Date: July 11, 2016
Author: Yuval Ashkenazi
Theme: Past, Present, Future

Today, Monday the 11th, our cohort departed Ramet Rachel, after a long and meaningful few days of Kennes. We started off the morning on a serious note - visiting Yad Vashem memorial museum, as well as a tour of mount Herzl. Yad Vashem was truly a significant experience. We began the tour discussing the name of the museum and institute:Yad Vashem. The group was informed that the name highlights the mission of this educational organization, which is not only to provide the world with statistical information about the tragedies of the Holocaust, (hence the Yad, which when translated is monument) but to also provide a center where personal stories of those that we have lost can be shared and spread to the public (Vashem is name, a name is personal in comparison to a monument)
As leader of the day, I decided to provide each fellow with a testimony page of an individual who perished in the Holocaust. I did this to provide each fellow with a more personal perspective when visiting the museum. The tour was overall informative and emotional. Following Yad Vashem, we headed out to Mount Herzel. We first visited the Herzel museum. As a group, we collectively agreed the musuem's technical way of displaying information was innovative and provided an interesting and artistic approach to teaching of Herzel's life. This museum innovation was an excellent example that illustrated how Herzel's dream of the Jews having a modern and successful country became a reality. After the museum we visited the Herzel cemetery, a cemetery where all fallen IDF soldiers and Jewish leaders, such as Herzel, are buried. It was emotional and difficult to hear about the stories of these soldiers who sacrificed their life For the sake of a Jewish stats and for the safety of the Jewish nation. We transitioned to a happier note when we depredated to Eilat to attend the welcome ceremony. We were reunited with our buddies from Eilat and introduced to their families. Overall this day was emotional and significant. We learned the importance that by remembering the past, we can shape the future as young leaders that are involved both in our community and in Israel.

Date: July 10, 2016
Author: Sam Shepherd
Theme: Kennes

Today was our last day of Kennes,and just like our first and second day, it was highly eventful and exciting. After breakfast, we all headed down to the auditorium for a very thought-provoking group discussion about Jewish history and life for Jews around the world today. Together, as a multi-national Diller group, we discussed the six major exiles of the Jews throughout our history. It was fascinating to see a group of energetic, optimistic Jewish teens recount some of the worst acts of persecution and discrimination in our long and eventful history. Directly afterwards, the cohorts played a fun, interactive game in which we had to guess which countries had the highest Jewish population. The energy in the room was palpable as we argued which countries belonged where on the list of the Top 11 Countries with the Highest Jewish Populations. 
The rest of the day was devoted primarily to bus tours, in which the Toronto Diller cohort was spread across the city of Jerusalem learning about the city and its culture through a variety of distinct, unique tours. The bus tours ranged from exploring places of worship for other faiths to venturing to the Knesset to learn about Israeli government. I had the fortunate disposition of having the opportunity to explore a Jerusalem Shook on a food-centric tour. I tasted the famous Marzipan rugelach, hummus, ice cream and juices (all wonderful), and afterwards, we were treated to a fascinating conversation about gentrification and how the market has changed over the years. Jerusalem is a fascinating city because it has one of the most illustrious histories of any city in the world and is a cornerstone to all three of the major monotheistic religions. All of the tours helped us see the city from a different angle, experience the culture first-hand, and teach us how we can better our community.
Finally, the night ended with a closing ceremony, which was full of laughter, excitement and joy from Diller Teen Fellows, JCs and staff alike. Even though we were only together for a few short days, the growing unity amongst the group was outstanding. If this is what it's like when half of us are together, Congress is bound to be even more incredible! Tomorrow we are going to see our Eilat buddies for Community Week. So exciting!

Date: Saturday, July 9
Author: Zev Winegust
Theme: Jewish Communities Kennes

Today was shabbat in the holy city of Jerusalem. The weather was 30°C and there was not a cloud in the sky. The day started off with breakfast and shabbat services. I decided to go to the theatre/drama service. It involved acting out the parsha of the week (Korach), and required us to make a skit and put a different spin on it. We were split up into 2 groups and each group needed to act out a certain amount of aliyot. My group did the last 4 aliyot in the style of a rap musical. I was involved with creating the beat for our group while Sam rapped the narraration and other members acted out what he was saying. After we were done with that, we played some improv games. I enjoyed that service. It was different and I appreciate that. 

When we split off into our colour groups, we discussed the parsha in more depth where we discussed responsibility, leadership, and Donald Trump. When we got to the old city later in the day, I felt amazing. I haven't been there since February of last year, I didn't want to leave then and I don't want to leave now. We did havdalah at the Kotel and I was so happy and grateful to be at the holiest city in the world with some of my best friends. When I touched the wall I felt relaxed and at peace, so glad just to be standing there again. My friend, Max found a part of the wall which almost was a perfect imprint of a hand. Just imagining that someone thousands of years ago possibly touched the same place as I was touching was so moving it almost brought me to tears. At Ben Yehuda St, I went up and down the street with my friends Max, Oliver, and Josh. We all had a good time tonight, and I can't wait to have more fun the rest of this week!

Date: July 8, 2016
Author: Sarah Levy
Theme: Present Day Changemakers

Today we had an early start as we packed up on our way out of Tel Aviv and into Jerusalem! We began our day in the up and coming neighborhood of Florentine in Tel Aviv, where we met Ashley Fairfield, our amazing tour guide on our graffiti tour of the area. We learned how to take the perfect picture, and toured the neighborhood, looking deeper into the meaning behind some of the street art. We learned how Tel Aviv's graffiti provides a snap shot into the city and country's history of leadership. We even got in on the action and spray painted on the walls ourselves! 

