"Friends are the family you choose"

The NAS was truly an incredible experience. From day one, when we meet our Israeli counterparts for the first time, I knew that the 10 days to follow would be some of the craziest I’d ever had, but nothing prepared me for the bond I would create with not only 20 strangers from another country, but also with 20 Americans who I now truly consider family. Throughout the NAS, these were people I laughed with, talked with, cried with, screamed with, and bonded with. They all helped me to manage the week and helped keep me sane, and the memories are what will get me through until the summer.

Walking away from the NAS, I find myself looking forward to the summer more than ever. All of the Diller alumni told us that we would find a connection with the Israelis. I’ll admit that I was a little skeptical at first, but after spending 10 days with them, I know that our bond will only strengthen in Israel. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet 20 awesome Israelis and the foundation of a lifelong friendship is obvious. 10 days is too short a time to form really deep connections with someone, but these people are now friends. It’s weird to think that less than a few weeks ago I had no personal connection to any of them, and now I find myself thinking about them and talking to them constantly. It’s true: MetroLeZion is just the best cohort out there. 

The bond that the Americans have come out of the NAS with is truly incredible. Before the NAS, we thought we were pretty jelled as a group, but looking back on everything, it’s crazy to think that we thought we were bonded. NAS gave all of us a platform on which we could grow, share, and talk. Our ma’agal lilahs are something that will stay with me forever, because it’s in these circles where the Americans have really been able to share with each other. There’s something so special about being in a circle with 20 people you may or may not have connected with originally and hearing about their lives, hopes, dreams, and struggles. These people know more about me than a lot of people, and if you had told me 7 months ago that they would be some of my closest friends I might have laughed and told you that you were wrong. I can’t imagine how close we’ll get to become after Israel, but I know that in the week since NAS ended, we’ve proven our strengthened bond by constantly messaging, texting, snapchatting, whatsapping, and hanging out with each other. 

I knew NAS would be important, but since NAS ended, many of us have been saying that we have separation anxiety from being apart from our Israelis and our Americans. They say that friends are the family you choose, and that statement could not be more accurate in describing my NAS experience. 

-Micaela Kaplan

There is Value in Open-Mindedness

The whole NAS was very a meaningful, interesting, and life changing experience. It was a cultural immersion experience in which every individual occurrence opened my eyes to something new and brought something else to the table. But, one day in particular not only proved to be life-changing for the Israelis, but also significant for the Americans and their high schools. 


When I brought Leah to school, she found it hard to believe that this could all be real. She kept saying ״it's like in a movie!" My friends welcomed her with open arms and were amazed by her unique background and culture. They asked her endless questions and kept wanting to know more! 

One thing in particular that not only amazed Leah, but many of the other Israelis was the pledge of allegiance. They were impressed how we are "such patriots" and they thought they should do the same in Israel. I thought it was so great how dedicated they were to Israel while being so open minded about everything else. I now strive every day to be more like this. Whether it be by great or small feats, I learned that it is important to stay true to our roots and who we are while embracing change and new experiences.

-Sarah Ferrier

Til We Meet Again!

The first day of NAS was by far one of the most exciting; meeting the Israeli cohort was something we had been looking forward to since the beginning of Diller. Even though we had communicated online, it was a totally different experience meeting them in person. We jumped out and surprised them, and it was great to see that they were just as excited for NAS as we were.

One of the most meaningful experiences in NAS was ending Shabbat with Havdalah on the overnight. We were all together, as one group, with the Israelis and the Americans together. In addition to being a highlight of Diller, it was one of the most memorable Shabbats I have ever experienced. It was the most meaningful Havdalah I have ever experienced because everyone was so happy to be there, and it was a great way to end our first Shabbat together.

Although the Farewell dinner was sad, as it marked the beginning of the end of NAS, it was a meaningful way to reflect on the great experiences we all had over the past week together, and to get excited for Israel this summer! We got to introduce all of the Israelis to our families, and appreciate the friendships we made at NAS.

