Yaakov Kaminetsky is 19 years old and is currently enjoying his 19th summer on NCSY Kollel. He has had the privilege of being part of the Kollel as a staff-kid from the time he was born. While he has certainly been there for a quite a while, every summer has something new to offer. This summer is especially unique because this is Yaakov’s first summer as a Madrich on NCSY Kollel.

Yaakov’s Chaburah is made up of six of the best guys around: Avi Steinberg from Cedarhurst, New York (Darchei Torah); Alex Papilsky from Woodmere, New York (DRS); Raffi Klausner from Southfield, Michigan (Farber High School); Yair Sturm from Woodmere, New York (DRS); Yisroel Cohen from from Bergenfield, New Jersey (Heichal Hatorah); and Avraham Bernstein from Woodmere, New York (DRS).

This summer, Yaakov’s Chaburah will be focusing on the fourth perek of Maseches Brachos, which talks about the halachos of tefilla. They will be learning about a variety of topics including zmanei tefilla, tashlumin, vasikin, and much, much more. Many of the topics they will be learning this summer are very practical, which will hopefully make it more exciting for everybody involved.

The events of today, both during and after the 17th of Tammuz fast, highlighted NCSY Kollel’s extraordinary ability to transition from inspiration and meaning back to the enjoyment that we experience on a daily basis.

The morning did not differ much from a regular day, with the obvious exception of not serving breakfast.  Only after morning shiur did the day prove unique, with two incredible 17th of Tammuz-related shiurim given by Rav Blachman and Rav Marcus.  While many took the afternoon to rest, some followed Mincha with a meaningful trip to the incredible Holocaust museum, Yad Vashem.  This provided the NCSYers and staff with a much deeper appreciation for the fast that we observed and the three weeks as a whole.

After the fast ended, we found ourselves with a host of amazing night activities to enjoy.  This included “Game Night with Dagger”, an exciting CodeNames tournament with Daniel “Dagger” Goldstein; a thrilling basketball game between the new and returning post-11th Graders; a tzitzis workshop with Rav Gordon, where NCSYers learned how to choose and tie their own tzitzis; night swimming; Jonathan Hurewitz’s awesome Beis Hamikdash shiur; and an exciting night hike through Moshav Beit Meir, led by Shlomo Rayman.

All of this was followed (hopefully) by an early bedtime, with shacharis minyanim at 4:30, 5:15, and 6:30 AM tomorrow for our first full day tiyulim!

Jonathan Hurewitz is spending his 6th summer on the NCSY Kollel, his second summer as a Madrich on the program. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, he attended Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community Day School, spent two years in Yeshivat Shalaavim in Israel, and is currently getting ready to begin his third year as a student at Yeshiva University. His Chaburah this summer is focused on understanding the complexity of contemporary Halachic topics through analyzing ancient as well as modern sources, in order to develop a refined perspective on key Jewish concepts.

Jonathan’s Chaburah consists of Eliyahu Esses, from Woodmere NY; Didi Moise, from Providence, RI; Gideon Rubin, from Livingston NJ; Yonatan Sragow, from Teaneck, NJ; and Yonatan Sturm, from Riverdale, NY. The Chaburah plans to work as a unit both inside the Beis Medrash and out to create a powerhouse of Torah.

The Chaburah hopes to continue to be intense and focused in order to try to understand the Torah they learn, as well as further develop the relationships in the Chaburah.

After one week, seven days, one hundred and sixty eight hours…NCSY Kollel finally got to experience it’s first full day schedule!

Following a jam-packed week with sports, trips, an incredible Shabbos, and little time to get over jet lag, nothing could be sweeter than a regular day on the NCSY Summer Kollel.  The shiurim and Chaburahs that made up the morning’s learning were intense and exciting, and they were highlighted by the addition of Rav Schachter, shlita, to the Beis Medrash, who could be found throughout the day giving shiur and learning privately with staff members and NCSYers alike.

Leagues were in full swing this afternoon, with a full schedules of six hockey games and seventeen basketball games (yes, for those of you counting at home, we added a new basketball court this summer).  This included the summer’s first “Marquee Matchup”, a different game chosen every day that includes prizes for the winners (in this case, Burgers Bar) and events like halftime dunk contests.

Night Seder was strong as usual and was followed by the grand opening of the Sack Shack, led by Binyamin Glanz, which served delicious hot food in preparation for tomorrow’s fast.  This was combined with an amazing showing for optional post-Maariv learning, which overall made for an awesome night.

We are very much looking forward to what promises to be an inspiring and meaningful day tomorrow as we observe the 17th of Tammuz fast.

What better way to close out the first week of NCSY Kollel 2017 than with our first league games, our first inspirational Shabbos in Beit Meir, and our first full day schedule?

