An Oswego East High School sophomore has been picked to participate in a 15-month international leadership program for Jewish teens.

Lizzy Katz was chosen by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago to participate in the Diller Teen Fellows, a program that includes a three-week trip to Israel. 

She was selected for her leadership abilities, commitment to learning about Jewish culture, interest in Jewish identity and for her passion for serving the community.

Over the coming weeks, Katz and 19 other Chicago-area teens will participate in a series of monthly seminars and weekend retreats designed to nurture future generations of leaders with strong Jewish identities, a love of Israel and respect for pluralism. 

The Chicago program is a first for the region and runs concurrently with mirror programs across the United States and in Canada and Israel.

In the spring, Katz and the other youths will embark on a three-week tour of Israel, traveling, volunteering and exploring the Middle East nation with other Diller participants, including teens from Israel. 

Upon returning from Israel, the teens will participate in activities that promote social justice. Communities in Canada and the U.S. will later host visits Israeli counterparts.

The Diller Teen Fellows program is funded by the Helen Diller Family Foundation, in partnership with the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of the Metropolitan Chicago. The international Diller program began in 1997. 

The program has graduated more than 2,000 Teen Fellows, creating a network of young Jewish leaders throughout the world.

–News Bulletin news sources