Update from Alex Kadish

After our first full day of action during the community week
yesterday, it's safe to say that just about everyone was ready for a
good night's sleep. The schedule for the day, meticulously planned by
three of our Israeli counterparts, was jam packed with a variety of
activities. Though many of us had stayed up late hanging out with each
other at the Ashqelon "Marina" the night before, our morning started
at eight sharp with teambuilding activities followed by an exclusive
informational meeting at the city municipality led by Ashqelon's
deputy mayor. A quick tour of the city's volunteer center, funded
primarily by Baltimoreans, gave way to truly the most eye opening and
rewarding experience of the trip that I've had so far. The emotional
experiences of the Kotel and Yad Vashem paled in comparison to the
connection I felt when we visited Beit Canada, an immigration
absorption center geared towards Ethiopian Jews. I felt as though I
had stepped into another world when we entered the gates of the
complex and came to a courtyard where dozens, maybe seventy kids were
waiting for us to play games with them or paint their faces. Able to
speak a pretty solid amount of Hebrew, I made an attempt at conversing
with the kids, ranging in age from 3 to around 15 or 16. I found that,
much to my amazement, many of the Ethiopians living in Beit Canada had
only been there for a few months, some only a few weeks. Their level
of adjustment to the unfamiliar surroundings and language that faced
them was enough to convince even the most skeptical of the sense of
belonging that Israel inspires. Falling into a rhythm of painting
hearts, flowers, and sad excuses of butterflies, I was taken aback
when the kids starting requesting that I brand them with such slogans
as "I love Ethiopia" across their arms. Alongside this tribute to the
homeland they so recently abandoned, many of the kids asked that we
draw Jewish stars as an obvious nod to their new home. Hopefully, our
afternoon in Beit Canada educated us all in the power and importance
of perseverance and positivity.

Update from Rebecca Abbott

After a meaningful, fun, energy-filled past week, our Diller Congress
ended yesterday. Our whole group really enjoyed meeting the other
North American and Israeli Diller Teen Fellows and participating in
discussions relevant to us as international young Jewish leaders. In
addition, we learned about opportunities to extend our leadership and
actually utilize our skills after Diller in being a Junior Counselor
for a future Diller Baltimore cohort. Furthermore, speakers from the
umbrella organization Masa Israel Programs and Aardvark Israel
Programs spoke to us about the opportunity to do a gap year or
semester in Israel.

Finally saying good-bye to all of our fellow delegations, Ashkemore
hopped on the bus and headed to Ashkelon! Many of us took this
opportunity to nap as we had gone to sleep late after Teen Zula and
woken up early. We were all so excited to arrive in Ashkelon, our
sister city, and the home of our matches.

First, we visited a really nice playground and park that we soon
learned was actually sponsored by the Associated. After seeing the
familiar ASSOCIATED insignia on the playground sign, the
Baltimore-Ashkelon partnership became real to me. No longer were we
Israelis visiting America and vice versa, but two communities with an
active, mutually beneficial relationship.

Next, we arrived to the Ifergan household, where Bar's family (Taylor
Miller's match) welcomed us with a delicious meal. A little more
rested, Ashkemore gathered in a circle to play a few games and then
headed out to our host families' houses. The Israelis also gave us
welcome bags full of food and other goodies to enjoy. After a shower
and a quick visit to the Marina (the pier), Ashkemore finally returned
to our respective houses for a good night's sleep.

Though our Community Week remains our last week of the Israel Summer
Seminar, I feel so grateful and appreciative to stay here and
experience Ashkelon. After visiting the "highlights" of Israel, the
glamorous surface of the country, I now feel as though I am truly
learning about Israeli culture. Baltimore Teen Fellows are
experiencing the reality and everyday life of Israelis through the
Ashkelon teens; we see how Israelis eat, sleep, walk around, hang out
with friends, practice Judaism, and participate in community service
in their hometown. For me, the Community Week has finally brought the
Baltimore-Ashkelon partnership Diller experience full circle.
~ Rebecca Abbott

Ashkelon update from Michael Ginsburg

After arriving to the Ifergan household for a lovely dinner, Baltimore teens were off with their families to begin the homestays. That same night, everyone met at the marina where we spent time enjoying all kinds of foods, beaches and immersing ourselves into Israeli culture. Now, it’s about 3 o’clock in the afternoon and we are at the teen youth center making tables and chairs out of recycled items. Everyone loves their families, and the general consensus is that Israeli parents trump American ones- thus, we are never coming home. Just kidding. But we all do indeed love our families, and they have been very accommodating. Earlier in the day, Ashkemore went to BEIT Canada where Ethiopian children stay and learn English (or Hebrew?). We played soccer, bowling and other little activities with the kids that also included face painting. Community week has certainly started off well, and we are looking forward to making an impact on the greater Ashkelon community!

More Pictures of Pre- and Post-Shabbat

Shabbat at the Diller Youth Congress

HELLO FROM ASHKELON!!!

Dear Diller Friends and Family,

Good evening from ASHKELON!!! We arrive this afternoon from an
incredible, amazing and exhausting Diller Youth Congress!! Be prepared
for your teens to sleep for an entire week once we are home from
Israel.

