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Summer 2016

NCSY Kollel – Summer 2016 Recap

A recap of NCSY Kollel 2016.

Thank you to Dani Scheinman for putting together the video.

Final Director’s Message – “All in One”

The NCSY Kollel is not a program that crawls to the finish line or peters out towards the end.  We finish with a bang, not a whimper.   In fact, our final week together provides a disproportionate amount of the impact and memories from the entire summer.

This year was no exception, and offered a unique week that reached almost unprecedented heights.

Our reflections on this week kept bringing us back to the theme of “All in One.”  This phrase has at least three distinct implications.

First, this was a week of all in one in the “e pluribus unum” sense of the words.  It can be fairly claimed that what makes our last days on the program so very special is not a particular event, but the unifying spirit and camaraderie that accompanies even more mundane programming.  Certainly, real camaraderie and brotherhood needs time to develop and strengthen.  There is simply no comparison in what we are as a group today to what we were in Ben Gurion airport 5½ weeks ago.

The “one” of NCSY Kollel was displayed prominently throughout the week, but likely most significantly in our “Kumsitz of the World” at the Kotel.  This one of a kind highlight of the summer showcases so much of what is great about our summer, our community, and the Jewish people.  The kumsitz reflects shared values and history, as well as the power of youthful idealism and hope.  But it also is a shining, bright example of our unity and strength together.  This is evident both on the external and internal levels.  It remains most remarkable how many people and how many kinds of people join us at the Kotel plaza.   Few events anywhere capture the attention and imagination of so many different Jewish communities like the Tisha B’Av kumsitz.  It is a real manifestation of the most optimistic prophecy of Jeruslalem’s ability to bind us, and a living example of the most hopeful Kotel painting.  But there is also something that happens there to our group itself.  The combined experience of mourning together and of creating something of such meaning and beauty firmly establishes NCSY Kollel as a family and a most cooperative enterprise.  The Kotel kumsitz has no NCSYers or staff, no 10th graders or 11th, no DRS or YULA, yeshiva or public school.  It is simply a community of committed Jews, and the best of NCSY Kollel.

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From the transcendent to the silly, but still striking the same notes:  Our sports thrills were punctuated by many special events to mark the end of the NCSY Kollel season and to supplement the playoff schedule.  One annual NCSY Kollel classic is the dodgeball game that pits the entire NCSYer population against the formidable size and number of our great staff.  This is the rare sporting event that includes upwards of 200 people on a single field.  It is also a competition that breeds togetherness rather than division.  The pregame NCSYer huddle needs to be seen and felt to be understood.  Other big games created a similar effect.  The Rebbe-NCSYer game is always a chance to promote the impressive basketball skills of our talented (albeit ever-aging) staff.  But it also takes advantage of the way sports can unify like little else.  Not only the individual teams benefited from these bonds; they were very evident in the fist bumps and knowing nods of appreciation that passed between “opponents” too.   We won’t keep you in suspense much longer- long range shooting prowess made the difference, and the NCSYers recorded a somewhat rare victory over the Rabbis.  But mission accomplished, regardless of the final score.

The culmination of a week of being together was our closing banquet and concert at Reishit.   It’s hard to imagine a better exclamation point to a phenomenal summer.  From the emotional siyum, to the staff tributes, to the incredible food and mostly the incomparable Shlomo Katz, it was a night of smiles and memories.  But the dance circles, video recap montage, and keynote addresses all were, again, exhibitions of the achievements we have made in unity and harmony.  All in one, and an enduring feeling of connection.

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A second implication derives from the perspective of this week as a microcosm of the wider NCSY Kollel experience.  All the ingredients of a great summer were present and accounted for in a mere 7 days.  It was an entire summer experience (“all”) in just a week (“one”).

What is NCSY Kollel about?  Well, let’s start by returning to last week’s theme and a focus on Eretz Yisroel with creative and unforgettable tiyulim.  Check.  This week we offered options like the spectacular Nachal Darja, our inimitable Food Tiyul, and the Dialogue in the Dark (or “Blind Museum”) experience.  Each provided a fresh outlook and meaningful interaction.  The challenging cliffs of Darja build character and strength, and develop a sense of awe for nature and the land.  The Food Tiyul showcases the beauty of Israel’s farmland and culinary culture, while offering satiating and stimulating delights.  And the Blind Museum always succeeds in opening up the NCSYers to the challenges and perspectives of others.  The tiyulim collectively provided a lift to the middle of the week and generated energy and enthusiasm that carried through all other activities.

