gap year in israel
Poland

END OF SPRING SEMESTER | 6 DAYS

Poland

For centuries, the Jewish people had a vibrant religious and cultural life in Poland until the destruction of the community in the Holocaust. This trip will explore that rich history, understand its eventual destruction, and also look at the re-birth of the Jewish community and of Poland itself.

Much more than a graveyard

What: For centuries, the Jewish people had a vibrant religious and cultural life in Poland until the destruction of the community in the Holocaust. This trip will explore that rich history, understand its eventual destruction and also look at the re-birth of the Jewish community and of Poland itself. The trip will take you on a journey from Warsaw to Lublin, Galicia, and finally Krakow. You will visit ancient synagogues, shtetls, cemeteries, and death camps, gaining a greater understanding of the Jewish community of Poland pre- and post- WWII. You will also get the chance to visit quaint Polish towns and villages, castles, palaces and the incredible salt mines. We will also examine Israel’s relationship with Poland, one of our strong allies in the increasingly hostile United Nations.

Why: As Winston Churchill once wrote, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” How can we as Jews ensure our future as a people if we do not learn from our past? To understand the loss, we must recall what existed before the war and appreciate its magnificence. Through an exploration of both the beauty and the sadness of Poland’s Jewish history, we will be able to do more than simply say, “Never Again.” We will be able to bear witness to the atrocities of this dark hour in our people’s past while also shining a light on the vibrant Jewish community which once flourished in Poland.

More International Trips Available

Czech republic

Czech Republic

Fall Semester — 5 Days

(Relevant for 2023-2024 only)

Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, has emerged as a vibrant and exciting urban center after long years hidden and stifled behind the Iron Curtain. Renowned for its heritage, Prague has been venerated with titles such as “the city of a hundred spires” and “Golden Prague.”
Ethiopia

Ethiopia

Spring Semester — 5 Days

Ethiopia, the only African country to have escaped European colonialism, has retained much of its authentic, ancient cultural identity and is considered by many to be the cradle of humanity. Our trip to Ethiopia will combine history, culture, food, and Zionism.

Germany

Germany

Spring Semester — 5 Days

(Relevant for 2023-2024 only)

It may not exactly be everyone’s first choice when thinking about Jewish tourism. And yet, Germany has played an extremely large part in Jewish history and is a country that has made tremendous changes the last few decades.
Gap year in israel - aardvarkisrael

Italy

Spring Semester — 5 Days

From art to food to politics, Italy’s impact on the world has been immense. A place of olive oil, pasta, wine, mafia, sunshine, Roman ruins, and Renaissance palaces, and a centuries-old Jewish community, Italy is one place you can never forget!

Poland

Poland

End of Spring Semester — 6 Days

For centuries, the Jewish people had a vibrant religious and cultural life in Poland until the destruction of the community in the Holocaust. This trip will explore that rich history, understand its eventual destruction, and also look at the re-birth of the Jewish community and of Poland itself.

Spain-small1

Spain

Fall Semester — 5 Days

Today, Barcelona is one of Europe’s most exciting cities. From its wacky architecture to its vibrant sidewalks to great Rabbis and to great tragedies, the region of Catalonia is a great destination for learning about the Spanish Jewish community, which experienced both a Golden Age and a brutal inquisition.

United-arab-emirates

United Arab Emirates

FALL SEMESTER — 5 DAYS

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), located on the Arabian Peninsula, opened its doors to Israeli travelers in 2022 as part of the Abraham Accords. The UAE offers a glimpse of the magical places, the mysterious landscapes, and the prestigious buildings of the Middle East, including the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. Get to know the Arab world through an authentic, innovative experience.
Usa plus summer camp

USA Plus Summer Camp

Spring semester — 2 Months

Combine your experience in Israel with a summer working at an American Jewish Summer Camp (particularly relevant for non-American participants). Start off the trip with six days exploring Washington, D.C. and New York City!
Poland

END OF SPRING SEMESTER | 6 DAYS

Poland

For centuries, the Jewish people had a vibrant religious and cultural life in Poland until the destruction of the community in the Holocaust. This trip will explore that rich history, understand its eventual destruction, and also look at the re-birth of the Jewish community and of Poland itself.

