Team
Meet our team
We’re passionate about Israel and are committed to delivering custom, world-class programs and experiences.
Letter from the executive director
Dear Prospective Participants and Parents,
If you had an entire year to do anything you wanted, what would you do?
Perhaps you’d travel. Maybe you’d learn a new skill. You’d probably welcome the chance to meet interesting people, to experience things you’ve never tried before, to reduce the stress and pressures of today’s world.
This is exactly what awaits you on Aardvark Israel.
No one ever regrets having taken a gap year, but plenty of people regret not having taken one. The world is your classroom and spending a year abroad opens the door to personal growth, developing independence, defining your values, and figuring out who you are as an adult. With Israel as the unique landscape for this adventure, you will explore how you fit into the larger Jewish Community and connect with Israeli society as well.
Within Aardvark Israel, we pride ourselves on providing students with individualized attention, opportunities, and guidance. Each student will discover a year filled with challenges, fun, fascination, learning, volunteering, self-discovery, maturity, and joy. Parents will find a partner in their child’s development and our staff will take care of your children as if they were our own. At the end of the program, students will return home more mature, better prepared to cope with the challenges of university life, and more dedicated to the future of the Jewish People and the State of Israel.
We look forward to working together with each of you on this incredible journey.
Sincerely,
Debbie Goldsmith
Executive Director and Co-Founder
Leadership
Debbie Goldsmith
Executive Director
Co-Founder
Debbie has worked in the field of Jewish and Zionist education for more than 20 years. In honor of International Women’s Day 2021, she was recognized as one of Masa’s Inspiring 12 Jewish Women Working to Make a Difference. Debbie grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and after spending her gap year in Israel on USY’s Nativ program, she completed her BA at Columbia University in Religion and at the Jewish Theological Seminary in Talmud. She also earned an MA in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Prior to co-founding Aardvark Israel, she was the Assistant Director of Young Judaea/FZY Year Course in Israel. Debbie lives in Yishuv Alon and has three children, one of whom is taking a gap year this year before enlisting in the army.
Simon Cohen
Director of Innovation and Admissions
Co-Founder
Simon grew up in England as an active participant in the Federation of Zionist Youth (FZY) and served as FZY’s National Director of Education prior to moving to Israel in 2000. In addition to participating in Young Judaea/FZY’s Year Course in 1994-95, he dedicated a decade to working for the program as a senior staff member. Simon is also an experienced guide for Jewish educational tours to Poland. He holds a BA in Economics and Economic History from Manchester University and an MA in Jewish Education from the Hebrew University. Simon lives in Tzur Hadassah with his wife and their three children.
Moshe Levi
Director of Education
Moshe, born and raised in Jerusalem, began his career in Jewish education straight after completing his military service in the IDF, where he served for three years as an infantry medic. He holds an MA in Comparative Religion from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and has extensive experience in Jewish and Israel education. Moshe has worked with different Jewish Summer Camps and as a community Shaliach across North America and served as The Jewish Agency’s coordinator of Youth Movement Fellows. He looks forward to bringing his passion and knowledge of Israel and Jewish education to the Aardvark participants.
Udi Gilad
Program Director
Udi was born and raised in Ra’anana. Growing up, he attended the Hebrew Academy school in New Jersey. He began his career in education doing a Year of Service at the Mahanot Ha’olim youth movement. In the IDF, he served as a commander in the armed battalions. After his military service, he worked as a high school teacher, head of grade and finally, as a head master of an elementary school. He holds an MA in Educational Management and Leadership from TAU and was part of a Student Exchange program, with the DeToledo High School in Los Angeles.
Staff
Meron Guttel
Jerusalem Community Manager
Meron was born in Strasbourg, France, and grew up in Jerusalem. After high school, he volunteered for a year of service with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel as a tour guide. Meron enlisted in the Golani Brigade and served as a combat soldier. Meron holds a bachelor’s degree in Comparative Religions and Jewish Literature from the Hebrew University and an M.A in Jewish-American studies from Haifa University.
