Looking back on my year so far as a Diller Teen Fellow, I can see many areas of growth within myself. I think back to my sophomore self walking into the interview, not quite knowing how I would fit into the group. I felt unsure of whether my connection to Judaism was strong enough. I recall sitting in a circle, not knowing anyone, holding my grandfather's prayer book in my hand. I shared my family's traditions and what Judaism meant to me. At the time, I struggled to come up with something to say; I didn’t quite know what Judaism meant to me outside of attending synagogue on the high holidays. I can now confidently say I know what Judaism means to me, though it is ever changing as I grow and learn more.
Our first shabbatton was the first time I truly celebrated Shabbat in a meaningful way. At first, the idea of putting my phone away felt uncomfortable, like I was disconnecting from the world, but over time, I realized I was actually reconnecting. I was reconnecting with the Jewish community of my cohort, and with the sanctity of tradition. I have grown to appreciate the tradition. Celebrating Shabbat together, sharing meals, and reflecting on what Shabbat means to us has brought me closer to Judaism.
Through Diller, I’ve started thinking of leadership not only as a skill, but also as a Jewish duty. The practice of knowing a Jewish value and applying it to a real-world problem was a Diller practice that was foreign to me. Of course, I knew tikkun olam meant repairing the world, but it never occurred to me to connect my Jewish values to public service. I have learned that being a good leader begins with being a good community member. Through the Diller Impact Project, I connect my Jewish vValues to my work in bettering the world. For my project, I am working on building connections with senior citizens to bring them companionship and to keep their stories alive. This connects to the Jewish values of: Kibud Zekenim (Honoring the elderly) and Chesed (Loving-kindness). I have learned that my Jewish identity isn’t just a part of me, but a way in which I see the world and how I want to improve it.
One moment during this year that was formative for me was our Jewish Community Mifgash, which is when we connect with Israeli teens. Welcoming the Israelis and getting to know them was so fun. Though I didn’t host anyone, I loved getting to know and talking to them about the similarities and differences in our everyday lives. I learned so much from all the Israelis about their life and Judaism that never occurred to me before while living in the United States. Being able to connect with people even from across the world showed me the importance of building community. Especially with people you may have differences with, it is important to know and hear real stories about the world around us. Having a community like this is vital to the future of our world. Though our friends in Herzliya live far, the strong sense of community we built in those ten days in April makes it feel like they are still so close.
I am forever grateful to Diller, Kaiserman JCC and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia for making this experience a reality for me. I would not be able to have such a strong Jewish community locally and globally without Diller, which to me is the most important part of keeping my Jewish identity alive. Diller didn’t just teach me about Judaism as a religion, but most importantly, how to live my life through a Jewish lens. I see my Jewish identity as showing up, leading with a purpose, and building bridges. After this year, I will continue applying what I have learned in Diller. I hope to continue building connections across cultures and generations while staying involved in leadership and using my voice to create change. And I will always be guided by the Jewish values that Diller has helped bring to life for me.
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Diller Teen Fellows is a yearlong leadership program that empowers teens in 10th and 11th grade from across the globe to explore their Jewish identities and become activated leaders of tikkun olam who serve as forces for good throughout their lifetimes. The Kaiserman JCC leads the local cohort of Diller Teen Fellows, which receives funding from the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.
Learn more about Diller Teen Fellows at phillyjcc.com/diller-teen-fellows. You can support the Jewish Federation’s mission to secure a vibrant Jewish future by making a gift at jewishphilly.org/donate.