NEW YORK – Registration is now open for Birthright Israel’s elite Excel leadership program. Only 36 applicants will be accepted for the 2014 summer intensive internship in Israel. Those interested in applying should visit http://www.BirthrightIsraelExcel.com. Registration closes Feb. 2, 2014.

Sponsored by the Steinhardt Family Foundation and the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, Birthright Israel Excel was created to develop a cadre of future Jewish leaders, and empower them in the world of business, technology, and social entrepreneurship. The program’s goal is to strengthen the Excel Fellows’ connection and commitment to the Jewish people and the State of Israel, and to foster the development of a think tank of innovative ideas with collaboration between international and Israeli companies.

Birthright Israel Excel Fellows spend 10 weeks during the summer in Israel and intern at prominent multinational, global Israeli companies within a wide range of industries including finance, venture capital, consulting, high-tech, and bio-tech. They engage with distinguished Israeli leaders from the business, technology, political and philanthropic arenas, and are mentored by Israeli peers, who are either officers in the IDF or students from the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya.

After the summer internship, participants continue leadership development in the United States through an annual alumni conference and additional programming that leverages their alumni and business community.

Excel is a program conducted by Taglit Birthright Israel. Taglit Birthright Israel sends Jewish adults between the ages of 18 and 26 on a free 10-day trip to Israel to strengthen each participant’s Jewish identity. Since its inception in 2000, more than 350,000 Jewish young adults have taken part in Taglit Birthright Israel.