August 2015 - Page 2 of 2

Weekly Director’s Message – Week 5

Fun is good.

True, the ultimate goal of the education we aim to provide for our children is not that they have a great time. The pursuit of happiness does not trump all other ambitions and values in our lives. Yet, there is immeasurable value in the joy that we experience, and in proper balance that positive energy can translate into the fulfillment of a host of other objectives.

This week on NCSY Kollel was a whirlwind of excitement and an absolute blast. It’s hard to remember a week with more enthusiasm and smiles. We went from one high to the next, with little time in between. And most beautifully, rather than detract or distract from the rest of the program and the focus on religious growth, all of this excitement fueled the more formal learning activities in the most rem

arkable of ways.

We are often asked how high school boys can thrive in a summer environment with so many hours of classroom and beis medrash learning. There are many aspects to the answer, but one significant part was prominent in this week’s schedule. We recognize the NCSYers’ need to enjoy and to celebrate, and the importance in their exuberance and cheer. They deserve nothing less and we are very proud to offer it.

There is nothing quite like a Shabbos in the Old City of Yerushalayim, and that was our launching pad towards all the great events of the week. The soaring temperatures certainly presented a challenge (a recurring theme throughout our adventures of the past few days), but the special opportunity to spend time in such a unique and uplifting locale made it worthwhile. Davening at the Kotel and touring the Old City are almost guaranteed to provide a high level of inspiration. Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky led passionate and soulful singing throughout the weekend. But there were other highlights as well. We were enthralled with the presentations of Rav Gav Friedman, a popular lecturer from Aish HaTorah. Rav Gav (an NCSY Kollel alum) has a wildly entertaining style that keeps people laughing and engaged throughout his enlightening talk.s. Yet remarkably, so many commented that the absolute best part of the Shabbos was just experiencing normal life in such a holy place. A number of NCSYers observed how they felt more connected than regular tourists, because of the 6 week stay in Israel and the full Shabbos in the Old City. Just enjoying the ability to sit and join with friends was meaningful enough.

In the early part of the week there were more “highlights” that were also no more than “regular-lights.” Our sports league schedule continued to provide more than its share of thrills and excitement. The games have been wildly competitive and tremendous fun, and the outstanding energy on the courts often echoes through the rest of the day. As we head to playoffs next week, it should only intensify and provide even more of a lift.

Our mini tiyul lineup provides much of the same. These tiyulim vary greatly in content but invariably provide some excitement during the long (and hot) afternoon break. Whether featuring a hike or a jeep or biking or a museum, the tiyulim are engaging and stimulating, and never fail to introduce even more of the vitality and relevance of the land of Israel.

But these regular events were supplemented by a string of one awesome program after another in the heart of our week. The fun got started on Tuesday with our chabura basketball competitions and Staff vs. NCSYer Dodgeball extravaganza. Both of these contests accentuate fun and bonding in some of the greatest ways of the summer. They involve virtually all of the NCSYers and create a buzz that is like no other. The CIT’s walked away with the basketball title, while Eli Weinstein was top madrich. The NCSYers proved superior in dodgeball, but the NCSY Kollel as a whole was the biggest winner by far.

Tuesday night continued the momentum. It was a surprise concert from Simply Tzefat who were as explosive and moving as ever. It was the kind of ruach that can define a summer, and will not soon be forgotten. It should be added that this kind of excitement is not random or isolated. The power of a concert and dancing together affects the group in a number of ways, and is wholly consistent with the values and goals of other aspects of the learning program.

And one thing led directly to the next. Wednesday was a day for Chaburas, starting with learning and then heading back to Yerushalayim. Our own version of an amazing Scavenger Hunt and “Chabura Wars: Jersualem” took over the streets for the midday hours. Once again, this activity was marked by smiles, active participation, and bonding. What could be better? The challenges were expertly designed by our Director of Special Programs, Shlomo Stark, and each task had the mark of his creativity and innovation.

From there we went directly into Chabura Trips which accomplish so many of the goals of our regular tiyulim, but on a more intimate scale.

So after such an incredible day we returned to Beit Meir and called an early night. Ok, so maybe we didn’t…

Actually, we followed up with a late night trip to the newly opened IJump trampoline center, rented out for our group. It was simply perfect. The best word to describe the jumping and energy would be “exuberance.” Congrats to Aharon Heidmeman on winning the most unforgettable of slam dunk contests and to all of the NCSYers for an unforgettable night.

And we were still not done. Thursday was a party, albeit with 3 full rousing and intense regular learning slots, morning, afternoon and night. It started in the early afternoon when we hosted the boys from Morasha’s Sulam tour for learning and ball. The beis medrash had a festive yet focused tone, and it was beautiful to see the NCSYers interacting with the guys from Sulam in our Beis Medrash. From there we had our annual intercamp games. Two valiant efforts in basketball fell short- one on a buzzer beater- as we were swept in Hoops. But our hockey warriors saved the day with an epic 5 (!) overtime thrilling victory. It was both the longest and best attended hockey game in NCSY Kollel history, and Eitan Drazin rightfully took his place in NCSY Kollel Sports lore with his spectacular game winning goal. And of course, more smiles and exuberance ensued.