Yifat Nadler
Tel Aviv Community Manager
Yifat was born in Canada, made Aliyah when she was 15 years old and currently resides in Tel Aviv. Yifat earned a BA in Political Science and Anthropology from Tel Aviv University and an MA in Nonprofit Management from Hebrew University. She has been passionate about education ever since her army service in the Educational Corps and has worked for various Jewish organizations including The Jewish Agency, Masa, JDC Lauder Camp Szarvas in Hungry, and Diller Teen Fellows. In her free time, Yifat loves to read books and enjoy nature.
Lee Naftali
Tel Aviv Community Manager
Lee grew up in Kfar Saba and currently lives in Tel Aviv after spending a few years living in Jerusalem. In the army, Lee was a Sar-El madricha and worked with international volunteers (and Aardvark Israel students as well!). She holds a BA in Education and International Relations from The Hebrew University. She is passionate about Israel and Jewish Education and took part in different educational organizations including the Jewish agency, OSRUI summer camp, Masa, HSI, Onward Israel, and the reform movement in Israel.
Shabtai Pessin
Tel Aviv Community Manager
Shabtai was born and raised in Efrat Israel and currently resides in Lod. He studied in Yeshivat HaKotel for 6 years while serving in the Golani brigade in the IDF. After Yeshiva, he was a Jewish Agency Fellow in Cape Town, South Africa. He has a B.Ed. in Israel and Jewish studies and is currently pursuing his MA in International Relations. Last year, he taught 8th graders and decided to follow his passion and move to working with overseas Jewry.
Rachel Tessema
Tel Aviv Community Manager
Rachel grew up in Afula and currently lives in Holon. She holds a BA and MA in international relations and communications; she found her passion for Israeli education during her work in Hillel Israel. Rachel was a Jewish Agency Fellow at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo, a lovely small town in Central California. She’s into everything that involves nature and good music.
Eeris El
Jerusalem Community Manager
Eeris was born and raised in New York City, and currently lives in Jerusalem. Before moving to Israel in 2012, Eeris spent over 10 years as a madricha (guide) for Taglit Birthright and continued to bring groups to Israel and worked with the Jerusalem municipality to educate foreign visitors about the complexities of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Eeris is passionate about sharing her love for Israel, and in her free time, she enjoys painting and spending time with her family.
Oz Sade
Internships Manager
Oz was born in Jerusalem and grew up in the Golan Heights. In high school, he was a counselor in Bnei Akiva Youth Movement and volunteered in Magen David Adom as an EMT. In the IDF, he served as a Tank Gunner in the Armored Corps. Oz worked as a Madrich at Alexander Muss High School In Israel for two years. These days, Oz is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business and Education at the Open University.
Yonatan Cohen
Internships Coordinator
Yonatan was born and raised in Jerusalem. In high school, he was a counselor in a Youth Movement called Krembo Wings, for children with special needs. In the IDF he served in the Kfir Brigade as a combat soldier. Yonatan holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Education and has experience working and volunteering in educational roles. Yonatan likes to traveling and drawing.
Roni Gal
Internships Coordinator
Roni was born and raised in Ra’anana and now lives in Herzliya. She was a counselor at Hamachanot Ha’Olim youth movement.
In her military service, she served as a Military Social Worker in Judea and Samaria and was in charge of the welfare of soldiers. She studied radio and ran a small business selling handmade jewelry. She has a great passion for music, arts, food, and traveling.
Fentanesh Yanihudege
Internships Coordinator
Fentanesh was born in Ethiopia and moved to Israel with her family when she was 2 years old. She was always passionate about experiential education and has worked in different organizations and programs in this field for more than 10 years. She graduated from Hebrew University in Jerusalem with a BA in Political Science and Sociology Anthropology. She was a Jewish Agency Fellow at Michigan State University for 2 years.
Yan Bihdriker
Internships Coordinator
Yan was born in Uzbekistan and made Aliyah when he was seven years old. In high school, he participated in the Diller Teen Fellows program and has been passionate about building bridges with the Jewish Diaspora youth ever since. Yan worked at the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs. He holds a BA in Political Science and American Studies from Tel Aviv University and a MA in Government, Diplomacy, and Conflict Studies.
Moriah Hacmun
Internships Coordinator
Moriah was born in Rome, Italy and lives in Tel Aviv. She recently finished her MA in Clinical Psychology and in the past six years has been working as Director for Communications for Elihay, the leading Jewish Youth Sporting Movement in Italy. As Elihay’s Director for Communications she had the opportunity to be in contact with communities from all over Europe and Israel speaking the languages she fluently knows: Hebrew, Spanish, French, English, and of course, Italian!