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What else makes a summer something special?  Well, a full complement of heart racing playoff games certainly doesn’t hurt.  There is nothing quite like NCSY Kollel ball and hockey, and all of what it offers was on display this week.  The games were intense and extremely well played, but also measured and kept in line with our overall educational focus.  We crowned deserving champions in basketball, hockey, and 3 on 3 tournaments.  There were actually co-champions in Basketball, but more on that in a different post.  The courts are a hub of buzzing activity and big smiles, and they are at the heart of much of what we do here.

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But no ballgame can ever overshadow what goes on within the walls of our Beis Medrash.  And the climactic shiurim and chaburahs always bring a glorious combination of excitement, closeness, and sublime satisfaction for jobs well done.  Our final Thursday night mishmar (with the requisite late night siyum and refreshments) was of particular note.  At midnight we were still over 80% strong.  What a sight!  There was not an iota of external compulsion or pressure.  It was simply the place that so many wanted to be as the summer’s end drew near.

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Saying goodbye to our remaining Roshei Yeshiva also brought home how impactful their stay has been.  Rav Twersky and Rav Sobolofsky (along with Rav Schachter and Rav Sacks earlier this summer) have been central to all the NCSY Kollel stands for, and provided guidance, inspiration, and scholarship on an unrivaled level.  More on that in a bit.

These elements work together because of the undercurrent of energy that flows through NCSY Kollel.  There is an indefatigable NCSY sprit that permeates the program.  In truth, it exists even in daily shiurim, sports, and one on one exchanges, but it is off the charts at certain distinct and special times.  Shabbos Chazon and Tisha B’Av were prime examples of this spirit.  NCSY has long understood and relied on the power of song and the need to generate emotion and feeling as we learn and grow.  There was a more tangible educational element to our Tisha B’Av preparations and program, but at the core there were a passion and spirit that motivated everything else that we experienced.  This was certainly the case with the Shlomo Katz concert as well.  There was just an overwhelming and uplifting energy throughout the evening.  Singing and dancing with friends, madrichim, and rabbeim in celebration of a summer of learning and growth is as good a feeling as one could have.

The third idea of “All in One” is a bit less obvious.  Our program hardly lacks for pomp and fanfare.  Whether it is a water-park or an inter-camp game, daily visits from community leaders and shiurim from renowned scholars, or supersized tiyulim and YouTube worthy sports action, there is always a spotlight on the NCSY Kollel big stage.  Yet the greatness of the program is very clearly in the softer moments we share, and often involve the individual and his achievements, even without a press release or highlight reel.  A few simple examples:  One night this week a 10th grader from the Midwest was observed walking out of his night shiur in conversation with Rav Twersky.  They stopped for a minute to focus fully on the point being made.  Where else would such an exchange be possible?  As Rav Sobolofsky was leaving, a different NCSYer ran over to ask a staffer if he had Rav Sobolofsky’s email address.  He had a follow up question that he didn’t get to ask and was looking forward to continuing the discusson…

It is common to see an NCSYer in the corner of the Beis Medrash in silent devotion to prayer and improving this aspect of his relationship with Jewish practice.  Some will work tirelessly to overcome struggles with gemara, while others will set quite ambitious learning goals and enjoy the thrill of surpassing them.  Still others will dedicate serious time to changing their social persona or attitude on a sports field.  It is a magical place that tries to allow each participant to succeed and thrive on a level appropriate for him.  So there is clearly an “all” that describes 225 NCSYers collectively making their mark on the summer program landscape and the greater world, but it all comes down to the “one” of the individual growth and religious commitment.  These are built up, NCSYer by NCSYer, in the most remarkable of ways.

It has been our honor and privilege to observe this first hand this summer and to dutifully report on such great nachas and pride.  We are grateful for the confidence you have had in us, and for sharing your most precious of gifts with us this summer.  We are sorry to see the summer come to a close but we are filled with excitement for our last weekend and pride in what we have done together.  Above all, our summer here has renewed our confidence in the Jewish future and we can’t wait to share endless success with your sons for many years to come.