Which led right into the sports highlight of the summer, our 3 on 3 Tournament and Festival. While fewer games were played than a regular opening day (5 overtimes may thrill, but they also wreak havoc on a schedule…) there was still the incomparable excitement of NCSY Kollel 3 on 3s. Yeshiva University once again partnered with us to sponsor colorful jerseys, and they greatly enhanced the atmosphere and feel. The games were great, and gave us more chances to exult. There will be final rounds next week, and we look forward to more gripping games and great fun then.

The way these events lead to more learning is less a theory than a fact on the ground. The week ended in full NCSY Kollel style with a late night mishmar where the energy and happiness were transferred directly to the Beis Medrash.

This was simply a living example of the philosophy we described at the outset. We learn and play, and jump and pray. The relationship between the different aspects of what we do is beyond seamless; it is symbiotic. And we are proud of offering so much that creates joy for the great NCSYers who are committing themselves to such noble pursuits throughout the summer.

We should witness it continue throughout our remaing time together this summer, and beyond!

Wishing you only the best and a great Shabbos,

Moshe Benovitz

#Best.Week.Ever

What a way to end what was certainly one of the Best.Weeks.Ever!!!

On Wednesday morning, following Halacha Shiur in the morning, Chaburahs met in place of morning Shiur. After a brief Chaburah, each NCSYer would be spending a significant portion of the day together with their Madrichim. Together, all of the Chaburahs headed to Jerusalem for an amazing scavenger hunt within the Machane Yehuda/Ben Yehuda areas. Put together by Shlomo Stark, the scavenger hunt tested Chaburahs’ creativity, knowledge, and social skills through an number of hilarious, educational, and difficult challenges. Challenges ranged from a wide variety of categories, including some such as: finding a random person named David and taking a Chaburah selfie with him; giving an educational tour outside the house of Rav Aryeh Levin/Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook; asking a random person for walking directions from Jerusalem to Bnei Brak; and finding and taking a picture with a man with the longest beard your Chaburah could find. The competition was a tremendous amount of fun, and the NCSYers and Madrichim enjoyed the “hunting” together immensely.

Following the scavenger hunt, each Chaburah enjoyed a Chaburah trip, during which NCSYers and their respective Madrichim could spend the afternoon however they pleased. Each Chaburah spent the afternoon in their own unique way, whether it be enjoying lunch and relaxing at Cafe Rimon, having a Madden: NFL tournament at GameZone, or having a frisbee game in the park and going for ice cream. The day spent with their Chaburahs outside of the Beit Medrash setting was a great experience for NCSYers, and strengthened the bonds that will IY’H last a lifetime.

After returning to Beit Meir for a condensed night Seder, Kollel headed out again for an amazing night activity at iJump! At iJump, a massive trampoline-filled complex, with basketball hoops, foam pits, and dodge balls, Kollel bounced the night away. While many NCSYers flipped into the foam, others partook in a Slam-Dunk competition (won by Aaron Heideman, with his amazing through-the-legs slam), and many just enjoyed jumping to the music. Kollel returned to Beit Meir, wiped from all the amazing energy expended at iJump, and the incredible day they enjoyed.

Thursday was 3-on-3 day on NCSY Kollel! Prior to the festivities, Kollel welcomed Sulam to the Beit Medrash and the courts. After a joint Shiur with Rav Doni Marcus in the morning, Kollel faced off against Sulam on the hockey and basketball courts. While Sulam ended taking both of the nail-biting basketball games, the hockey game had a drastically different outcome. Tied after the three regulation periods, Kollel and Sulam pushed through overtime after overtime, yet the score remained deadlocked. Finally, during the fifth(!) overtime period, Eitan Drazin faked out the goalie to bury the winning goal in the back of the net, for a Kollel 3-2 victory. The epic game will certainly go down as one of the most amazing games in Kollel history!

One of the most anticipated activities of the summer, the annual 3-on-3 Tournament began after the inter-camp games with Sulam. Intense, exciting, and fast-paced games took place on all eight courts throughout the entire afternoon, as the number of teams remaining continued to dwindle down as the rounds progressed. Team shirts of all different colors – provided by the 3-on-3 Tournament’s generous sponsor, Yeshiva University – scattered the courts as teams faced off against one another in this adrenaline-pumping version of 3-on-3 basketball. With so many games having been played by so many teams, only a portion of the Tournament was completed, and it will resume beginning next Sunday.

Heading back to the Beit Medrash, NCSYers continued learning into our weekly late Thursday night Mishamar, despite all the tiring, incredible activities experienced over the last few days. It was amazing to see just how many NCSYers chose to end their amazing week with a strong night of learning Torah.

