Debbie Goldsmith is the Director of Aardvark Israel, a gap year program in Israel for Jewish students, which she co-founded with the late Keith Berman, a Jewish educator who died of a heart attack last month. Berman was a guest on “Journeys” in October, 2013.

Goldsmith has worked in the field of Jewish and Zionist education for almost 20 years, and has led Jewish educational tours to Ethiopia and Holland. She joins host Rogel Alpher to discuss how her program introduces young adults to Israel without sugar-coating its complexities.

Goldsmith also speaks about the personal journey her professional work has taken her on. A few years ago she decided to help a former student of the program who was arrested for buying drugs and sentenced to community work; she and her husband took him in to live in their home, and he has since become a part of her family.

Playlist:

Matisyahu – Sunshine
Idan Raichel Project – HaBayta
Shlomi Levi and Suiss – Save Me From Falling
Zodiac
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole – Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World
Rami Kleinstein – Matanot Ketanot