Chaburah Spotlight: Yisrael Einhorn
Yisrael Einhorn’s third summer on NCSY Kollel (his second as a madrich) has been absolutely electric, and he has his chaburah to thank for that. Hailing from Los Angeles, CA, Yisrael has been a part of the vibrant Jewish community there for the past 13 years. He’s a proud alum of YULA Boys High School, spent two years learning in Yeshivat Shaalvim, and currently attends Yeshiva University.
Yisrael’s chaburah this summer is like no other. While they come from opposite sides of the country, there’s a unique chemistry that’s been brewing since day one. Max Frager from Philadelphia, PA, who attends The Mesivta High School, brings thoughtful contributions and keen observations to every discussion. Yosef “Goobie” Gabay from Los Angeles, CA, a student at YULA Boys High School, adds a solid sense of humor and energy to the group. Eitan Gershov, also from Los Angeles and attending YULA, offers insightful perspectives that keep the conversations lively. Yisrael “Yaya” Hoffman, another Mesivta student from Philadelphia, keeps everyone on their toes with his engaging questions and sharp insights. Sam Noah from Los Angeles, also at YULA, provides a calm and steady presence that helps balance the group dynamic. Finally, Eli Tyszler, from Philadelphia and attending The Mesivta, rounds out the group with his quick wit and sharp mind.
This summer, Yisrael’s chaburah is exploring the circle of life through both halachic and hashkafic perspectives. Topics include (but are not limited to) “The Importance of Names,” “Judaism and Mental Health,” and “Leaving a Legacy.”
This chaburah has had an incredible summer so far, and with such a dynamic group, it’s clear that this is not the end, but just the beginning.
Chaburah Spotlight: BZ Scheinman
BZ Scheinman is returning to NCSY Kollel for his third summer, his second as a madrich on the program. Hailing from Woodmere, NY, BZ attended DRS, Yeshivat Sha’alvim, and has just completed his first year at YU. As the third Scheinman brother to attend the program, BZ has been considered a Kollel vet long before he ever stepped foot in Beit Meir.
BZ’s electrifying post-10th-grade chaburah brings together different in-town personalities, with just a sprinkle of out-of-town flair. All attending Kollel for the first time, the chaburah consists of six incredible NCSYers: Yosef Rosenberg, from Beit Shemesh, Israel (Ahavat Yisrael); Jacob Hanian, from Edison, NJ (MTA); Shua Kopstick, from Bergenfield, NJ (MTA); Gavriel Goller, from West Hempstead, NY (MTA); Kovi Adler, from Cedarhurst, NY (DRS); and Yehudah Weiss, from Lawrence, NY (DRS). Each member of the chaburah is tremendously unique, coming together to create an amazingly chill and enjoyable environment for learning.
This summer, BZ’s chaburah is bridging two worlds: mitzvos and SportsCenter. Each sugya deals with an individual mitzvah, diving into halachic discussions centered around practical cases that may arise in everyday life, providing the guys with both informative and useful Torah knowledge. The chaburah consists of ten mitzvah-based sugyas, collectively dubbed the “Top 10 Mitzvos.” Some of the fascinating topics they’re covering include “Writing a Sefer Torah: Does the Torah Discriminate Against Lefties?,” “Lashon Hara: One Bite, Does Everybody Know the Rules?,” and “Avodah Zara: Does the Torah Outlaw Percy Jackson?” The sugyas have proven to be a perfect mix of challenging and exciting material, and the chaburah is truly enjoying connecting Gemaras and machlokesim to these highly applicable cases.
BZ and his chaburah have enjoyed an amazing summer thus far and are looking forward to the rest of the summer, which will hopefully be an unbelievable opportunity to continue learning together and become even more tight-knit than they already are!
Chaburah Spotlight: Yis Kaminetzky
Yis Kaminetzky (one of the seven Kaminetz(s)ky staff members) is enjoying his third summer on NCSY Kollel and his first as a madrich. Yis hails from Teaneck, New Jersey, where he spent four incredible years at TABC, followed by two life-changing years in Shaalavim.
