Diller Teen Fellows Cohort 3 Registration Open
The Zionist Federation of Australia has announced that registration for the third Melbourne cohort of the Diller Teen Fellowship is now open.
Emily Matich and Zoe Singer
The Diller Teen Fellows program is a leadership development initiative that has been designed to create an international network of Jewish teenagers to serve as effective leaders. After two highly successful years in Melbourne, the Zionist Federation of Australia is opening registration for the second cohort in 2017/2018.
The International Diller Teen Fellows program is one of the world’s most respected leadership and cultural exchange opportunities for Jewish teenagers. Year 9 and 10 students of leadership potential are encouraged to apply for this unique opportunity to be a part of an international Jewish leadership program, which is based on the pillars of Jewish identity, Israel, Tikkun Olam (social justice) and leadership.
Melbourne is the first Australian community to join the Diller “family”, through the auspices of the Zionist Federation of Australia. We are delighted that our partner community is the Golan region. It is a fantastic opportunity to build ones leadership skills, to invest on yourself and back in the community
Over the 12 months of programming (September 2017- September 2018), Fellows will participate in workshops, local residential retreats, a week of hosting their counterparts from our partners in the Golan during their visit to Melbourne in March 2018 and travel to Israel participate in the Israel Summer Seminar for three weeks in July 2018 along with over 600 fellows from around the world.
The program opens the door to a deeply personal and life changing exploration of Jewish identity and provides tools for leadership and activism.
Mia Burman, Mount Scopus, Year 10: “What I have discovered about Diller is that it’s not just a program we come to on a Sunday. For me, Diller is a lifestyle.”
It is a selective program that brings twenty Year 9 and 10 students from Melbourne together with twenty from the Golan every year. Cohort 1 and 2 consisted of participants from the Jewish Day schools as well as from non-Jewish schools who represent the diverse nature of our community.
The program nurtures life skills. Benj Goldberg, Yavneh College, Year 10: – “I feel like that I’ve been helped with my public speaking, which I’m not usually great at. Having this chance has just showed me that it’s really not that hard. I actually really enjoyed it!”
Aron Goodhardt ZFA Diller Teen Fellows coordinator says: – “Diller is a program like no other. We are able to take Jewish teens from across the community and unite them on their common values: A love for Judaism, a love for Israel, a love for each other. We challenge the fellows to become strong leaders in their community. I cannot wait to welcome the new cohort to our Diller Family!”
Diller Teen Fellows and alumni from around the world (there are over 2000) are encouraged to form an international network of Jewish leaders who will creatively and collaboratively engage in activism and community leadership.
ZFA Executive Director Ginette Searle says: – “Diller Teen alumni are known to be active, effective leaders with a strong Jewish and Zionist identity. We at the ZFA believe this initiative will be transformative for the Australian and global Jewish community.
At a time when it is increasingly difficult to engage young adults in Jewish and Israel-related activity, the potential of this program, which provides tools, knowledge and importantly motivation for young leaders to take continuing active roles is priceless.”
Applications are now open for cohort 3. To find out more, the ZFA are hosting a Parent and Fellow information session on 20th June, Beth Weizmann, 7pm. Contact Aron Goodhardt, [email protected] or on 9272 5618.
