Student of the Week – May Yohai

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

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

Josh hanison1

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

Gap year in israel - aardvarkisrael

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!

Entrepreneurship students' visit to candivore

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

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

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

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 […]

Student of the Week – Ilan Yair Wimpfheimer

Ilan yair wimpfheimer

My name is Ilan Yair Wimpfheimer and I was born and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey. I went to The Frisch School and I chose to go on a gap year to learn more about my Jewish origins and to step out of my comfort zone. I ultimately came across Aardvark Israel after hearing about […]

Purim Dvar Torah

Parashat tetzaveh

This coming week we celebrate the festival of Purim. 2,500 years ago, while exiled and living under the rule of the Persian Empire, a cruel anti-Semite named Haman rose to a position of power. With his newfound power, he attempted to genocide the entire Jewish population. From the brink of imminent destruction, the tables were […]