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