Diller Teen Fellows is a year-long leadership program that runs from late August through the following summer. Throughout the year, Fellows participate in approximately one program each month, including educational workshops, leadership experiences, and community-building opportunities.

The program includes two Shabbatonim (weekend retreats), one in the fall and one in the winter. In the spring, Fellows participate in the Jewish Communities Mifgash (JCM), typically a 10-day peer exchange with teens from Miami's partnership community of Yerucham, Israel, which includes a third Shabbaton. The experience culminates with the Israel Summer Seminar (ISS), a two-week journey exploring Israel, Jewish peoplehood, leadership, and global Jewish communities.

The Diller Miami team develops the annual calendar with consideration for SAT and ACT testing dates, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools calendar, Jewish and national holidays, and major community events to help Fellows balance their commitments while fully participating in the program.

The program is funded by the Helen Diller Family Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund of San Francisco, The Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE), and the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. Each Fellow receives an estimated subsidy of $12,000, resulting in a participant cost of $4,300, which includes the flight to Israel, touring of Israel, and the full year of programming. A $500 deposit is required to secure a Fellow's place in the program.

Need-based scholarships are available to provide additional support. Families are encouraged to apply if the program fee would present a financial hardship.

Participants who have an existing Gift of Israel allocation may be eligible to apply those funds toward the Diller Teen Fellows program, subject to Gift of Israel policies and eligibility requirements. Please note that Diller Teen Fellows participants are not eligible to receive RootOne funding, as the program is already significantly subsidized.

If a participant receives scholarship assistance that is contingent upon participation in the Israel travel component and travel to Israel becomes impossible, some scholarship funds may not be recoverable. In such cases, families may be responsible for any program expenses that exceed the amount available for refund.

Diller Teen Fellows is a pluralistic program that welcomes and accommodates teens from diverse Jewish backgrounds, denominations, and levels of observance. At all program gatherings, food is kosher, and Shabbat is observed together as a community.

The program strives to create an environment where participants can engage authentically with their own Jewish practices while learning from and alongside peers with different perspectives and experiences. Families with specific questions about religious observance, dietary needs, or other accommodations are encouraged to reach out to the Diller Miami staff to discuss their individual needs.

While the exact composition varies from year to year, we strive for a balanced cohort that reflects the diversity of the Miami Jewish community. Selection is based on identifying teens who will contribute to a dynamic and meaningful group experience, rather than meeting a specific gender quota.

We seek to build a well-rounded cohort enriched by diverse perspectives and experiences. This philosophy extends beyond gender to include differences in Jewish identity, schools, synagogues, backgrounds, interests, and life experiences.

Diller Teen Fellows is a globally recognized leadership development program that empowers Jewish teens to grow as leaders, deepen their Jewish identity, and build meaningful relationships with peers from around the world.

Throughout the year, Fellows develop skills in leadership, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and community engagement. They gain exposure to diverse perspectives, explore their connection to Jewish peoplehood and Israel, and learn how to identify needs in their communities and take meaningful action to address them.

In addition to the year-long experience, Fellows become part of the international Diller alumni network, connecting them to thousands of alumni worldwide. Alumni have access to ongoing opportunities including grants, internships, leadership programs, networking, and other experiences that continue long after their Fellowship year concludes.

You can learn more about the Diller alumni network and opportunities available to graduates of the program HERE!

Diller Teen Fellows is dedicated to building the next generation of committed Jewish leaders. The program helps participants strengthen their Jewish identity, develop meaningful connections to Israel and the Jewish people, learn to lead across differences, and become part of a global network of peers who are committed to making a positive impact in their communities and beyond

Diller Teen Fellows is designed for Jewish teens who are curious, motivated, and eager to grow. Fellows come from a wide range of backgrounds, schools, and Jewish experiences, but they share a desire to:

Build meaningful friendships with peers from Miami, Israel, and around the world
Develop leadership skills and confidence
Explore and strengthen their Jewish identity
Engage in thoughtful conversations about Jewish life, Israel, and global Jewish peoplehood
Create positive change through community impact projects
Challenge themselves through new experiences and personal growth

You do not need to be a student council president or have extensive leadership experience to be successful in Diller. What matters most is a willingness to participate, learn, collaborate, and contribute to the cohort experience.

The application and Assessment Center process also helps both applicants and the Diller team determine whether the program is a good fit. Through the Assessment Center, teens experience Diller-style programming firsthand and gain a better understanding of what the Fellowship entails before making a commitment.

Yes. The Diller Teen Fellows program is committed to supporting participants beyond their Fellowship year. Staff are often able to provide letters of recommendation for college applications, scholarships, internships, leadership programs, and other opportunities for alumni who have actively participated in the program and built a relationship with the Diller team.

While recommendations are considered on a case-by-case basis, Diller staff are proud to support Fellows as they pursue their future educational, professional, and leadership goals.

Yes. Many aspects of the Diller Teen Fellows experience, particularly community impact projects and service initiatives, may qualify for community service hours. The number of eligible hours will vary based on the specific activity and school requirements.

Diller staff can assist participants in documenting qualifying service hours and completing any required verification forms. Teens are encouraged to check with their schools regarding specific community service policies and requirements.

There is no single "type" of teen who succeeds in Diller. Fellows come from a wide range of backgrounds, schools, interests, levels of Jewish involvement, and life experiences. What they share is a willingness to participate, learn, build relationships, and contribute to the cohort experience.

The most successful Fellows are often curious, open-minded, thoughtful, and eager to grow. They may be experienced leaders, emerging leaders, athletes, artists, activists, academics, or students who simply want to explore their Jewish identity and connect with others.

Diller intentionally brings together teens with diverse perspectives and experiences because the Fellowship is built on learning from one another. Through experiential education, meaningful dialogue, leadership development, and global connections, participants are challenged to grow both individually and as part of a supportive cohort community.

There are many outstanding opportunities available to Jewish teens, and the right choice depends on your teen's interests, goals, and availability. We encourage families to explore their options and determine which experience feels like the best fit.

What makes Diller Teen Fellows unique is its combination of leadership development, Jewish identity exploration, global Jewish peoplehood, and deep relationship-building. Fellows become part of a cohort of Miami teens while also connecting with peers from 32 Diller communities around the world and a partnership community in Israel.

Through monthly workshops, retreats, the Jewish Communities Mifgash (JCM), and the Israel Summer Seminar, participants build meaningful friendships, engage with diverse perspectives, and explore what it means to be part of the global Jewish community. Many Fellows describe the relationships they form with both local and international peers as one of the most impactful aspects of the program.

To hear directly from current Fellows and alumni, check out our Why Diller? features. We are also happy to connect prospective families with current participants, alumni, or parents who can share their experiences and answer questions.

Throughout their Fellowship year, teens learn how to identify needs within their communities and develop projects and initiatives that address those needs. With guidance from Diller staff, CAJE, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, and community leaders, Fellows receive support in bringing their ideas to life and continuing their impact beyond the program year.

In addition, Diller Teen Fellows International offers opportunities for alumni to further their work through initiatives such as the Alumni Impact Micro-Grant Program, which provides funding for alumni-led projects that benefit their local communities and the broader world.

As members of the global Diller alumni network, graduates also have access to ongoing mentorship, resources, networking opportunities, and leadership experiences that help them continue making a meaningful difference long after their Fellowship year concludes.