Dear Friends,
Each year, the Diller Teen Fellows program brings together a group of thoughtful, curious, and passionate Jewish teens from around the world for a journey of leadership, learning, and self-discovery. Here in Philadelphia, our cohort has spent the past year building community, deepening their Jewish identity, and asking big questions about what it means to lead with purpose.
One of the many transformative moments of the Diller experience took place this summer, when our Philadelphia Fellows joined the Boston cohort for the Etgar 36 Civil Rights Journey, an immersive trip through Georgia and Alabama that explored America’s civil rights history through a Jewish lens.
Before the tour began, the teens spent a weekend at Emory University, grounding themselves in shared values of justice, empathy, and responsibility. From there, they visited key sites in Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham, and Atlanta, walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, hearing from movement veterans, and reflecting on the Jewish responsibility to pursue equity and repair.
The journey was deeply moving and helped frame the year’s learning in new ways. But what made it truly special was the way our teens showed up, with openness, kindness, and a willingness to grow.
Now, as the Diller year comes to a close, our Fellows have been reflecting on the impact the program has had on their lives. It’s hard to capture in words just how meaningful these connections and experiences have been, but their reflections speak volumes.
Helen spoke about the sense of belonging she found through Diller: “For the first time in a long time, I felt accepted as a whole person… I didn’t need to change myself, to be less Jewish or less anxious or less me. I could just be.”
Ryan reflected on the global friendships and leadership lessons he’s carrying forward “Diller helped me build real friendships with Israeli teens and reflect on what it means to be a Jewish leader. Both here in Philly, and across the world.”
Anjali shared how the program deepened her understanding of identity and purpose: “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.”
We’re incredibly proud of this year’s Fellows, of the way they’ve challenged themselves, supported each other, and grown into leaders who are grounded in their values. We can’t wait to see where they go from here. To read a few of their full reflections, click here.
Shabbat Shalom,
Darren
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