Parshat Terumah
This week we read the Torah portion of Terumah. Following the epic Giving of the Torah, the Children of Israel were commanded to construct the Tabernacle. By following the instructions and building the Tabernacle according to G-d’s specifications, G-d promises, vshachanti b’tocham – “I will dwell in them.” There seems to be an obvious error […]
Student of the Week – Gina Shankman
My name is Gina Shankman, I am from South Africa, specifically Johannesburg. I went to school at King David Linksfield High school. (Valium) I was always hesitant to take a gap year and never really wanted to but I knew I needed to as I wanted to meet new people, make memories, and learn new […]
Student of the Week – Linda Hannah Rhoads
My name is Linda Hannah Rhoads and I’m from Dallas, Texas. I’ve lived in Texas my whole life and I attended a school called Yavneh Academy of Dallas. My whole life I’ve always known I wanted to take a gap year in Israel, so my parents spent a lot of time helping me find the […]
Parshat Mishpatim
This week we read the Torah portion of Mishpatim. Following the giving of the Ten Commandments in last week’s portion, the Torah proceeds to explain many monetary laws. One law deals with the Jewish slave. The Torah states, “Should you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall work [for] six years, and in the seventh [year], […]
Student of the Week – Raphael Leo Leon
My name is Raphael Leo Leon, but I usually just go by Raphi. Given the fact that from 11-18, I went to a school called City of London School, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that I am from London, where I have lived my whole life. And yes, this does mean that one […]
Parshat Yitro
In this week’s Torah portion, we read of the epic giving of the Ten Commandments. We must ask the question; why is it that the Torah portion in which the Torah itself is given to the Jewish nation, is named after Yitro, Moses’ father-in-law? Yitro was an advisor to the wicked Pharaoh. According to the […]
Student of the Week – Anna Felicia Hirsch
My name is Anna Felicia Hirsch (חנה) I was born and raised in Miami Beach, Florida. I went to school at RASG Hebrew Academy for 12 years of my life. I chose to go on a gap year specifically at Aardvark Israel because they provided everything I have always wanted; Aardvark has allowed me to […]
Parshat Beshalach
In this week’s Torah reading, Pharaoh finally lets the Jewish people leave Egypt following the final plague.. Almost immediately, he regrets his decision and pursues them with a large army. At this point, the wondrous separation of the Reed Sea occurs. The Jewish people make it across before the walls of the Sea return to […]
Student of the Week – Katherine Alexandra Ruf
My name is Katherine Alexandra Ruf, but I go by Alex. I am from Quito, Ecuador, where I was born and raised until I was 17. I went to an American International school, called Academia Cotopaxi. At 17, I moved to Maryland, USA on my own, to finish High School. After a rough time there, […]
Parshat Bo
In this week’s Torah portion, we read of the final three plagues to afflict Egypt prior to the Jewish exodus. Regarding the plague of darkness the Torah states: “So Moses stretched forth his hand toward the heavens, and there was thick darkness over the entire land of Egypt for three days. They did not see […]