Chicago’s Diller Teen Fellows at their graduation Feb. 8. (Photo by Guy Schlacter)

On Sunday, Feb. 8, the first cohort of Diller Teen Fellows in Chicago graduated after a 15-month program.

Diller Teen Fellows is an international fellowship built around the four pillars of leadership, Jewish identity, Israel, and tikkun olam. The Fellows developed leadership skills, explored their Jewish identities and connections to Israel through workshops, retreats, a peer exchange with their Israeli partners from Kiryat Gat, Lachish and Shafir, and through a 12-day trip to Israel over winter break. Post-graduation, the Fellows are continuing their journey through the development of Alumni Impact projects with the hope of giving back to their communities.

Mazal tov to our amazing Fellows: Emily Bakal, Daniel Balogh, Leta Berkowitz, Shira Brandhandler, Talius Chickering, Robby Cohn, Liel Hagen, Amanda Jackson, Lizzy Katz, Sam Klein, Kyle O’Day, Jamie Schlacter, Colin Silverman, Leah Umanskiy, Alyssa Wexler, Zoe Zirlin.

If you are interested in being part of this incredible program, recruitment for the third cohort will begin in early spring. Visit www.juf.org/diller or email [email protected] for more information.