Diller Cohort 11 Graduation: Celebrating Leadership, Growth, and Jewish Connection
Posted on 11/01/2024 @ 06:00 AM
During this tense and fraught time before the US elections and in Israel, it’s always uplifting to focus on good news— our teenagers in the Diller Teen Fellows program who spent year learning leadership skills, forming bonds with each other across denominational divides, connecting with their peers in Yerucham and strengthening their Jewish and Zionist identities. CAJE is honored to be part of their Jewish journey…
The graduation of Diller Teen Fellows Cohort 11 marked the culmination of a year filled with transformative experiences, deep personal growth, and strengthened Jewish identity.
As we celebrated this milestone, each Fellow shared reflections on the impact Diller has had on their lives, underscoring the unique connections and meaningful lessons they’ll carry forward.
- Unity and Connection Across Borders
For Brayden Labgold-Carroll, one of the most profound experiences was connecting with Israeli teens:
“Meeting and hosting the kids from Israel was an experience that really stood out to me. We quickly became friends because of our deep Jewish connection. One moment that will always stay with me is when we shared Havdalah together. Despite living in different countries, we knew the same melodies, and we all understood the meaning behind the tradition— it was powerful.”
- A New Understanding of Jewish Identity
For Julia Chemerinski, Diller reinforced her lifelong connection to Israel:
“A special part of my Judaism is knowing that Israel exists, and even though I don’t live there, it will always feel like another home for me. Although our group couldn’t travel to Israel this year, the Spain Seminar provided an enriching alternative. The community we encountered in Spain was unforgettable. Attending Shabbat with people from all over the world made me realize just how special it is to be Jewish.”
- Personal Growth Through Leadership and Mentorship
For Jacob Hoffman, Diller provided the space to grow as a leader and connect with peers from diverse backgrounds:
“Diller gave me the chance to learn from others who have different perspectives on Judaism and leadership. It’s been a journey of self-discovery, and I’m grateful to all our mentors for guiding us along the way.”
Jacob’s story resonates with the spirit of personal growth, showing how each Fellow found new dimensions to their leadership through the program.
- Expanding Horizons and Lifelong Friendships
Gavin Linder-Sheldon found a strong sense of community and personal growth through his time in Spain and is now excited to continue his journey as a Junior Counselor for Cohort 12.
“Living with my Fellows was like nothing I had ever experienced before. Working alongside Jewish teens from five different countries was both magical and eye-opening. I’ve been challenged to expand my Jewish identity, gain new perspectives, and learn from every Fellow. For that, I am deeply thankful.”
- Embracing Diversity and Strength in Community
Reflecting on their journey, the Fellows expressed gratitude for the pluralistic values at the heart of Diller. Jonathan Blum shared:
“Diller is a pluralistic community, welcoming every denomination and form of Judaism. I’ve learned that my way of being Jewish doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s—and that’s okay. This year, we’ve learned acceptance, the strength of community, and the responsibility to stand up for others and ourselves.”
Congratulations to Diller Cohort 11 for a year of incredible growth, resilience, and achievement.
CAJE looks forward to seeing the unique impact each of you will have on the Jewish world and beyond!
