By Ethan Ramer, Diller Teen Fellow

“To create an international network of inspired and empowered Jewish teens who will serve as active, effective leaders with a strong Jewish identity, a sense of commitment to their communities, the Jewish people, and Israel, motivated to make the world a better place.”
— Diller Teen Fellows Mission Statement

The 20 individuals in Greater MetroWest NJ’s eighth cohort of the Diller Teen Fellows program graduated from our 15-month journey on Tuesday, December 8 in an exuberant ceremony in front of our parents, grandparents, siblings, and many others who have supported us through the process.

We grew from a group of teens from various Jewish backgrounds, educational experiences, and towns into a group of strong young Jewish leaders, motivated to go forth into the community and help bring about change.

The Diller Teen Fellows program focuses on four pillars: Leadership, Jewish Identity, Israel, and Tikun Olam. Throughout the program, we interacted with each pillar on an increasingly personal level as we prepared for key pivotal events.  

The program’s unique structure partners 13 communities from the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Australia with 13 Israeli cities. Since the beginning of the program at Greater Metrowest nine years ago, our community has been partnered with Rishon LeZion in Israel. Last March, we hosted our Israeli friends in New Jersey for ten days. Then the roles reversed in July, when we took a three-week trip to Israel and were hosted by the Israelis for one of those weeks. This is known in the “Diller world” as the Israeli Summer Seminar (ISS), and is the highlight of the program, leaving all of us begging for more Diller.

My experience was unlike anything I could have imagined. The Israeli I hosted, Uri, was humble, knowledgeable, but above all, kind. I brought him to my high school and introduced him to my friends and teachers, where he got a taste of the American education system and American teen life. Each day after school, we convened as one “Metro-LeZion” partnership and participated in activities including: a discussion with rabbis on different interpretations of Judaism, comparing and contrasting American and Israeli life, and a trip to Rutgers Hillel to learn about Jewish life at the university level. The bond that formed between the Americans and Israelis was so strong that there were tears from both groups when it was time to leave.   

The three months between this and the Israel leg of the program were chock-full of anticipation and excitement. Finally, During our three weeks in Israel, we explored the land and got to know the Israeli people, spent time with the our families in Rishon LeZion, and had the unique experience of gathering with more than 200 other Jewish Diaspora teens from Miami to Johannesburg. We met so many amazing people and we all know for certain that, whenever we visit another Diller community, we will be at home.  

As one of the fortunate teens selected for this program, I can speak for the tremendous impact the program has had on us, and hopefully the impact we have had on the Greater Metrowest community. We have enthusiastically spread the values of Diller by engaging with our community at Federation’s Great Shofar Blowout, the Israel Day Parade, and Super Sunday. We were taught the importance of establishing and maintaining a relationship with our Jewish homeland, and to always support Israel in times of need.

As an individual, I have become increasingly aware of the needs of the people around me and the significance of upholding Jewish tradition and values in my family and community. Indeed, my perspective on the concept of volunteerism and giving back, along with my newfound connection to my religion are just a few of the many things Diller has taught me to value.  

Recruitment for the next cohort of Greater MetroWest Diller Teen Fellows will begin in mid-February. Applications will be posted in the beginning of April and can be found on our website www.jfedgmw.org/dillerteens. You may also find more detailed information about the program on this webpage as well. If your synagogue is interested in an info session, please contact Amanda Solomon, Diller Teen Fellows Program Coordinator, at asolomon@jfedgmw.org or (973) 929-2712.