by Israeli and Palestinian Journalists"
"Final Status of Land, Borders and the Territories"
"Settlements and Peace in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza Strip"
The summer 2005 interns also each produced independent research projects, including A NATO-led Israeli-Palestinian Rapprochement; Palestinian Children Denied UNCRC Rights; and 10 Common Misconceptions of Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
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