Uri Ostrin is back for his third summer on NCSY Kollel: 4 years ago as a camper, last summer as a Junior Madrich and now a full fledged Madrich. Uri grew up in a beautiful Shtetl in central New Jersey called Highland Park. He attended Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva (RPRY) for his early schooling years. Then he left for the big city, Teaneck, New Jersey (Ir HaKodesh) and attended Torah Academy of Bergen County (TABC) for four incredible years. From there, Uri took his talents to Yeshivat Shaarei Mevaseret Tzion (Mevaseret) for two epic years. Uri has since attended Yeshiva University, Sy Syms School of Business, Post Pesach Program and will IYH be there for the next few years. Uri plans on completing and receiving his degree and being Yotzei his Chiyuv of כיבוד אב ואם. After university, Uri would like to explore S’micha and pursue a meaningful life in Chinuch, inspiring the next generation of Klal Yisroel. 

Uri’s Chabura, inspired by Uri’s exploding WhatsApp group chat, “Ignite YOUR Flame”, is always a fun and interactive experience for the Buchrim. The “Dream Team”, staring, The Big Baller Eyal Kinderleher (TABC), The Pianist Yakir Adams (TABC), The Singer Tani Gottlieb (JEC), The man of many talents (Artist, MasterChef) Dani Fromm (JEC), The Kohen Rebba Avi Klerer (JEC), The Fisherman Natan Altmark (Heichal HaTorah), And The Next Gadol Hador, HaGoan HaRav Yehuda Brisken Shlita (TABC), The Chabura is no short of secret weapons to knock your socks off. The growth over the course of the first few, very very short weeks of the summer, has been astronomical. The “Dream Team” is going to continue to grow and IYH allow the words of Hashem’s sweet, pure Torah to penetrate their hearts and give meaning behind their everyday lives. 

Starting with the snooze button on the alarm clock and what comes after it, Uri’s Chabura is focused on what a normal day looks like. As it says in Pirkei Avos 1:1, ״והעמידו תלמידים הרבה״, You should “Stand Up” Your Talmidim. This is a very strange language to use… The Tosfos Yom Tov explains that this means that the students need to know how to stand on their own. When they come across a situation in life, how to handle it. Uri’s belief is that it all starts with the basics! What are we saying when we make a Bracha… what is the “in depth meaning” behind each of the words. What should we be thinking about? With Siyata Dishmaya, Uri hopes to be able to instill within each member of the “Dream Team”, a true sense of meaning and purpose in our everyday lives! With this sense of meaning, Uri hopes to highlight the undeniable truth, that greatness lies within. Each and every single Yid is created with his greatness! Uri hopes that the boys realize this and allow it to come flowing out of their Neshamos. 

The Dream Team has already Baruch Hashem exploded in epic ways! As Uri always reminds the boys, Shoot for the moon and if you miss, you’ll end up in the stars! Each boy on an individual level has started to realize this and the growth has been jaw dropping. Uri couldn’t be prouder of the “Dream Team”, and he can’t wait to see what lies ahead for each Tzaddik in the Chevra. Uri hopes that the Chevra will stay strong and continue to learn and grow from each other. 

Yoni Besser is having a blast back on Kollel for his fourth summer, second as a madrich. From Clifton NJ, Yoni went to Heichal Hatorah before two years at Sha’alvim. He spent last year in Rav Twersky’s shiur in YU, majoring in accounting.

The chabura is composed of four all-star NCSYers: Kivi Margolese lives in Baltimore and goes to YGW, Gavriel Sokolic of Cherry Hill is in Kohelet, Yeshaya Friedman from Passaic attends Chofetz Chaim of Miami, and last but not least Ariel Mayer from Queens is in DRS.  Together, they’ve meshed into a wonderful group, and the chemistry they’ve developed, both in and out of chabura, is a pleasure to watch.

The learning done in this chabura is especially unique because of the unique perspective that each guy is able to contribute throughout the entire hour. This summer’s learning is centered around the six zechiros, learning some of what’s behind yetzias mitzrayim, matan torah, amalek, and more. Additionally, for the 9 days, the entire chabura has taken it upon themselves to be mechazeik in making brachos and in being careful in what they say about others.

The entire Chabura has grown tremendously and has had a blast so far this summer, and they’re extremely excited for what the next few weeks have in store!

Eric Dolitsky, born and raised in the great city of Philadelphia, is attending his fourth summer on NCSY Kollel (second summer as a madrich!). Eric attended Kohelet Yeshiva High School, spent two years in Yeshivat Sha’alvim and will be embarking on his second year in YU this coming year.

