This fall, Nico will begin his second gap year experience post high school by joining Aardvark Israel, where the focus of his internship will be culinary. He is thrilled for the opportunity to live in Tel Aviv alongside dozens of other young Jewish adults while working in Tel Aviv kitchens and participating in Hebrew lessons, educational programming, and weekly hiking and educational trips around the country. A sea sports track will give him an opportunity to learn surfing, scuba diving, parasailing, etc. Because we registered last fall, his registration also includes a trip to the UAE--an amazing opportunity to see, first hand, the good relations that Israel can have with its Arab neighbors. Knowing those relationships are possible is what gives us hope for the future of Jews and Muslims in the region.

After attending a recent Jewish National Fund-USA breakfast, I felt deeply inspired by the impactful work being done to help Israel rebuild after 2.5 years of war — from rebuilding devastated kibbutzim after October 7 to constructing schools, playgrounds, and bomb shelters for families and children. Founded in 1901, JNF has played a historic role in helping build and sustain Israel for more than a century, from planting forests and developing communities to supporting water infrastructure, education, and environmental projects across the country.

This fundraiser will support both of these meaningful efforts: half of all donations will go to JNF’s rebuilding work in Israel, and half will help fund Nico’s transformative four-month Aardvark Israel experience.