Q & A with Diller Cohort 20 Fellow, Will Budlow.
Q: What school do you attend, and what grade are you currently in?
A: I am a junior at Towson High School.
Q: What initially motivated you to apply to the Diller Teen Fellows program?
A: My three older siblings all participated in Diller when they were in high school. I got to hear all about how amazing the program was, and I still remember spending time with their matches during their Jewish Community Mifgash. Seeing how impactful it was and learning about it firsthand inspired me to apply and experience Diller myself.
Q: What is one meaningful lesson or takeaway you’ve gained from your experience?
A: One big takeaway from Diller is how much power Jewish identity has to connect people. The members of our cohort are all very different— we come from different schools, different backgrounds, different parts of Baltimore. But being Jewish brought us all together and now has bonded us very deeply. Because of our shared identity, I’ve been able to meet so many people I might not have been able to otherwise. Diller has shown me how being Jewish will always have the power to connect people, no matter where you are.
Q: In what ways did you grow as a leader or as a person throughout the program?
A: Diller has helped me grow as a leader by giving us responsibility. Oftentimes, we as fellows had to plan activities or take initiative, whether it be polling each other on what swag item we should purchase or creating our own unique Havdallah service. This forced all of us to work together in order to reach our shared goal. This practice has really helped me in the real world and has made me a much better leader.
Q: How did participating in the program deepen your connection to Israel and your Jewish identity?
A: Diller strengthened my connection to Israel by introducing me to my match. Before the program, I had only been to Israel once back when I was 11. I hadn’t remembered much about it or what life was like there. But, through the program, I was able to meet an Israeli teen from the Ashkelon cohort. He has taught me all about life in Israel and seeing it through the eyes of someone very similar to me has really deepened my connection to Israel.
Q: What was one standout experience or moment from the program that had a lasting impact on you?
A: A standout experience from Diller was the very first Shabbaton I went on. Even though it was just for a few days, I was able to make lasting memories from it. From exciting scavenger hunts to meaningful Shabbat services and even some sledding, my first Shabbaton bonded me so much with the cohort. Being together away from our personal lives during Shabbat really helped us connect and strengthen the cohort as a whole.
Diller isn’t just a program, it is a space where connection, identity, and leadership come to life in a real way. The relationships built, the responsibility taken on, and the moments shared have all shaped how fellows show up in their community today. For teens ready to explore their identity, build lasting friendships, and grow as leaders, Diller is more than an opportunity. It’s an experience that stays with you long after the program ends.