Jodi Taube
Internships Coordinator
Hailing from New Jersey, Jodi Taube graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in Public Health from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. After moving to Israel, she worked at Masa Israel Journey many for years, assisting Jews from all over the world in applying for post-high school programs in Israel, and then at the Israel Experience as a Recruitment Coordinator for the Career Israel Program. She lives in Jerusalem with her husband and their two children.
Dganit Shahar
Logistics Coordinator
Dganit grew up in Herzliya and now lives in Jerusalem.
During her high-school years, she beacme very active with Bnei Akiva, first as a participant, and later as a counselor and Program Coordinator.
She has a BA in Communications and Political Science and previously worked in operations with ‘Taglit’ (Birthright) and at the Museum of Tolerance and as an Event Producer.
Dganit is passionate about music and is always looking for a great rock concert!
Naama Nachson Hadad
Naama was born and raised in Jerusalem, and currently lives in Ma’ale Adumim with her husband, three children, and their dog. In the past 7 years she has worked with tourists from all over the world, as Office and Reservations Manager at Genesis Land tourist site. She holds a BA in Early Childhood Education from David Yellin College and a BA in Education and Middle East studies from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Naama enjoys hiking in Israel with her family and reading books.
Sarah Kurtz
Bookkeeper
Sarah, a third-generation New Zealander, grew up in a very Zionist family. She was very involved in Zionist youth movements during her childhood and after spending her gap year in Israel, she made Aliyah and completed her studies in Jerusalem. Sarah is an experienced bookkeeper with extensive knowledge & experience in both small organizations as well as corporate companies. Sarah lives in Givat Zeev with her husband and five children.
Carolyn Reiffman
Registrar and Admissions Assistant
Carolyn grew up in Kansas City and made Aliyah to Ma’ale Adumim in 2018, following a 13-year teaching career in a Jewish day school in Denver, Colorado. With a BA in Communications and an M.Ed in secondary education, her career path has included sports writing, dance instruction, cake decorating, social studies, English classes and more. When she isn’t busy supporting Aardvark students and staff, Carolyn enjoys spending time with her family, scuba diving, geocaching, and working on jigsaw puzzles.
Revital Rahmani
Admissions Coordinator
Revital was born in Milan, Italy. She made Aliyah when she finished high school and currently resides in Tel Aviv. Growing up, Revital was a participant and counselor in Bnei Akiva. She took a gap year at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, earned her BA in Communication and Sociology at Bar Ilan University and her master’s from the University of the Arts In Television in London. She loves meeting new people from all over the world and visiting her family abroad and in Israel. She speaks 5 languages fluently – Italian, French, Spanish, English and Hebrew.
Az Troenkrasnow
Admissions Coordinator
Az was born and raised in Massachusetts and currently lives in Tel Aviv. Growing up, he took every chance he could get to visit Israel, spending his Gap Year on Aardvark Israel after graduating high school. He then returned to the United States to attend Loyola University New Orleans, earning a degree in accounting and marketing, and currently completing his MBA. Not being able to stay away from his homeland any longer, he has now returned to Israel and plans on making Aliyah in the future.
Emma Flanders
Admissions Coordinator
Emma was born and raised in New York City. Emma studied Theatre Management and Education at Northwestern University, where she produced the largest student-produced musical in the United States. She was also a Development Intern at Batsheva Dance Company in Tel Aviv and the LGBT Center of New York. Upon graduation she was a Masa Israel Teaching Fellow, teaching English in the Bedouin city of Rahat and in South Tel Aviv, where she now resides. Emma enjoys hiking the trails of Israel and cooking for her family and friends.
Hadar Cohen
Marketing and PR Manager
Hadar was born and raised in Ra’anana, and now lives in Tel Aviv. She has taken part in Youth Movements as a counselor and coordinator and was always passionate about Zionist education, taking part in Birthright, Birthright Excel, the Jewish Agency Summer Camps, and Masa. She has a BA in Communications and Public Diplomacy, and previously worked for an advertising firm in Israel. She is an avid Yogi and a foodie, who loves traveling and going to festivals.
