For 20 years, the Baltimore Diller Teen Fellows program has been shaping the next generation of Jewish leaders, bringing together high school students from Baltimore and Israel for a year of leadership development, community service and deep, meaningful connection.

Diller empowers teens to explore their Jewish identity, build lasting relationships across cultures and develop the confidence to make a difference in their communities and beyond.

For Yael Hamburger, a student in the master’s in nursing program at Johns Hopkins and a Baltimore participant in the 2016–2017 cohort, this milestone anniversary is a great opportunity to reflect on what she considers a transformative period of her life.

Read her story.

My time at Diller has honestly been one of the most impactful experiences of my life. I went into it hoping to grow and meet new people, but I didn’t expect it to shape so much of who I am today.

One of my favorite memories was when we first met the Israeli cohort when they came to Baltimore. I still remember our first Shabbaton and how crazy it felt to be so instantly connected to people we had never even met before. Within a few hours, it felt like we had known each other forever. I think it’s that moment that really sums up what Diller is all about- building these genuine, lasting connections.

Those connections have stayed with me long after the program ended. I’m still in touch with several friends from both the U.S. and Israel on a weekly basis, and whenever I’m in Israel, I always make time to see them. Some of my closest friendships today are with the Americans I met through Diller- here in Baltimore, one in New Jersey and one in Boston- and we still talk all the time. No matter where we are in the world, those relationships have stayed strong.

One of the most meaningful parts of my experience has been my connection with my Diller match’s family in Ashkelon. They’ve truly become my family away from home, and being welcomed into their lives gave me such a personal and lasting connection to Israel. I just attended her sister’s wedding this past winter in Ashkelon!

Diller also helped me build a stronger connection to my Judaism and deepen my love for Israel. It gave me a space to explore what that means to me and how I want to live it out. I was able to connect my passion for tikkun olam with real action- through community service and giving back.

One of my biggest takeaways is a stronger sense of purpose in my Judaism. That’s something I’ve carried with me ever since. It’s inspired me to go back to Israel five times since October 7 to volunteer and support communities however I could. Diller didn’t just impact how I think-it pushed me to act.

Looking back, I’m really grateful for everything Diller gave me- friendships, perspective and a deeper sense of who I am.