SF Diller Teen Fellows
Step into your leadership. Elevate your Jewish identity.
Become a San Francisco Diller Teen Fellow!
Applications will open for Diller Teen Fellows San Francisco Cohort 2023-24 on April 10.
Please e-mail Ben Zalaznick with any questions.
Established in San Francisco in 1998 by the Helen Diller Family Foundation, the Diller Teen Fellows program is San Francisco’s premier leadership development program for Jewish teens in 11th grade.
Now operating in 32 communities in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, South America, Europe, and Israel, the goal of the Diller Teen Fellows program is to develop future generations of active, effective leaders with a strong Jewish identity, commitment to the Jewish people, respect for pluralism and love of Israel. Together with our sister community, the Upper Galilee Diller Teen Fellows, we explore four guiding principles:
- Jewish Identity
- Leadership
- Israel
- Tikkun Olam (repairing the world)
- Jewish Peoplehood
- Pluralism
Diller Teen Fellows gain the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, explore their Jewish identity, connect with Israel through a peer partnership and create a social action project of their choosing.
Diller Teen Fellows is committed to running a high-quality, meaningful experience. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are adapting our programming to better safeguard your health and comply with the SF Public Health Department protocols while strongly considering what is best for our fellows. As of now, we plan on running in-person programming for our 2022-23 cohort. Please note that plans are subject to change based on new guidance from public health agencies.
The International Diller Teen Fellows
Both the International Diller Teen Fellows office and the local Bay Area Diller Teen Fellows program are located at the Jewish Community Federation’s office in San Francisco. To learn more about the International Diller Teen Fellows and the numerous communities that they oversee, visit their website.
Diller Teens immerse themselves in a year-long journey of developing lifetime leadership skills, strengthening their Jewish identities, exploring their relationships with Israel, and transforming into impactful members of their communities.
Throughout our 12-month program, a cohort of 20 Diller Teen Fellows in each of the 32 partner communities (640 total Fellows internationally) participate in educational workshops and weekend retreats while creating and implementing social service projects. San Francisco was the first-ever Diller cohort, and we're immensely proud of the growth the program has experienced.
Throughout the year, the 20 San Francisco Teen Fellows focus on:
- Developing leadership skills through monthly workshops
- Exploring Jewish identity and bonding as a group during 3 fun-filled Shabbaton weekend retreats
- Forging powerful relationships with a diverse group of Jewish North American, South African, Australian, South American, European, and Israeli teens
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Meeting and working with the Israeli partners during 2 amazing seminars:
- Jewish Community Mifgash – a 10-day visit from the Upper Galilee Israeli Diller Teens to San Francisco and the Bay Area in the spring - includes hosting an Israeli teen
- Israel Summer Seminar – 3 weeks of traveling, volunteering, and exploring Israel with the Diller Teens in the Upper Galilee and the other international Diller groups during the summer
- Creating an Impact Project - a hands-on community service project
Leadership Opportunities for Diller Alumni
The Junior Counselor Position
Just before Diller Teen Fellows complete their 12-month participation in the program, they have an opportunity to apply for the Junior Counselor position in the next cohort of Fellows. Junior Counselors assist the program coordinator to inspire and empower Fellows, as individuals and as a group, through their unique added value.
Junior Counselors attend all program workshops/meetings, Shabbatonim, the Jewish Community Mifgash, and the Israel Summer Seminar. They serve as great role models to the Fellows they mentor and act as a supportive unit to their program coordinator. They also become part of the international community of Junior Counselors and attend an annual retreat.
The Alumni Intern Position
Diller Teen Fellow alumni also have the chance to apply for the Alumni Intern role. This position serves as a unique platform for post-high school alumni to acquire hands-on professional experience by complementing the program coordinator's work (i.e. preparing educational programs for workshops, generating peer-level interpersonal contacts with the Junior Staff, encouraging Fellows' sense of belonging to a global Jewish network, etc.) throughout the program. The Alumni Intern shares responsibility for the training, support, and empowerment process for Junior Counselors and provides logistical support. They will work closely with the International Diller Teen Fellows office to build an annual training program for the Junior Counselors and actively participate in the national circle of Alumni Interns during two national trainings.
Diller Teen Fellows Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee assists the program staff to continuously expand and enhance the San Francisco Diller Teen Fellow experience. Members represent a variety of expertise, skills, Jewish backgrounds, and Bay Area regions. They do not have to be Diller alumni. Current Advisory Committee Members:
- Adam Eilath
- Adam Light
- Alison Frank
- Sam Lauter
- Julie Roston
- Sandra Braverman
- Marty Friedman
If you are interested in joining our Advisory Committee or becoming a Jewish community lay leader, please contact Loal Isaacs, Diller Teen Initiatives Director.
Becoming a Diller Teen Fellow
Applications are closed for Diller Teen Fellows San Francisco Cohort 2022-23.
How to Apply
Prospective applicants must be current 10th-grade students who reside in the bay area. We are looking for applicants who represent the Bay Area in all of its diversity in regards to Jewish practice, school type, personal identity, and family background.
Applicants for the program demonstrate:
- Leadership skills or great leadership potential
- Enthusiasm about community service and empowerment
- Interest in exploring their Jewish identities and relationship with Israel
- The desire to fully participate in workshops, retreats, Shabbatonim, the Jewish Community Mifgash, and the Israel Summer Seminar
We ask that all applicants:
- Complete an online application
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Submit two references.
Forms should be sent directly to your references to complete. -
Participate in a group interview with other San Francisco Diller applicants.
Interview slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to submit your application early in order to secure your desired time slot. Based on the current situation, final decisions about whether we will be able to hold group interviews in-person or online will be confirmed once the application deadline passes.
Program Cost
Each participant receives a $10,000 subsidy from both the Helen Diller Family Foundation and the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund, which brings the program cost to $3,800 per Fellow, including a program deposit.
Financial Aid
The Diller Teen Fellows program offers need-based scholarships to its participants upon acceptance into the program.
Questions?
Please email Ben Zalaznik, San Francisco Coordinator.