Nick Lees
Communications Coordinator
Nick was born and raised in Akron Ohio, and made Aliyah in 2010. He is a veteran press officer in the IDF Spokesperson Unit and has worked for several years in private sector digital marketing. He joined as Communications Coordinator of Aardvark Israel in order to help other young Jews also have enriching educational experiences and deepen their relationship with Israel and Judaism. He currently lives in Petah Tikva with his wife and son.
Rabbi Liad Braude
Jewish Life Coordinator
Liad was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and spent many of his formative years in San Diego, California. Liad made aliyah in 2006 while working on Semicha as an ordained rabbi. Liad graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara with his B.A. in Political Science. For the next year, he made his way around Asia and South America, studying with spiritual leaders of various faiths in the region and working in local synagogues. He completed his semicha certification with Pirchei Shoshanim in 2018. In 2020, he graduated with his M.A. in Jewish Education from the Hebrew University. Liad has been working in yeshivot and gap programs in Israel for the past five years.
Dan Katsman
Special Programs Coordinator
Dan was born and raised in Nof Ha’Galil. During high school, he was a part of The Israeli Scouts youth movement, and afterward, he did a ‘SHNAT Sherut (Year of Service) in Bat Yam. In the IDF, he served as a ‘Marva’ commander. After his army service, he worked as a counselor at Heller High School in Kibbutz Tzuba. Dan is passionate about arts and design.
Nitzan Gat
Logistics Coordinator
Nitzan was born and raised in Rosh Ha’ayin. As a kid, we played the piano and took part in ‘Ha’Noar Ha’Oved Ve’Halomed youth movement, where he was a counselor and kept taking piano lessons. During his military service, he was a combat solider and guided Bedouin youth in the north. After his military service, he was a Song Leader at Camp Barney Medintz.
Ofir Dagan
Logistics Coordinator
Ofir was born and raised in Jerusalem. He graduated from high school with a specialization in electronics and computer studies. In the IDF, he served in the Israeli Air Force, and later on, learned Music Production studies at BPM College in Tel Aviv. Later on, he worked in the Security Industry in Israel, for more than 12 years. In his free time, Ofir enjoys working out, traveling, and cooking.
Educators
Moshe Levi
Moshe is Aardvark Israel’s Director of Education. Moshe began his career in Jewish education straight after completing his military service in the IDF. In the past, Moshe worked with USY, both on summer programs and on gap year programs. He has extensive experience in Jewish and Israel education. For two years he served as a shaliach for the United Synagogue Youth in Minneapolis, Minnesota and he has worked with the Avi Chai Foundation and the Shalem Center on a variety of educational initiatives. After returning to Israel after Minnesota, Moshe served as The Jewish Agency’s coordinator of Youth Movement Shlichim. In the summer of 2017, Moshe finished his service of four years as the community Shaliach for the Greater MetroWest Jewish Federation in New Jersey, where he was the senior Shaliach and Israel education specialist. Following his return to Israel, Moshe joined the Aardvark educators’ team and taught a class about the History of Zionism. Moshe has also worked with different Jewish summer camps in North America. Moshe was born in Israel and he grew up in Jerusalem. He served for three years as a medic in an infantry unit in the IDF and he holds an MA in Comparative Religion from the Hebrew University. Moshe looks forward to bringing his passion and knowledge of Israel and Jewish education to the Aardvark participants. Moshe currently lives in Jerusalem.
Calev Ben-Dor
Calev Ben-Dor is an analyst and educator focusing on Israel, the Middle East, and the relevance of contemporary and traditional Jewish texts. He grew up and was educated in England, where he gained his BA from Leeds University in International History and Politics and an MSc from LSE in the History of International Relations. Following his academic studies, Calev worked in the Public Affairs Department of the Israeli Embassy in London before making Aliyah in 2005. He has subsequently spent over a decade in policy circles both inside and outside government – as an analyst in the Reut Institute’s National Security team, the Policy Planning Department of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, and Director of Research at BICOM, an independent British research centre producing analysis on Israel and the Middle East. He formerly wrote a monthly column for the Jewish Thinker in the Ha’aretz online edition and his articles have appeared in a number of other media outlets. He is currently deputy editor of the Fathom Journal, teaches for the Masa Leadership and Impact Center’s Israel Education Initiative (IEI) and lectures on Jewish and Zionist thought to a variety of audiences.