Eric’s Chaburah is made up of an All-Star starting five. Starting at guard, all the way from Lower Merion, PA, we have David Troodler representing The Mesivta of Greater Philadelphia. At shooting guard, comes Abie Barnett from the Skokie Yeshiva from Chicago. At forward, comes Jay Guberman from the Yeshiva Greater Washington from Silver Spring. At the other forward, another representative of team Mesivta of Greater Philadelphia from Lower Merion, PA, we have Eli Friedman. Last, but most certainly not least, at center, Jacky Lerner hailing all the way from Baltimore representing Torah Academy of Baltimore.

The Chaburah’s focus is to expose themselves to the vast world of Torah such as lomdus, machshava, halacha, and a little bit of Chassidus. They have discussed topics such as Shabbos, Tefilla, Talmud Torah, and Eretz Yisroel through the lens of each of these different areas of Torah. The goal of the chabura is to gain a deeper appreciation for each area of Torah and how it can apply to changing our perspective for everyday life.

So far, Eric’s chabura has gelled into an amazing chevra who love to spend time together and continue to be a group that explores the World of Torah!

Ariel Strick is enjoying his 2nd summer on NCSY Kollel, and this is his first year as a Madrich. Ariel went to the Fasman Yeshiva (aka FYHS, THE Yeshiva, that Chicago Kayitz place) and then spent the next two years learning at Yeshivat Sha’alvim. Ariel will be attending YU next year with the primary goal of developing a cool handshake with Rav Twersky, and also to learn some good torah too.

The guys in Ariel’s Chabura are an awesome group of legends such as Sammy Zimmerman from Staten Island (JEC), Koby Bekritsky from Monsey (Heichal), Shuie Strong from Hillside (JEC), Shlomo Ambinder from Hillside (JEC), and Dovid Lichstein from Monsey (Heichal).

Ariel’s Chabura is learning some of the famous sugyas in the beginning of Arvei Pesachim- including Tosefes Shabbos, Matzah on Erev Pesach, Kiddush, and Matzah and Mayo (a personal favorite to all).

The summer has been unbelievable so far, and the learning is only going to keep getting stronger as the summer goes on!

Akiva “Akiva” Garner went to Beren Academy in Houston for high school, then spent two years at Yeshivat Orayta and next year will be his third at YU. It is his first summer on NCSY Kollel.

His chabura, known by some as the Atlanta Chaburaves consists of four first year Kollelniks from Atlanta, Georgia: Donny “big time” Newmark will be at Fasman next year; Yaakov “loyal to the soil” Wasserman will be at AJA; Aaron “good” Berger will be at MTA, and Yechiel “marathon man” Wolf will be at Fasman. The Atlanta Chaburaves, while exceedingly skilled at hock and gooning around, also find some time to learn lomdus on topics in Brachos, Edus/ Beis Din, Even HaEzer, Yoreh Deah, questions in Machshava as well as the thought of Rav Aharon Lichtenstein and Rav Hutner.

The summer has been great so far and the chabura is looking forward to more opportunities for growth, learning, chilling, and making the most of each day on NCSY Kollel.

Avi Weitz is attending NCSY Kollel for his third summer and his second as a Madrich. Avi attended DRS for high school, followed by two years in Yeshivat Sha’alvim and recently just finished his first year in Yeshiva University.

Joining Avi in his Chabura this summer are epic guys, each one bringing their own unique characteristic that helps create an awesome Chabura. Inspired by the music of Abie Rottenberg, Aryeh Wolf, from Woodmere, NY, brings his love for music to the table, helping the Chabura connect and strengthen their connection to Hashem. Yehuda Besser, from Clifton, NJ, a devoted baseball fanatic, brings a refreshing blend of enthusiasm to the Chabura, while also providing the Chabura with new insights and intellectual thoughts into the sugyas and discussions being discussed. Yonatan Wiseman, from Woodmere, NY, is always providing great memes and jokes, infusing the Chabura with fun and humor. His ability to find joy in every situation creates a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Last, but certainly not least, Shaya Grunstein, from Woodmere, NY, helps solidify the Chabura. Shaya exhibits a natural talent for bringing people together. His ability to foster unity and create an inclusive environment ensures that every member feels valued and heard enabling the Chabura to flourish.

The Chabura is focusing on practical issues that come up in the realm of “Bein Adam Lechaviro”. Whether it’s inside or outside the Beis Medresh the energy throughout the Chabura is always there. Some of the topics that we have done this summer are “Can I Work For Uber Eats” and “Better Seats At the Game”.

The chevra has been enjoying tremendously so far, and are looking forward to keeping it going for years to come!

