Jewish Summer Teen Internship
Join a cohort of high school Interns who make a difference in the lives of older adults while gaining important leadership skills and exploring Jewish connections.
Age Group: Teens
about the internship
DOROT’s Jewish Summer Teen Internship is a selective, four-week program in which rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors join a diverse group of socially conscious Jewish peers to build vital connections with older adults age 65+.
Teens interact with older adults in a variety of meaningful programs that are uniquely designed to engage intergenerational groups. Together, you’ll explore Jewish communal responsibility and wisdom through daily workshops, volunteering, and activities that include home visits, tech assistance for seniors, creative arts, and discussion groups. Both teens and older adults contribute to building friendships and a community that enrich each other’s lives.
When to Apply: We accept applications on a rolling basis beginning in December and ending in April prior to the summer of the internship.
Build Leadership Skills
Interns receive extensive training and cohort development from our professional team and build leadership skills by planning, facilitating, and participating in daily experiences designed to bridge the generation gap and build life-changing social connections.
The Summer Teen Internship program is limited to 20 – 22 teens per summer. Summer interns are also expected to volunteer for at least 15 hours with DOROT during the academic year following the summer program.
What You’ll Do
The first day includes an orientation and training, and each week is guided by a theme. We begin the week with group building games and leadership training. Interns end each week with group reflection.
Each intern will have their own schedule of workshops and visits with older adults that may include:
- Designing and running intergenerational activities
- Visiting with DOROT older adults in their homes.
- Exploring social justice and Jewish communal connections through volunteering.
- Leading weekly Jewish discussion groups with older adults.
- Participating in art-based projects including crafts, music, and cooking.
- Teaching older adults how to use technology.
- Leading and planning special events.
- Playing chess, Scrabble, and other games with older adults
Dates, Times, and Location
Location: DOROT’s Manhattan office, 171 W. 85th Street.
Days and Times: Monday – Thursday, from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The last day of the program has a closing celebration that ends at around 7:00 PM.
Dates: Dates for the next session will be released at a later time, but will be similar to the 2025 dates: Monday, June 23 – Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
It was really nice to hear wisdom from people who’ve lived triple my lifetime. I thought they wouldn’t understand my generation, but I feel like they one hundred percent got me.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thank You
We are grateful to the Posner-Wallace Foundation for its support.