-Paige Epstein

From Vulnerability comes Strength

Confession: I didn’t particularly like Diller at first. There, I said it. Most of it hinged upon waking up early on a Sunday, but I also struggled to connect with the other Dillers. But somewhere between those first few workshops and the present, the seesaw in my brain tipped the other way. I can honestly say that I now enthusiastically leap out of bed for workshops, and more importantly, regard Diller 7 as an extension of my own family. While I had begun to love Diller before the NAS, those ten days (and the subsequent moments) are what confirmed the love I feel for Diller 7. 

I’ve always struggled to make myself vulnerable. In Diller, we have been encouraged to experience the feeling of vulnerability. Sharing my house with another person is one way that I have experienced this. I was worried before Sivan came to New Jersey. What if she did not get along with my sister? What if she did not like my dad’s cooking? What if she thought our house was too small? However, I had to get past these thoughts. During our Shabbaton and overnight, I once again had to make myself vulnerable when we had our ma’agals. During these moments, we are supposed to share personal parts of ourselves, and that is very hard. But as Sara Bareilles says, “say what you wanna say, and let the words fall out.” You just need to get past that fear and share your thoughts. Now that the NAS is over, I think that being vulnerable will be much easier for me. 

When an entire group of people are vulnerable together, a circle of trust is formed. And from that circle, friendships are strengthened. Through the experience of vulnerability during the NAS, Diller 7 has become closer than I ever thought possible. With the NAS behind us, we do not have anything formal planned for nearly a month. Previously in our Diller journey, we might have been comfortable with this. But over the NAS, we have become a close, tight-knit family. We all are trying our best to be proactive and organize our own social activities, which we have actually succeeded in. Micaela Kaplan attributes our desire to be near one another to “Post Diller Depression.” Similar to “Post Concert Depression,” it is the feeling you get when you are separated by someone (or something) that you truly love. Over the NAS, we’ve learned and discovered the powerful bonds that are formed in the Diller journey. We want to experience that more, and when we’re apart…we feel the separation. 

My most important memorable experience of the NAS was the Friday afternoon of our Shabbaton. My immune system had failed me, and I had come down with a fever. As I laid in bed, very far away from Fairview Lake, I cursed my bad luck and fretted about how I would reintegrate into the group when my fever broke. I was mostly upset that I would be missing bonding experiences with the Israelis. Luckily, my fever broke the next morning and I was able to join the Dillers. When I walked into the CIT Center, I was attacked with hugs from all of the Americans, Israelis, and JCs. I felt so, so loved. It was the first time I have ever felt like an accepted and appreciated member of a community and it is a feeling that I will never get out of my brain.

Eight months ago, I left our first Diller meeting worried for the future. My mental seesaw tipped to the left with anxiety. Fast forward to April 2014, and that seesaw has shifted 180 degrees and tilted to the right. I cannot believe that I had any of the concerns that I originally had about Diller because now, I struggle to find the words to describe how much I adore Diller and the love I feel for our cohort. 

-Arielle Dror

With more education comes greater pride

Due to technology (that was invented by Israelis) I was able to watch the BDS debate at the University of Michigan. My dad was able to live-stream the six-hour debate from his iPhone to our TV. Chills rushed through my body as soon as supporters of BDS acted as victims of a "terrorist" country, Israel. My stomach started to swirl and I almost had to leave the room. The Israel supporters were the only people getting me through the whole debate. 

Although I was so behind in schoolwork, I knew how important it was for me to attend the Israel Advocacy Seminar at Rutgers University. It really interested me how unaware the Israelis were that defending Israel was such a huge deal for Jewish Americans. I learned a lot from the speaker as well. She explained to us that fighting back against Israel's protesters through mindless pejoratives was not an effective way to prove our points and facts about Israel. There are 10% of people who support Israel, 10% who are against Israel, and 80% who are unaware of the issues surrounding Israel. Our goal as Jews is to inform the 80% who are unaware because we will never persuade those who hate Israel. She taught us to use ingenuous questions to prove our facts about Israel. For example, a way to inform those who think an apartheid is going on in Israel is by asking them the actual definition of apartheid. They will soon find out that apartheid is a policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race. We can then ask them to look up the ratio of Jews to other ethnic groups in Israel. It will be proven that Israel’s Jewish population makes up a majority of Israel. Just by definition, it is clear that there is not an apartheid going on in Israel. A way to defend the wall that was put up in the West Bank is to explain that it was put up to protect the safety of all civilians, not just Jews. We also learned that the Israeli Company Soda Stream has a majority of workers who are Muslim. By supporting BDS and boycotting the company, the supporters are actually causing problems for their own people. I learned so much from the speaker and was impressed with the Israelis’ engagement in the conversation, especially since it is not a common issue that they face in Israel.