After our incredible turnout for Thrusday night’s optional late-night mishmar, while most of the camp went to sleep, the sports staff stayed awake through the night.  The result was two complete team lists, one for basketball and one for hockey, accompanied by a full four-period schedule of games.  With overtimes, close games, and even a buzzer beater (shoutout to Jr. Madrich Mikey Pearl), the first day already had the intensity of late season games.  NCSYers still had the opportunity to go into Yerushalayim to relax, but the atmosphere in Beit Meir was one of excitement and competition.

That intensity and enthusiasm was harnessed in the only way that NCSY Kollel knows how: with an inspiring Shabbos filled with amazing speeches, an incredible Rav Burg-led tisch, and amazing learning and davening throughout.  Motzei Shabbos was highlighted by Melava Malka’s all around – at the Rabbeim’s houses for post-10th Graders, and with Shlomo Katz for the post-11th Graders and Staff.

Today, we finally experienced our first regular full-day schedule…almost.  We had intense morning shiurim all the way to lunch, followed by a full hour of Chaburahs, and culminating in a normal 3:00 sports period.  At 5:00, however, leagues ceased and buses were boarded for a special trip to the Yamit Water Park in Cholon.  NCSYers enjoyed the water park, basketball courts, and soccer field in Yamit late into the night, including a net total of over 1000 slices of pizza (that’s over 120 pies!!).

We can’t wait for our first real full day schedule tomorrow, with the incredible addition of Rav Schachter shlita, who is scheduled to arrive late tonight!

Each summer on the NCSY Summer Kollel is bracketed by two unique high points.  The final days of the summer are when the lessons and experiences of our six weeks together reach a crescendo.  Each moment during the last days of the program – whether in learning, trips, or sports – seems to be fully informed and impacted by all of the great times that preceded.  That intensity and depth of emotion is matched only by the excitement and energy of the welcoming moments and kickoff of the camp season.  Possibility and potential are everywhere.  Enthusiasm is mixed with anxiety; there is just so much that is unknown.  Above all, there is hopefulness and a simple and beautiful shared desire for a special and unforgettable summer.

“Welcome to NCSY Kollel 2017!”  The words are short but the implications are awesome.

Within that overall context, two snapshots stood out during our first week.  First, we return to the very start.  We already described the overwhelming sense of anticipation as three planes (JFK, LA, and Newark) with NCSYers were airborne at the same time.  We gather in Ben Gurion Airport, load a truckful of luggage, and head to Beir Meir.  Then, it happens.   Our wonderful staff take their places and the busses pull into the campus.  It begins.  These moments and interactions take two different forms, each remarkable and significant.  And after all our months of preparation and planning, they are each extremely gratifying.  The first kind of embrace is a homecoming.  Returning NCSYers, older madrichim, friends reunited, and a supreme sense of belonging.  Few instances in the summer carry as strong and clear a message of lasting impact.  The second type of greetings are far more uncertain.  But they are welcomes and invitations that speak to our commitment to inclusion and almost endless support for every NCSYer.  Our Rabbis teach that the wisest are those who see things from their inception.  When is a handshake or friendly embrace something more?  When it heralds the start of something truly great.  What a thrill it was to witness the first steps in a journey that promises to be spectacular.

The second highlight was the seamless movement through our jam-packed schedule on Thursday.  Most everything that contributes to a great summer on NCSY Kollel was on prominent display.  We finally hit the learning high notes with both morning Shiurim and Chaburahs.  It was fantastic to see such a high level of participation and passion so early in the game. Our afternoon was spent on a choice of different trips that provided excellence in the areas most exciting to the individual NCSYer.  The sports enthusiasts got to choose from basketball, soccer, ice skating, and flag football, all at superior facilities around the country.  The outdoor lovers had to decide between a thrilling waterski excursion and intense mountain biking.  Those looking to begin their appreciation for life in Israel were able to tour Ammunition Hill and learn experientially about our country’s battles in the recent past.  These elements of choice and high level programming are one of the real secrets to our success.  Each option provided great thrills and also opportunities for bonding with peers and madrichim.  Above all, there were smiles, laughs, and boundless energy.  All were channeled in only the best of ways.

Now, all of that would be a full day most anywhere else.  At NCSY Kollel, we were just getting started.  After recharging with schwarma or burgers, we returned for our first night seder.   This is an incomparable part of our program and one that again allows for high levels of individualization and special attention.  What an incredible sight to see a full beis medrash of powerful learning deep into Thursday night!  And believe it or not, our optional Thursday night mishmar still drew over 100 NCSYers for late night learning beyond.  If these first few days are any indication, we are in for quite a time this summer!

Of course, another teaching of our sages cautions, “all beginnings are difficult.”  Not everything this week was perfect and entirely pleasant.  There are cases of homesickness and difficult social adjustments.  There are campus issues that we are working to resolve, and, yes, a frightening incident with a dormitory fire.  But we are moving forward on all of this and seeing great progress and advancement.  As always, your feedback is vitally important for us to hear, and we will continue to work with you to provide only the best for your wonderful sons.

