Diller Fellows Take the Lead at the Annual Leadership Shabbaton
Posted on 03/13/2026 @ 11:23 AM
By Bari Lutz, Diller Teen
Fellowship Coordinator
This past month, CAJE’s Diller Teen Fellows gathered for their second Shabbaton of the year, a weekend dedicated to leadership in action.
Unlike previous Shabbatonim, the Leadership Shabbaton was designed and led entirely by the Fellows themselves.
Over several weeks, the teens divided into committees to create meaningful programs for their peers. Their goal was not simply to present activities, but to build experiences that would inspire reflection, strengthen community, and deepen their understanding of leadership today.
The weekend marked a powerful milestone for Cohort 13.
Throughout the year, Fellows have been developing key leadership skills during their mifgashim (workshops), including listening, collaboration, facilitation, and teamwork.
The Leadership Shabbaton gave them the opportunity to put those skills into practice.
For many Fellows, it was their first time planning and facilitating programs entirely on their own. From brainstorming ideas to coordinating logistics, the process required creativity, communication, and the confidence to step outside their comfort zones.
“This Shabbaton allowed us to apply the leadership, communication, and teamwork skills we have been working on in the mifgashim and showed how far we have come as leaders,” shared Manuel Apraiz, a Cohort 13 Fellow and 11th grader at Miami Country Day School.
Throughout the weekend, Fellows led interactive discussions exploring Jewish identity, leadership, and community responsibility.
They facilitated reflective conversations, led Shabbat rituals, and created activities that encouraged connection and dialogue among their peers.
“Being part of the Leadership Shabbaton showed me the importance of having initiative when interacting with others,” shared Tamar Grobman, Cohort 13 Fellow and 10th grader at Scheck Hillel Community School “Starting conversations and stepping outside of my comfort zonemade this weekend an incredible experience.”
The Leadership Shabbaton highlights an important principle of the Diller Teen Fellows program: leadership develops through practice.
Some Fellows stepped forward to guide discussions and lead programs, while others supported their peers behind the scenes. Each role helped create a meaningful and inclusive experience for the entire cohort.
Equally meaningful were the moments between programs.
Sharing meals, celebrating Shabbat, and reflecting together strengthened the bonds within the group and deepened the Fellows’ sense of responsibility to one another and to the broader Jewish community.
In the coming weeks, Miami’s Diller Fellows are hopeful to welcome their Israeli peers from Yerucham for the annual Jewish Community Mifgash (JCM), where they will step into the roles of hosts, leaders, and ambassadors for the Miami Jewish community.
Watching the Fellows take ownership of this Shabbaton is a powerful reminder that the next generation of Jewish leadership is already emerging thoughtful, resilient, and committed to strengthening Jewish life and community.
Interested in the Diller Teen Fellows Program?
Applications are now open for rising 10th and 11th graders for the 2026-2027 academic year. This highly selective leadership program accepts just 20 students each year.
Learn more & apply here. For additional information, please contact barilutz@caje-miami.org.