After I heard the speaker from Stand With Us, I felt a different kind of chills rush through my body. I felt proud and privileged to be able to learn how to support my Jewish homeland. This was one of the most meaningful moments that I experienced during NAS because it really hit home for me. Being able to share this moment with my fellow Metrowest Dillers and the Dillers from Rishon Lezion made it even more special. It proved to me that with the help of friends, a difference can and will be made.

-Alexa Smith

When tears fall my Diller family embraces me

The first time I heard about Diller was from some excited older kids in my Hebrew school class. I didn’t understand the big deal, and when my friend forced me to apply, I sent in my application as an afterthought. Now I understand Diller a little bit better. I know the program description and its goal, but I also know it changed my life.

Even at the beginning of the year, I was skeptical. It is only now, sitting alone in my room writing this post, that the words of those high schoolers ring true. Because now, I am not sitting alone. All thirty-nine of my brothers and sisters are with me, some a few houses away and some continents away. Regardless, NAS has brought us together and we have created a family and a community that is closer and stronger than any I have ever known. This is a group of people who understands me on a level deeper than most of my close friends, and who would be there for me through thick and thin. My eyes have been opened to new perspectives and inspirations that have completely changed my own views. During NAS, our American cohort became family, as we stripped ourselves bare of pretenses and made ourselves vulnerable during our night circles. We all managed to share parts of ourselves with the group and trust the group to be there for us. I experienced and continue to experience a sense of belonging that I can find nowhere else. 

I was incredibly lucky to have the match I did. Chen Yair and I got along very well, and I was so inspired by her. Simple things in American society were called into question when seen through her lens. One singer during the concert benefitting NATAL said she was going to sing a song about being nice, and how that would help stop war. Chen leaned over to me and commented, saying it was easy to say that from a distance, but if Israel was to just be nice and peaceful back to those who attacked, it wouldn’t survive. Having always believed there was no merit or purpose to war, this forced me to reconsider my views. Chen had pointed out an intricacy I had ignored, and this forced me to rethink what I had previously believed adamantly. Throughout NAS, my perspectives and ideas were challenged, and this forced me to really reconsider my own ideas and perceptions of the world around me. Chen also inspired me. For example, she found it strange how Americans tend to say ‘sorry’ frequently. I think this really reflects her ownership of her actions and her self-confidence. It also reflects a mindset more aligned with Carpe Diem; she accepts what is and makes the most of it rather than dwelling on faults. This inspired me as a person, and I found a new confidence within myself too. I was also inspired by Chen’s fearlessness and drive. She did what she wanted, in the best way possible; she never stopped to make excuses or forgo something because she might not be good at it. This is also linked back to confidence, and these are qualities I am now trying to emulate. 

One incredibly meaningful experience from NAS was the last night, the overnight at the JCC in West Orange. I got 10 minutes of sleep total, but no dream could have come close in comparison to my experience awake. We had some programming after the concert, and then our ma’agals as was usually the drill at overnights and Shabbatons. However, the transition from ma’agal, where we poured our hearts out to our respective cohort, to free time with both groups, was very different on this last night. At the Shabbaton, we were close with the Israelis, but not nearly as close as we were by the overnight. I remember on Friday night at the Shabbaton, with my American family walking back to the bunk to reunite with the Israelis, I had my arm around my sister who was crying after a very touching and open ma’agal. We stopped outside the bunk and wiped away each others’ tears before going inside so we could have fresh faces and smiles for the Israelis. This was different at the JCC on the last night. People still shared a lot in our ma’agal, but when we reunited with the other group, we didn’t clear our eyes first. We fell into small groups and stayed talking through the night, helping each other and crying together. There was no line between American and Israeli, and we all truly shared with one another. This was the community we had created in 12 days, a community that truly is a family with bonds that transcend time and place.