Much more than a graveyard

What: For centuries, the Jewish people had a vibrant religious and cultural life in Poland until the destruction of the community in the Holocaust. This trip will explore that rich history, understand its eventual destruction and also look at the re-birth of the Jewish community and of Poland itself. The trip will take you on a journey from Warsaw to Lublin, Galicia, and finally Krakow. You will visit ancient synagogues, shtetls, cemeteries, and death camps, gaining a greater understanding of the Jewish community of Poland pre- and post- WWII. You will also get the chance to visit quaint Polish towns and villages, castles, palaces and the incredible salt mines. We will also examine Israel’s relationship with Poland, one of our strong allies in the increasingly hostile United Nations.

Why: As Winston Churchill once wrote, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” How can we as Jews ensure our future as a people if we do not learn from our past? To understand the loss, we must recall what existed before the war and appreciate its magnificence. Through an exploration of both the beauty and the sadness of Poland’s Jewish history, we will be able to do more than simply say, “Never Again.” We will be able to bear witness to the atrocities of this dark hour in our people’s past while also shining a light on the vibrant Jewish community which once flourished in Poland.

More International Trips Available

Czech republic

Czech Republic

Fall Semester — 5 Days

(Relevant for 2023-2024 only)

Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, has emerged as a vibrant and exciting urban center after long years hidden and stifled behind the Iron Curtain. Renowned for its heritage, Prague has been venerated with titles such as “the city of a hundred spires” and “Golden Prague.”
Ethiopia

Ethiopia

Spring Semester — 5 Days

Ethiopia, the only African country to have escaped European colonialism, has retained much of its authentic, ancient cultural identity and is considered by many to be the cradle of humanity. Our trip to Ethiopia will combine history, culture, food, and Zionism.

Germany

Germany

Spring Semester — 5 Days

(Relevant for 2023-2024 only)

It may not exactly be everyone’s first choice when thinking about Jewish tourism. And yet, Germany has played an extremely large part in Jewish history and is a country that has made tremendous changes the last few decades.
Gap year in israel - aardvarkisrael

Italy

Spring Semester — 5 Days

From art to food to politics, Italy’s impact on the world has been immense. A place of olive oil, pasta, wine, mafia, sunshine, Roman ruins, and Renaissance palaces, and a centuries-old Jewish community, Italy is one place you can never forget!

Poland

Poland

End of Spring Semester — 6 Days

For centuries, the Jewish people had a vibrant religious and cultural life in Poland until the destruction of the community in the Holocaust. This trip will explore that rich history, understand its eventual destruction, and also look at the re-birth of the Jewish community and of Poland itself.

Spain-small1

Spain

Fall Semester — 5 Days

Today, Barcelona is one of Europe’s most exciting cities. From its wacky architecture to its vibrant sidewalks to great Rabbis and to great tragedies, the region of Catalonia is a great destination for learning about the Spanish Jewish community, which experienced both a Golden Age and a brutal inquisition.

United-arab-emirates

United Arab Emirates

FALL SEMESTER — 5 DAYS

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), located on the Arabian Peninsula, opened its doors to Israeli travelers in 2022 as part of the Abraham Accords. The UAE offers a glimpse of the magical places, the mysterious landscapes, and the prestigious buildings of the Middle East, including the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. Get to know the Arab world through an authentic, innovative experience.
Usa plus summer camp

USA Plus Summer Camp

Spring semester — 2 Months

Combine your experience in Israel with a summer working at an American Jewish Summer Camp (particularly relevant for non-American participants). Start off the trip with six days exploring Washington, D.C. and New York City!
Poland

END OF SPRING SEMESTER | 6 DAYS

Poland

For centuries, the Jewish people had a vibrant religious and cultural life in Poland until the destruction of the community in the Holocaust. This trip will explore that rich history, understand its eventual destruction, and also look at the re-birth of the Jewish community and of Poland itself.