Jay Rosen
Originally from Washington, DC, Jay Rosen is the founder of Ḥayyati, a cross-cultural communications consultancy to better prepare local talent for international exposure and investment while empowering them with the tailor-made skills needed to become their own best salespeople. A trained mediator since high school, Jay previously served as the director of an international graduate degree on conflict resolution; the CEO of an international public relations agency and COO of its media parent company; and several other professional leadership positions to promote a nuanced and accessible understanding of Israel and the Middle East. Jay has founded several award-winning social venture projects including The Here & There Club, a series of salon gatherings for fellow immigrants and internationals to discuss current events and promote civic involvement, and Sheik It Up, promoting a better awareness of the Middle East through food edutainment. Additionally, Jay volunteers to teach practically-minded Hebrew to new immigrants.
Inbar Bernat
Inbar Bernat: Inbar Bernat is an MA student soon graduating from Tel-Aviv University in clinical psychology. She received her B.A. in behavioral sciences from Ben-Gurion University in Be’er Sheva. She has an extensive experience in education and guidance. Inbar’s previous experience includes parent counseling, assisting children with special needs, preschool teaching, and youth movement counseling. She also served in the IDF as a teacher of 12th-grade students in a semi-military boarding school. Inbar’s hobbies include reading psychoanalytic literature as well as poetry and novels alongside writing. Inbar strives to use her skills in both psychology and education to give students the opportunity to know the world of psychology.
Jordana Schiff
Jordana graduated with a double major in Political Science and Islamic and Middle Eastern studies and a minor in Social Entrepreneurship from McGill University. Jordana co-founded the Rimon Movement, a student-led Israel organization. Jordana then made Aliyah and completed her master’s degree in security and Diplomacy at Tel Aviv University. She is currently working at NGO Monitor in Jerusalem. Jordana has also worked at the Israel mission to the United Nations, Shurat Hadin Law Center in Israel, the Israeli Department of International Relations, and the Kohelet Policy Forum. For Jordana, Israel Education is crucial because she wants students to have the foundation to defend themselves, and their peers, from antisemitism in a confident, passionate, and intellectual manner. She hopes to inspire others with her passion for Israel and Judaism.
Elliot Vaisrub Glassenberg
Elliot Vaisrub Glassenberg is an American-Canadian-Israeli Queer Jewish educator-activist. Elliot teaches and advocates on many topics relating to Jewish pluralism and inclusion, refugee rights, LGBTQ rights and human rights, and his educator-activist approach focuses on the application of Jewish culture for social change. Elliot has been teaching at Aardvark since 2019. Elliot is also a senior educator at BINA: The Jewish Movement for Social Change and a leading activist for refugee rights in Israel. Elliot is co-chair of Right Now: Advocates for Asylum Seekers in Israel, a blogger for The Times of Israel, and has published in Haaretz, The Jerusalem Post, The Jewish Week, and elsewhere.A native of Chicago, Elliot currently lives in Jaffa and holds a B.A. from McGill University, and an M.A. in Jewish Education and an M.A. in Jewish Literature from the Jewish Theological Seminary.
Shai Yosipov
An Israeli since birth, Shai came to Jerusalem from the hills of Western Galilee in 2011, to study for his BA in International Relations and Political Science and MA in Conflict Management and Resolution at the Hebrew University. During his time at the university, he also worked for Mashav – Israel’s Agency for International Aid and Cooperation, for a PR company in Jerusalem, and as a Social Coordinator for international students at the Hebrew University Rothberg International School. He is also a graduate of the prestigious “Rothchild Ambassador” program for social leadership in Israel. In 2016, he moved to Canada to work for the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he is still working today.
Michael Unterberg
Michael Unterberg has been an educator for over 20 years. He was a founding member of the Torat Tzion Kollel movement, led the Jewish History department at Fuchs Mizrachi School, and was the lead educator for Write on For Israel in Cleveland, Ohio. After he made Aliyah, Mike worked for three years as an IT Consultant for an Israeli tech startup. Mike lectures on Israel and Zionism to Birthright groups and various visiting Israel Missions. His hobbies include painting in acrylic, amateur filmmaking, and learning to play bass guitar. Michael studied philosophy and received smicha (Rabbinic Ordination) from Yeshiva University. Michael and his wife Dara live in Efrat and have five children and two grandchildren.
