The year in Israel is meant to be transformative — but for many students, it’s also emotionally overwhelming. Anxiety, loneliness, identity pressure, and quiet struggles are more common than people realize.

In this episode, Avi speaks with the director of Crossroads Jerusalem about why student mental health looks different today, why many students don’t ask for help, and what real support on the ground actually looks like.

This conversation shines a light on the side of the gap year that often goes unseen — and why awareness matters more than ever.



???? Gap Year Mental Health Guidebook:

https://israelgapyear.com/mental-health-guide/

???? Learn more about Crossroads Jerusalem:

https://www.crossroadsjerusalem.org/

In this episode, Avi Proctor sits down with Rabbi Reuven Schrier for an honest conversation about Modern Orthodoxy, student identity, and what often shifts after a year in Israel.

Many students return from yeshiva or seminary questioning the label “Modern Orthodox.” But are they rejecting the vision — or reacting to how it’s been lived and taught?

Together, they explore where gaps may exist between ideals and reality, how Rav Soloveitchik’s hashkafa is often misunderstood, and the roles parents, schools, and communities play in shaping authentic Judaism. The episode also looks at why students are drawn to extremes — and what a healthier, grounded middle can look like post-Israel.

This is a conversation about listening to hard questions — and asking whether the system reflects what it was meant to be.

In this episode of Israel Gap Year B’IYUN, Avi Proctor sits down with Rabbi Yamin Goldsmith from Sha’alavim for Women to talk honestly about the challenge of Ahavat Yisrael.



Rabbi Goldsmith shares why loving every Jew doesn’t come easily, what that mitzvah actually demands, and how the events of October 7th reframed the way he thinks about Jewish unity. Through personal stories and real examples, the conversation explores practical ways to work on loving others — especially those who think or live differently — and what helps turn this value from an idea into lived action.

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