From there we travelled to Jerusalem, where we met Roee Ben , an inspirational speaker. Roee was a warrior in an elite unit of the IDF, and was unfortunately in a serious accident, causing him to become paralyzed from the waist down, leaving him permanently in a wheelchair. Roee shared with us the struggles of living in a wheelchair, and how he has overcome it. For example, he plays wheelchair basketball on the national team! We then travelled to Ramat Rachel, Jerusalem, where we were introduced to all of the international Diller Teen Fellows from North America, South Africa, and Australia! We then enjoyed an immersive Shabbat experience. It was an incredible day!

Date: July 7, 2016
Author: Josh Arbess
Theme: Leadership

Learning, experiencing, having fun: the list could go on. Today was an epic day. Diller Toronto Cohort 4 learned about our place in the past, present and future.

We started off the day with a visit to Beit Hatfutsot, The Museum of Jewish Peoplehood. Here, we engaged in a leadership seminar where we had the chance to identify ourselves as Jews. We began with watching a viral video called "I Am That Jew", discussing the wide spectrum of attributes that make us Jewish. It was an amazing workshop!

Following this, Ellinore, our Museum Guide took us around the museum. We examined models of famous synagogues, watched videos on the pluralism found in Jewish life, and looked at trends in Jewish History.
After the museum, we boarded the bus for Shuk HaCarmel, also known as the Carmel Market. We were given an hour and a half to roam, experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of the bustling market. From all of the delicious food to bargaining for classic Israeli clothing, The Shuk is a central component of Israeli culture and lifestyle.

Next on our schedule came the Rabin Centre. We were guided through the museum, which focused on the history of the State of Israel through the lens of Yitzchak Rabin's life. This was an amazing view of Israeli History. We also had the opportunity to participate in a leadership workshop at this museum as well, in which we discussed conflict points in Israeli society. It was so interesting to discover these cultural and political rifts. This reminds me of the classic Israeli folk song "Al Kol Eleh", which reminds us to look at both the sweet and bitter parts of Israel together.

Following the Rabin Centre, we visited the site of Rabin's murder. Our guide, Maor, told us the story of Rabin's death in 1995, and the aftershock it left on Israeli society. Continuing with the theme of narratives, we sat and discussed the politics of polarization - incitement which lead up to the murder of Rabin. We discussed what it meant to "cross a line", and what is considered an appropriate protest. Everyone was flush with emotions, and we worked to develop opinions on acceptable protest and freedom of speech.

We then retuned to the hotel, ate dinner and then had a meaningful Ma'agal Lilah. All in all, it was an amazing day! I can't wait for tomorrow.

Date: July 7, 2016
Author: Josh Arbess
Theme: Leadership

Learning, experiencing, having fun: the list could go on. Today was an epic day. Diller Toronto Cohort 4 learned about our place in the past, present and future.

We started off the day with a visit to Beit Hatfutsot, The Museum of Jewish Peoplehood. Here, we engaged in a leadership seminar where we had the chance to identify ourselves as Jews. We began with watching a viral video called "I Am That Jew", discussing the wide spectrum of attributes that make us Jewish. It was an amazing workshop!

Following this, Ellinore, our Museum Guide took us around the museum. We examined models of famous synagogues, watched videos on the pluralism found in Jewish life, and looked at trends in Jewish History.
After the museum, we boarded the bus for Shuk HaCarmel, also known as the Carmel Market. We were given an hour and a half to roam, experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of the bustling market. From all of the delicious food to bargaining for classic Israeli clothing, The Shuk is a central component of Israeli culture and lifestyle.

Next on our schedule came the Rabin Centre. We were guided through the museum, which focused on the history of the State of Israel through the lens of Yitzchak Rabin's life. This was an amazing view of Israeli History. We also had the opportunity to participate in a leadership workshop at this museum as well, in which we discussed conflict points in Israeli society. It was so interesting to discover these cultural and political rifts. This reminds me of the classic Israeli folk song "Al Kol Eleh", which reminds us to look at both the sweet and bitter parts of Israel together.

Following the Rabin Centre, we visited the site of Rabin's murder. Our guide, Maor, told us the story of Rabin's death in 1995, and the aftershock it left on Israeli society. Continuing with the theme of narratives, we sat and discussed the politics of polarization - incitement which lead up to the murder of Rabin. We discussed what it meant to "cross a line", and what is considered an appropriate protest. Everyone was flush with emotions, and we worked to develop opinions on acceptable protest and freedom of speech.

We then retuned to the hotel, ate dinner and then had a meaningful Ma'agal Lilah. All in all, it was an amazing day! I can't wait for tomorrow.

Date: July 6, 2016
Author: Andrew Bloomstone
Theme: Cultivating Community


Today was a jam packed day. Starting with an amazing walking tour of Jaffa where we got to experience first hand thousands of years of history. 

We walked to a point where we got to see the development from Jaffa to Tel Aviv. After we went to learn about the establishment of Tel Aviv. Something that really resonated woth me from that experience was that it only took 66 people to create a "startup" Israeli city complete with all the modern technology. From the building with the history of Tel Aviv Later we went to independance hall. Later we had the incredible experiance of sitting in the same room Israel was drclared independant in. We sat down and heard Ben Gurion's speach of independace. We went to Rabin Sqaure where we started an amazing race espue experience. We traveled through Tel Aviv and got to fully experience the city.

The day was absolutely incredible. For my first time in Israel I could not have had a more fun first day. Being able to explore the city was so exciting for me. The whole day was amazing to me as I have been learning about some of the things we experienced and then I got to see it for my self for the first time.