Yis has the unbelievable privilege of being the madrich of six superstars, both on and off the court. This has allowed the amazing chevra to remain undefeated in Chabura competitions throughout the summer. Starting off, hailing from Baltimore and attending TA (Talmudical Academy of Baltimore), we have Jake Lazerow, who is known for his long-range shooting and is always there to answer whatever Torah questions arise during Chaburahs. Next, we have the chill LA guys, Ezra Dror and Yitzy Posy, who both attend YULA and are always the first ones at Chaburahs. Ezra is a beloved member of the Chaburah, always ready to quote random Gemaras in Bava Kama to enhance our learning, while also being one of the best passers in NCSY Kollel. Yitzy (better known as the דברי יצחק) inspires those around him with his drive to grow and find the אמת, and he helps ensure the Chaburah stays on track when we get sidetracked. Rounding out the all-star team, we have the three TABC bochurim. Starting with Shlomo Wenger (Bergenfield), whose dominance extends far beyond the basketball and hockey courts to the stage (or amphitheater), where he is known for his incredible singing abilities. Next, we have Yonatan Faber (Teaneck), who, besides being one of the best shooters on Kollel, has an incredible ability to know how to chill but also when to lock in, helping set the tone for the Chaburah. Finally, we have the late-night owl Yos Kahn (Bergenfield), whose energy and random comments can light up any room and always keep the Chaburah on its toes.
This summer, the Chaburah’s limmud has focused on sugyot related to the moadim and how we can take the important yesodos from the moadim and use them in our everyday lives. Starting with day one, where we discussed the importance of routine and the reason we have Moadim, and leading to many other important sugyot like תלמוד תורה, dipping the apple in honey, and much more!
This superstar Chaburah has had an amazing and transformative summer thus far and is looking forward to finishing strong and staying in touch for years to come. With such a solid foundation and a bond that goes beyond the Beis Medrash, these guys are set to achieve great things together, long after the summer ends!
Chaburah Spotlight: Elliott Roessler
Elliott Roessler is from Los Angeles and attended Valley Torah High School. Yes, he “lives in the Valley.” After graduating, Elliott took his talents to Midrash Shmuel in Rechavia. He currently resides in LA, where he works during the day and learns in the morning and at night. This is Elliott’s first summer at NCSY Kollel, and he’s fortunate enough to lead a chaburah.
Elliott’s chaburah boasts an All-Star lineup of campers: Sammy Sebag from New York (DRS), Sammy Adler from New York (DRS), Jacob (Cobi) Roth from Florida (YTC), and Ariel Mazar from LA (Shalhevet).
The focus of Elliott’s chaburah is Hashkafa, and he’s eagerly looking forward to watching his chaburah continue to grow in this area throughout the summer. Elliott’s enthusiasm and dedication to his chaburah have already made a significant impact on the group. As they dive deeper into their Hashkafa studies, Elliott is excited to see the guys develop their own perspectives and strengthen their commitment to living a life of Torah and mitzvot. With such a talented and motivated group, the summer promises to be a transformative experience for everyone involved.
Chaburah Spotlight: Tani Engel
Tani Engel is enjoying his first summer as a Madrich on Kollel immensely, having been a camper there five years ago! Raised in Bergenfield, Tani spent his high school years at MTA before heading to Shaalvim for an amazing two years. He is now learning at YU and majoring in Biology.
Tani’s chaburah is nothing short of legendary, composed of guys from all across the USA! First up is Akiva Sunshine from Pittsburgh, who attends Hillel Academy. Akiva is always keeping the chaburah shining bright and would run across the country to find you a Teshuvos Igros Moshe or a relevant halacha you’ve never heard of when you need it. Next is Shlomo Shinensky, a Maryland native who attends YGW. Shlomo brings a unique rhythm to the chaburah and is an expert at drawing conclusions with such depth you might call them 3D. Then we have Tuvia Geller from Texas, who attends Texas Torah Institute. Tuvia passionately engages with the prepared chaburahs, often attempting (and succeeding) to completely dismantle them. Next, there’s Dovid Miller from Maryland, who also attends YGW. Dovid does a wonderful job of “tying the shoes” of the chaburah, keeping everyone from tripping up (also, pineapples!). Then there’s Aryeh Hershenson, another Maryland native who also attends YGW. Aryeh led the boys to a chaburah ball win and uses that same energy to contribute insightful ideas during chaburahs. Finally, we have Daniel Shanker from Missouri, who attends Yeshivat Kadimah. Snap, snap, snap—whenever you need a song, a story, a picture with gedolim, or basically anything, Daniel is your guy.
This epic chaburah spends an hour each day working through exciting sugyas, such as whether extreme ironing is allowed or if a few million chickens would beat a T-Rex in a fight. Additionally, the guys have spent time singing and reviewing well-known kumzitz songs, trying to understand their deeper meaning and drawing ideas from them to grow. Overall, the chaburah is truly incredible, and they are looking forward to finishing off the summer strong.
