Aardvark israel
ABOUT

Your life-changing
 .
in Israel

The Aardvark Israel Mission is to foster personal growth, strengthen Jewish identity, and solidify a connection to Israel in young Jews from around the world. We celebrate diversity and welcome Jews from all backgrounds and affiliations.

Our Story

...three Jewish educators sat down to solve a problem

In 2010, three Jewish educators sat down to solve a problem. Students from around the world were looking for an Israel gap year program that did not yet exist– a program that perfectly balanced structure and freedom, a program that allowed them to grow professionally and personally, and, most of all, a year in Israel after high school or during college that empowered them to experience the breadth and depth of Israeli life and culture.

And so, Aardvark Israel was born. Since its inception, Aardvark Israel has established itself as the premier, professional gap year and study abroad program for recent high school graduates, current college students, and working young men and women ages 17-21. Our staff consists of highly-experienced administrators, world-class educators, and caring counselors that guide and support our students every step of the way.

Our Goals

For our students to…

Love, advocate for and contribute to Israel - Love Judaism - Strengthen their connection to the worldwide Jewish People - Grow as a person and have fun in the process - Love, advocate for and contribute to Israel - Love Judaism - Strengthen their connection to the worldwide Jewish People - Grow as a person and have fun in the process - Love, advocate for and contribute to Israel - Love Judaism - Strengthen their connection to the worldwide Jewish People - Grow as a person and have fun in the process - Love, advocate for and contribute to Israel - Love Judaism - Strengthen their connection to the worldwide Jewish People - Grow as a person and have fun in the process - Love, advocate for and contribute to Israel - Love Judaism - Strengthen their connection to the worldwide Jewish People - Grow as a person and have fun in the process - Love, advocate for and contribute to Israel - Love Judaism - Strengthen their connection to the worldwide Jewish People - Grow as a person and have fun in the process - Love, advocate for and contribute to Israel - Love Judaism - Strengthen their connection to the worldwide Jewish People - Grow as a person and have fun in the process - Love, advocate for and contribute to Israel - Love Judaism - Strengthen their connection to the worldwide Jewish People - Grow as a person and have fun in the process - Love, advocate for and contribute to Israel - Love Judaism - Strengthen their connection to the worldwide Jewish People - Grow as a person and have fun in the process - Love, advocate for and contribute to Israel - Love Judaism - Strengthen their connection to the worldwide Jewish People - Grow as a person and have fun in the process - Love, advocate for and contribute to Israel - Love Judaism - Strengthen their connection to the worldwide Jewish People - Grow as a person and have fun in the process - Love, advocate for and contribute to Israel - Love Judaism - Strengthen their connection to the worldwide Jewish People - Grow as a person and have fun in the process -