Wishing you a great Shabbos.

With gratitude,

Benovitz, Moshe (1)

Moshe Benovitz

“2 Seconds Everyday” – Summer 2016

A new craze sweeping the social media world, this “2 Seconds Everyday” video captures the entire NCSY Kollel Summer 2016 in 2 second video clips for every day of the summer!!! Here’s to remembering every second!

Banquet at Reishit

As the final day of NCSY Kollel approaches, the end-of-summer festivities began today with a banquet for the entire Kollel at Yehivat Reishit in Beit Shemesh.  After a great morning filled with the enthusiasm of the second to last day of morning shiur and an afternoon of intense playoff games, the entire program boarded the buses and we made our way to Reishit’s beautiful campus.  For over 3 hours, we enjoyed an amazing catered dinner of schwarma, schnitzel, and carved meat.  We got the opportunity to watch the always-nostalgic end-of-the-summer video, and Rabbi Benovitz took some time to express hakaras hatov to many of the Rabbeim and staff members who have done so much for the program with the presentation of a seforim.  The night finally ended with an incredible round of dancing led by none other than Shlomo Katz before making our way back to Beit Meir.

Once back,  Kollel called an audible with night chaburahs, which lasted until nearly 11:00 pm, and that was quickly followed by a host of post-night seder shiurim and chavursas that kept the Beis rocking late into the night.

We are looking forward with both sadness and excitement to our last regular day tomorrow and the final Shabbos that follows!

Sports Update: Poleyeffs Day 2!!!

We are down to the final four in each league after another exhilarating day of Poleyeffs action!!

In the basketball Poleyeffs, the top 3 seeds all made quick work of their opponents en route to spots in the semifinals.  Eye of the Tiger (3) beat Bak at it Again… (6) and The Mehlman (2) beat Ciment Brick Layers (7), both in blowouts, to set up a must-see semifinal matchup.  The Prime Ministers (1) also defeated their opponent, JoSackic (9), with authority, and they will try to dash the hopes of this year’s Cinderella story, Where is Faivish (13), who followed up their first round upset with a win over another higher seed, Wex Marks the Spot (12).

The NIT Tournament is winding down as well, and some may argue that it’s just as intense as the regular Poleyeff bracket.  Day 2 saw a couple of upsets and the stirrings of a good old-fashioned NIT Cinderella run with the advancement of Wounded Warriors (30) over Persins of the Book (22).  They’ll attempt to continue their magical run when they face Golden Horns (23), winners of their game against The Benchwarmers (31).  Yerushalayim, Senter of the World (21) continued their dominance with a victory over The Danish Pastry Shop (29), and they’re set to face Berlin Bralers (24), who knocked out top-seeded Gold-man Saks (17), for a spot in the NIT Championship.

The excitement and intensity of the hockey Poleyeffs was tangible throughout the camp today after two of the four games went to sudden-death overtime, and three of the four games were won by only a goal.  Josh Fagin and Dude (3) took out Loofa (6) 1-0 in OT, and  Jakey Friedman’s Soap Rack (5) fell to Sink (4) 2-0.  Squeegee (2) just got by Commissioner Poleyeff and Tub (10), and the longest game of the day ended in a double-OT 1-0 victory for Shower (1) against Curtain (9).  With all of the top 4 seeds advancing to the semifinals, some of the league’s best talent is sure to be on display tomorrow.

The intensity will certainly be upped tomorrow as teams try to book their spots in the championship games, and stay tuned as we will finally crown a winner for the advanced bracket of the 3-on-3 Tournament!!

Kollel Guestbook 2016 – Elliot Tanzman

Elliot Tanzman, Director of NCSY Summer recruitment and former member of the Kollel himself, visits the Kollel Beis Medrash following his trip with NCSY Euro Ice, schmoozes with many of the Madrichim about their summer and the upcoming plans for NCSY Kollel.

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Elliot Tanzman (right) talks with Madrich Shimmy Keller (middle) and CIT Mordechai Abittan (left).

