Touring Tel Aviv on the final day of ISS!

Contributed by Ma'ayan Epstein

Monday was our last day on ISS. We started the day meeting with IGY, an organization for Israeli gay youth in Tel Aviv. After an iced coffee, we transitioned to the beautiful Tel Aviv beach for water gun fights, sun tanning, and slightly sandy shawarma. We did a quick change at the beach and rushed to our thirty minute kickboxing class! After a pumped up time and sweaty smiles all around, Diller treated us to world renowned ice cream and frozen yogurt to prep us for our graffiti tour in Florentin, South Tel Aviv.

We ended the tour with pizza on the roof and some professional photos. We went back to the hostel and took a scattered shower rotation, and after buying many snacks for the airplane and finishing with a heartwarming ending ceremony, Diller SF is sitting in a very well air conditioned bomb shelter, eating snacks, and chilling before we leave for the airport in two hours. See you all soon!

-Maayan

Saying farewell to our Israeli partners

Contributed by Sarah Starks

On our second to last full day in Israel we embarked on a short journey to Holon. There we toured a blind museum. The exhibit took place in complete darkness, and our tour guides were blind. We were able to temporarily experience the world as the blind do. The exhibit was made up of various rooms, simulating everyday experiences ranging from buying groceries in an open market to taking a trip on a boat. 

After our experience in the blind exhibit we went to an indoor rock climbing gym. There we were able to get out of our comfort zones and test our physical and mental strength. After our indoor rock climbing excursion we made our way back to the hostel for our final program with the our Israeli partners. We exchanged appreciations and small surprise gifts that the JC's had given us. We acknowledged each other one at a time, and said a few words encapsulating our feelings towards the individual. We then opened our surprise gifts together after everyone had shared. Each one of us was given a beaded bracelet to serve as a reminder of the trip we shared together. That concluded our time with Israelis, and sadly we had to say goodbye.

 

  

We did a final SFUG cheer and parted ways. After we separated from our partners we had some time to regroup before we had to go to dinner. Our meal forced us outside of our comfort zone, because like the exhibit we visited earlier in the day, our meal was served in pitch black. Despite the darkness, we were able to share and enjoy our delicious food without getting too messy. It was a great way to end our day and it was everyone's favorite meal.

Being Moshe: one fellow reflects on a meaningful part of her Diller leadership during the ISS

Contributed by Ilana Basman

Being a moshe is being the leader of the day, knowing what the day is about and what the fellows need to bring. But the most important thing about being a moshe is remembering that though you are a leader, you are not above any other fellow, you must stay on their level as this will make them more likely to listen to you. Don't yell at other fellows, they will not answer. Don't tell them what they are doing wrong. Instead, listen to their concerns and be ready to adapt the schedule to the needs of others. You become a JC for a day but a JC that is still on the same level as the rest of your cohort.

A Shabbat in Jaffa (Yafo)

Contributed by Yonim Schweig

Our arrival in Tel Aviv featured lunch and free time in the Jaffa Shuk, followed by preparations for Shabbat at the Daniel Ruth hostel. We all took advantage of some much needed sleep Shabbat morning, and came together on the roof of our hotel to reflect on community week and congress.

Later on, we went on a walking tour of Jaffa, and discussed topics such as gentrification with Muslim dialogue activist, Ihab. We returned to the hotel for Seudat Shlishit and free time, and did Havdalah on the roof together. After Shabbat we went to a stomp performance in Jaffa. Overall it was a very relaxing shabbat together, and we are savoring our last days together.

Congress comes to an end

Contributed by Hazel Olson-Dorf

Today, Thursday July 21, was the last day of Congress. We started off the day at the Tel Hai College campus and had a presentation from the JC's about what it's like to be a Diller JC. After that we heard from our first Interim Coordinator, Elana, about the alumni network and the many options of how to stay involved with Diller after our fellowship has ended. We also heard from some other JC's and JC mentors about their personal experience with Diller. 

After a break for lunch, we had our "Global Thinking to Doing Unit" which involved in-depth brainstorming about our Tzedaka projects. It was really inspiring to hear about how other kids from around the world were thinking of giving back to their communities.

