When Yerucham Meets the 305! Diller Teen Fellows 2025
Posted on 04/18/2025 @ 06:00 AM
At the beginning of April, Miami’s Diller Teen Fellows rolled out the red carpet (or should we say, beach towel!) to welcome their Israeli counterparts from our partnership community of Yerucham, Israel, for an unforgettable week of cultural exchange, deep conversations, and plenty of Miami vibes known as Jewish Community Mifgash (JCM).
While our Miami Fellows were in school during the day, the Yerucham Fellows had their own immersive adventures across the city – from boat rides around Biscayne Bay to shopping at the Aventura Mall.
They explored the colorful streets of Wynwood for a graffiti tour, learning how street art reflects Miami’s multicultural roots and strong Spanish influence.
Many Fellows also had eye-opening firsts, like visiting both an Orthodox and a Reform synagogue, and hearing from a female rabbi, giving the Fellows a chance to experience two very different expressions of Jewish life. They were moments that deeply resonated with the group.
The Fellows also went to the Holocaust Memorial on Miami Beach, where they heard from Survivor Saul Blau speak about his childhood in Buchenwald — a powerful and moving moment none will forget.
The highlight of the week? That came when both groups gathered for the Shabbaton weekend: an opportunity to unplug, reflect, and connect.
Shabbat was celebrated in true Diller fashion, blending two worlds and traditions into one shared experience.
One of the weekend’s most meaningful programs was “Box in a Box,” a signature Diller activity where Fellows debate what they believe are the most important values in Judaism. It got heated—in the best way!
With passionate discussion, teens explored the concept of machloket l’shem shamayim (respectful disagreement for the sake of Heaven).
Even though they came from different continents, cultures, and customs, they found common ground and mutual respect.
"It is rare to sit down and talk with someone from another country and really understand what life is like for them. JCM gave us the opportunity to speak with kids who grew up in incredibly different conditions. This dialogue helped us understand what life is like halfway across the globe. It helped us understand how each of us faces the challenges of life as a Jew today. It showed us that though we are both having these experiences, we are not experiencing these things alone and that we have the tools to confront them together."
- Gabrielle Heckler and Isaac Pack, Miami Diller Fellows Cohort 12
Throughout the week, friendships blossomed, perspectives shifted, and Jewish identity was explored in bold and beautiful ways.
In July, our Miami Fellows will travel to Israel to continue the journey — reuniting with their new friends, exploring Israel, and participating in the Global Diller Congress with teens from six continents.
“For me, JCM was one of the funnest weeks of my life. I got to meet new people, explore new traditions, and new life experiences within ten days. Even though I would completely ask for more time, I will always be grateful for the opportunity I got to meet everyone who came, because they definitely became friends for life.”
- Frida Pinkas, Miami Diller Fellows Cohort 12
Are you or your teen ready for the journey of a lifetime?
Diller Teen Fellows is a pluralistic and immersive leadership program that invites 20 exceptional Jewish 10th and 11th-graders (2025–2026 school year) to step up, lead their communities, and connect globally.
The Fellowship includes monthly workshops, three transformative Shabbat experiences, a weeklong cultural exchange with Israeli teens in the spring, and a two-week trip to Israel in July.
As one Fellow put it: Diller didn’t just change my year. It changed how I see the world, my Judaism, and myself.”
Applications open soon — don’t miss your chance to be a part of Cohort 13!
Visit dillermiami.org for more information or contact Bari Lutz at barilutz@caje-miami.org
