StandWithUs Track

StandWithUs Track participants will live in the heart of Jerusalem – downtown near Ben Yehuda Street and Machane Yehudah, the famous outdoor market. Participants will be immersed into Israeli society, meeting their Israeli neighbors, buying groceries in the local shops, and navigating on public transportation, giving them the chance to truly “live like a local.”

Our modern, comfortable apartments are shared only by Aardvark Israel participants. All apartments are fully furnished and equipped with kitchen appliances and utensils, and of course WiFi.  Students will be placed in either a kosher or non-kosher apartment based on their preference. 

With the guidance of a qualified madrich/a, or 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 program progresses, the participants will be encouraged to be more independent in their problem-solving in order to foster growth and maturity.

Each week, StandWithUs Track students will spend one day at the

StandWithUs Katz Education Center,

engaged in advanced Israel learning with experts of topics ranging from Unpacking the West Bank, to the Psychology of Social Media. Days at the center will consist of both workshops and seminars. The goal of this education is to give students the knowledge and tools necessary to understand and engage in dialogue about the deep complexities within and surrounding Israel.

Once a month, StandWithUs Track students will spend an additional day with StandWithUs on a Geopolitical Tour. These tours will give students the opportunity to first-hand experience history and current events as they relate to the topics that they are learning about in their weekly education sessions. These tours may include visits to Hebron, the northern border, and/or the Gaza Envelope.

Participants will boost their resumes, gain new skills, and meet new people through internship or volunteer placements. Each week, approximately 16-20 hours will be spent in a wide range of internship and volunteering options. Examples of placements include: media outlets, top startups, archeological dig, hospitals, marketing, fashion, English teaching, non-profit, community gardening, zoo, and many more. Our Internship Coordinators will work with each student to find the best placement to suit their interests and skills.

Every Tuesday, StandWithUs Track students will join their peers from the Classic, Tech, Culinary, and Nativ tracks to explore Israel through tiyulim (field trips) that highlight the country’s rich history, vibrant culture, and deep Jewish significance. From nature reserves and archaeological sites to colorful neighborhoods and renowned museums, destinations include places like King Herod’s Fortress, Ein Mabua Spring, the Temple Mount, and Tel Aviv’s street art scene.

In addition to weekly day trips, the program includes overnight journeys across the country, from the green hills of the Galilee and Golan Heights to the vast deserts of the Negev and Arava.