Next was the "Alumni Open Space". I ended up in a session called "The Morality and Ethics of War" which was led by a Baltimore alumni who was interning for an Israeli member of Congress after finishing her education at the University of Maryland and Penn State. This was one of the best workshops I have been a part of in Diller. It was incredibly interesting to hear from kids who live in Israel and South Africa as well as some voices from my own cohort. Although it wouldn't have been possible, I wish everyone could have been in the workshop - it was that good!

We then had 45 minutes of feedback time in which we filled out a survey and "reflected" with our Tribes. Although this was plenty of time to write feedback for Congress, I expect to share more feedback from me about the entirety of the Israel trip (when I get back). 

We then returned to the hostel we had been staying at and got ready for the closing ceremony and celebration. During the ceremony we thanked all the people who made Congress possible and watched a few different slideshows from the previous four days. Then, the DJ played the Israeli Top 50 while all of the fellows and staff danced and sweated for an hour and a half. (A few people in the SF cohort told me it was the best workout they've had all trip.) It was a fantastic way to conclude the Global Congress of 2016. We all got back to the hostel late; then showered, packed, and finally went to sleep. Whew.

Third day's the charm

Contributed by Levi Myers

Today we had a spectacular day. 

Walking from the hostel to Tel Chai campus in the morning

First thing in the morning all the fellows met up at a lookout point to witness an inspired historical performance put on by the junior staff, in which Jewish History was presented from the perspective of significant, historical Jewish figures. 

Afterwards, the fellows separated into their respective tribes and set off on different bus tours. The bus tours enabled fellows to gain more perspective on the Upper Galilee. On my bus tour we were lead by a channel 2 news correspondent who gave us his perception of how the media influences public opinion, relating it mainly to the Israeli public perspective of the UG. 

One bus tour went to an army tank base and restored monuments there

After bus tours fellows ate lunch and were treated to magnificent heart-shaped ice cream creations that rejuvenated the fellows after a long hot morning. 

The next activity focused on Israel. In tribes fellows were asked to both explain and debate their opinions. Through debate, fellows were able to gain a more nuanced perspective on how their peers view the very place in which they are this very moment. 

Then, inspirational speakers came to talk with fellows on a plethora of topics ranging from healthcare to JCCs. Though very different, speakers focused on how their work coincided with and had an effect on Israel. Then fellows took a group picture, ate dinner, and left the campus to return to youth hostels.

Group photo 

Idan, current UG coordinator and Shani, former UG coordinator and current Tzama coordinator

Leah from Diller International and the delicious dinner

Overall, it was a great day.

The second day of Congress: Tribes, Families, Languages...and a table with 5 legs?

Contributed by Aaron Morrill

On Tuesday we started Congress with a bang as we got to partake in engaging and inspiring programs with the rest of our Diller community. We assembled in our tribes and then began the day with a discussion about the Jewish community as a family. Then we moved to an activity investigating the origins of our families. After putting stickers in a map indicating our grandparents', parents' and our individual birthplaces, we got a snapshot of the Jewish Diaspora. 

San Francisco's very own Adam Weisberg
 

After a discussion of the meaning of the map we split into two groups. All of the Israelis went to delve into the nuances of the Hebrew language through a text study. The Americans, Canadians, South Africans and Australians heard a lecture from Avraham Infeld. The lecture was passionate and moving. He wove his life story into a talk that was truly about the collective Jewish experience, talking about the five legs of a "Jewish Table" which shapes all of our lives as Jews. For the international community, this framed the rest of the day. For the Israelis, this strengthened the ideas discovered in the Hebrew program. 

Avraham Infeld

After lunch, the two groups switched and got to experience the other program. Next, we took a quick break and then concluded out programming with a discussion of our connection to the covenant of Mount Sinai, the third leg of Avraham Infeld's Jewish Table model. That concluded the formal part of the day as we went back to our separate hostels to eat dinner, have a closing Ma'agal and then chill before getting a good night's rest.

A Congress to remember!

Contributed by Vicki Maler

The day started a little later than usual as we exchanged bittersweet goodbyes with our host families and boarded the bus for the (super long) 10 minute bus ride to Congress! Soon we arrived at the park, after a short pee-break for a certain fellow who couldn't quite hold it in for the entirety of the bus ride where we proceeded to eat lunch. [Editors note: this means that the fellows are taking their water drinking job seriously. We are very proud of them at the San Francisco office.]