-Claire Singer

A New Friend helps to Dissolve Hesitation

The entirety of the North American Seminar was amazing and really very eye opening. So many parts of this great experience I will keep with me forever. For example, one of the most meaningful moments of the whole NAS occurred on the Sunday we when we returned home from the group Shabbaton. All of us—the Israelis and Americans—after only four days of knowing each other, all 40 of us participated in a community-wide volunteering service called J-Serve. 
At J-Serve, there are many programs to choose from that aided in giving back to our own community of Greater Metro-West; admittedly to join my friends who were mostly all doing one program, I signed up to participate in an activity called “Buddy It Up.” This program consisted of teens or other volunteers playing games with people with Cerebral Palsy, although I was not aware of this before I signed up. 

When we were first brought into the room where the Cerebral Palsy patients were waiting, I was surprised when I realized what I had signed up for. At first, I was very hesitant to approach some of the patients, seeing as many did not have the ability to speak or move. Scared, I did not see how my presence could be of any help. For most of the first five minutes, I stayed where I was, sitting in a chair, attempting extremely-hesitantly to try to grab the attention of any of the patients. Finally, I accepted that none of the patients wanted to talk to me or interact with me, telling myself: “they are happier without me bothering them.” 

After a few more minutes of me just sitting there in solitude, finally one of my friends came over. It was a new friend, one of the Israelis, who I had only met a mere four days prior and whom I had only become a little bit close with. That friend pushed me to interact with the patients even after arguing with her for quite some time, making excuses for my inactivity. 
Finally, I mustered up the courage, with my new Israeli friend behind me supporting me, to walk up to one patient and talk to him. As I later learned, his name is Robert, he loves soccer, he helps out as a nurse at his hospice center, and he enjoys pizza. We hung out, passed around the basketball, ate pizza, and even went for a walk together. Altogether, it was a really great bond that I was able to form. 

This moment was so meaningful because of the support I was able to receive from an Israeli whom I had not even met a week prior and with whom I was not even very close with in comparison to some other Israelis; this really shows a lot about the bond that the Americans were able to form with the Israelis. 

-Max Needle

NAS: A Snapshot of our Unforgettable Diller Experience

As a joke, I once declared "Diller Cohort 7, where we take 50 group selfies for every one nice deed". The joke stems from our long group sessions of selfies we take at various gatherings, whether it be at Super Sunday or any other charitable event. What I didn't realize at the time was that the selfies weren't just group pictures. They truly represent the group gathering together and enjoying ourselves. In fact, the chance that almost 40 kids would fit into the lens of a small camera amazes me. And the best part about the selfies was the fact that they were all inclusive. Nobody was left out, all were welcome to join. The Israelis joined the Americans and the Americans posed right next to the Israelis.

Another very meaningful moment during the NSA was the Hike. As we all climbed the mountainous hill, we reached a beautiful point with a breathtaking glimpse of New Jersey. We were told that if we all screamed at once and stopped at once, we could hear the echo. Let me rephrase that. If all 44 teens and 3 adults would be silent at once, all scream at once, then be dead silent all together, we would accomplish our goal. I thought there was no chance... until we did it. We all cooperated and worked together, and we accomplished the goal.

The most meaningful moment overall however was when I realized the Israelis would not be coming back as they hopped on the bus to leave. What we did, all the activities, all the fun, it was over. I will not see all the Israelis in the Federation, I will not get to hang with the group at cups and grab some food. I will not even see them until Israel. This has taught me that from now on, I must live in the moment because moments never return to us no matter how much we want them to.

-Seth Wasserman

"A Mountain of New Knowledge"

A meaningful moment can come at any time and through anything. Sometimes things that would seem the most mundane create the most meaningful moments. This was the case for me in my NAS experience. This moment for me was the hike up the mountain. The hike gave me the opportunity to discuss with multiple people from the Israeli group their daily lives contrary to our daily lives.