Chaburah Spotlight: Moshe Spirgel
Moshe Spirgel is attending NCSY Kollel for the first time this summer. Moshe attended SAR for high school, followed by two years at Reishit. After his time at Reishit, he began YU in their post-Pesach program and will continue at YU this fall.
Moshe’s chaburah includes an incredible group of guys: Avinaom Rahmani (Woodmere, DRS), Avi Paritzky (Woodmere, DRS), Ami Kieffer (Boca Raton, Katz), Michael Schnur (Hillside, JEC), and Dovid Wiesel (Edison, TABC). Early in the summer, Moshe’s chaburah discovered that they can beat any chaburah in 5-on-5 basketball.
While these guys excel on the courts, they certainly shine in the beis medrash as well. Every afternoon, they can be found in the back of the beis medrash learning about how to integrate sports into their avodas Hashem. Currently, they are studying the halachic ramifications of moving down at a sports game, always asking the right questions to deepen their understanding.
Moshe and the boys have had an amazing summer so far, learning a lot, and they’re excited for the growth that awaits them in the final stretch of the summer.
Chaburah Spotlight: Ari Sher
Hailing from Fair Lawn, NJ, Ari Sher is making his Kollel debut this summer as a madrich. His journey began at TABC; Ari then took his talents to Mevaseret for two years, followed by Yeshiva of Greater Washington. Now, he is preparing for his first zman at Rabbeinu Yitzchok Elchonon (YU) this fall!
With great Siyata Dishmaya, Ari leads an amazing group of guys eager to grow in their avodas Hashem. Natan Abicidan and Meir Elkaim bring incredible out-of-town energy to the chaburah, hailing all the way from Montreal’s Hebrew Academy. From Cleveland, Ohio, and Missouri Torah Institute, Wyatt Sanders knows how to lock in for learning. Lastly, from Ramaz, we have Si Heyman, a serious mevakesh who is always looking to improve his middos in a very real way.
The chaburah explores daily halachos and activities central to a Yid’s life, uncovering meaningful lessons that Hashem asks us to live by. From the moment we wake and say Modeh Ani, to Talmud Torah, Tefillah, and concluding the day with Shema, deepening our appreciation transforms our relationship with Hashem. With these profound messages, Ari hopes to highlight the undeniable truth that every Yid can achieve greatness and develop a deep relationship with Hashem.
This chaburah has really come together as a group of guys looking to grow closer to one another and to Hashem. They are proud of the learning and great chills they’ve had so far, and are excited for the rest of the summer and all that it has to offer.
Chaburah Spotlight: Eliyahu Klein
Eliyahu Klein, a first-time madrich on NCSY Kollel, has assembled an incredible chaburah that is making waves this summer. With a diverse group of dynamic and talented guys, this chaburah has been thriving both on and off the court, making it a summer to remember. Eliyahu, currently in his second year of Beis Medrash at Yeshiva of Far Rockaway, is especially excited as this is his first summer on NCSY Kollel.
Moshe Avraham (Avi) Hillelshon from the Five Towns, NY, is a sharp thinker with a keen interest in current events. Avi is never shy about sharing his opinions, which often lead to thought-provoking discussions. He’s known for challenging the chaburah in ways that make everyone think more deeply about the material they’re learning. Eytan Avraham Schussheim from Bergenfield, NJ, is the chaburah’s sports star. He’s been saving the team from defeat in the “Chabura Games” with his impressive athletic skills and competitive spirit, consistently scoring over 20 points in league games. Eytan’s quieter personality belies his fierce determination. Yehuda Aryeh (Shreck) Shreck from the Five Towns, NY, is deeply connected to his family and friends, bringing a caring and thoughtful presence to the chaburah. Yehuda has a unique hobby of collecting menorahs, and his love for the NBA’s Minnesota team adds a fun twist to the group dynamics. Yitzchak Yiecheil (Chak) Wertentheil from Bergenfield, NJ, is always punctual and eager to learn. His frequent trips to Geula and his passion for high-level learning have earned him the nickname “Mir Wannabe” within the chaburah. Chak is also a master of creating WhatsApp stickers, adding humor and creativity to the group chat.
This chaburah is not just about fun and games; they are deeply immersed in their learning. They are currently exploring the sugyos of פת and בישול עכו”ם, with a focus on understanding the halachic process from the פסוקים all the way to the שלחן ערוך. Their learning method is collaborative, with chavrusa study followed by group discussions, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and fully grasps the material. The goal of the chaburah is not only to cover the material but to develop a true appreciation for how halacha evolves and is applied. This deeper understanding of Torah law has been a central theme throughout their studies, and it’s clear that the guys are growing both individually and as a group.