With the second free weekend already upon us, Kollel can’t wait to return refreshed for the final week of the Best.Summer.Ever!

Surprise Activities Galore!

What an amazing day to start off what is sure to be an amazing half-week on Kollel!

Following a regular morning, consisting of Shiur, Seder, and Chaburahs, a new twist was added into the sports schedule. After the first period of leagues, the annual “Chaburah Lineup Tournament” and “Madrichim vs. NCSYers Dodgeball” games were held on the basketball courts. The lineup tournament was exhilarating, basketballs flying back and forth as each member of the Chaburahs swapped in and out of the line. In the end, it was the CITs that won, as Eli Goldberg knocked out Rookie Rosenberg in the final round. In an intense game of dodgeball, just as the number of players remaining in the game began dwindling on both sides, the NCSYers scored the “money basket,” allowing all of the NCSYers back into the game. This pivotal turning point in the game ended up being the determining factor, as the NCSYers ultimately eliminated all of the Madrichim and won the game. It was an incredibly fun afternoon, but unbeknownst to the NCSYers, would not even be the most exciting activity of the day.

After Maariv, when the NCSYers believed they were beginning a special night Seder program, filled with a variety of speakers and Shiurim, they were informed that instead they would be partaking in an amazing surprise concert by the band “Simply Tzfat!” Kollel danced for hours as Simply Tzfat rocked the house, and an amazing time was had by all.

But this day of fun was only the beginning; with exciting activities planned for the rest of the week, including an amazing scavenger hunt, great trips, and the annual 3 on 3 tournament, NCSYers can’t wait for an amazing end to the week!

Buckling Down

While normal, full-schedule days are hard to come by on Kollel, thanks to the many exciting special activities always taking place, they are certainly some of the most enjoyable, successful days of the summer.

Both today and yesterday were such days, and they were nothing short of amazing. As the crux of the summer continues to pass, the NCSYers have gotten into an incredible routine consisting of high level learning and growing as well as exciting sports and activities. The learning during the morning Seder and Shiurim was second to none. The Chaburahs and special lectures by guests were informative, fun, and inspirational. The league games were full of competitive intensity, but more importantly, Middos and respect.

Night Seder on Kollel has been particularly strong these last two days. with the new cycle of night Shiurim and Chavrusas, each NCSYer has been growing in new areas, and the Beit Medrash has been thriving late at night, despite the intense heat and the exhaustion one might think it would bring. The number of post-Maariv Chavrusas has been steadily increasing, and the full Beit Medrash at such a late hour is truly a sight to behold.

While there are certainly plenty of special activities still to come before the summer’s end, we can’t wait to simply enjoy the regular days when they present themselves, and hope the success seen in them continues throughout – and beyond – the summer.

Chaburah Spotlight: Menachum Polack

This summer is Menachum Polack’s first summer on NCSY Kollel. As a homegrown Bostonian, he spent his youth attending Maimonides High School. After high school and a two-year stint at Yeshivat Torat Shraga, he began studying Finance at Yeshiva University.

The chaburah is made up of six of the best guys around: Hudi Aronovitz from Lawrence, NY; Adriel Bolour from Englewood, NJ; Shimmy Goldschein now residing in Efrat; Yoni Katz from Detroit, MI; Yosef Moskowitz from Mizpeh Yirichoh; and last but not least, Moshe Simon from Lawrence, NY.

The Chabura has already developed into a warm, tight knit unit, has developed a strong sense of camaraderie, and is aiming to grow as a team through both physical and spiritual experiences this summer.

Although our focus this summer has been the topic of Zimun, we have learned about a variety of topics such as the three weeks, the impact of תורה, and tefillah.

Menachum’s Chaburah prides themselves on being the leading Chaburah at “Chilling,” and sees this as a major asset to the growth and success of the Chuaburah as a whole.

Sports Update

Clash of the Brothers!

In an unprecedented day on Kollel, a staggering five pairs of brothers faced off against each other today in leagues:

(Younger Brother) Ezra Wildes and team “Proud To Be an Ivry” defeated Yosef Wildes and team “Kamp Horn,” 67-51.

(Older Brother) Leib Weiner and team “Siyata Dishmaya” defeated Ephraim Weiner and team “NCSY Benchers,” 47-43.

(Twins) Eli Goldberg and team “Fear the Beards” defeated Yoni Goldberg and team “Commish’s Crew,” 64-59.

In hockey, (Younger Brother) Yitzie Scheinman (G) and team “Fork” defeated Dani Scheinman (G) and team “Knife,” 2-0.

(Older Brother) Shimmy Keller and team “Table” defeated Moshe Keller and team “Plate,” 5-0.

In Kollel’s first soccer tournament of the summer, team Belgium leads the standings as we head into elimination rounds tomorrow and later this week.

Check back for future sports updates, as playoffs begin next week!