I began the hike with a goal; to talk and have a nice conversation with as many of the Israelis that I could. This goal was accomplished, and the outcome was definitely more meaningful than I excepted. The first person I talked to, told me about his school and what he described as his ‘major’, meaning what he is specializing in with his studies. This ‘major’ will eventually propel him into what he wants to do in the IDF and that is to be in the Intelligence Department. After this I moved on to another Israeli, we discussed food and dietary habits with one another. I found it interesting to see how he felt about American foods and habits that I would think are totally normal, but he had to take a second look because it was out of the ordinary for him. The next Israeli I spoke to told me how in Israel he can ‘feel’ the Shabbat, but in America it’s just another day. He really didn’t like this feeling of Shabbat just being another ordinary day and his appreciation for his life in Israel and grew immensely. The last Israeli that I had a nice conversation with told me about her aspirations to be in a combat unit during her time in the IDF. This was important to her as her brother is in it now and she felt as if she wanted to do this also. I was amazed that she was almost excited to go and risk her life for Israel and I am thinking about which SAT II I and the benefits of ACTs vs. SATs. 

These conversations were meaningful to me because they made me think, not just on the surface level but really think about life and other things. It really opened me up and allowed me to go through the rest of NAS with a little different perspective. The perspective that I have an incredible opportunity and I really need to make the most of it, “And if not now, when?” I’m happy to say that I accomplished this goal of mine and had an unforgettable experience.

-Greg Artman

I am living in a "Diller world"

For me, the NAS was a mixture of new experiences, making friends, and learning about different cultures. Looking back, the NAS was one of the best experiences of my life. I met so many new people, and experienced so many new cultures. The friendships I’ve made with my new Israeli best friends are ones I know will last a lifetime. Yet, the day that stood out the most to me was the last Saturday with the Israelis, when the Americans had almost a whole day to spend with the Israelis and show them American culture. 

I went into NYC not only with my partner, but a whole group of Dillers. We visited the Highline and ate food, and had a great time. It was impossible to get sick of them because hanging out with them was so much fun. I was able to spend quality time with them and learn about both the Israeli and American Dillers that day.

That night, we had an overnight at the JCC all together. We learned about different Jewish cultures, a community service organization, and got to spend the night to hang out. I stayed up all night talking with the Israeli’s. Trying to avoid the inevitable: them leaving. We talked, danced, played games, sang, etc. I felt like I had known them all for years, even though I met them 10 days before. The memories that I made that night I know I will remember for a long time. That night flew by in what felt like minutes, and when it was over, and Diller shrunk down to 20 again, it didn’t feel right. That is when I knew that the people I had met just days before were going to be my best friends. I missed them before they had been gone for ten minutes. I not only became super close with the Israeli’s, but I also felt a new bond towards my American cohort. A bond that only us as Dillers could understand, but it has brought us all together and made us closer than we ever were before.

I didn’t expect to miss people I had just met so much. Now my life revolves around Diller. When will I see the Americans next? How many more days till ISS? That was the day I started a countdown on my phone to remind me everyday how close I am to the ISS. Right now, we have 85 days. Even after spending ten whole days with them, when they left, it was one of the saddest moments ever. Now, I’m so excited for ISS 2014!

-Cara Lisser

Late night and Laughter

In the beginning of The North American Seminar, I think it is safe to say that both me and the Israeli staying with me, Elad, were a bit uncomfortable. I personally was a little worried that it would be like that for all of NAS and with every Israeli. On the first night of the Shabbaton, however, once curfew was called and the boys sent to our floor, everything clicked. We talked for hours with the American and Israeli guys. We spoke about literally anything you can imagine. From what someone's favorite food is to our craziest stories, we talked about it all. But of course none of those stories crossed any red lines (in case you were wondering). As probably the whole house heard, we were dying of laughter for almost the whole night and it was awesome for me to finally feel a connection with the guys. Although it had just been a day, it was amazing how much things changed for me. I became comfortable talking and laughing with a lot of kids and this was extremely nice because I was afraid it would never happen after my awkward first night.

