Student of the Week – Yossi Rosha

My name is Yosef Yitzchak (Yossi) Rosha, I’m from North-East London I went to Hasmonean High School. I chose to do a gap year because I wanted a different sort of experience between school, the army, and the rest of my life. I chose Aardvark Israel because it seemed to match all my preferences, such […]

Pesach Dvar Torah

During Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, a group of his highly trained soldiers got stuck in a snowstorm and had to spend the night in the home of a pious Jew. Although Napoleon’s cavalry was the best of their kind, the heavy winter snow would not allow them to journey on any further. As they were […]

Student of the Week – May Yohai

My name is Mayra Yohai, but I go by May. I’m from Buenos Aires, Argentina and I went to an art school who calls Aula 21. I chose to do a Gap Year because I wanted to know what my life would be like in another country, I wanted to meet new people and challenge […]

Parshat Vayikra

In this week’s Torah portion, we read of the many sacrifices that G-d commanded the Jewish people to offer in the Holy Temple. One might ask, what need does He have for these offerings? Does the Almighty feed on animals? We can see G-d’s response to this preposterous claim in psalm 50 where G-d states […]

Student of the Week – Josh Hanison

My name is Josh Hanison, I am from London and I studied at JFS school. Having visited Israel with my school five years ago I knew I wanted to come back to further my experiences and connection with the country. Taking a gap year on the Aardvark programme has given me this opportunity whilst also […]

Parashat HaChodesh

In addition to the weekly Torah reading, this Shabbat we read Parshat HaChodesh. In it, we recount the first commandment given to the nation of Israel; the sanctification of the new moon. Even before the exodus and the giving of the Torah, G-d commanded the nation to pay attention to the first appearance of the […]

The Aardvark Monthly – January 2023 – Spring semester – here we come!

Shalom Parents, Students, Partners, and Staff, The semester has officially started and is now in session! In our biggest year ever, with six communities, nearly 340 students came to Israel from all over the world – Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, France, Germany, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, United […]

Women’s Day

“My name is Karel Ohana. I am French but grew up in London, where I went to North London Collegiate School. I am currently interning at the Moshe Dayan Centre for Middle Eastern and African Studies, where I am learning about Israel’s relations with the Middle East. To me, women’s day means recognising, and testifying […]

Student of the Week – Audra Rachel Rosenzweig

My name is Audra Rachel Rosenzweig. I’m originally from the US, but I grew up in Singapore. I went to the United World College of Southeast Asia. I chose to go on a gap year because I wanted to learn how to live on my own before going off to college. It also helps that […]

Parshat Ki Tisa

This week we read the Torah portion of Ki Tisa. Prior to Moses’ ascent to Mount Sinai, he told the nation that he would be gone for forty days. Unfortunately, there was a rather significant misunderstanding. The Jewish people were uncertain when the count should begin. Does that day count as day one or does […]