Israel on our minds-Workshop 11 Cohort 18!

This workshop was the second in a series of workshops planned by the Dillers themselves. We started off this weeks workshop with our usual Oy and Joy. The one difference was that Gabi wasn’t able to join us for the day. In her place was our wonderful Diller intern Ariel. We then transitioned into our Winter Israel Experience committees and had some time to work on the days we have been planning.
After that, we had a guest speaker come and talk to us about a program called Garin Tzabar. This program is intended to give Jews around the world who want to join the Israeli army a group of similar people (also joining the army) who they can get to know before and during their army experience.
Following the presentation, we took a field trip to the lawn bowling courts outside of the ferry building and played a game of candy dodgeball. In addition to the game being a fun and interactive activity, the game also taught us about how Jews throughout time have tried to stop conflicts and help others. Special Dillers also known as the “Jews” were tasked with trying to gather the candy so that others would stop fighting. They were also able to heal their teammates who had been hit by candies thrown from the other team.

Once we got back to the conference room, we had a presentation from our second guest speaker. He started off by asking us what we thought of him. Without knowing anything about him, we were supposed to come up with theories as to who he was, where he came from and why he was with us that day. We deducted a fair amount about him, but after we had guessed as much as we could, he revealed to us that he was was an advisor to the board of the JCF. He gives suggestions as to where the JCF should spend its money in Israel. He then talked to us about some interesting community service opportunities we could partake in during our trip to the upper Galilee.

We then took our break and returned to work on our Moshe of the day plans. We concluded the day with our feedback session and for the first meeting in a very long time, we ended five minutes early.

Flying with Diller- Cohort 18 workshop 2!

Our third workshop of the year began with a brief oys and joys check in. Although we (cohort 18) were all a little nervous to meet cohort 17 for the first time, sitting in a circle and sharing the ups and downs of our week before we met them broke the ice and revealed a (not surprising) bonding trend that most of us had oys involving homework. 

Once our initial warm up was over, the doors were opened and we met cohort 17 for the first time. They were all very warm and welcoming, and lead us in a series of ice breakers like standing in an inner/outer circle formation and talking one-on-one with them in a sort of speed-dating like rotation. They patiently answered any and all of our questions/concerns that we had around Diller, and tried to clear up a little bit what the Diller program would be like in the future (it sounds exciting but at this point is still mysterious). 

Cohort 17 then led us in activities involving their TOSS workshop, in which we had to plan how we would adapt to a program that didn’t work out. After some more bonding with our older counterparts, we said our goodbyes with a woosh of good energy

We then had a presentation by Shachar Gilad, a pilot, who explained to us qualities needed to be the leader of an aircraft, and lead us in an activity simulating emergency scenarios a pilot might face in real life. After wooshing him goodbye, we sat down and (in typical Diller fashion) reflected on the day. 

-Noa, cohort 18

When the two met- Joint workshop Cohort 17 and 18!

Our Sunday began with a language program led by our favorite (and only) Diller coordinator Gabi. We discussed the literal and figurative connection to language. A few fellows volunteered to demonstrate 3 different scenarios; someone getting proposed to, the birds and the bees (father and daughter talk), and 2 brothers in an argument. The twist was that no real [English] words could be exchanged. One group displayed their frustration through gibberish and annoyed body language as another barked and meowed to show miss-communication. Finally, we were treated to a few beautiful hand and body motions by our distressed father-Micah as he taught his daughter-Sophia about the birds and the bees. Although it was a funny program, we were able to recognize and have a meaningful discussion about our home, family, friend, Diller, and, culture “language”.

Subsequently, cohort 17 prepared to meet cohort 18 for the first time. As we started preparing programs for them they slowly started shuffling in. We began our combined workshop with a some icebreakers led by a few cohort 17 fellows. Later, different committees from cohort 17 talked about their experience with Diller and what the purpose of their committee was throughout our cohort. We were able to talk to our cohort 18 dillaroos about  any questions, concerns, excitement they had coming into Diller. As a way to help them ease into the “Diller family flow”, we [cohort 17] will each partner with one them [cohort 18] in our mentor program. This allows us to stay connected and pass on traditions to future cohorts:)

-Caroline Rabinovich          

Workshop 1- Cohort 18

This past Sunday was Cohort 18's first workshop. We focused on getting to know each other, our most important values and leadership. These three topics will continue to be discussed throughout the year. 

Each fellow brought in a picture of themselves; some were cute baby pictures and others were more recent photographs. Each one had some sort of story connected to it, whether that had to do with a hobby or family or friends. After this, each fellow posted their picture on the wall and everyone wrote down facts they remembered about that person from our first meeting. We reconvened and shared interesting facts we learned (hopefully re-learned!) about each other. This was a step in getting to know each other, as the connections we make this year will and need to be strong.

Next, we did a Chamsa Values Program. The chamsa is a hand-like symbol that is seen in different religions and cultures all around the world. Each fellow began with an individual chamsa, writing their five most important values. Then fellows got into groups of four or five and had to create a Diller Cohort 18 group chamsa, writing the most important values for the group this year. Then (yes, there's more), the entire group got together and had to ALL agree on five important values for the group. The beautiful part of this activity is that the values are different for every cohort, which is what makes this program so unique and special.

After a short break on the roof, the fellows came back to the board room and began working on the Ultimate Leader Program. Pictures of famous leaders were laid out on the floor, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Beyonce Knowles and Abraham Lincoln. Each fellow picked a leader and described what made this person a good leader, what specific qualities they admired in this person. Again, this is another unique program, because each person will describe the leader differently, as we all look for different aspects in a leader; we each connect differently to different parts of people.

With these programs under their belts, the fellows gained a better understanding of what Diller is all about and also gained more knowledge of each other and what is important to each person, because in a group of 20, there will be varying results. Next up is the Joint-Workshop with Cohort 17 on October 12.Looking forward to it!
Sam, Cohort 18 Junior Counselor

Post Summer Workshop 11- Cohort 17

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

San Francisco Cohort 18 Orientation- Welcoming our Chai Group!

Today we say hello to our 18th cohort in San Francisco. 
We began with a lively orientation for parents and fellows together. 

After a warm introduction by our National Director, Tal Gale our fellows had an opportunity to create a family portrait and share a bit about their families with one another. 

       
               

Following the activity Gabi led a short "Limmud" with the families as well as an overview of the Diller Teen Fellows program. Overall, a great first meeting with the parents.

In the afternoon, the fellows stayed on to partake in our fellow Orientation which began with fellow introductions. The fellows and staff introduced themselves in creative ways such as interviews with people around the world, a movie theme song and a T-shirt show!

we continued with creating a facebook profile to get to know each other and play a game of "Friending" each other by knowing facts from our profile. 

 

                                                 

We continued with a speed dating activity to have some one on one time with the fellows. 

Then came time to begin Team building! 

 We ended the workshop by setting expectations for the year and processing the day.All and all a good start to our Diller Journey!
The fellows enjoyed getting to know each other and the program and we are looking forward to the rest of the year.

Gabi