Benjamin Coplin’s chabura has guys from all across North America coming together to have one unforgettable summer together. Starting with the madrich himself, Benjamin hails from Silver Spring, Maryland. A former NCSYer on Kollel, Benjamin went on to graduate from Berman Hebrew Academy, spent two years in Hakotel, and will continue on to Yeshiva University next fall after spending his second summer on Kollel and first as a madrich.

Next up, we have brothers David and Michael Karoudo, bringing their talents all the way from Las Vegas, Nevada. In case your wondering no, they’re not twins- they’re triplets. And no, they don’t want any Ashkanzi food, they’re 100% Sefardi. Moving west, we have Ari Cohn, from the City of Angels itself, Los Angeles, California. Ari’s incredible kindness and soft demeanor may make it hard to believe he could be next up on America Ninja Warrior, but trust us, his parkour is next level. Rounding out the Americans in the chabura is a man with a deep passion for learning, Eli Ludmir from Houston, Texas. Although Texas holds a special place in his heart, through seeing the history and beauty of the land of Israel in the last few weeks his love for Israel has flourished tremendously. Going ALL the way up north, there is Noah Green from the capital of Canada, Ottawa. Noah Green is a force to be reckoned with, providing fascinating insights to the chabura while simultaneously delivering breathtaking laining performances to the entire North campus. Last, but certainly not least, is another Canadian resident, Ari Burger from Toronto. With his late night Gemara learning,  (and we mean late late night learning), many people are left to wonder how he finds the time and energy to be such a threat on the basketball court.

This chabura from all over has gathered together in Beit Meir to learn about the land of Israel, controlling our anger, Teshuva, Tefillin, Tefilah, and so much more! Already off to an incredible start, this chabura with these dynamic players should only continue to go higher and higher!

Rami Gertler went to TABC, attended Sha’alvim for 2 years, and IY”H be at YU for the upcoming year. This is his 2nd year on Kollel, one as an NCSYer and one as a Madrich.

Rami is having an unbelievable time learning and hanging out with a great group of guys. First off is Zac Pockriss, the tennis master, hailing from the 5 Towns and attending DRS. Next is Yoni Aharon, an absolute stud at ball, also a member of the 5 Towns and DRS. Continuing in the chain, Yitzi Lazar is also a 5 Towns and DRS attendee always bringing the humor. Coming all the way from the west coast, we have Kevin Myers, shteiging away at YULA in LA. Next is Gadi Pollack, helping everyone improve on their Israeli accent, as a resident of the Holy Land for over 9 years, attending Netiv Meir in Yerushalayim. And last but certainly not least, Tani Cohen, the nicest kid around, coming from Florida and attending TTB.

This year in Chaburas, they are aiming to cover a wide variety of topics, mostly focused on helping them grow, whether it be in their learning or Middos. Throughout the chaburas are pictures giving summaries of the sources and topics, trying make the discussions as interesting as possible.

It has been an amazing summer until now, and it will only get better from here!

Shmuel Belizon attended Katz Yeshiva High School for four years. Afterwards, Shmuel spent two years learning in Yeshivas Sha’alvim. Next year Shmuel will be starting his junior year in Yeshiva University and continue learning under Rav Meir Twersky Shlit”a. This is Shmuel’s fourth summer on Kollel, and second summer as a madrich.

Now, on to the the ikkur of the chabura, the guys:

Noach Balsam, from Valley Stream, is currently in YFR and learning up a storm. Aiden Buchbinder, from Valley Stream, is attending DRS and is takka carrying the ball team. Dani Klein, from Valley Stream, is attending MAY and shteiging away, all while painting the coolest shoes known to mankind. Avi Burns, from… you guessed it… Valley Stream, is learning in Yeshivas DRS and is reading all the mekoros inside. Yosef Schonfeld, from Woodmere, is attending Yeshivas MAY and is finishing sha”s while eating breakfast. Avraham Schreck, from Lawrence, is attending Yeshivas DRS and soaking up the ruchniyus.

This summer Shmuel felt that the chabura should work on something that not a lot of people focus on, their relationship with the Beis Hamikdash. To do this, the chabura as a group are learning many halachos and sugyos that took place on a daily basis in the Beis Hamikdash, with hopes that through spending time learning about what took place and the beautiful Torah of kodshim they can reach a deeper appreciation and love for the Beis Hamikdash and its crucial role in yahadus. Additionally, as an added benefit, through their learning of the Beis Hamikdash they can achieve what the רמבם says, that all those who learn about the Beis Hamikdash and Korbonos are viewed as if they rebuilt the Beis Hamikdash!

Shmuel’s chabura are proud of the learning, and grill chills they have had so far… and are excited for the rest of the summer and all that it has to offer.