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Summer 2019

Kollel Guest Book – Rabbi Simcha Willig

Today we welcomed Rabbi Simcha Willig, former madrich and part of the ncsy kollel family!

August 15th- Final Countdown

Today was the final ‘regular’ day on the Kollel but there was certainly nothing regular about it at all. After a rocking final morning seder, all of the Rabbeim were called up to the front of the beis medresh for a picture while the NCSYers gave very leibodik applauses reflecting the tremendous hakaras hatov that they have for their Rabbeim. Rabbi Issacson deliverers words of inspiration on behalf of the Rabbeim.
Today was a packed afternoon. There was a mini tiyul to Meah Sheurim in which the NCSYers were given kugel and received some free time. There was also a trip to the famous Gezer softball field.

Back in Beit Meir, there was a wild pool party that was loads of fun. Today was also the playoffs. After reaching triple ot on Wednesday and not having time to complete their game, two teams picked up where they left off in a heated matchup. The semi finals for the basketball league was completed today and there is a buzz around the campus in anticipation of Friday’s championship game. The afternoon also included a Rebbe vs. Talmid basketball game in which the Rabbeim won by four points.
The final night seder ended off with a bang. After mariv, Rav Burg delivered his final shiur if the summer. After that, chaburahs met for special night chaburot. Then, Rabbi Lebowitz led his yearly siyum on a seder of mishnayot and spoke about the value and accomplishment that can occur by committing to learn just 2 Mishnayos a day. Rabbi Israeli also made a siyum after begging the 2 mishnayos a day last summer. The sit in procession was concluded by Zev Miller, a former Madrich and NCSYer on the program who made a small commitment 6 years ago and tonight completed Shas mishnayos. The night concluded with a lively Yis Richter lead kumzitz.

August 14th- Victory Parade

Today was a pretty amazing day on the NCSY Summer Kollel as we started the best possible way, morning shiur. Although the second to last one of the summer the learning was stronger than ever. Going into lunch the excitement in the room was palpable. Not only were the NCSYers running on a high from their morning shiurim but the playoffs were coming in the afternoon.

 

Great match-ups were featured as more than one game went into overtime and Danny Weinberger looked to take down the camps only undefeated team you couldn’t build more hype. Unfortunately Weinberger and his squad fell and the dream team remains unbeaten but there still we’re other upsets. Bennett Stein and his men continue to roll as they have won three straight and the Pom Poms won in double overtime. Hockey featured 1-0 games as well as a big upset where Eli Shapiro and his team showed grit to upset the number 2 team in the league.

 

The afternoon also featured a unique twist on the classic “All-Star” formula. 6 Basketball teams were formed based on the very best NCSYers from a particular High School or geographical location. These teams squared off in a round-robin which featured some intense rivalries, such as the Chicago crowd getting a crack at the DRS squad and “the yeshivish velt” duking it out with the team from co-ed schools. Many of these match-ups were the culmination of a summer of friendly trash talk and banter and this afternoon we finally got to see which crew would be crowned “King of the Blacktop”.

 

After the games “ended” (one game will be continued due to light shortages) the Kollel went to the old City for a banquet at Aish. After eating burgers bar and Doritos and enjoying an short recap video we joined together to present a gift to Rabbi Kaminetsky honoring his 25th summer. After sitting for a little it was clear the room needed to let out some energy so what better way than SHLOMO KATZ! Singing, dancing and jumping filled the room as the whole place shook. Finally after the dust settled and nachamu was sung we headed down to the kotel to daven mariv. Just a regular day on the Kollel where energy and enthusiasm are channeled into learning, sports, and dancing. How could it not be the Best. Summer. Ever.!

 

August 13th- Finishing Strong

The days of Kollel are unfortunately numbered but the days and campers are as fresh as ever. Today saw a unique schedule hit the Kollel as we try to squeeze as much as possible into our remaining days.

 

The usual morning shire was occupied by chaburas as madrichim took advantage of the change to inject some variety into the routine learning. This was followed by a special program detailing all of the attractions and events NCSY will be running for Kollel alumni this upcoming year. Kollel is meant to be more than a summer program and all the reunions, learning events, and shabbatons will surely reflect that. The campers walked away confident that all their work and growth over the summer would follow them into the year, as well as poised to bring the spirit of NCSY Kollel back into their communities.

 

The main activity of the afternoon was a trip with two options. Option 1 was bowling in Beit SHemesh which was enjoyed by all its attendees. Option 2 was a rented-out iJump Trampoline Park which saw the NCSYers flip, skip, and jump their way around some massive trampolines. Traditional games, like dodgeball, tag, and basketball, were enjoyed a little more with all the participants being able to soar through the air and perform some remarkable acrobatic feats.