Much more than a graveyard

What: For centuries, the Jewish people had a vibrant religious and cultural life in Poland until the destruction of the community in the Holocaust. This trip will explore that rich history, understand its eventual destruction and also look at the re-birth of the Jewish community and of Poland itself. The trip will take you on a journey from Warsaw to Lublin, Galicia, and finally Krakow. You will visit ancient synagogues, shtetls, cemeteries, and death camps, gaining a greater understanding of the Jewish community of Poland pre- and post- WWII. You will also get the chance to visit quaint Polish towns and villages, castles, palaces and the incredible salt mines. We will also examine Israel’s relationship with Poland, one of our strong allies in the increasingly hostile United Nations.

Why: As Winston Churchill once wrote, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” How can we as Jews ensure our future as a people if we do not learn from our past? To understand the loss, we must recall what existed before the war and appreciate its magnificence. Through an exploration of both the beauty and the sadness of Poland’s Jewish history, we will be able to do more than simply say, “Never Again.” We will be able to bear witness to the atrocities of this dark hour in our people’s past while also shining a light on the vibrant Jewish community which once flourished in Poland.

More International Trips Available

Czech republic

Czech Republic

Fall Semester — 5 Days

(Relevant for 2023-2024 only)

Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, has emerged as a vibrant and exciting urban center after long years hidden and stifled behind the Iron Curtain. Renowned for its heritage, Prague has been venerated with titles such as “the city of a hundred spires” and “Golden Prague.”
Ethiopia

Ethiopia

Spring Semester — 5 Days

Ethiopia, the only African country to have escaped European colonialism, has retained much of its authentic, ancient cultural identity and is considered by many to be the cradle of humanity. Our trip to Ethiopia will combine history, culture, food, and Zionism.

Germany

Germany

Spring Semester — 5 Days

(Relevant for 2023-2024 only)

It may not exactly be everyone’s first choice when thinking about Jewish tourism. And yet, Germany has played an extremely large part in Jewish history and is a country that has made tremendous changes the last few decades.
Gap year in israel - aardvarkisrael

Italy

Spring Semester — 5 Days

From art to food to politics, Italy’s impact on the world has been immense. A place of olive oil, pasta, wine, mafia, sunshine, Roman ruins, and Renaissance palaces, and a centuries-old Jewish community, Italy is one place you can never forget!

Nepal-small

Nepal Cultural Exchange

Spring 2024/Fall 2024 - 2 weeks

“It is spiritually and ethically unacceptable that millions of people in our world don’t have sufficient nutrition, clean water, housing, basic health, or education. This reality can and must be changed.” ~Tevel B’Tzedek, Aardvark’s Israeli partner organization for the Nepal Cultural Exchange program.

Poland

Poland

End of Spring Semester — 6 Days

For centuries, the Jewish people had a vibrant religious and cultural life in Poland until the destruction of the community in the Holocaust. This trip will explore that rich history, understand its eventual destruction, and also look at the re-birth of the Jewish community and of Poland itself.

Spain-small1

Spain

Fall Semester — 5 Days

Today, Barcelona is one of Europe’s most exciting cities. From its wacky architecture to its vibrant sidewalks to great Rabbis and to great tragedies, the region of Catalonia is a great destination for learning about the Spanish Jewish community, which experienced both a Golden Age and a brutal inquisition.

United-arab-emirates

United Arab Emirates

FALL SEMESTER — 5 DAYS

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), located on the Arabian Peninsula, opened its doors to Israeli travelers in 2022 as part of the Abraham Accords. The UAE offers a glimpse of the magical places, the mysterious landscapes, and the prestigious buildings of the Middle East, including the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. Get to know the Arab world through an authentic, innovative experience.
Usa plus summer camp

USA Plus Summer Camp

Spring semester — 2 Months

Combine your experience in Israel with a summer working at an American Jewish Summer Camp (particularly relevant for non-American participants). Start off the trip with six days exploring Washington, D.C. and New York City!