gap year in israel
Gap year in israel - aardvarkisrael

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,

Gap year in israel - aardvarkisrael

Debbie Goldsmith

Executive Director and Co-Founder

Leadership

Debbie goldsmith

Debbie Goldsmith

Executive Director
Co-Founder

Debbie has worked in the field of Jewish and Zionist education for almost 30 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 with her three children. Her oldest is currently serving in the Israeli army after having taken a gap year and her middle child is exploring gap year programs for next year.

Simon cohen

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

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 Israel participants.
Yifat nadler

Yifat Nadler

Program Director

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. Prior to becoming Program Director, she was a Tel Aviv Community Manager with Aardvark Israel. In her free time, Yifat loves to read books and enjoy nature.

Staff

Rachel tessema

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.
Lee naftali

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.
Allison hartman

Allison Hartman

Parent Liaison

Allison Hartman was born and raised in New Jersey, recently made Aliyah, and currently lives in Jerusalem. In 2008, Allison received her Master’s in Social Work from Hunter College and has been working as a Clinical Social Worker in various settings, including both private practice and school-based services. Working with school-age youth, provided Allison the opportunity to work with families at large. Allison is passionate about supporting young people by helping them find & develop their voices, and in turn, empowering them to communicate their wants and needs. In addition to working with high-achieving teens across the Greater New York region, Allison has worked with survivors of domestic violence and those afflicted with addiction.
Rabbi liad braude

Rabbi Liad Braude

Jewish Life Coordinator, Parent Liaison

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.
Shabtai pessin

Shabtai Pessin

Special Programs Coordinator

Shabtai was born and raised in Efrat, Israel, and currently resides in Lod. He studied in Yeshivat HaKotel for six years while serving in the Golani Brigade in the IDF. After Yeshiva, he was a Jewish Agency Fellow in Cape Town, South Africa. He holds a B.Ed. in Israel and Jewish Studies and also has an MA in International Relations. Last year, he taught 8th graders and decided to follow his passion, moving to work with overseas Jewry.
Anna vengerovski

Anna Vengerovski

Internships Coordinator

Anna Vengerovski, originally from Ukraine, made Aliyah at 17, made a preparatory program in a Hebrew University mechina, and served as a lone soldier in the IDF, specializing as a Sar El Instructor. She completed her BA in International Relations and Journalism & Communications at Hebrew University, working later at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Anna’s commitment extended to roles as a counselor at Rothberg International School and Garin Tzabar, progressing to a program coordinator at Garin Tzabar. Currently pursuing an MA in Communications: New Media and Internet at Hebrew University, she enjoys travel, concerts, and quality time with friends.
Zach freund

Zach Freund

Internships Coordinator

Zach grew up in Perth, Australia. He completed a Microbiology and Immunology degree in Perth after spending a year in Israel on a Masa gap year program. Zach was a part of Habonim Dror youth movement most of his life, and has been working as an informal Jewish educator for 10 years now. With a passion for Jewish-Zionist education, he decided to return to higher education in order to study Informal Education here in Israel, in which he is in his final year. Zach enjoys running, collecting records, and cooking for his friends.
Carolyn reiffman

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

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.
Liat warszawski

Liat Warszawski

Admissions Coordinator

Liat was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she stayed up to the end of high school and prior to her aliyah. Liat was part of HaShomer Hatzair Youth Movement for most of her life. She decided to come to Aardvark Israel for her Gap Year, and by the end of the program, Liat decided to stay in Israel and join the army through Garin Tzabar where she served as a Search and Rescue Instructor. Liat now lives in Herzliya, and in her free time, she likes going to the beach, hanging out with friends, and doing sports.
Emma flanders

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.
Grace silverstein

Grace Silverstein

Admissions Coordinator

Grace grew up in London, UK. She came to Israel for a gap year and then went back to the UK to study Business Management with Marketing at Leeds Beckett University. After graduating, Grace worked at the Union of Jewish Students, where she ran sessions and mentored Jewish students on university campuses across the UK. She made aliyah and now lives in Tel Aviv. Grace enjoys traveling, cooking, and hiking and loves meeting new people.
Dan katsman

Dan Katsman

Marketing and PR Coordinator

Dan was born and raised in Nof Ha’Galil. During high school, he was part of The Israeli Scouts youth movement, and afterward, he completed a ‘SHNAT Sherut’ (Year of Service) in Bat Yam. In the IDF, he served as a ‘Marva’ commander. After his army service, he completed his studies in User Experience and User Interface design. In the past, Dan worked as a counselor in various programs and camps in Israel and remains enthusiastic about the country.
Nick lees

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.
Ofir dagan

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.
Etai gil

Etai Gil

Logistics Coordinator

Etai was born in Ramot Naftali, in the Upper Galilee region. Later on, he moved with his family to Nairobi, Kenya. He returned to Israel as a Lone Soldier as a Combat Engineer. Up until he joined Aardvark Israel, he was a hotelier and has an extensive experience with hotel management. He is passionate about fixing, repairing, and providing top service.

Educators

Matthew lipman

Matthew Lipman

Matthew 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.
Jordana schiff

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.
Rabbi liad braude

Rabbi Liad Braude

Rabbi Liad was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He subsequently moved to San Diego, California where he spent most of his formative years. Braude received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California in Santa Barbara. He then went on to spend over a year living and working in countries throughout Asia and South America. During that time, he studied the spiritual faiths of the various regions he visited as well as worked in close proximity with the Jewish community of each location. In 2016, Braude moved to Jerusalem where he furthered his education in the fields of rabbinic studies and Jewish education. He received his master’s degree in Jewish Education from the Melton Center at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Braude has been teaching in gap year programs throughout Israel for the past three years and currently lives in Efrat with his wife Dinah Tiferes.
Moshe levi

Moshe Levi

Moshe Levi 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.
Jay rosen

Jay Rosen

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.

