Dirty “Matthew” Wexler is returning for his third summer on the NCSY Summer Kollel, his second as a Madrich. From Teaneck, NJ, Matthew attended TABC for high school, followed by two years in Yeshivat Sha’alvim in Israel, and started YU last Fall. His Chaburah consists of the five greatest NCSYers nation (world)-wide: Gavriel Ashkanazy and Mordy Greenland from Chicago, IL; Drew Samuelson from Columbus, OH; Menachem Gewirtz from North Woodmere, NY; and Daniel Cywiak from Woodmere, NY.

This cross-country Chaburah has a diverse range of personalities, and after a few short weeks, their growth as both individuals and as a Chaburah is tangible. Together, they are learning about the various Mitzvos in the Torah, from Tefillah to Talmud Torah to Chesed. The conversations during Chaburah, though, span far greater than the particular Mitzvah being discussed, while they touch on a range of topics in Jewish philosophy and Halachah.

The Chaburah enjoys learning, chilling, and doing whacky things with each other both inside and outside of the Beis Medrash. They have already bonded over late-night chills (obviously involving great food), competition,s and tons of laughter, and the fun they have together is only on the rise. Matthew and his Chaburah are looking forward to continued success and awesomeness in the coming weeks!

Ben Greene is returning after a 1-year hiatus for his second stint as a Kollel Madrich. Ben learnt in Yeshivat Ohr Samech and then attended Wayne State University. He currently learns in Shapell’s Darchei Noam. Ben is famous for his legendary laid -back attitude and Midwestern friendliness.

Ben’s chabura has 4 amazing kids. Ben Bonder is from Woodmere, NY (HAFTER); Dovid Puterbutel is from Cedarhurst, NY (MAY); Jacob Hershenov from Bergenfield, NJ (Frisch); and Yakir Goldscheider from Yerushalayim (YTA).

The Chabura will spend a lot of time learning the famous Iggeret HaRamban which contain some profound lessons on character growth and development. They also will spend some time learning miscellaneous topics from Mishmeres Hachaim and all of the wisdom contained therein. 

Zev Jarashow is back on Kollel after a summer as  Junior Staff. Zev grew up and still lives in Fairlawn, NJ. Zev went to Yavneh Academy and then to TABC. He just completed 2 years in Shaalvim and will be starting YU in the fall.

The NCSYers in Zev’s Chabura are all from New Jersey and 4 of them live in Bergenfield: Aryeh Teller (Ramaz), Sam Weinberg (TABC), Shlomo Gellman (TABC), and Aharon Teigman (Heichal). Joining Aharon from Heichal is Yoni Besser from Clifton.

Zev Chaburas will center on the moadim. The sessions will focus on the sugyot that relate to each moed and how they impact our understanding of the Jewish Calender

What was otherwise a normal morning (except for the continuation of shiur trips to Aish Hatorah) was pleasantly interrupted by a visit from the best and brightest of TJJ- The TJJ Ambassadors. The Ambassadors arrived shortly after morning shiur ended and immediately joined the Kollel for lunch. They listened to short shiurim from the three camp directors: Rabbi Benovitz, Rabbi Lebowitz, and Rabbi Turetsky, followed by time spent with Rabbi Sobolovsky.

The visit is part of a two-day trip in which the Ambassadors will take part in Kollel, learning, sports, and trips. The action kicked off this afternoon, with a joint Kollel-TJJ biking trip which lasted all afternoon. Dinner was followed by night seder which was followed by an introduction to tomorrow’s program: The Kollel-wide Hanachat Tefilin in honor of certain NCSYers receiving their very first pair of tefillin.

In preparation, special shiurim were offered after night seder on the topic of tefillin, in addition to special shiurim from Rabbi Doni Marcus and Rav Yitzchak Etshalom. At 11 o’clock, a siyum was made by former ambassador-turned-madrich David Sperber. There was a feeling of genuine simcha in the air, and anticipation is building for what should be a phenomenal program and day, tomorrow.

Chaim Korman is on Kollel for the first time and is already making an impact. A native of England, Chaim attended Hasmonean High School and then Yeshivat Shaalvim, where he began to get involved in American camps. Chaim is one of the friendliest staff members in camp and ione of the hardest workers.

Chaim leads a true all-star group of guys in his Chaburah. Jason Aranoff and Evan Kinches are from Teaneck, NJ and attend Frisch; Yonatan Kaye (Bergenfield, NJ) and Justin Eichel (New York, NY) go to TABC; and Yaakov Rosenberg is from Skokie, IL and goes to Ida Crown Jewish Academy. 

Chaim’s chabura’s will be focus on interesting halachic discussions, as well as the reasons behind specific mitzvot. The aim is to make the learning come alive and for the campers to feel the energy of real Torah study.

Marc Shapiro is extremely excited for his first summer as a Madrich on NCSY Kollel. Marc graduated JEC in 2016 after a legendary 4 years and attended Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim. Marc’s friendly demeanor makes him a popular staff member and aids him in forging strong relationships with his campers.

Marc’s chabura contains 5 kids, 3 of whom attend SAR: Eli Jesselson From the Bronx, Joe Gross from Jamaica, and Judah Schanzer from New Rochelle. Rounding out the group is Tzvi Eisen from Teaneck (MTA), and Isaac Schertz from Woodmere (Ramaz).

Marc’s Chaburas will focus on gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Shmoneh Esrei which we say every day. The sessions will specifically focus on the kavanah one should have while davening and what you should be thinking about when you talk to Hashem.

Today was the continuation of the new shiur trip program with shiurim going on many special trips. Some shiurim woke up early to daven at the kotel, others had the special opportunity to work with Siach Sod and special needs patiets, while still others enjoyed the jam-packed non-stop work of packing food for needy families with Yad Eliezer. All the trips were incredibly meaningful and helped guide the program into a more reflective tone to begin the 9-days.

The rest of the camp enjoyed a normal morning seder followed by lunch and chaburas. The afternoon saw two separate mini-tiyulim, both consistent with the more serious time-period. One trip was to the kotel tunnels, a sneak peek to our full-day-tiyul later this week. The other was to the world-famous Gush Katif museum, which details the bitter history and exile of the settlers of the region.

Sports leagues continued as the main contenders began to separate themselves from the middle of the pack. A strong night seder followed by an equally strong post-night seder concluded an exciting day.

We are looking forward to visits of all sorts this week, beginning with TJJ Ambassadors tomorrow. Stick with the Kollel Blog for all the latest from NCSY Kollel.

Gilad Vann is a 3-year Kollel veteran who is joining the Madrich Staff for the first time. Gilad learnt for 2 years in Yeshivat Ohr Yerushalayim and now learns in Shor Yashuv in Far Rockaway. Gilad’s calm demeanor and professional attitude make him a natural fit amongst the madrichim. He is also the residential expert on the NCSY Kollel Shabbaton in Gush, having attended all 3 years in Kollel.

Gilad leads a true all-star group of guys in his Chaburah. From New York there is Shmuel Pak (Cedarhurst), Yehuda Davidson (Flushing) and Yaakov Jacobowitz (Woodmere), all of whom attend DRS. Donny Morris is from Bergenfield, NJ and attends MTA, and the international contingent consists of Meir Blanshay from Motreal, Quebec who is a student at Hebrew Academy.

Gilad’s Chaburas will focus on sugyot in Masechet Sukka, with an emphasis being placed on feeling the fire one should feel when studying Gemara. Gilad hopes his NCSYers leave his Chabura with an appreciation for the important role learning plays in everyday Jewish life.