“Exactly 10 years since my Best.Summer.Ever and the Kollel feels the same, smells the same, and inspires the same. To see 224 unique Torah hungry Jews makes all the work and travel we do completely worth it.” – Elliot Tanzman

Final Tiyul Day

With the finale of the summer almost in sight, Kollel enjoyed three final amazing full-day tiyuls today.

The first (and earliest to wake-up) was one of the most famous Kollel tiyulim, and a true favorite of the program – Darja.  NCSYers left in the early hours of the morning and experienced one of the hardest and most thrilling hikes of the summer, spanning over 5 hours.

The second trip, known only as the “Food” option, contained just that.  The day began with outings to a cheese factory, where NCSYers made cheese from scratch, and a bread factory to make hot pretzels.  The most exciting part of that tiyul, however, came when the NCSYers got to learn the halachos of shechita firsthand.  They were able to witness the live shechita of a lamb, including the entire process of making it into kosher meat, and they ended by eating the meat fresh off the grill.

The final tiyul option took NCSYers to a variety of places.  The day started at Ben and Jerry’s and moved on to another fan favorite, the Blind Museum.  After that incredible experience, the group split up to go to two different go-karting locations, and they all met up at Halo Teiman for a schwarma dinner.

The day was an incredible way to end off the outstanding line of tiyulim this summer, and it certainly energized us for the final stretch!!

Sports Update: Poleyeffs!!!


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Playoffs?!?!  Playoffs?!?!  That’s right, it’s Poleyeff time (named after our Commish, Tzvika Poleyeff) on NCSY Kollel!!  Both the basketball and hockey playoffs are off to an exciting start, with quarterfinal games being played tomorrow.

With the increase in league size to 32 teams this year for basketball, the poleyeff field was expanded to include the top 16 seeds, with the NIT Tournament including the remaining 16.  The first round proved to be an exciting one as 3 higher seeds were upset, including both the 4 and 5 seeds.  The Prime Ministers (1) showed why they’re the top seed in their defeat of Kops and Burglers (16), setting up a second round matchup with JoSackic (9) after their upset of Hirschey Flavored Tabako (8).  The Mehlman (2) beat Jed-Eiz (15) convincingly, and they’re slated to play Ciment Brick Layers (7), who took down Frisch Rabbis (10).  Eye of the Tiger (3) were tested by Shooting Blanks (14), but they ultimately pulled out the victory by 2 points.  They’ll see DOBO (Director of Basketball Operations) Yisroel Benovitz and Bak at it Again… (6), owners of by far the most convincing first round victory, an 82-40 defeat of MiLobCity (11).  The two biggest upsets of the day both came in down-to-the-wire thrillers.  The first saw a blown 13-point lead, a late game-tying 3, and two clutch free throws by Leo Rubin in the final seconds that put Where is Faivish (13) into the next round over Kermit the Fish (4).  The other upset came down to the final moments as Efraim Saks’ halfcourt shot rimmed out at the buzzer to see Wex Marks the Spot (12) advance over Young Wild and Free (5).  The combination of those upsets ensures that there will be a double-digit seed in the semifinals, as the 12 and the 13 will meet in the quarters.

The NIT Tournament also saw its share of first round excitement.  Wounded Warriors (30) beat Sephardi Party (19) in an instant NIT Classic, a 50-49 OT victory, and The Benchwarmers (31) provided the day’s biggest upset in their win over Bennie Sanders (18).  The biggest story of the day however, was Yerushalayim, Senter of the World (21), led by Rabbi Lebowitz, and their 12-point victory over Florida Fishmen (28), despite being down a player and playing the entire game 4 on 5.  Elsewhere in the bracket, The Danish Pastry Shop (29) defeated Two Much Wain (20), and Persins of the Book (22) beat Fied Me Bergers (27) to advance.  Gold-man Saks (17) and Berlin Bralers (24) set up a second round meeting with their victories over “Louk, I am Your Father” (32) and String of Fine Pearls (25), respectively, and Golden Horns (23) beat Blooming Greens (26) to move on.