So now we stand only a few moments away from our first Shabbos together.  Today was a great combination of the opening day of sports leagues (already filled with buzzer beaters, overtime, and great plays) and trips to Yerushalayim to experience the enchanted atmosphere of pre-Shabbos in the holiest of cities.  Shabbos here promises to push us to an even higher level and to bring us closer as a group.  We look forward to sharing it with you from afar!

Greetings and best wishes from Shabbos in Beit Meir.

With blessings,

Moshe Benovitz

With our first full day under our belts and the end of the first week looming, NCSY Kollel experienced another packed day of excitement before diving into our regular daily schedule next week.  The day began with a shortened morning shiur and everyone’s first full Chaburah hour, albeit earlier in the day than usual.  Lunch and Mincha were followed by a host of awesome trips and activites to enjoy in the afternoon.

The amazing list of trips included soccer at Gan Sacher, flag football at Kraft Stadium, basketball at both Yeshivat Reishit and Yeshivat Sha’alvim, water skiing, ice skating, mountain biking, and a tour of Givat HaTachmoshet, Ammunition Hill.  All of the trips went on for most of the afternoon and culminated in either a burger or schwarma free dinner.

Many would argue that what came after the trips returned was even more exciting than the trips themselves – the start of Night Seder.  After an incredible job of organizing the Night Seder program by Assistant Director of Education Josh Fagin and Daniel Goldstein, every NCSYer was able to attend a night shiur for one hour and learn b’chavrusa with a staff member for another.  The Beis Medrash was rocking, and tonight’s strong start has certainly set the tone for the rest of the summer’s learning.

But it didn’t end there.  Even after two hours of mandatory Night Seder, many NCSYers remained in the Beis Medrash post-Maariv for the Summer’s first Thursday night Mishmar, which included extra chavrusa learning, Rav Burg’s weekly Parsha shiur, and free cholent and kugel for those who were still going strong by 11:30 PM.

The atmosphere in the Beis Medrash tonight was an incredible way to lead us towards our first Shabbos, and that amazing energy is sure to transfer over to the courts for our first league games tomorrow!

Our first full day on NCSY Kollel 2017 began with an exciting start to the formal learning schedule.  After various orientations for Post-10th Graders, Post-11th Graders, CIT’s, and Staff, the NCSYers were introduced to their Rabbeim in a shortened morning shiur.  This was followed by the first formal gathering of Chaburahs, introduced by Head Madrich Shai Kaminetzky.  NCSYers got to enjoy their first taste of the learning they will experience this Summer, as well as being able to officially meet the other NCSYers with whom they will spending much of their Summer.

The second half of the day was highlighted by an optional trip to the beach in Bat Yam.  NCSYers and Staff enjoyed a relaxing afternoon that included pickup games of football, soccer, volleyball, and frisbee, while others stayed on campus for pickup basketball and hockey.

The most exciting part of the day was undoubtedly the incredible night activities.  The Post-10th Grade Chaburahs, led by their Madrichim, competed in “Chaburah Olympics”, an amazing event put together by our Activities Director, Azi Fine.  Chaburahs went head to head in lineup, the Price is Right, pyramid-making, and the Kollel classic “Face-Off”, and attempted challenges such as scoring a shootout goal off of Akiva Aryeh or beating Aryeh Kaminetsky in trivia.  Meanwhile, the Post-11th Grade Chaburahs and CIT’s left campus for a trip to visit the kevarim of Gilad, Eyal, and Naftali, the three boys who were kidnapped and killed in Israel three years ago.  They ended their night at iJump, a trampoline park in Petach Tikva, which made for a trip that was both meaningful and enjoyable.

We are looking forward to an exciting array of sports trips tomorrow, as well as the official start of the Night Seder program!

After months of waiting, preparing, and counting down, NCSY Kollel 2017 is finally upon us!!

The day began with the early morning arrival of the Newark flight, followed a few hours later by the remaining flights from JFK and LAX.  NCSYers had some time to collect their things, find their rooms, and begin to settle in.  While the full program orientation was left for tomorrow, Rabbi Benovitz began with some opening words and an all-important security orientation before Mincha, dinner, and our annual first-night trip into the Old City.

What seemed like a very long day ended on a high note, with an inspiring opening speech by Head Madrich Binyamin Kaminetsky atop the roof of Aish Kodesh, with a fantastic view of the Kotel behind him.  This was followed by Maariv at the Kotel and some free time with everyone’s Chaburahs in the Rova.

We look forward to our first full day on Kollel tomorrow, filled with plenty of exciting firsts as we begin the #BestSummerEver!