Author Archives: mkaplan03

So far during my gap year I have been exposed to lots of different people from all over the world. Of these people I would say a good half have been able to make some sort of impact on my life. Though when I think back on the people I have met, one name comesContinue reading “My VIP”

My Gap year has been a completely new experience for me. I grew up in a small school, in a small grade, so for me to join a program with around a hundred people my age was something I had never experienced before. I remember the first night we were out of quarantine being crazyContinue reading “Living With Matthew”

Strangely I feel as though I am doing very well with achieving my goals. I take a Hebrew class every day so that I can feel my vocabulary growing much faster than when I have tried to learn Hebrew in the past. I also get the advantage of living in a country full of peopleContinue reading “Goals”

Back in high school I was a very arrogant student and child. My constant response to most requests or assignments was a sigh or rejection. I viewed myself as a very stubborn but typically correct person, at least in the way I approached life. Meaning I was sure about my stance on religion, my dailyContinue reading “High School Self”

I have now been in Israel for over a month and a half. I have been having an incredible time living here and exploring such a powerful country. Living here is wildly different from living in the U.S.A. and not just because the weekend is Thursday night through Saturday, or because football starts at 8:00Continue reading “Surprises in the Holy Land”

Daily life for me has changed drastically. being on YearCourse has offered a completely different schedule than what I am used too. typically I will wake up around 9:00, then my day begins. After I wake up I will go and pour myself bowl of cereal and take my morning medications. Then I will rushContinue reading “Daily life”

When I first met my chavura (home room) teacher, a few thoughts crossed my mind. Her name is Suzy, she is from Brazil, but moved to Israel due to her special connection to the country. She is well spoken and kind in the way she addresses a group. Though I would like to count myContinue reading “Welcome to Jerusalem”

This coming year I will be spending over ten months in Israel. The primary reason I will be in Israel is because I am Jewish. I have struggled with my Jewish identity in the past, so this could be an amazing opportunity for me to reconnect to my religion. I am making it a goalContinue reading “Goals :)”

Hello, My name is Matthew Benjamin Kaplan, I was born in Atlanta Georgia and have grown up here my whole life. The thing is I have a lot of second homes, there is the Chen house (my best friend), Disney world, and Northwood, New Hampshire. My homes are what define me. To be more specific,Continue reading “This is me, Matt.”