Avi mandel

Avi Mandel

Grew up and currently lives with his family in Ginot Shomron. He studied at several yeshiva programs, served in the IDF, and earned a Master of Jewish Education (MJEd) degree in Jewish Day School Education from Hebrew College, as well as a Certificate of Advanced Jewish Studies at the Day School Educators Program of Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. He has taught in different educational settings, including camps, high school, and post-high school programs. His hobbies are hiking with his wife and 2 kids, playing music and coming up with 3 examples.
Yehonatan (hona) dodge

Yehonatan (Hona) Dodge

Yehonatan is an educator from Melbourne, Australia. He served as head of Jewish Life (experiential Jewish education) at Leibler Yavneh College where he also taught Israel education, Jewish studies, and history. Hona has degrees in Law, Commerce and Education and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Jewish history at Bar Ilan University.
Maya glaser

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, is a poet, book binder and graphic designer.
Sapir agagani

Sapir Agagani

Sapir was born and raised in Tel Aviv. At the young age of 16, she delved into the world of meditation, and it was on a transformative journey across Asia after completing her military service that she discovered her love for yoga. Certified as a vinyasa yoga teacher under the guidance of Ashley Sunshine School and specializing in yoga for women with Hadas Perry, she’s honed her skills with various teachers both in Israel and beyond. Now settled in Israel with her husband, Gal, and their two wonderful children, she holds an art degree and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in art therapy. As she aptly puts it, “Yoga is known to almost everyone as a philosophy or a way, but only a few know that yoga is also an art” (BKS Iyengar, The Yoga Tree).

Rachel tessema

Rachel Tessema

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.
Dan katsman

Dan Katsman

Dan was born and raised in Nof Ha’Galil. During high school, he was part of The Israeli Scouts youth movement, and afterward, he completed a ‘SHNAT Sherut’ (Year of Service) in Bat Yam. In the IDF, he served as a ‘Marva’ commander. After his army service, he completed his studies in User Experience and User Interface design. In the past, Dan worked as a counselor in various programs and camps in Israel and remains enthusiastic about the country.
Miriam fisher

Miriam Fisher

Miriam Fisher is originally from Madras, Oregon, USA, but has made Israel her home for the past 9 years. During that time she has worked as an informal educator, translator, and public transportation planner. Like most immigrants, she’s also done many other odd jobs including calf carer, baby whisperer, Moroccan waitress, and TV extra. Unlike most immigrants she’s played Israeli professional women’s soccer and still occasionally moonlights as an art model. This penchant for weird jobs has given her a broad understanding of Israel culture, and anecdotes you’ll hear nowhere else.

Madrichim

Orly hyman

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.
Yuval karikov

Yuval Karikov

Yuval grew up in Ashdod. After graduating from high school, he served as an airplane mechanic in the air force. After his army service, he understood he wants to work with people, and that led me to a Jewish camp in Texas. He enjoys traveling, and after his military service, he hiked through Israel’s National Trail and worked with campers from all around America on a summer trip to Israel. Furthermore, he enjoys creating art and meeting new people.
Efrat brun

Efrat Brun

Efrat grew up in Haifa, Israel. When she was 7 years old she moved to Boston, Massachusets, with her family for three years. While living in Boston, she became a member of the Israeli Scouts Garin Tzabar organization. When she moved back to Israel, she became a counselor when she was in high school. During her military service, she was a “Mashakit Tash”- a social worker for soldiers. After her service, she worked for Camp Tevya in New Hampshire as a counselor.
Bar rom

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.
Daria lustinger

Daria Lustinger

Daria was born and raised in Ness Ziona, where she was a counselor in the Maccabi Tzair youth movement. In the army, she served as a journalist on the Israeli Navy’s website. After her military service, she was a Shlicha on behalf of the Jewish Agency to guide at Rama Summer Camp in Wisconsin, where she worked for the last two summers as a counselor for the Israel Culture Team. She enjoys music, reading, yoga, and traveling.
Noa sabag

Noa Sabag

Noa was born and raised in Ahuzat Barak, a small town in the Jezreel Valley. She was a counselor at the Bnei Ha’Moshavim youth movement and after high school did a year of service in the Jewish community of Detroit, Michigan. She was Enlisted in the Navy in the IDF. Noa is a foodie who loves to cook and bake, especially if she has nice music playing in the background.
Yifat azulai

Yifat Azulai

Yifat grew up in a moshav called Beit Zayt, near Jerusalem. I was in the Israeli Scouts until my senior year of high school year. Before my military service, I attended a pre-military college Hanaton. In the army, I was at Michve Alon teaching Hebrew to Olim Hadashim.
Roni feinstein

Roni Feinstein

Roni was born and raised in Jerusalem. As a teenager, she was a counselor in the Israeli Scouts Youth Movement. She worked with special needs children and integrated them into the neighborhood Scouts. In the IDF, she was a commander in a course helping soldiers complete their high school diploma. She spent the last summer as a counselor and specialist at “Mid Island Y Camp” in Long Island, NY, This was followed by touring the United States with her friends. Roni loves traveling with family and friends, gaining experiences and getting to know new places and people.
Yair waxman

Yair Waxman

Yair was born and raised in Alon Shvut to a family of Olim from the USA. He spent most of my childhood there, apart from a 2-year Shlichut in Chicago. He was a counselor at Bnei Akiva along with playing basketball for the regional team. Yair was drafted to the IDF serving in the Sayeret Golani combat unit with additional training as a combat medic. Later on, he worked as a medic and security guard for tourists allowing himself to fulfill his passion to travel all across Israel and visit all its hidden gems.

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.

Ready to make Israel yours?