Blog - Aardvark Israel Gap Year Program

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My Semester in Israel – Gabriella Ben Zvy

June 5, 2023 Student Blog

It really is so bittersweet being here with everyone for one last time before we all go our separate ways. Now that we’re at the end, I feel like it’s only fitting to start from the beginning. Before Aardvark, I had only ever been here to visit family, my mom ...

Our Year in Israel – Leeyam Ohayon and Lily Waldman

June 5, 2023 Student Blog

When I think of Aardvark, I don’t think of how Faces of Israel shaped our perception and understanding of the country, or how Fun Nights built our communities, or how Tuesday Tiyuls let us experience the entire length of Israel. When I think of Aardvark, I think of people. I ...

Parsha Behaalotcha

May 31, 2023 Parashat Hashavua

This week in Israel we read the Torah portion of Behaalotecha. It begins with the instruction to Aaron, the high priest, to light the lamps of the sacred Menorah in the sanctuary. Last week’s reading concluded with the offerings that were given to the sanctuary by each of the tribal ...

My Gap Year in Israel – Ella Duvdevani

May 30, 2023 Student Blog

WHAT. A. YEAR. it has been. Before I came to the program, my life was perfectly stable; I had a job, I was always with my friends, and my family was always around to support me. One thing that I knew is that I felt a strong connection to Israel. ...

My semester in Israel – Mimi Baron

May 30, 2023 Student Blog

On January 9, at 7:00 pm this year, I was in the car driving with my family to Sydney International Airport, about to board flight EY455. There were laughs, there were tears and there were the final selfies with the ‘departures sign’. “We will miss you Mimi”, my family said. ...

Student of the Week – Gabriella Ben Zvy

May 23, 2023 Student of the Week

My name is Gabriella Ben-Zvy, I’m from Rockland County, New York. I graduated from Clarkstown Senior North High School during COVID in 2020 and I got accepted to the honors program at Rockland Community College where I graduated last May! I chose to go on a gap year because I ...

Shavuot Dvar Torah

May 23, 2023 Parashat Hashavua

This Friday we celebrate the festival on Shavout. It was on this day over 3,300 years ago that the Jewish people stood at the base of Mount Sinai and received the Torah according to the Jewish tradition. Undoubtedly, the reception of this G-dly wisdom greatly influenced the moral and ethical ...

Parshat Bamidbar

May 18, 2023 Parashat Hashavua

This week we begin the fourth book of the Five Books of Moses entitled “Bamidbar,” or “In the wilderness.” G-d has created so many wondrous sites in this world. There are the massive, awe-inspiring mountain ranges of the Himalayas, the incredibly beautiful chains of islands in the Caribbean, as well ...

The Aardvark Monthly – April 2023

May 14, 2023 Aardvark Israel Monthly

Shalom Parents, Students, Partners, and Staff, Wow, April flew by! We hope this newsletter finds you well, and we hope you have had meaningful experiences like our students have.. As we welcome the month of May, we are excited to share some updates from our Aardvarkians, who are now starting ...

International Trip to Poland – Matt Siegel

May 11, 2023 Student Blog

My experience in Poland was a deeply emotional and profound one, as it allowed me to bear witness to the sites where my ancestors were tortured, suffered, and murdered. In addition, the trip was crucial in strengthening my connection to my Jewish identity and love for Israel, which are significant ...

Student of the Week – Ella Duvdevani

May 9, 2023 Student of the Week

My name is Ella Duvdevani, I am from Birmingham, Alabama and I went to Mountain Brook High School. I chose to go on a gap year because I wanted to have exciting new experiences in Israel, connect to Judaism, and make friends from across the world! I chose Aardvark Israel ...

Parashat Hashavua – Behar and Bechukotai

May 9, 2023 Parashat Hashavua

This week we read the Torah portions of Behar and Bechukotai. The latter portion discusses various curses that will come upon the people should they not act in accordance with the moral and ethical specifications of the Torah. If G-d is all good and loves His people as His children, ...

Student of the Week – Gilad Nagar

May 9, 2023 Student of the Week

My name is Gilad Nagar, I am from Melbourne, Australia and I went to Mount Scopus Memorial College. I chose to go on a gap year program because I wanted to explore the world whilst living independently. I also wanted to take some time away from studying before going to ...

Pesach Sheni

May 3, 2023 Parashat Hashavua

This Friday is the widely unknown festival known as Pesach Sheni, or “Second Passover.” After the Jewish people celebrated their first Passover as a free people, a number of people who were unable to celebrate Passover due to circumstances beyond their control approached Moses. (https://midwaymoving.com) “What of us?!” they cried. ...

Student of the Week – Dustin Feldman

April 30, 2023 Student of the Week

My Name is Dustin Feldman, I am from Melbourne, Australia and I went to school at Bialik College. I chose to go on a gap year to embrace the opportunity to explore creativity and innovation in Israel and create international connections with like-minded people. Aardvark Israel sounded like a great ...

Parshat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim

April 25, 2023 Parashat Hashavua

This week we read the Torah portions of Acharei Mot and Kedoshim. Additionally, we find ourselves in the middle of Sefirat HaOmer; the special countdown, or more accurately count-up, to Shavuot. There is a clear connection between a verse in the portions and the Sefirat HaOmer. Beyond just being the ...

Student of the Week – Taya Samuels

April 23, 2023 Student of the Week

My name is Taya Samuels, I’m from Melbourne Australia and went to Mount Scopus Memorial College. I chose to go on a gap year because I realised that after such intense studying in year 12, I was not ready to go to uni and start studying again so a gap ...

Student of the Week – Josh Green

April 16, 2023 Student of the Week

My name is Josh Green, I was born and raised right near Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia and now I’m just nearing the end of 4 months of living in Tel Aviv. After graduating from Moriah College in October of 2022 I decided to spend a semester with Aardvark. To ...

The Aardvark Monthly – March 2023

April 13, 2023 Aardvark Israel Monthly

Shalom Parents, Students, Partners, and Staff, We are so happy to be with you here again, telling you about our students’ adventures from the past month. With Women’s Day, Purim, internships, volunteering, and two international trips to exciting places – wow, we just can’t wait to tell you all about ...

Student of the Week – Joshua Kanarek

April 11, 2023 Student of the Week

My name is Joshua Kanarek, more commonly known as Aussie Josh within the communities. I’m from Melbourne Australia and went to Bialik College. I chose to do a Gap Year as I wanted to give myself time away from studying after year 12, whilst being able to explore Israel and ...