They are all so excited to be in Ashkelon and to meet their host
families. It was very sad and hard to say good night to them tonight
as they went off with their individual families. I truly feel like a
mother of 20 kids with some seperation anxiety! I know they are having
a great time and are in good hands.

I will be posting some pictures tomorrow but in the meantime please
check out this link to see some pictures taken by Nicole Rosenberg,
who works for the Baltimore/Ashkelon Partnership.
https://picasaweb.google.com/108714960864807323267

It is so hard to believe that we are staying the last leg of our
journey and that we will be flying back to Baltimore in less than a
week. It has been such an incredible Israel Summer Seminar and I am so
proud of each and every teen. They are an amazing group and it has
been such a honor to be their coordinator!

I am off to bed-- pictures and other blog posts from the teens will
be coming tomorrow,
-Megan

The Shuk!!!!!

Forever Friends!!

Pictures from the Negev!

Living it up at the Diller Youth Congress

The North American Kennes (Conference) officially ended this morning as our Ashkelon counterparts arrived to Givat Haviva. After becoming more familiar with each other, the North American Dillers were ready to participate in the full Diller Congress! We are so excited to finally be united with the entire international summer track Diller delegation – from Metro West, Montreal, LA, San Francisco, to Pittsburgh, and all of the Israelis!

We participated in icebreakers and meaningful workshops in small, mixed groups. We discussed the importance of Jewish community, our Jewish heritage, and Jewish peoplehood.

After our last workshop, we enjoyed a show from the band Shuk in the auditorium. Singing, dancing, and cheering, we warbled to a mix of traditional Jewish, Ethiopian, and Arabic music. Afterwards, we participated in our daily Maagal Laila (night circle) to reflect on the day and our first official day of Diller Congress. Right now, we are getting ready to go to the nightly Teen Zula (a hang-out with music and snacks) and pump up Ashkemore spirit!

We’ll let you know more about our Diller Congress as the week continues! We are full of pride for our delegation, and can’t wait to participate in more activities with the other Dillers!

Shout out to our dads Dr. Dave and Dr. Robert! ~Rachel and Rebecca

IT’S ZULA TIME!!! –Noah Sakin

We are currently in night circle and it is evident that we are all having a great time at the Congress! We just got back from a song session and we are all pumped. Stay updated for some pictures and videos from the night. It’s been a good day and now it’s time to ZULAAAAA!!!~Lauren

Nah nah nah Ashkeluna, aye aye ooooo AND BALTIMORE. Obviously if you’ve ever talked to someone who has been to the Diller Youth Congress, you’ll get mixed reviews. As we sit here at night circle that is exactly what I hear. Some are saying how falling asleep during their workshops was inevitable, while others describe the discussion as intriguing when it finally got on track. I personally did fall asleep today during my first workshop, but it wasn’t all that dull. It is often times difficult to infuse Israeli language barriers and deep meaningful discussion; therefore today wasn’t as easy as it has been at the Kennes so far. But there is just something in the air at Congress that is undeniable. The spirit and regional pride is contagious and makes the hard times all worth it. When all 12 delegations are gathered in one room it is all but quiet, as you hear screams of city pride from all corners of the room, hence the Ashkeluna cheer that started this post. It wasn’t easy to get Baltimore into the spirit, but once we became Ashkemore earlier this morning, we cannot be stopped. Baltimore has started the ridiculous energy that has spread around Congress, and we’re seriously proud of it. I’ve enjoyed these loud and crazy moments the most during my time here at Congress and of course every single person within the Ashkemore cohort has contributed to that. Being together as a group of the twenty of us is a connection that others probably don’t understand, and after nearly a year together we have all become truly great friends. Also, don’t listen to Ryan Berg and his complaints about Congress food; it’s actually not that bad. Don’t worry Dad, you’ll be happy to hear that I have been eating three meals a day, and I have enjoyed every single one of them. LET’S ZULA!

-Cara Mazor

Don’t listen to Ms. Mazor about the food. After having eaten more cucumbers in a week than I have in my lifetime, the food has been frustrating. But, besides for starving this week and living off of cheez-its, it has been great to meet many diller teen fellows from around the world and we like to ZULA!!!!

-Mr. Ryan Berg

THE ZULA IS AWESOME!!!!!!!! Ashkemore is the best ever! Despite the lack of food, we are rocking. NA NA NA ASKELUNA. AYYYY AY AY and BALTIMORE!

-Rachel Safferman

I am having a great time at the congress! The energy level is insane. I feel like I am in a week long color war. Every city has so much pride and Ashkemore is unstoppable. We are very proud of ourselves because last night we went to an event called the Teen Zula. When we got there, there were a very small number of people sitting under a tent, looking so bored. There was music playing but it looked like no one could hear it. Baltimore marched unto the dance floor and started singing at the top of our lungs and dancing like crazy people. Within five minutes, all of the other cities got up and joined us. Tonight at the event everyone was chanting Zula. We felt so great about our accomplishment and no one can wait until the Zula tonight!!!!!!

-Taylor Miller

Avraham Infeld speaks to our teens at Congress!!!

desert pictures... more pictures and video will be up soon!