About Masa

Aardvark Israel is proud to work in partnership with Masa Israel Journey

Masa is the global leader in immersive international career development and leadership experiences in Israel for young Jewish adults from around the world.
With a variety of long-term programs in Israel, Masa is able to provide meaningful, enriching experiences to young Jews from many different countries, backgrounds, levels of education, and fields.
Since its founding in 2004, Masa has helped over 150,000 young adults from 60+ countries to strengthen their connection with Israel, empowering a new generation of connected, committed, and inspired young Jewish adults. These young adults are changing the face of the Jewish world and Israel, as professionals, community leaders, and advocates.
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Yoni expressed profound gratitude to us for “the trip of a lifetime. I just wanted to let you know that I am very thankful that you sent me to my home to grow up.” So hard for us that we won’t be giving him his Shabbat blessing... but we know he is blessed many times over with his new Aardvark family.
Rabbi elissa ben-naim, mother of yoni ben-naim
Rabbi Elissa Ben-Naim, mother of Yoni Ben-NaimLA, CA, USA
I have been very happy with the program and enthusiastically endorse it. I am so pleased with the quality and kinds of activities you offer on weekends, the group experiences, and the supervision. There’s enough space for the participants to feel independent and enough supervision for parents to feel their children are safe.
Ruth stoner, mother of ari stoner
Ruth Stoner, mother of Ari StonerIndianapolis, IN, USA
It is so wonderful to hear about all her amazing experiences and to see how she’s grown. The experience of living independently in a different country with peers from different countries was an amazing opportunity, but all of this would not have been the same without your care and guidance. Thank you so much for making sure that while Jess was growing, learning and experiencing – she was happy!!
Laura kallenbach, mother of jessica kallenbach
Laura Kallenbach, mother of Jessica KallenbachJohannesburg, South Africa
The way you guys know how to get into these kids' hearts is amazing. After all the national ceremonies this week, I asked Doreen how she feels, and she said that it was the best experience of all!!! The powerful way of celebrating these holidays is only in Israel. I feel that I’ve earned my Jewish daughter back, and you guys have a big part of it.
Hana abargel, mother of doreen abargel
Hana Abargel, mother of Doreen AbargelLos Angeles, CA, USA
Thank you for the incredible year my daughter had. It was a tremendous growing experience; she learned more about herself, about getting along with others and most importantly, became more “in touch” with her Jewish Identity. My heart is full for her. Seeing Israel the way she did and doing the international travel like she did gave her a thirst for travel and discovering new things – which ALL people need I think!
Evalyn cohn, mother of rachel cohn
Evalyn Cohn, mother of Rachel CohnMD, USA
I cannot express enough the gratitude I have toward the Aardvark staff for giving my son “the ultimate” year in Israel experience. Each week their schedule included activities that were fun, exciting and educational. On the “down days” he was living life in Israel, volunteering, shopping, taking buses, all the while making new friends. My only regret is that this Aardvark experience, like all ‘good things’, has to come to an end.
Steven fisher, father of oscar fisher
Steven Fisher, father of Oscar FisherMonsey, NY, USA
Our daughter, Dana, just came back from her Aardvark year in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and we couldn’t be happier. She is ready for college - her Hebrew, Jewish development, and sense of self is all out there. And she had an incredible time - with adventures, making friends, travel throughout Israel - and even side trips to China and Germany. What a great way to spend a year.
Ben bederson, father of dana
Ben Bederson, father of DanaBrooklyn, NY USA
Thank you for the fabulous updates and pictures and for an incredible Aardvark experience for Mia. She has really loved it and thrived! The communication from Aardvark for parents has been brilliant and is just one of the many elements that really sets the programme apart from any other gap year offerings.
Elli cohen, mother of mia
Elli Cohen, mother of MiaSydney, Australia
I want to thank you and all the team at Aardvark for providing Gina with the most amazing Gap Year which exceeded our expectations. The caring environment together with the independence that the students have is really unique. She has formed some great friendships with students from around the world. She has so many wonderful lasting memories. She had great interaction with the staff who were all supportive of her during the year.
Jonathan lewis, father of gina lewis
Jonathan Lewis, father of Gina LewisLondon, UK
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Facts and Figures

  • 1517 students on our programs
  • The largest gap year program in the world in 2020-2021
  • Students from 31 different countries in the world
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Belgium
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • China
  • Costa Rica
  • Denmark
  • Ethiopia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Mexico
  • Netherland
  • Norway
  • Panama
  • Philippines
  • Puerto Rico
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Swaziland
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom
  • United States

Why Take a Gap Year or Semester in Israel?

Read more research and information about the benefits of a gap year in The American Gap Association, TIME magazine, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

And check out Aardvark Israel featured in Forbes, “Here’s Every Reason You Should Take A Gap Year Before College”

There are so many reasons, but let’s start with the basics.

A gap year in Israel will give you the breathing room to make tough decisions about your future, like what you want to study or what you want your Jewish life to look like. It will give you a taste of independent living without the pressure of a university setting, and best of all, it will give you some of the best experiences and friendships of your life.

“I gained a greater sense of myself.”

“I learned how to live away from home and how to make friends with people from different backgrounds”

“I now have the experience of real Israeli life with work, volunteering, study, and trips”

“I gained skills and knowledge that contributed to my career.”

“I now have a better understanding of other countries, people, cultures, and ways of living.”

In most students’ experiences, not only does taking time off have a positive effect on motivation, but it also translates into a real boost in performance in the following semesters at university, with positive effects lasting over all the remaining years of study. Major universities such as Harvard and Princeton are supporting and encouraging their incoming freshmen to take a gap year, and for good reason.

One Jewish People

Program participants and staff come from all over the world, all streams of Judaism, and represent a wide spectrum of political beliefs. All are proud to be Jewish and Zionists.

Our Students are...

Diverse

All backgrounds, all affiliations.

Motivated

Ready to learn, grow, and push themselves.

Curious

Open to experiencing all Israel has to offer.
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The Aardvark Israel Team

Our high staff-to-student ratio enables us to provide each student with a custom, curated experience designed to advance his or her goals.
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Ready to make Israel yours?

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