Matthew Lipman
Matthew Lipman has been working in Israel education for over 15 years. He has taught Judaic Studies at Jewish Day Schools in North America and led many innovative programs at those schools. has written high-tech educational materials for U.S. public schools and the IDF and directed the multimedia development of an online Jewish day school. In addition to his teaching work at several gap year programs in Israel; he has trained Day School leaders in North America to create meaningful Israel education programs. Matthew has a B.A. in Politics and History from the University of Liverpool and holds a master’s degree in Jewish Education from the Hebrew University. He lives with his family in Modi’in.
Ayo Oppenheimer Abitbol
Ayo Oppenheimer Abitbol is a born teacher who firmly believes that everyone can benefit from yoga, acroyoga, and hoop dance regardless of level or perceived ability. Ayo has an uplifting positivity to her and is the type of teacher who will take her time with you and break down complicated moves with ease. She has multiple certifications in yoga and acroyoga, 10+ years of teaching experience, and is a trained facilitator of compassionate communication. Ayo leads wellness retreats and workshops around the world in addition to her 10 weekly StudioAYO yoga and acroyoga classes in Jerusalem. Join her!
Mica Pomerantz
Mica Pomerantz, originally from Argentina, moved to Israel in 2017. Yoga has been a huge part of her life since 2014, a year after she had become a Personal Trainer. She completed her 200-hour Hatha Yoga training in Argentina and her 300-hour Vinyasa flow advanced training in India, with a deep specialization in Prenatal and Yoga Therapy. Afterward, she completed her studies becoming a Pilates Instructor and Prenatal/Postpartum Trainer specialist. In her classes, she loves combining creative sequencing, a playfulness spirit, and a dose of inspiration to help my students deepen their practice.
Yifat Nadler
Yifat Nadler was born in Canada, made Aliyah when she was 15 years old, and currently resides in Tel-Aviv. Yifat earned a BA in Political Science and Anthropology from Tel Aviv University and an MA in Nonprofit Management from Hebrew University. She has been passionate about education ever since her army service in the Educational Corps and has worked for various Jewish organizations including The Jewish Agency, Masa, JDC Lauder Camp Szarvas in Hungry, and Diller Teen Fellows. In her free time, Yifat loves to read books and enjoy nature.
Eliyahu Freedman
Eliyahu Freedman is a PhD student at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in the Department of Arabic Language and Literature, where he studies Judeo-Arabic writings of the Tenth century. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, he has lived in Jaffa, Israel for three years after making Aliyah. While not working on his research, he is an avid practitioner of mindfulness meditation and enjoys playing guitar and watching sunset at the beach.
Joelle Milman
Joelle Milman is a writer based in Tel Aviv. She has a BA in Literature and Creative Writing from Barnard College and is completing an MA in English Literature at Hebrew U. Her work has been published in PRTCLS, The Barnacle Goose, and the Adroit Journal, among others. Joelle leads creative writing workshops at the Tel Aviv Writers Collective and at Hebrew University, and she’s committed to sharing the nuts and bolts of literary craft as tools for collective liberation, artistic and otherwise.
Yoni Hammer-Kossoy
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Yoni Hammer-Kossoy has lived in Israel with his family for the last 25 years. A writer, translator, and educator, he is the author of The Book of Noah which combines midrash with eco-poetry for a modern take on the classic Torah story. A winner of the 2020 Andrea Moriah Prize in Poetry, Yoni’s poems and translations appear in numerous international journals and anthologies. When he isn’t reading or writing, Yoni loves traveling, hiking, cooking, and a good game of ultimate frisbee.
Avi Rose
Avi Rose is a visual artist, psychologist, Secular-Humanist rabbi, and teacher. He lives in Jerusalem with his husband and their twin children. He teaches about Jewish art and culture wherever he can—with high school students, gap year programs, and even Holocaust survivors.
Maya Glaser
Maya Glaser, Graduate of Bezalel Academy of Art and Design. As a multidisciplinary artist she moves between experimental art forms and classical oil painting. participating in multiple exhibitions, Maya has taught painting techniques and drawing classes in numerous settings, and is a poet, bookbinder, and graphic designer.