It’s been a great time during chaburas on NCSY Kollel, and the chaburah is only getting stronger as the summer progresses. With such a dynamic and dedicated group, there’s no doubt they will continue to thrive and achieve great things together!
Chaburah Spotlight: Akiva Prager
Akiva’s Chaburah has been having a tremendous summer so far. From learning in Chaburahs to winning (and eating) many Mak’s cakes, the Chaburah has really bonded and grown together. Akiva attended TABC, then Sha’alvim, and is currently in YU. This is his fifth summer on Kollel and his third as a madrich.
The Chaburah hails entirely from the East Coast, representing a range of schools. Starting in the tri-state area, Azarya Tiger returned to Kollel for a second summer from Bergenfield, New Jersey, and TABC. Next, Yosef Koenigsberg comes from the Heights and will share a campus with Akiva next year as he attends MTA. Moving south, KYHS sent Kollel a cadre of three NCSYers from Boca: Elisha Horowitz, Benjamin Klinger, and Calev Zak. Rounding out the Chaburah is a late addition to Kollel, a transfer by the name of Max Lehmann. From the Hebrew Academy of Miami, Max tipped the scales of the Chaburah, giving Florida a 4-3 majority.
This summer, the “7 Yidden” are learning all about what it means to be a Jew. Following a year like this one, delving into a deeper understanding of Kedushas Yisrael, the aspirations, and transcendence of Yahadus feels most appropriate. Approaching Kedushas Yisrael from a range of sugyos like Dinim (laws and the court system), Kibbud Av V’Em, Shechitah, and (of course) the role of Korbanos and the Beis HaMikdash, the Chaburah has had the opportunity to appreciate the breadth and depth of Jewish halachic life. And with daily chazarah memes courtesy of Max, the balance of a serious learning atmosphere (with chavrusa time!) and an upbeat, fun dynamic has been a real hallmark of the Chaburah. The 7 Yidden are so excited to take advantage of the last leg of the summer, learning about each Jew’s unique connection to Tefillah, Teshuva, Shabbos, and our Torah!
Chaburah Spotlight: Yitzchak Hagler
For the first twenty years of Yitzchak Hagler’s life, NCSY Kollel was but a legend—a paradise imagined but never experienced. This summer, all of that changed. In his rookie year on Kollel, Yitzchak has the privilege of being the madrich of an awesome group of guys, an opportunity he has been taking full advantage of.
A resident of Bergenfield, NJ, Yitzchak attended MTA for high school before spending two years at Yeshivat Sha’alvim. Next year, he plans to complete the hat trick (or chazakah) with his third year at Sha’alvim. Yitzchak’s goal in chaburas is to delve into the depth and sophistication present in all areas of Torah. Using the weekly parsha as their launchpad, the chabura journeys across a wide range of topics the Torah world has to offer, from machshavah to contemporary issues, Chumash be’iyun, and famous shas lomdus. Along the way, they make pit stops for chabura jeopardy, chabura basketball, adventures with mekubalim at the Kotel, “intentional” long waits for the last bus to arrive, and lots of candy.
As the saying goes, “The pilot is only as good as the plane he is flying” (if this isn’t a saying, it should be), and this is certainly true of Yitzchak’s chabura, which consists of a diverse group of guys united in their motivation to learn and have a good time together. First up, we have Noam Bieler from Teaneck, NJ. Noam, a rising junior at TABC, is known for his proficiency in soccer and ping pong, and he contributes greatly to chaburas with his strong opinions and sense of humor. Next is Zvi Goldscheider from Yerushalayim Ir Hakodesh. Zvi attends Orayta (a high school in the Old City of Yerushalayim) and sets himself apart with his consistency and devotion to minyan and learning, as well as his lights-out shooting performance in chabura basketball.
Another NCSYer means yet another country, as next up is Dovid Knopf from Montreal, Canada. Dovid, of MTA, always has a good story to tell, and according to some counts, he leads the kollel in dap-ups and high fives per day. To round out the chabura, we travel to the West Coast, the land that Binyamin Malk and Dovi Tsarovsky call home. Binyamin, a big free agent pick-up for MBY this year, is known for his laid-back and easygoing nature. Whether he is exploring Israel, pounding away at Maseches Gittin, or selling pizza, Binyamin is someone you want to be around. Finally, we have Dovi Tsarovsky, a proud student at YULA. Besides being a great ball player, Dovi takes his learning seriously and loves a good vort on the parsha, contributing greatly to the chabura.
All in all, Yitzchak’s Chabura is having an amazing time on Kollel, and they can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer has in store!