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
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