 

The penultimate night seder was followed by one of the strongest post-Maariv learnings of the summer, with the Beis being occupied well past midnight. With so few days left, every second counts, a message which the NCSYers must have hear loud and clear.

August 12th- Comforts

Following Tisha Baav, Kollel was back to full strength! It was the last day of a regular/official full schedule. In the morning the Beis Medrash was booming with the sound of Torah! The atmosphere was electric, as we started the final week off with an absolute bang!

In the afternoon, it was the first official round of the playoff bracket! There were many exciting games that came down to be wire, including a couple of upsets! It was a a great start to what promises to be an amazing postseason.

Chaburahs for the most part were regular, but many had the opportunity to hear from Rav Ari Waxman of Shaalvim. In addition there were two outstanding mini-tiyulim. There was a small hike near Beit Meir called Tel Azeka that overlooked many great places, including the area of where Dovid fought Goliat. Also, many people went to Kraft stadium for some flag football.

Night Seder was regular, yet still very exciting as only a couple remain for the summer. Post-Maariv chavrusas were shteiging, with plenty of different shuirim options as well, highlighted by Rav horns 20-minute topic! Overall, it was an awesome first day of the final week on Kollel!

Kollel Guest Book – Rabbi Chayim Soloveichik

We welcomed Rav Chayim Soloveichik, Rav of Kehilat Ohr Shalom in Ramat Beit Shemesh & Rebbe in Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim to speak tonight during one of our night shiurim.

Kollel Guest Book – Rabbi Ari Waxman

Today we welcomed Rav Ari Waxman, Menahel of the overseas program at Yeshivat Shalavim. Rav Waxman spent time catching up with staff members and gave a guest chaburah!

Chaburah Spotlight – Michael Fagin

Michael Fagin is 20 years old and is currently enjoying his third summer on NCSY Kollel. He attended Drs and Hakotel and will be in YU this upcoming year. This is Michael’s first year as a Madrich.

 

Michael’s chaburah is made up of 5 of the best guys around: Netanel Belgrade from Teaneck (Teaneck high); Bram Hoffman from Cleveland (Shaker Heights High School); Avi Nessim from Atlantic Beach (North Shore Hebrew Academy); Jacob Zaldin from Toronto (Chattannenbaum); and Kyle Zaldin from Toronto (Chattannenbaum).

 

This summer, Michael’s chaburah will be focusing on Yomim Tovim. They will be learning about a variety of topics including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, succos, Chanukah, and much, much more. The goal of the learning is to grow in skills and commitment.

 

The summer has been great so far and it should only get better from here!

Chaburah Spotlight- Eitan Kaszovitz

Eitan Kaszovitz is 20 years old (turning 21 in October) and is currently enjoying his 6th summer on NCSY Kollel. He attended DRS and Shaalvim and will begin his second year at YU. This is Eitan’s second year as a Madrich.

 

Eitan’s chaburah is made up of [] of the best guys around: Tzvi Abrams from Lincolnwood (Skokie); Moshe Coronel from Woodmere (DRS); Reuvi Kupchik from Chicago (Skokie); Azi Rottenberg from Lawrence (Rambam); and Yosef Schafler from Long Beach (DRS).

 

This summer, Eitan’s chaburah will be focusing on Klalei Hamitzvos. They will be learning about a variety of topics including Birchas Hamitzvah, Hiddur Mitzvah, and much, much more. The goal of the learning is to see the depth in lomdus and hashkafah of the specific details that surround our performance of mitzvos.

 

The summer has been great so far and it should only get better from here!

Chaburah Spotlight- Zev Jarashow

Zev Jarashow is 20 years old and is currently enjoying his 3rd summer on NCSY Kollel. He attended TABC and Shaalvim and will be in YU thus year. This is Zev’s second year as a Madrich.

 

Zev’s chaburah is made up of 6 of the best guys around: Ezra Kopstick from Bergenfield (TABC); Yaakov Sacks from Bergenfield (TABC); Asher Rauzman from Teaneck (TABC); Yair Koinengsberg from Modiin (Lapid); Dovid Lanner from Boca Raton Florida (KYHS); and Akiva Kroll from Riverdale (SAR).

 

This summer, Zev’s chaburah will be focusing on Sugyas in Talmud Torah. They will be learning about a variety of topics including Being mishamesh talmudei chachamim, the Mitzvah to write a Sefer Torah, shnayim Mikra, and much, much more. The goal of the learning is to introduce everyone to the enjoyment of Torah through learning iyun sugyas. .

 

The summer has been great so far and it should only get better from here!