Teenage leadership plan
The Zionist Federation of Australia has hired Ellie Golvan to implement the Diller Teen Fellowship in Australia.
This world-renowned program facilitates an international network of Jewish teenagers who are selected as current leaders and with the vision to be grown into greater leadership roles in the future.
Ellie Golvan
Golvan has been working at Bialik College in informal education for the past three years.
Ellie Golvan said: “I am passionate about giving students tools to develop into leaders who are strong Jews and Zionists.
I was drawn to Diller as the program provides a unique opportunity for high school students to engage with Israelis their own age, and create meaningful relationships through the program. At the same time they will be creating (or maintaining) a meaningful connection with Israel through the Australian Seminar and the Israeli Summer Seminar. As well, this program fosters a sense of responsibility in the young people of our community, giving them the tools to make a difference both now and in the future.”
There are 13 Diller Teen Fellow partnerships in the English-speaking world, including the USA, Canada, South Africa and Australia. It has been successfully operating for over 16 years and is regarded as one of the most respected leadership and cultural exchange opportunities for Jewish teenagers and the Zionist Federation of Australia is thrilled to bring this program to Australia.
The program allows for engagement with the Jewish world and will enable participants to connect with Israelis their own age. The 20 students selected in Melbourne will work together with their counterparts in the Golan on a collaborative project throughout the year and meet face to face. It is a relationship that fosters long-lasting friendship. The group will also have the opportunity to meet with young Jews from around the world.
Successful fellows will complete a 15 month-long program that comprises of workshops, community service and international travel. The program opens the door to a deeply personal and life changing exploration of Jewish identity and provides tools for leadership and activism. Pluralism – one of the key pillars of the program is Jewish Identity. The group of fellows will be comprised of a cross-section of the community, allowing participants to interact with and understand Jews from different religious backgrounds.
The fellows will also focus on Tikkun Olam, which aims to empower the students to make a change in the world around them. They will be given the opportunity to fulfil the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam – repairing the world.
Govan added: “The Diller Teen Fellows program is about fostering the youth, and giving them the tools to effect change, as they are our future change makers.
I am excited to work with group of students who are passionate about their Jewish and Zionist identities and are motivated to make a difference to the world around them. ”