Katrin Lasko
Katrin is a Candidate Master based in Tel Aviv, with current FIDE (chess rating) of 1974. She has played competitively and studied chess for 20 years. She has been playing chess since she was 4 years old and won Israeli and Moscow championships under the ages of 10-16. Nowadays, She teaches children and adults from beginners to advanced levels of chess.
Ray Lesel
Ray is a Californian living in Israel for almost 6 years now. She came for the kibbutz farming life, somehow slipped into the festival scene, and worked as a cultural tour guide in Tel Aviv for almost 4 years. She is now a trained Intimacy Coach, making workshops and teaching about intuition, boundaries, and consent. She is a vivid storyteller and lover of the details of life.
Hila Kadi
Hila Kadi is an artist photographer, active for over 10 years. She was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel, and is currently based in Tel Aviv. She holds a B.A. in Photographic communications from HAC, Jerusalem. In her classes, she tries to provide culture and art inspiration and show other ways of documenting the streets of Tel Aviv and its daily colorful scene.
Madrichim
Orly Hyman
Orly was born in Jerusalem and raised in Elazar, Gush Etzion. In high school, she took part in B’nei Akiva and Lev Binyamin youth movement, where she volunteered with children with special needs. She did national service for two years, where she volunteered in an organization called Beit Issie Shapiro, a school in Ra’anana for children with CP and autism, as well as in Sadnat Shiluv, a therapeutic farm in Gvaot for children and adults with special needs and behavioral management issues.
Noa Croitoro
Noa was born and raised in Be’er Sheva and now lives in Jerusalem. In high school she was a part of the Israeli Scouts Youth Movement in her city. Afterward, she went on a year of service in Los Angeles, and volunteer in the Scouts and in a Hebrew school. In the IDF, she served as a sergeant of observers over the border fence with Egypt, and she had a great time! Noa is passionate about traveling and art.
Noam Chachmon
Noam was born and raised in Ra’anana and was a counselor and coordinator in the Israeli Scouts. She spent her last two years of high school at the United World College of the Adriatic in Duino, Italy, completing her international matriculation. After graduating, she completed a Year of Service in Kibbutz Elifaz in the Israeli desert, living in a commune, working in agriculture, and working with children. The following year, she completed her civil service at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation in Jaffa.
Romy Zelcer
Romy was born and raised in Kibbutz Kfar Giladi in northern Israel. In high school, she participated in different Jewish and Israeli programs such as HaNoar Ha’Oved VeHaLomed Youth Movement and Diller Teen fellows. Before she joined the IDF, she took part in a year of service at kibbutz Ein Gedi with unprivileged children. In the IDF she served as a commander in ‘Havat Hashomer’ base that intends to help and care for soldiers who are part of populations at risk.
Liri Cohen
Liri was born and raised in a small village in northern Israel called Mitzpe Hilla. She has taken part in ‘Bnei Hamoshavim’ and ‘Krembo Wings’ Youth Movements as a counselor and coordinator. After graduating from high school, she did a year of service with the Jewish Agency in Los Angeles. In the IDF, she served as an Education Administrator, serving in Commando Training units. In her free time she loves hiking, watching movies and spending time with her friends and family.
Gali Sa'ar
Gali grew up in Eilat and Herzliya. From her early teenage years, she was enthusiastic about Theatre, education, and learning about Israeli culture and history. She was a counselor in the Mashazim youth movement and an active member of her Model UN debate team, eventually becoming the chairwoman. Before her military service as a teacher-soldier at “Eshel Hanasi” boarding school, she volunteered with at-risk teenagers in Ashdod, teaching spoken word poetry, performance, and creative writing workshops.
Ofir Ozer
Ofir was born and raised in Safed. In the IDF, she served as a Hebrew teacher for ‘Olim Hadashim’. She worked as a counselor for the Jewish Agency Summer Camp 92Y ILANOT in New York City, and as a Madricha in Mechinat Mahal. She loves traveling and discovering new places, meeting new people from different cultures, and spending time with her family.
Harel Guttel
Harel was born and raised in Zur Hadassah, near Jerusalem. He was a counselor in Bnei Akiva and Green Horizons. After graduating from high school, he took part in a year of service with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel as a tour guide. Harel enlisted in the Kfir Brigade and served as a combat Medic. He is very passionate about traveling in Israel, and debating topics like Judaism, the land of Israel and more.