-Max Bruch

"A Friend is One soul dwelling in Two Bodies"

A very wise person once pointed out to me that making friends is quite a difficult thing to do. Making friends is a very interesting concept, you find a person who holds similar interests to yourself and start to spend time with them. As time moves on, you make memories with these friends, you share laughter and tears. You share yourself in a way that you never would have thought possible. Eventually, these friends will know you just as well as you know yourself, if not better. Most people are lucky if they find one loyal friend like the one I just described in their lifetime, but I have made 19 of them. 

Just a few months ago, the Dillers were just a group of Jewish sophomores and juniors in high school who dragged themselves to Federation on a Sunday morning to play silly ice breakers and blindfold themselves. Look at us now, the Dillers can’t go a day without talking to each other. I remember when Juliet and Nitay told us how close we were all going to get, we just groaned and rolled our eyes. Well, they couldn’t have been more spot on. Dillers, you guys are my best friends in the whole world. It’s insane to think how quickly we became such amazing friends, and now that I’m thinking about it, I can think of exactly when it happened.

Something very special to our group are our Ma’agal Lilah’s (Night Circle). This is a time to discuss events that are happening in our lives and an opportunity to get things off our chest. During the North American Seminar, the American Dillers all got together and had a Ma’agal where we discussed many personal things. Once the group started to share their stories, it finally came to me, all of a sudden I understood. Dillers, I see myself in each and every one of you. Though we are very different people, together we make a really amazing group. I wouldn’t trade any of you for the world, and when one of us is missing the dynamic is off and it just doesn’t feel right. It was hard to pick one specific memory from the NAS to talk about, and now I know why. Anytime that I am with all of you, it's special. From the time that we jumped out of the closet to surprise the Israeli’s, until the bus pulled away ending the NAS, we made amazing memories that we will never forget. 

Dillers, thank you for being the amazing people that you are. You are all very special to me and I am so thankful to have you in my life. I can’t wait to continue to make new memories with everyone. החיים שלי

-Meredith Weinerman

Sometimes you have to take a step back...

To many, the chance to leave the country for three weeks, possibly for the first time, and host a foreigner in their own home can be terrifying. Having experienced the role of a "foreigner", I can say that it is terrifying on both sides. For the weeks preceding the Seminar, Nitay and Juliet continuously spoke about how life-changing the coming weeks would be. Little did we know just how right they were and how much our views could change. Be it the tipping point of awkward beginnings to lasting friendships, or the true sense of community and belonging, the entire NAS was a life changing experience for all involved. 

I shared many astonishing experiences with the other Dillers; each one challenged and reshaped me in amazing ways. For me, the first meaningful experience during the seminar was when all of the American's jumped out of the closets and surprised the Israelis when they first arrived. The looks and faces I saw will forever be in my memory. The second meaningful experience for me was during the Shabbaton at Fairview Lake; there was a moment where I sat down on the corner table in the main lobby and simply looked around. What I observed was not two groups trying to mesh together, but a single group of people. The third meaningful experience for me was during the Shabbaton as well. During Shabbat dinner, I moved around to many different spots at the tables. The sheer diversity among the opinions and views of everybody was astounding.

Throughout the fourteen days of the seminar I consistently felt as though I belonged not to a collaboration between two different cultures, but to a living breathing family. Each day brought with it an extreme sense of pluralism and community; shared experiences both good and bad helped create the now unbreakable bond between each and every member of the family. Expanding on a previous memory, I took some time during the Shabbaton at Fairview Lake to see down in the corner and observe everyone within the main lobby. I watched as each pair, each large group of people playing a game, each small group having an emotion filled mini-ma’agal. The sheer diversity of the people in the group played an integral role in the immediate fusion of the two cohorts. 

Personally, I have never had a more eye-opening and life changing experience than the North American Seminar. The bonds I have made with my fellow Dillers have helped me get through hard times and supported me through any and all of my endeavors. Be it a crying-filled circle of emotions, or a borderline anarchy that threatened to drive our counselors insane, the NAS was an experience that will forever be a part of my memory and shape how I will conduct myself both presently and in the future. 

-Ross Levin

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It's not goodbye, it's see you later!

