The Aardvark Monthly – October 2020
MONTH IN REVIEWOctober was a month filled with challenges, but more importantly triumphs! As we approached the end of the strict regulations, we began to truly explore the beauty that Israel has to offer.Our Jerusalem group began their adventure down south in the oasis of the desert , Kibbutz Ketura. While Tel Aviv was able […]
Kibbutz Ketura Reflection
by Josh Glucksman “From desert to garden” is a phrase often used to describe the unique and arguably miraculous climatic condition of Israel. Through ingenious agricultural innovation, strong environmental values and policies, and,—if it’s your cup of tea—the will of the man upstairs, Israel has truly become a garden. However, if anything from our three […]
Yom Kippur Student Blog
I watched the sky turn from a light blue to a pale pink as I stood on the steps facing the Leonardo Plaza. The clock slowly ticking away the minutes until my friends and I could gorge on a break-fast meal. I took it all in with a few deep breaths— the captivating chants from […]
An Open Letter to Covid-19
by Danielle Dear Coronavirus, When you abruptly took the world on by storm, unannounced with a complete disregard for the seemingly momentous and transitional period of life I was entering, I resented you. I have lost unquantifiable memories and experiences due to the global pandemic that succeeded in quieting the city that never sleeps, and […]
An open letter to the Aardvark Israel community
by Sara Goldstein Since March 12th, when the legislators of the Greater Los Angeles area declared my hometown was to undergo a mandatory shut-down due to the COVID-19 outbreak, I have felt overwhelmingly stagnant. Given that I am a sociable extravert who thrives on deep interpersonal connection, a pandemic which forces the global community into […]
The things I learned in quarantine
by Judah Huberman-Shlaes Quarantine, especially one mandated by the government, seems daunting at worst, and at best, is an incredible nuisance, especially with four strangers. Having quarantined with my family (whom I love very much), I knew how banal and frustrating it could get. Add in the fact that I had never met my four […]
Rosh Hashana and Hair Donation
by Yael Schwartz from Rockville, Maryland After growing out my hair for several years, one of the first things I did out of quarantine was get it all chopped off. I’ve donated my hair before, so this wasn’t a new concept. But when you’ve spent so long trying to grow it out, it can be […]
Reflections on the first week out of quarantine
by Ben Rubinstein from Los Altos, California The first week out of quarantine has been very eventful: from hikes to workshops to finally meeting everyone face-to-face, there’s a lot to speak about. However, this week has made me recall a story I was told in Day School: When Jews would make Aliyah to Israel, I […]
Student of the Week – Eytan Fainman
My name is Eytan Fainman and I am from Johannesburg South Africa! For most of my life, I have had a desire to one day reside and work in Israel. However, how and when I was going to achieve my longing desire was always unknown. Choosing to spend my spring semester in Tel Aviv was […]
Student of the Week – Shelly Alkaslasi
Hi, my name is Shelly Alkaslasi and I am from Los Angeles! I am spending my gap semester in Florentin and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. When I return home, I plan to transfer to a UC campus, study Microbiology, and then get my Bachelors of Science in Nursing! When I was 12-years-old, […]