Roni Feinstein
Roni was born and raised in Jerusalem. As a teenager, she was a counselor in the Israeli Scouts In the IDF, she was a commander in a course helping soldiers pursue their high school diploma. She spent last summer as a specialist counselor at ‘Mid Island Y Camp’ in Long Island, NY, followed by a trip to the US with her friends. Roni loves traveling with family and friends, trying out new experiences, and getting to know new places and new people.
Hadas Shahar
Hadas grew up in Gedera and recently moved to Rehovot. As a teenager, she took part in the Israeli Scouts youth movement and continued her part in a gap year in Hadera. In the IDF, she served as an Air-Operation Room Controller in the Air Force. She spent the last summer as a counselor and specialist in “Urj Eisner Camp” and continued traveling and exploring different cultures in Central America. Hadas loves to travel, cook, and have fun with her friends and family.
Clil Gamlieli
Clil was born and raised in Jerusalem and currently lives in Tel Aviv. In high school she was a counselor in the HaShomer HaTzair youth movement. Before her army service Clil volunteered in the Bina Movement For Social Judaism gap year in Be’er Sheva. In the IDF she served as a commander in the Nativ program for strengthening Jewish identity, teaching new immigrants (Olim) and non Jewish soliders and encouraging zionist identity and connection.
Avital Day
Avital was born in Israel and grew up in Ma’ale Adumim. As a teenager, she was part of the B’nei Akiva youth movement as a counselor. She served in national service for two years, teaching unprivileged youth, and working with children and adults with special needs. In her free time, Avital likes to draw, travel, watch movies, and spend time with friends and family.
Bar Rom
Bar was born and raised in a small town in Israel called Kiryat Haim. In high school, he was a counselor in the Ha’shomer Hat’zair youth movement. Before enlisting to the IDF, Bar did a year of service volunteering with teenagers. In the IDF, he served in the Intelligence Corps. He worked as a counselor for Camp Kimama Half Moon in Monterey, Massachusetts. Bar likes traveling, meeting new people, and spending time with his family and friends.
Hila Beldoch
Hila Beldoch was born in Haifa. During high school, she was a part of the Israeli Scouts. After high school, she went on a year of service in Ottawa, Canada, volunteering with the Jewish community. In the IDF, she served as an artillery instructor. Hila likes hiking, theater, sports, and spending time with her friends and family.
Maya Avram
Maya was born and raised in Haifa; during high school, she was a part of the Israeli Scouts. Afterward, she went on a year of service in Boston, Massachusetts, and she volunteered with Jewish and Israeli communities. In the IDF, she served as a visual intelligence analyst in the Navy. Maya likes hiking, dancing, scuba diving, sports, theater, and being surrounded by friends and family.
Noam Azaria
Noam was born and raised in Shoham and currently lives in Tel Aviv. During high school, he was a counselor in the Israeli Scouts. In the IDF, he served as a combat paramedic and taught soldiers how to provide life-saving treatment under pressure. After the army, he worked as a counselor at the URJ summer camp OSRUI in Wisconsin for two years. Noam loves to travel, cook and hang out with friends and family.
Noy Samet
Noy was born in a small village named Ein Vered, and then moved to Pardes Hanna Karkur. As a teenager, she was a counselor in the youth movement ‘Bnei Hamoshavim’, where she also did a ‘year of service’ after graduating. In the IDF, she served as an officer and was in charge of Hebrew courses for Olim and non-Hebrew-speaking minorities. Last summer she was a counselor at Camp “Havaya” in Pennsylvania. In her free time, she likes reading, traveling, and hanging out with friends.
Keith Berman z”l
Founding Director
Aardvark Israel was co-founded and directed by Keith Berman z”l until his tragic death in November 2014. Keith was a key figure in the world of Jewish Zionist Education dedicating his career to bringing young adults to Israel for meaningful long-term experiences and encouraging aliya. Aardvark Israel is the actualization of Keith’s legacy of passion and commitment to Israel and his values are represented in the students, staff, and activities of Aardvark Israel. In recognition of his contribution to Israel and the Jewish People, a scholarship was established in Keith’s memory.
