What is the Aardvark Israel Service Track?

The Aardvark Israel Service Track is a gap year program for Jewish young adults ages 17-21 focused on community service immersion throughout Israel. Students spend a year helping those in need while exploring Israeli society, learning Hebrew, and gaining professional experience through volunteer and internship placements.

How much does the Service Track cost?

Tuition for the Service Track is approximately $18,000-$22,000 for the full year, which includes accommodation, meals, field trips throughout Israel, and programming. Payment plans are available - contact admissions for current rates.

Where do Service Track students live?

Service Track students live in shared apartments in central Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, the two main hubs of the program.

What volunteer placements are available?

Placements span education, healthcare, environmental work, and community development. Placements are matched to student interests and availability.

Is the Service Track accredited?

The Aardvark Israel Service Track is Gap Year Association accredited and is a Masa Israel Journey partner program. Academic credit may be available through affiliated institutions.

When do students depart for the Service Track?

The Service Track follows Aardvark Israel standard program dates: Fall semester departs August, Spring semester departs January. The year-long program runs August through May.

GAP YEAR OR SEMESTER | 4-9 MONTHS

Service

Spend a year helping those who need it most. Through this ground-breaking program, you will strengthen your Jewish identity and grow in your connection to Israel through hands-on service experiences.

Program Overview

Duration: 4-5 months or 9 months

Fall Semester: September-December

Spring Semester: January-May

Year Program: September-May

Dive deep into the concept of social responsibility–for each other, for our land, and for our nation. Contribute to Israeli society and build lasting relationships with Israelis.

Volunteer in meaningful roles across Israel, contributing to communities and organizations that need your support. This experience allows you to make a real impact while engaging deeply with Israeli society and culture.
Gain deep experience in fields such as education, health, welfare, and co-existence
Live and volunteer alongside Israelis completing a year of service

Volunteering

Students will volunteer for 8 hours a day, 4 days a week in organizations such as hospitals, schools, kindergartens, and NGO’s. Placements will provide relevant on-the-job training in those fields and students will become a valuable member of the team as they contribute to their work placements. Students will work side by side with Israelis from diverse backgrounds, thus being immersed in Israel society, meeting different types of Israel, and improving their Hebrew.

Learning and Field Trips

Twice a week, students participate in immersive Hebrew Ulpan classes that enhance vocabulary and build confidence, whether they are beginners or more advanced speakers. In addition to these classes, once a week students have the opportunity to explore the land of Israel through engaging field trips or attend educational seminars focused on Judaism and Zionism. This combination of classroom learning and experiential activities offers a rich and stimulating environment for academic and personal growth.

Evenings & Weekends

Through evening activities and optimizing their free time, participants will have both social and educational opportunities to further enhance their experience. Options will include sports, social and cultural events, guest speakers, and leadership development activities. These opportunities will empower participants to explore the many faces of Israel.

Weekends are free for the students to travel around Israel, visit friends and family, or enjoy a relaxing weekend in their own apartment.

Live Like a Local

Living in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, participants will be able to take full advantage of the cultural enrichment, night life, and convenience of the most popular cities in Israel for today’s young adults. Participants will be immersed into Israeli society, meeting their Israeli neighbors, shopping for groceries in the local shops, and navigating on public transportation, giving them the chance to truly “live like a local.”

Jerusalem students live downtown next to Machane Yehuda, the famous outdoor marketView Jerusalem Apartments
Tel Aviv students live in the trendy Florentine neighborhood surrounded by young Israelis View Tel Aviv Apartments

Our modern, comfortable apartments are shared only by participants in the program. All our community apartments are fully furnished and equipped with kitchen appliances and utensils, and of course WiFi. With the guidance of a qualified counselor, participants will learn to cook, clean, budget, do laundry, and live together with roommates. Understanding that this will be the first time most of the students are living on their own, staff will work with the participants in each apartment to ensure a positive group dynamic and the health and welfare of the participants. Throughout the program, the counselors hold weekly apartment meetings to facilitate and solve any issues which may arise. They will also pay friendly, regular visits to the apartments. As the year progresses, the participants will be encouraged to be more independent in their problem-solving in order to foster growth and maturity.

Transportation

Living in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, participants will be able to take full advantage of the cultural enrichment, nightlife, and convenience of two of the most popular cities in Israel for today’s young adults. Participants will be immersed in Israeli society, meeting their Israeli neighbors, shopping for groceries in local shops, and navigating public transportation, giving them the chance to truly “live like a local.” Participants will receive a monthly local bus pass enabling them to get to and from their placement, attend activities and field trips, and explore both cities.

Weekly Schedule

Locations - Tel Aviv and Jerusalem

Israel’s ever-growing metropolis, Tel Aviv, is beautifully set on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and known by the locals as the city that never sleeps. An anomaly in the Middle East, Tel Aviv is a cosmopolitan, open-minded, vibrant city that is also filled with rich history and diverse traditions from all over the world. As the center of the “Start-Up Nation,” the city boasts much more than its popular beaches. With an exciting nightlife and expansive cultural attractions, students will love living in this modern and diverse city. The geographic and spiritual center of the Jewish people for over 3,000 years, Jerusalem today is an advanced, dynamic city. Truly one of a kind, the city weaves together past and present, history and culture, excitement and spirituality. At the center of the city, the Machane Yehuda Market brings together the city’s diverse population and intertwines food, shopping, bars and restaurants. With a vibrant nightlife and transformational atmosphere on Shabbat, living in this unique and exciting city will be a wonderful experience for students.

International Add-Ons

Gain a deep understanding of diverse cultures and the global Jewish community through focused international trips throughout the year.

Tech Track students can do ONE International Trip per semester (not including Nepal, which is not available to them). Students can participate in our Plus program and work in an American Jewish Summer camp in June-August.

Service

Program Overview

Locations - Tel Aviv and Jerusalem

International Add-Ons

Additional Program Details:

Questions or comments?