Quick Answer
Aardvark Israel costs $24,990–$37,000 all-in for the full year program in 2026. It is one of the most popular gap year programs for American Jewish young adults, based in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
What Is Aardvark Israel?
Aardvark Israel is one of the most established gap year programs for Jewish young adults, offering internships, volunteering, Hebrew language instruction, and cultural immersion across Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Founded over two decades ago, Aardvark has helped thousands of American Jewish young adults deepen their connection to Israel.
The program offers apartment-style housing in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, giving participants a real experience of Israeli city life — not just a campus bubble. Participants can earn up to one year of college credit through affiliated universities.
Most Aardvark programs qualify for MASA Israel Journey grants, reducing the net cost by $1,000–$4,500 depending on program length and the participant's country of origin.
Aardvark Israel Cost Breakdown 2026
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Program tuition | $24,990 |
| International flights (roundtrip) | $800–$1,500 |
| Spending money ($300–$500/month) | $2,700–$4,500 |
| Visa fees | $150–$300 |
| Total all-in | $28,640–$31,290 |
Note: some families budget up to $37,000 with higher spending money and optional excursions. The $24,990 tuition is the published 2026 rate.
What's Included vs. Not Included
Included
- ✓Program tuition and curriculum
- ✓Apartment-style housing (TLV & JLM)
- ✓Partial meals
- ✓Hebrew language instruction
- ✓Excursions and Israel travel
- ✓Airport pickup
- ✓Health insurance (program duration)
Not Included
- ×International flights
- ×Personal spending money
- ×Lunches (typically self-funded)
- ×Optional trips outside program
- ×Visa fees
How to Fund Aardvark Israel
Families funding Aardvark Israel typically combine several sources:
- →MASA grants: Up to $4,500 for qualifying participants. Apply directly through MASA Israel Journey.
- →Jewish federation grants: $500–$2,000 depending on your local federation. Contact your federation before the program year.
- →Israel Prepaid Gold Plan: Lock in today's Aardvark price — $234/month starting at birth for $94,604 in guaranteed coverage.
Gold Plan Pricing by Child's Age
Israel Prepaid's Gold Plan covers Aardvark Israel and other top gap year programs. Here's what it costs based on your child's current age:
| Child's Age | Monthly Payment | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (0) | $234/month | $94,604 |
| Age 3 | $276/month | $85,179 |
| Age 5 | $314/month | $79,004 |
| Age 8 | $398/month | $69,907 |
| Age 10 | $487/month | $63,951 |
| Age 13 | $740/month | $55,181 |
The earlier you start, the less you pay — and the more coverage you receive.
Aardvark's Four Program Tracks
Aardvark Israel offers four distinct tracks, each designed for different interests and goals. Students apply to a specific track rather than a generic program:
City Track (Tel Aviv)
Urban immersion in Israel's cultural capital. Students live in Tel Aviv apartments, work in the city, and explore modern Israeli life. Strong emphasis on Hebrew, Israeli arts, and contemporary culture.
Community Track
Service-learning focused. Students volunteer with Israeli nonprofits — working with elderly populations, at-risk youth, new immigrants, and social service organizations across the country.
Career Track
Internship-forward. Students are placed in Israeli companies, startups, and organizations aligned with their professional interests. Strong for students considering Israel-linked careers.
Outdoors Track
Adventure and environmental focus. Students engage with Israel's diverse natural landscape — the Negev desert, the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan Valley — through hiking, agriculture, and outdoor leadership.
A Week in the Life of an Aardvark Participant
Aardvark blends structured programming with genuine independence. A typical week in the Community Track might look like this:
- →Sunday–Thursday: Volunteer placement (6 hours/day) + Hebrew class (2 hours) + evening programming
- →Friday: Independent or group Shabbat preparation, cooking, and cultural activities
- →Shabbat: Free time — synagogue, hiking, travel, or Shabbat dinner with host families
- →Evenings: Weekly cohort programming: Israeli speaker series, cultural nights, field trips
- →One weekend/month: Organized travel excursion within Israel — Eilat, the Galilee, Masada, Tel Aviv
The balance of structure and freedom is intentional. Aardvark provides enough scaffolding for participants to feel supported, while allowing the independence that makes a gap year genuinely transformative.
What Happens After Aardvark?
Aardvark alumni consistently report that the program reshaped their relationship with Israel and with their Jewish identity. Common outcomes include:
- ✓Significantly improved Hebrew — many achieve conversational fluency
- ✓Deeper connection to Israeli culture, politics, and daily life
- ✓Stronger Jewish identity regardless of denomination background
- ✓Career clarity — many students return knowing whether they want to pursue Israel-linked work
- ✓Lifelong friendships with both Aardvark cohort members and Israeli contacts
- ✓Higher rates of future Israel visits, aliyah consideration, and Jewish community involvement
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
Aardvark Israel is one of the best gap year programs available for American Jewish young adults — and at $28,000–$37,000 all-in, it's also one of the largest expenses Jewish families face outside of college tuition.
Families who lock in the Gold plan today — starting as low as $234/month for a newborn — will have full Aardvark coverage waiting when their child is ready to go, at today's locked-in price regardless of future inflation.
See What the Gold Plan Costs for Your Child's Age →Israel Prepaid helps Jewish families lock in today's prices for Aardvark Israel, Gap Year, MASA, and other Israel experiences. Starting from $89/month.
Written by
Uri Goldenberg
CEO & Co-founder, Israel Prepaid
Uri Goldenberg is the CEO and Co-founder of Israel Prepaid, the first price-locked savings plan for Jewish families funding Israel Gap Year, MASA, Yeshiva, and university programs. A former IDF Medic and 4x Birthright Trip Leader, Uri holds an M.S. in Finance from the University of Florida and brings a background in investment banking and fintech. He has helped Jewish families across Florida, New York, and California plan and fund their children's Israel experiences — from March of the Living to full university degrees at Reichman University, Hebrew University, and Tel Aviv University.