Finally, the hockey Poleyeffs began with two tight play-in games for the final two quarterfinal spots.  After the first 6 seeds received automatic byes to the Final 8, the bottom 4 teams played for their chance to join the main bracket.  Commish Tzvika Poleyeff and Tub (10) squeezed out a 2-1 win over Hook (7) to set up a matchup with 2-time champion Sam Gelman and Squeegee (2).  Meanwhile, Chaim Portal scored 4 minutes into OT to push Curtain (9) past Drain (8) 1-0 and set up their matchup with the top-seeded Shower (1).  Dude (3) and Loofa (6) will also face off, with Sink (4) and Soap Rack (5) rounding out the field of 8.

Everyone is gearing up for an exciting second round as we get closer to naming league champions!!

Chaburah Spotlight – Binyamin Kaminetsky

Binyamin Kaminetsky is returning for his staggering ninth consecutive summer as an official member of the NCSY Kollel. After two years as an NCSYer, he subsequently served as a member of the Sports Staff and as a Jr. Madrich, before spending five years as a Madrich, including two as a Division Head, and this year filling the role of Assistant Head Madrich. Binyamin is from Woodmere and attended DRS for high school, followed by a two-year stint in Shaalvim and a third year learning in Mir Yeshiva. He then returned to YU and graduated this year with a BA in Computer Science.

 

The guys in BK’s Bura are Josh Beer (Woodmere, DRS), Binyamin Buchbinder (Teaneck, MTA), Jon Gibber (Teaneck, MTA), Meir Jacoby (Teaneck, Heichal HaTorah), Chaim Kazlow (Teaneck, MTA), and Roni Kupchik (West Hempstead, DRS), all returnees looking for even more in their second summer on Kollel. Shortly after the summer began, they welcomed the addition of point-forward Caleb Milobsky (Denver, Cooper) to the crew, which put to rest all challenges to their self-proclaimed title of “best ball Chabura” on Kollel, and immediately livened up the Chabura WhatsApp group.

 

It’s not only on the basketball court that Binyamin’s Chabura excels. These guys don’t play any games in the Beis Medrash either. You can find them every afternoon in the old cubby-room enclave, debating the intricacies of the Sugyos in the 8th Perek of Sanhedrin, including Rodeif and Ba BaMachteres. When learning the Gemaras and Rishonim, much of the emphasis is placed on learning to ask the right questions, and how to use both those questions and some of their answers to flesh out the deeper underpinnings of the Sugya. Often, when one of the guys understands a point or comes up with an answer before the others, he will be the one to explain it to the rest of the Chabura, encouraging a true group learning dynamic. More than just learning what to do, these Gemaras can teach valuable lessons about the value of a life, the severity of committing sins, and how to strike the appropriate balance when the two values come in conflict. On Thursdays, the guys get a taste of BK’s trademark Machshava Chaburas, which pool from an eclectic array of sources to bring out different ways to look at life and oneself a little more deeply. And finally, on Shabbos, the Chabura focuses on Tefillah, specifically on understanding the Shmoneh Esrei. The same model of asking questions and using them to uncover a deeper understanding is used to gain a greater appreciation for this all-important prayer.

 

Binyamin and the boys are have had a rocking summer so far, with even bigger and better things on the horizon as we enter the final stretch of an unbelievable summer.

 

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A Day of Inspiration

Yesterday, NCSY Kollel experienced Tisha B’av in a way that only they can.  The words of Rabbi Lebowitz and the singing of Rabbi Kaminetsky set the tone as the sun set on an uplifting Shabbos Chazon and the fast began.  The night contained inspirational, Tisha B’av themed optional activities, like a seder on the gemarah of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza and an amazing pitch-black Kumzitz in the annex Beis Medrash.

The morning provided an incredible Kinnos experience, as every Kinnah was introduced by a Rebbe or madrich, giving us the opportunity to truly connect to what we were saying.  Following optional themed movies in the afternoon, the entire Kollel made its way to the Kotel for the “Kumzitz of the World”.  Over a thousand Jews of every background gathered around us as we sang our hearts out right in front of the spot where the Beis Hamikdash once stood.  The kumzitz can only truly be described as inspirational, and the sight was truly one to behold.

Hopefully the inspiration and spiritual uplift that we took from Tisha B’av will propel us through our final week of learning, and we can’t wait to spend next Tisha B’av together in a rebuilt Yerushalayim, b’meheira v’yameinu amen.