Opening Speech By Nitzan
Hi, I’m Nitzan, you might know me as the girl who got stuck in the Aardvark elevator for an hour and a half. But never mind that I was a proud citizen of the Ofek community last semester and now an equally proud Eitan community member. Meaning I am an honorary Tel Avivian for a […]
My Jerusalem Experience by Adin
Howdy y’all, My name is Adin. I’m originally from Maryland, and I’m writing about the Barrak community (year long Jerusalem community) and my time in Israel. I can’t quite put into words how my time in Israel and this community has had an enduringly positive impact on my life, but I’ll try. I think I’m […]
Rosh Hashanah by Meital Dyett
Rosh Hashanah is a time of reflection, celebration, and hope for a sweet new year. It has reminded me of celebrating with my family and friends over the years in England.In England, my Rosh Hashanah was always a whirlwind of activity, lasting two days, with the busiest day always being the first. We’d begin the […]
My Year in Israel – Daniel Sabo (Tikva)
Hi, my name is Daniel Sabo. I’m originally from Israel but moved to California when I was five. I came to Aardvark to volunteer and reconnect with my family. Initially, I volunteered as a nurse’s assistant at Ichilov Hospital with Sky, later moving to Jerusalem after the war to volunteer at a mixed Arab-Israeli school. […]
Falling in Love with Israel
A Journey Through the Land of Diversity Israel, a land of remarkable diversity and rich history, captivates the hearts of those who visit. From its stunning landscapes to its vibrant cultures, Israel offers a unique blend of experiences that make it a destination like no other. This post takes you on a journey through the […]
Living Like A Local In Israel After October 7th: Experiences From Aardvark Israel’s Students
When we say that our students “live like a local,” we don’t just mean seeing Israel through rose-colored glasses. Aardvark Israel runs four different gap year and semester programs for Diaspora Jews aged 17-21. We aim to foster personal growth in each of our students, strengthen their Jewish identity, and solidify a connection to Israel […]
My semester in Israel – Simon Lagrange
My name is Simon Lagrange, I’m from San Diego, California, and I completed a semester of the Masa Year of Service program as a volunteer at Ichilov Hospital in central Tel Aviv. Before arriving in Israel, I felt a bit lost in my life. After just graduating high school, I truly wasn’t certain about what […]
My Semester in Israel – Gabriella Ben Zvy
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 dragged my brother and me […]
Our Year in Israel – Leeyam Ohayon and Lily Waldman
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 think of roommates, madrichim, communities, […]
My Gap Year in Israel – Ella Duvdevani
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. I grew up coming here, […]
