JCC Boston Diller Teen Fellowship
Our goal is to nurture the next generation of leaders with a strong sense of Jewish identity, dedication to the Jewish community, appreciation for pluralism and diversity, and love for Israel.
JCC Boston Diller Teen Fellowship: Leadership, Jewish Identity, and Global Connections
The Diller Teen Fellowship is an immersive leadership program inviting a select group of Jewish teens from 7 countries and 32 communities to connect with one another, step up, lead their communities, and repair the world through experiential education.
Through hands-on learning, dynamic discussions, and a transformative Israel experience, fellows develop the skills and confidence to become impactful leaders in their communities and beyond. Join a network of inspired teens who are ready to explore, grow, and lead!
Be Inspired to Repair the World!
The JCC Diller Teen Fellowship develops future generations of leaders with a strong Jewish identity, commitment to the Jewish people, respect for pluralism and desire to impact the world around them. The program operates in 32 communities in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, Argentina and Israel.
Who is the Diller Teen Fellowship for?
Diller selects twenty Boston-area 10th and 11th grade students yearly, based on their leadership aptitude, interest in Jewish learning, desire to connect to Israel, and passion for serving their community.
- Know a teen who meets these criteria? You can nominate them here!
- Every fellow is subsidized by the Helen Diller Family Foundation and individual donors to JCC Greater Boston.
We encourage current freshmen and sophomores from all backgrounds to apply!
Applicants to the program must:
- Demonstrate leadership skills
- Have a dedication to community service
- Have an interest in exploring their Jewish identity
- Have an interest in exploring their relationship to Israel
- Commit to full participation in workshops, retreats, group projects, the Boston Mifgash (encounter) and three-week summer Israel Seminar
- Be in 10th or 11th grade in September of the cohort year
- Be a Jewish teen residing in the Greater Boston area
Tuition Cost
| Fee for Participation | $3,975* |
*covers all participation including immersive summer travel.
FAQs About the JCC Boston Diller Teen Fellowship
What is the Diller Teen Fellows Program?
The Diller Teen Fellows Program focuses on three outcomes. Throughout the yearlong Fellowship, participants will:
- Become EMPOWERED TEENS, equipped to discover their own journeys and guide others.
- Form STRONGER JEWISH IDENTITIES and continue a lifelong exploration of their culture, history and heritage.
- Become ACTIVATED LEADERS OF TIKKUN OLAM/SOCIAL ACTION, viewing it as their responsibility and opportunity to make the world a better place.
What is the time commitment?
Diller Fellows commit to:
- Twelve Sunday afternoon workshops of four hours each, held at or near the JCC
- Three weekend retreats
- Immersive Israel experience in July, which provides an opportunity to explore Israel, Boston’s sister city of Haifa, and engage with Diller Teen Fellows from around the world
- A ten-day hosting period with a Haifa Diller Fellow
Is the JCC Boston Diller Teen Fellows Program for me?
Diller Fellows come from different backgrounds but are joined together by the desire to:
- Make friendships that will last a lifetime
- Gain significant leadership skills
- Question, search, and expand insights into Jewish identity and unity
- Experience a cultural exchange with Israeli teens during an immersive Israel experience in July and 10-day Boston Mifgash (encounter)
- Learn and grow during a transformative experience
If you share these desires then the Fellowship may be for you!
What is the Israel part like?
Diller Fellows are challenged to develop and refine their relationship to Israel through many parts of the programming, including experiential learning, friendships with Haifa Diller Teen Fellows, an immersive Israel experience and hosting Haifa counterparts at home. On the Israel trip, participants have the opportunity to come together with 640 other teen fellows from around the world during International Congress.
The Israel trip is unique in that it gives Fellows an opportunity to tour Israel while sharing perspectives with teens from around the world. Fellows spend one week of their stay exploring Haifa with our Israeli partner cohort, learning about current events, and engaging in community service. They also spend part of their trip getting to know other Diller Fellows from around the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, and Israel.
What is the cost?
Fee for participation is $3,975, which covers all participation including the immersive Israel experience. Financial aid is available to help with the fee. Every fellow is subsidized by the Helen Diller Family Foundation and individual donors to JCC Greater Boston.
Apply for the Diller Teen Fellowship Today!
Support Diller Teens in Greater Boston
Your support allows future leaders of every background throughout the Greater Boston area to develop their Jewish identity, commit to the Jewish people, respect diversity and pluralism, and connect to Israel.
Meet the Team
Director of Teen Programs & Program Coordinator, Diller Teen Fellows
Leah Finkelman Kagan
Director of Teen Programs & Program Coordinator, Diller Teen Fellows
Leah Finkelman Kagan (she/her) is an experiential Jewish educator who prioritizes relationship-building to help learners connect to Judaism and each other. In her current role as the Director of Teen Programs and Diller Teen Fellows Program Coordinator at JCC Greater Boston, Leah oversees the expansion and development of existing and new teen programs to create spaces for teens to grow into compassionate, empowered and socially conscious community members. In past roles at CJP and Temple Beth Elohim, Leah has worked directly with both teens, inspiring them to find meaningful connection between Judaism and their own lives, and teen-serving professionals, supporting them In working collaboratively and innovatively to meet the needs of Boston’s teen community. Originally from Ohio, Leah has lived in Boston since graduating with a BA in American Studies from Brandeis University. She is on the board of Tivnu: Building Justice and the Camp Council at URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy.
Tell Us What Interests You
Got any ideas for new teen programs at JCC Greater Boston? We want to hear from you!
Get In Touch
teen@jccgb.org
617.558.6512