Although NAS was 10 days full of memories that I will remember and hold onto forever one memory stands out the most. This memory was the last I had with the Israelis. This is because my memory recalls watching the Israelis get back on their bus and start to leave for their long trip home to Israel. This moment was one of the most saddening and heartfelt moments I experienced in all of the 10 days. I knew that just because my Israelis were leaving for a short period of time till I came and visited them in Israel didn't mean it was the end of what was going to happen to us and them. As I tried to hold back tears I could only think very briefly of how the week went. Due to how fast it went and all the fun I had and all the long-lasting memories I created and experienced.

I remember saying to myself as the bus started pulling away that this is not the end, but the beginning. This holds true even today. How could 10 days determine the rest of our relationship as Americans and Israelis? It didn't, I can prove this to myself because even today we all talk to each other we all hold strong communication with one another. This shows that our relationship as individuals and a group only keeps blossoming as days go on. Thus making this not the end, not the middle, but only the beginning.

That is why this short little memory holds closest to me. Realizing and understanding that a whole new chapter of my life has just begun was a great realization for me. I had one of, if not the greatest 10 days of my life and I will remember and cherish each second that I experienced in those days for the rest of my life. This is why my moment was the beginning and without a doubt not the end.

-Steven Waxman

Arm in Arm, Two Groups Become One

As a whole, I feel that my NAS was more meaningful than I ever could have expected when I first signed up for Diller more than a year ago. Yes, this is mostly because I didn't even know that I would be hosting an Israeli until the actual Diller interview weeks after I signed upon online, showed up, heard people talking about it, and had to pretend that I knew what they were talking about. In all seriousness, the NAS as a whole was an unbelievably amazing experience, and I only hope that I can remember the seminar in the years to come as vividly as I can now. There are many single points in the NAS which I can point to and say that that moment was meaningful to me, ranging from doing intricate workshops with the Israelis to just sitting down and hanging out with Matan (my Israeli partner) after a long day.  Yet as I sit here recalling the NAS, there is one unbelievable experience that stands out to me as most meaningful, even though I didn't know it would be at the time. The experience that I remember as being truly meaningful was the closing Havdalah at the Shabbaton at Fairview lake.
 
At Diller, our traditional Havdalah service involves us getting together in a circle (Magal) in the dark (outside or inside depending on the weather) and singing the closing prayers while passing around the burning braided candle. Everyone puts their arms around each other tightly, sings, and even stomps their feet. Although this may sound simple, it truly is a cathartic experience. What I found to be truly special and unique was not just the feeling that I'm sure everyone experienced during it, but the fact that we, as two groups that were complete strangers just 3 days before, came together, held each other arm in arm like family, and created this singular moment. I truly believe this is something that is special not just to Diller, but to our immediate Metro-Lezion Cohort.

Looking back this single event becomes even more important because now  we are so much closer to our Israeli cohort. This is because I see that closing Havdalah as the first major event in which the two groups really did seem as one. In that moment in which everyone was stomping their feet, singing along, and putting their arms around each other, we truly were one cohort. Although  there were many other moments going forward in which I felt we were one cohort, until all the moments meshed and we were truly fused, this will always stand out to me because I felt it was the first moment in which we were all truly together.

-Ethan Gelman

Differing Perspectives Bring Us Closer Together

My most memorable experience during the North American Seminar was the Shabbaton with the Israelis. We spent 48 hours in a cabin with 45 other people. During that time, I not only became friends with all of the Israelis, but I also made a stronger bond with my fellow Diller members from Greater MetroWest. The Shabbaton enabled me to make lifetime friends that would usually take me several months or years with which I could create connections. Being in a small cabin with 45 other people, gave me the opportunity to talk with many people from the Rishon Cohort. I got to know some of the Israelis really well. I engaged in some very interesting conversations about life in Israel vs. life in America. I talked about many other things with the Israelis that changed some of my opinions and views about Israelis. One of the activities that we did during the Shabbaton was a bead activity that allowed all of us to express our views of Judaism and Israel. During this activity, I got to see some of the views and beliefs of Judaism and Israel through the eyes of an Israeli and that fascinated me. We had some similar and different beliefs of course. This activity showed me how people that live in Israel and outside of Israel differ in their perspectives. During the Shabbaton, I was not only able to connect to the Israelis, but also fortify my relationship with the Greater MetroWest members. I was able to make a stronger connection with the members than I do with most of my friends. I had never felt closer to the Cohort until this Shabbaton. I can safely say that the Greater MetroWest Cohort is my family. And this is the only time I have ever said this about anyone else. I am able to have deep conversations with everyone in the cohort, which is something that I cannot do with most people. Before the Shabbaton, everyone in the Greater MetroWest Cohort were my friends, but after the Shabbaton, they became my family. The Shabbaton with the Israelis during the North American Seminar was my most memorable experience. I was able to make new friends and a new family. The Shabbaton really changed my views of the world and myself. Those 48 hours at the tiny cabin was one of the best times of my life. -Jacob Turteltaub

