Sunday was our first official workshop after TOSS, and the
one-year anniversary of Cohort 17! Admittedly, we all felt a bit weird. After
seeing so much of each other, it felt strange just to go a few days without
having anything scheduled. Even though we were a few fellows short, it was a much
appreciated reunion and certainly a strong point of transitioning into what
unfortunately is the last leg of our Diller experience.
After
the habitual check-ins, our first program of the day, facilitated by Paul, was
an interactive dialogue with former J Street representative Chelsea Mandell.
She spoke powerfully about her own summer Israel experience – with the
intention of staying for several months while filming a documentary combining
art and social activism, she ended up leaving after eight days, feeling that
she could do more to raise awareness state-side than try to directly impact the
situation there.
Reconvening
after a short break, we began planning our joint Cohort 18 workshop. Honestly,
we cranked out our mission, vision, and goals like professionals, a real mark
of our progress over the past year. I think I can speak for the rest of the
Fellows and say that we are very excited to meet the new Cohort and have some
fabulous programs in store for them.
Next,
Sydney took lead and presented us with a mindful and creative activity to shift
our thinking towards our Tikkun Olam projects. She put up various photographs
around the room, each depicting young African children. We were instructed to
choose one that spoke to us, and create a story revolving around the subjects
of the picture. After each fellow shared, Sydney revealed that she had taken
the pictures during her trip to Ghana while she was working along side
the non-profit organization Right To Be Free, which fights the trafficking of
children and women in Africa, and provides incredible resources and
rehabilitation for the victims of forced labor. Sydney shared her long-standing
personal connection to the organization and passion for ending human
trafficking, reminding us that our Tikkun Olam projects should come from our
passion for a cause more than anything else.
The
main event, so to speak, was the announcement of the anxiously awaited new
Community Week schedule. Gabi went over each day and patiently answered our
questions as always. With only a few more workshops left, the excitement is
tangible, and now more then ever, it really feels like things are falling into
place for Cohort 17.
-Samara Cohort 17
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