Klein High School Internship

Rabbi Gerald J. Klein High School Internship

Since 2009, Jewish Family Service has offered teens in the Dallas Metroplex the chance to intern at various local nonprofit organizations. This initiative stands as a lasting tribute to Rabbi Gerald J. Klein of Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, honoring his 50-year commitment to social justice. The program provides hands-on learning, invaluable training, and meaningful experiences, educating teens about nonprofit agencies and their missions.

For more details about the Rabbi Gerald J. Klein Internship, please reach out to Michelle Cannon at michellecannon@jfsdallas.org.

Apply

How It Works

High school students are paired with a Dallas-area nonprofit for a 180-hour summer internship. During this experience, students can expect to:

Gain insights into job and college readiness with guidance from professional coaches.
Explore various roles within nonprofit organizations to broaden their perspective.
Enhance personal communication skills by sharing experiences and learning from peers.
Widen their understanding of the needs of the clients served by each Host Agency.
Acquire valuable hands-on training, fostering the development of workplace skills.
Have the opportunity to make new friends and build connections within the internship community.

Qualifications

High school students in their sophomore, junior, or senior year in a Dallas-area school are eligible.
Applicants must be 16 years old by June 1 to apply.
Selection is based on merit, and considerations such as religion, race, or ethnicity are not taken into account.

How to Apply

The application is divided into four sections—contact information, internship preferences, extended response questions, and references.
The application opens on Monday, December 23, 2024.
All applications must be submitted by Monday, February 24, 2025.

APPLY NOW

What to Expect

Interview Scheduling
After submitting your application, expect to receive an email with a 30-minute interview slot. All interviews are scheduled for Sunday, March 2, 2025, and will be in-person at JFS Dallas.
Host Agency Information Packet
All applicants will receive an emailed packet introducing the host agency and detailing available summer internships. The packet includes information about the agency, internship locations (some remote, some in-person), and job descriptions. Use this info to decide on your top-choice internships!
Meet & Greet
Successful candidates from the interview process will attend an in-person Meet & Greet on Thursday, March 27, 2025. This event allows you to interact with the Internship Coordinators for your top choice agencies. You’ll then finalize your internship preferences. Agencies will select their preferred interns, and JFS will match you with a mutually chosen internship.
Notification of Selection
Notifications regarding your internship status will be sent out by Friday, April 4, 2025. Please note that not all applicants will be selected for an internship.
Internship Orientation
Once selected to be a Klein Intern, you’ll attend an in-person (NOT ZOOM) orientation on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at JFS Dallas, and you’ll have a chance to meet the entire Klein Intern Cohort! Be prepared for a full-day session.
End-of-Summer Celebration
At the end of the summer, each intern will be recognized with a certificate for their service to the Dallas community. Additionally, there will be an end-of-summer celebration event on [Date TBD in August 2025] where you’ll receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Past Internship Host Agencies

ALS Association of Texas

Color Me Empowered

Community Homes for Adults

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Dallas Jewish Historical Society

Dallas SPARK!

Equest

Jewish Family Service Food Pantry

Metrocrest Services

National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

Network of Community Ministries

PLAN of North Texas

Ronald McDonald House of Dallas

The Legacy Senior Communities

The Warren Center

Wesley-Rankin Community Center

Vogel Alcove