The Legacy Heritage Internship for Young Scientists (LHIYS) is a year-long experience which commences with a rigorous six-week summer program designed to introduce brilliant high school juniors with demonstrated scientific aptitude and community achievement to hands-on experience with Israeli scientists in the research laboratories of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, combined with extensive educational touring of the State of Israel and dynamic and engaging Jewish learning. to propel the participants along the path of scientific studies, to educate the participants about Israel’s place in the modern world and to encourage the future generation to become active leaders in their Jewish communities.

Students are selected for the program based on three criteria: outstanding work in science, leadership and/or involvement in Jewish communal life, and potential for growth in their personal identification with Judaism. This program is unique in that it values the academic growth of the participants equally to their personal growth in the Jewish world.

This comprehensive program brings students to the Belmonte Laboratories of Hebrew University for guided research and laboratory experience under the tutelage of doctoral candidates and eminent professors at Hebrew University, and the Youth Center for Advanced Studies. Participants will discover the processes of scientific research through hands-on investigation, weekly scientific lectures and seminars, visits to scientific venues at Hebrew University throughout Israel.

Personal growth will come from experiential learning and significant dialogue among peers and professionals. Walking through Jerusalem and re-enacting its history; hiking through the Negev desert and role-playing Israeli pioneers coping with the rigors the desert demands; listening to the poetry of Israel's laureates and empathizing with their emotions; engaging music to enhance the mystical experience of a space, and so forth will give participants a love for Israel that can be gained no other way. This learning aims to further awaken the Jewish soul, to teach tolerance and respect, and to strengthen participants' connection to Judaism and Israel.

Through the summer experience of the Legacy Heritage Internships, participants will become passionate supporters of Israel; helping to secure her future for generations to come. Through interesting lectures from highly regarded historians, interactive workshops with educators, and training sessions with experts in Israeli politics, Interns will learn how to represent and support Israel in their community, on campus, and in the business world.

Upon returning from Israel during the school year, Interns will be expected to participate in a variety of educational and informational activities focusing primarily on science as well as Israel during the school year. Interns will be required to develop and implement a 40 hour community service project preferably designed to focus on Israel; and attend a winter shabbaton/reunion. Participants will also read and write articles for a monthly newsletter, participate in monthly conference calls, keep up-to-date on new scientific developments, Israel affairs, and maintain on-going communication with all of the Legacy Heritage Interns. Participants will also be expected to submit the research work conducted in Israel to various local, national and international science competitions. Ongoing contact with program staff including research mentors will be an important part of this process.

LHIYS is intended for the teenager who has experienced Judaism on varying levels - for example, in a Day School or in a supplementary Hebrew School, at a Jewish camp or at a Passover Seder. In addition, participants are expected to have experience in developing or participating in a social action project in their own community

Locale
This program will be conducted at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in the dormitories of the Authority for Youth and Community (ACY) and at the laboratories of the Belmonte Center which are all located on the Givat Ram campus. Participants will have access to University facilities including the Cosell Gymnasium and the University Sports Stadium.

Enrollment
Our 2007 application period has passed. Please check back in the fall of 2007 for an update. Or email LHIYS@LHFL.net to be notified of the new application period.. Up to 30 students will be selected from among these applicants to receive a scholarship for the summer program. Participants will be responsible for domestic travel to New York; the group will tentatively travel from June 29th to August 10th via John F. Kennedy International Airport. Applicants with proven need will be given financial assistance to cover the cost of the domestic travel. All requests for assistance will be handled in a dignified and confidential manner.

Evaluation
Applications will be evaluated by the staff of Legacy Heritage Programming LLC, selected consultants, and faculty of Hebrew University.