From Barcelona to Jerusalem: September in Israel

Holidays, international travel, and what it means to be part of Israeli local life.

Dear Aardvark Israel Family,

September’s over, and what a month it was! Some of our students participated in our first international trip of the year and explored Barcelona’s hidden corners. The rest of the group stood in places they’d only seen in news footage, celebrated Tishrei holidays the Israeli way, and continued building their resumes through their internships.

Here’s some of what happened this month.

Spain: Five Days of Discovery

Barcelona was our first international trip this year. Students on this trip wandered through Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces, watched a flamenco performance in the city center, and experienced La Mercè – a massive Catalan festival that turned the streets into one big celebration.

But the highlight? A day trip to Montserrat, a mountain village where only monks live. Naor, one of our participants, put it simply: “The view there is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Beyond the tourist sites, they explored Barcelona’s Jewish heritage, visiting the historic Jewish Quarter and joining Kiddush at the Chabad house. It was a chance to see Spain not just as travelers, but through a Jewish lens, connecting past and present.

The Gaza Envelope: Remembering Oct. 7th

Two years after October 7th, the wounds are still fresh. We took our community south to the Gaza border – to the Nova memorial, Kibbutz “Kobi” lookout, and the Sderot police station. It was heavy. It was necessary.

Layla, one of our students, described it this way: “It was so strange to come to a place I’d seen in dozens of videos and photos, and suddenly I’m standing here making my own video.”

The day ended with quiet reflection at Einot Youth Village. We don’t take these visits lightly, and the experience left its mark. Throughout it all, our staff was there – making sure no one processed these moments alone.

Inside Their Internships

Three of our students – Esther, Anouk, and Leo – are racking up bylines at the Jerusalem Post. They’re not just writing one or two pieces – they’re building real portfolios, covering everything from post-October 7th gambling addiction to medical innovations in Israel, from media bias to Gen Z’s approach to public transit.

These aren’t blog posts. They are published articles in an international newspaper. The kind of work that matters when building a career.

Read their work here:

Tishrei Holidays: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot

September meant celebrating the Tishrei holidays, and our students experienced them the way Israelis do – not as outsiders, but as part of the rhythm of life here.

Sharon, one of our Jerusalem madrichot, invited students to celebrate Rosh Hashanah at her parents’ home. “It was unforgettable,” Sharon told us. “It filled my heart to celebrate the holiday with them.” Lots of food, lots of laughter, and a glimpse into how Israeli families welcome the new year.

Then came Yom Kippur. Adi, from California, experienced an Israeli Yom Kippur: “I’ve never seen a city stop, take a break. That could never happen back home. But it felt like one of the most magical days I’ve ever experienced.” Walking through quiet streets, biking on empty roads – living like a local means experiencing these moments that only happen here.

After that, Sukkot gave everyone a chance to build sukkahs, visit the lulav and etrog markets, and celebrate outdoors the way Israelis do.

What’s Next?

October’s already started, and we’re not slowing down. The group is settling into internships, diving deeper into Hebrew ulpan, and planning the next round of trips.

Watching them grow from visitors into people who belong here – that’s what this year is about.

Want to see more of what’s happening? Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

We’re hosting events this month and next. See the flier below for details about where we’ll be visiting

Tagged aardvark, aardvarkisrael, gap year, gap year in israel, Gap Year in Jerusalem, Israel, jerusalem, tel-aviv, Weekly Updates