Diller Fellows Discover Spain: A Transformative Leadership Journey
Posted on 07/26/2024 @ 06:00 AM
When life presents unexpected challenges, true leaders adapt and thrive.
This year, CAJE’s Diller Teen Fellows demonstrated remarkable resilience and innovation by transforming its traditional three-week Israel Summer Seminar (ISS) into an impactful one-week seminar in Spain.
This shift, necessitated by the situation in Israel, did not diminish the profound experience our Fellows had.
Instead, it opened new avenues for exploring Jewish pride, global networking, and maintaining a strong connection to Israel and our partnership community in Yerucham.
The seminar in Spain provided an unexpected yet profound opportunity for the Fellows to explore their Jewish identity in a different context.
The rich history of Jewish life in Spain, from the Golden Age to the tragic events of the Inquisition, offered a backdrop for meaningful discussions and reflections.
Diller International also brought in experts from around the world to talk to teens about Jewish identity, Israel, and antisemitism.
Miami Diller teen Brayden Labgold-Carroll shared:
“Hen Mazzig said in one of his sessions--‘Israel is not why antisemitism exists; Israel exists because of antisemitism.’ This statement really made me reflect on my sense of Jewish pride.”
Miami Diller teen Jacob Hoffman explained:
“Hearing from the others about their specific views on what it means to be Jewish made me reflect deeply on my own Jewish pride.”
The Spain Seminar continued to emphasize the importance of global networking, a cornerstone of the Diller program.
Fellows from various countries came together, forging connections that transcended borders.
The seminar facilitated collaborative projects and intercultural dialogues, enhancing the Fellows’ understanding of global Jewish communities.
The Diller Spain Seminar fostered a strong sense of global connectivity among our Fellows.
Most participants reported feeling very connected to the global Diller network, highlighting the seminar’s success in building and strengthening these important international relationships.
Many Miami Fellows reflected on how they became even more connected to their Miami cohort and solidified friendships they have been cultivating throughout their time in the year-long program.
While the physical journey to Israel was postponed, the connection to Israel and our partnership community, Yerucham, remained a focal point.
Virtual sessions with Yerucham residents and leaders provided the Fellows with insights into life in Israel, fostering a sense of solidarity and continuity.
Miami Diller teen Michelle Silver reflected:
“Seeing the teens from Yerucham and getting closer to them strengthened my love for Israel and Jewish pride.”
The leadership development aspect of the program was seamlessly integrated into the Spain Seminar.
Workshops on Jewish leadership, community building, and social responsibility equipped the Fellows with skills to enact change in their communities.
Ela Bermudez noted:
“When we were all singing along together at the Opening Ceremony, it made me realize how proud I am to be Jewish.”
The Diller Spain Seminar not only adapted to the challenges posed by the situation in Israel but also turned them into opportunities for growth and learning.
It reaffirmed the program and CAJE’s commitment to developing young Jewish leaders who are deeply connected to their heritage, globally aware, and equipped to make a meaningful impact.
As we look forward to future seminars, whether in Israel or elsewhere, the resilience and adaptability shown by our Fellows continue to inspire and pave the way for a stronger, more united Jewish future.
The Diller Spain Seminar was staffed by our new Diller Coordinator Leanne Suchar and a previous Diller Coordinator from 2018-2022, Lindsay Spiegelman.
Leanne, who grew up in Aventura, FL, and later moved to Ra’anana, Israel, brings a rich background in Jewish experiences and leadership to her role. We are grateful for Leanne and Lindsay’s leadership and dedication to making this experience impactful for all the Fellows.