Havdalah Speaks to Me

My most meaningful NAS moment was singing Havdalah during the Shabbaton. My all time favorite Diller moment so far this year has been the first Shabbaton when we sang Havdalah outside. It was after an amazing day together, when everyone really started to bond as an American cohort. We went outside to do the service and halfway through it started to snow. It was so beautiful, the snow coming down, everyone swaying and singing, everything dark except for the light from the candle. It was so peaceful and beautiful and special. To me that was when Diller really took off and our family started.

Then flash forward a couple of months we were doing the same thing with our Israeli cohort. We had a great day with the Israelis going on a hike and hanging out and then Shabbat came to an end. So we turned off the lights, put our arms around each other and sang the beautiful melody. The Havdalah melody is one of my personal favorites. Before we started to sing we were placed in boy/girl, American/Israeli order; we were all mixed up. Singing with two new Israeli best friends next to me I was reminded of the last time I sang those prayers in that spot and got a similar feeling. Singing those Havdalah prayers was when the family we started a couple of months earlier in the same spot and way, doubled. Havdalah is about beginning a new week. It talks about having a sweet new week even better then your last. This Havdalah not only started a new, sweet week, but a sweet year, and even life with my new family living in Rishon Lezion. That is a moment I will remember forever and think about every time I hear a Havdalah service.

-Joey Hart

A Musical Inspiration

My most meaningful moment of NAS was walking down to my basement and seeing Asaf, my Israeli, sitting at my electric piano and working on a song he had decided to learn with tutorials on Youtube. 

When I walked down, he looked up and smiled and immediately started to play what he had learned. It was great! He had heard me playing piano all week and had previously taken lessons, but never continued and decided to play a bit. I sat with him for a few hours listening and playing, talking and laughing. It was a truly memorable night .

The day of the final overnight with the Israelis he came up to me and said, “I think I'm gonna buy a piano when I get back to Israel.” I was smiling the rest of that day. I had inspired someone to find music again. I'm not able t to say that often, but I cannot wait to see how far he has come the next time I see him .

-Daniel Gerstein

Diller 7 Represents at J-Serve

J-Serve is when young Jewish teens from around the Metro-west area come together to help the community. My Israeli and I, Chen Yannai, were put in "Buddy it Up". This was a program in which CPNJ (Cerebral Palsy New Jersey) adults came to the Federation. We were able to talk, play sports, and color with them.

Chen and I sat down and talked to a man named Carl. He loved Justin Bieber and cheese crackers. We talked to him for about 30 minutes getting to know him. He told us how he was the only one left living in his family and other things that really shocked both Chen and me. He really gave us perspective on life that most people in today's society don't get. Carl showed us how fortunate we are and how lucky we are to be surrounded by a great community and family that are always there to support and love us. 

Not only was meeting and talking with the CPNJ adults meaningful, but J-serve as a whole was the first time we were able to show the rest of the community what Diller is all about. We wore our matching Diller Cohort 7 shirts and were screaming our chants and jumping all around. The 40 of us were finally one big family and we weren’t afraid to let everyone know that. I had many friends participating in J-serve, but none of them experienced it the way I did. I had a truly meaningful time that I will never forget. It is not every day you get to experience something amazing with 39 of your closest friends. 

-Sophie Wainberg