Teen Diplomat: How a 16-Year-Old Connects Hearts Across the Globe

A special diplomatic award ceremony took place recently, honoring social entrepreneurs in various fields, under the banner "Bridge of Hope." Among the four recipients in Israel was the remarkable 16-year-old Yair Cohen, recognized for his efforts in bridging hearts during wartime.

"I was both excited and surprised," he admits. "I didn't plan on receiving an award—I didn't even apply. But of course, I was thrilled. I had to arrive 45 minutes late to the ceremony because of a language exam, missing only the welcome."

From Weekly Torah Portions to Ethics of the Fathers

Cohen's journey began at age eight with a newfound hobby: watching weekly Torah portion videos by Rabbi Eliyahu Rabi. "I diligently watched them, sometimes multiple times a day," he explains. "Then I decided I wanted to create similar videos. I shared this with my mom, and we took on the initiative together."

For eight years now, Yair and his mother have been producing weekly Torah videos. "Mom writes the scripts, carefully reviewed by rabbis, and passes them to me. I film, edit, and distribute them to a large subscriber group. Today, we have thousands of followers worldwide."

But that was only the beginning. "We decided to create videos on Psalms as well, covering each chapter, and then moved on to other ideas. Now, we continue with weekly Torah videos and also shoot content on Ethics of the Fathers, relevant for this time of year."

A Project of Hope

Cohen's work gained momentum with the outbreak of the Iron Swords War. "Right after Simchat Torah, sensing unprecedented events in the country, I felt the collective pain and confusion. I wanted to contribute in my own way. Living in Ra'anana, my life goes on as usual, but I want to use my filming and editing skills for the public."

"That's how I started the 'Story of Your Life' project, where I interview prominent figures who share their struggles and inspiring successes. This initiative is meant to encourage, connect, and offer hope. I've even received a heartfelt letter from the President and a moving video from the Knesset Speaker. Currently, I'm preparing for the fifth season of this project."

One project leads to another for Cohen. During last Purim, he launched 'Ambassadors of Hope,' connecting Israel with the world. "In collaboration with the Foreign Ministry, we gathered video messages from Israeli ambassadors worldwide, expressing support and encouragement during difficult times. I felt a strong need to boost our nation's morale with hopeful voices from all Israeli embassies globally."

When informed about his award two months ago, Cohen prepared a reverse project for the event. "This time, I reached out to foreign ambassadors in Israel, representing each continent, asking for hopeful messages for Independence Day. It required significant effort, but with the help of the Embassy Club and experience from the previous project, I succeeded."

Balancing Act: Teen and Entrepreneur

You're only 16—where do you find the courage to launch worldwide projects?

"That's a question for eight years ago, when I made my first videos. Since then, I've created so many that it no longer feels daunting."

How do you balance such initiatives with school?

"That's a good question. I had to arrive late to a ceremony because of an exam; interviews for initiatives often occurred when my class celebrated events and I was in the hallway, finding a quiet spot to talk.

"This year, entering the notoriously tough 11th grade, I knew I had to be organized to balance my plans with academics. I anticipated the workload, planning a month and a half to two months in advance. This allows me to manage time between tasks, thinking creatively about every meeting or call. It's not just about fitting everything into the schedule but thinking outside the box."

What's your next project?

"The next project is my math exams," Cohen smiles. "I'm not planning anything until I recover from those, but then I'll continue with season five of 'Story of Your Life,' along with a few surprises."