After lunch we split into "tribes", mixed cohort groups consisting of one fellow from each Israeli and International cohort and played ice breaker games. After this, we joined together again in local groups with some going for an optional dip in a nearby lake to cool off, while others stayed behind in the shade. At around 4 o'clock, the fellows got on the bus and drove to our hostel where we got to unwind and settle into the rooms that will be our home base for the next few days.

Yonim is reunited with his mandolin

We were told by the JCs to put on nice clothes for dinner and with that we boarded the bus and arrived at opening ceremony which was at a beautiful venue with AMAZING food. There were stations dedicated to different parts of the world -- there was everything you could imagine! Burgers, fries, shawarma, falafel, "Mexican", kabobs, sushi and other asian cuisine, and a variety of fried foods and of course to top it all off: parve desserts! 

The opening ceremony was opened with an inspiring speech by San Francisco's very own Mark Reisbaum and was followed by an incredible dance performance by our beloved JCs and adopted uncle/international staff, Phil! This long day and night finally ended with a hilarious dance song session while we waited for the bus back to our hostel and headed off to bed.

Who is an activist?

Contributed by India Jeremy

Today's theme was Activism, which was a perfect way to end our community week. This morning our MOSHE, Yonim, opened with a question relating to our theme of the day: "What does it mean to be an activist?" This past week, many people in our cohort voiced the fact that we are ready for the next step- to act- but we don't know how yet.

We met this morning in, "Park HaZahav", which is named after San Francisco, because without the financial help of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the park wouldn't exist.

 At the park, we met with an activist who has fought with her group for the rights of the environment in general, but specifically the park. The municipality of Kiryat Shmona wanted to destroy the park to make houses instead, but thanks to her group, that never happened. Her group was also responsible for getting water back into the dried up stream, using petitions. She taught us any form of activism can help, and it's not only about the big things. 

We were then physically active and spent some time cleaning up the park ourselves. We got down and dirty, picked up some shovels, sang some songs, and worked.

After the park, we drove over to Beit Vancover to listen to three different groups of speakers- the first group were soldiers who spoke about being in the army and what it's like to fight for your country and be an activist for your country. The second group were people who are taking a gap year before the army with a group where they travel Israel and volunteer. They all said they wanted to continue to be activists for the rest of their lives. The third group were teenagers (one of them being in the Upper Galilee cohort- go May!!) who are active in their youth groups. Two of the girls are in a youth group with kids who have disabilities, while May talked about being a counselor for her youth group that she has been in since seventh grade. This gave a new perspective on activism, showing us that it doesn't matter what age you are, anyone can make a difference. 

For lunch, we had something new- Chinese food! It wasn't as good as the Chinese food from SF, but it definitely was a change from what we had been eating. We went to a theatre in Kiryat Shmona where we met with Ofek's (from Diller UG) father, who is an activist himself. He told us that we need passion to make a difference, and told us about how he and his wife fight for what they believe in. We split into groups and were each presented with a form of activism- Political activism, economical activism, etc. and since we were in a theatre, we came up with skits to represent what these types of activism looks like. We then watched videos of different groups advocating for what they believe in in the form of protests from all around the world- specifically Israel. It was really interesting to watch and great to see people making a difference. Being an activist, especially as a young adult, can be intimidating and hard, but if I've learned anything today, it's that any form of speaking out for what I believe in is activism. 

We then went to a pool in Kiryat Shmona for some relaxing time to enjoy the sun before closing ceremonies. Closing ceremonies was a bittersweet ending to our week, as we watched a slideshow reminding us of all the amazing things we have accomplished this week. We sat with our host families, who are like second families now, and were sad that it was over, but excited for what is coming next- congress. We finished the night with our SFUG cheer, which we haven't sang since we were at the closing ceremonies in San Francisco in April. Of course we all knew the words, because it was like we never left each other. 

So what does activism mean? Who is an activist? After all of the discussions our cohort has had this week, and after visiting all of the different places, and learning so much, I can confidently say everyone in 'SFUG' are activists. But it's not only about knowing what is going on- it is acting upon it as well. With this information, we are going to go into Congress, ready to talk to the other cohorts and both share and gain knowledge.