Please read about the program and if you are interested in participating, please contact Rabbi Michael Namath at 202-387-2800 or via email.
Machon Kaplan is an internship program for undergraduate students interested in Judaism and social justice. Based in Washington, D.C., it provides students with housing, a meaningful social justice internship, the opportunity to engage in academic study related to their internships, and a community of like-minded students with whom to share their experience. Students learn, through study and action, the interrelationship of Judaism and American democratic ideals, as well as the political interaction of the organized American Jewish community and the U.S. government.
Machon Kaplan in the News
Read the MK Blog for reflections on the 2012 summer.
"These Jewish Interns Campaign for Washington, Not Against It." (Read more of the Jewish Daily Forward article)
"'Working here has helped me to get a better grasp on how obvious it is that Jewish values relate to everyday life,' said Wes Peskin." (Read more of the Washington Post article)
"'This is the most exciting thing have ever done,' said Emily Berman." (Read more of the Washington Jewish Week article)
"'There is a support group here,' said Jonathan Feller. 'Instead of just (individually) having internships in D.C., we get together and we talk about it.'" (Read more of the Jewish News of Greater Phoenix article)
"Michael Evers is the kind of college student for whom spending a summer mowing lawns or working at a summer camp just isn’t enough. For Evers, a rising sophomore at DePaul University, meaningful Jewish experiences coupled with a deep commitment to social action translates into a summer in the nation’s capital." (Read more of the David's Voice article)
"Machon Kaplan participants live and breathe social justice, combining their interest in Judaism with their passion for improving the world." (Read more of the Texas Jewish Post article)
"'I understood how influential the progressive faith-based community can be,' said Cara Fisher. (Read more of the Reform Judaism Magazine article)
"I realize how much I have been enjoying being one of the many interns in an army of commuters wearing office attire and flip-flops at rush hour, walking to work to save the world." (Read more of the Jewish Voice and Herald article)
"I was a Reform Jew, an activist, an intern and a student." (Read more of the JVIBE article)
Social Action Internships Three full days and one half day each week are spent in internships at the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism or at other agencies across the city. For a list of agencies where Machon Kaplan interns have worked in the past, click here.
Study Several mornings/evenings each week are dedicated to specially designed academic courses offered only to program participants. Courses will include studying the application of Jewish values to current social justice issues. Students who successfully complete the internship and coursework of the program will receive six academic credits from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.
Community Life Students live together in a residence hall at the George Washington University and participate together in social, cultural, and religious events. A highlight of each week is the group’s Shabbat celebration.
Washington, D.C. Through formal and informal experiences, students will explore the Greater Washington area and will have the opportunity to hear from leading speakers on contemporary issues and will tour museums, embassies, synagogues, and monuments.
Machon Kaplan is an internship program for undergraduate students interested in Judaism and social justice. Based in Washington, D.C., it provides students with housing, a meaningful social justice internship, the opportunity to engage in academic study related to their internships, and a community of like-minded students with whom to share their experience. Students learn, through study and action, the interrelationship of Judaism and American democratic ideals, as well as the political interaction of the organized American Jewish community and the U.S. government.
Machon Kaplan in the News
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