Yonah Tarzik could not have asked for a better start to his second summer as a madrich and third summer overall on NCSY Kollel. Yonah has had the privilege of calling Bergenfield, NJ, home for the last 18 years. He attended Heichal HaTorah, Sha’alvim, and just completed his first year at YU.

As soon as Yonah’s chaburah disembarked from the plane (at least most of them), they hit the ground running (all of them). The enthusiasm and excitement have been incredible from the start and only keep getting better by the day. The chaburah is made up of some of TABC’s finest. To start off, there’s Jack Nordlicht (New Rochelle), whose hasmada and drive for greatness greatly benefit the chaburah. Next is Daniel Eckman (Teaneck), who always brings tremendous positive energy and simchas hachaim, making the chaburahs fun and exciting. Then we have Akiva Horn (also from Teaneck). When not slipping at Max Cakes or trying to catch a lizard, Akiva is always looking out for others and making insightful comments in chaburahs. Next, we have the duo from Memphis. First up is Jack Kampf, whose commitment and dedication to Yiddishkeit inspire everyone. Then there’s Rafi Davidowicz, who you can usually find at the ping pong table or asking bomb kashyas during chaburahs. To round out the squad, we have the homegrown NCSY Kollel legend Chaim Turetsky. His sensitivity and thoughtfulness make him a pleasure to be around. Each member brings their own unique personality and flavor, creating an amazing chaburah dynamic.

The chaburah is learning through the sugyas of the שש זכירות. They are exploring why each one is part of the שש זכירות and how to incorporate those lessons into their lives. They’re learning about the importance of Talmud Torah, the holiness of Shabbos, how to protect oneself from lashon hara, and so much more!

The summer has gotten off to an unbelievable start, and it’s certain to only get better from here!

Danny Weinberger, a five-year veteran, has returned as a madrich on NCSY Kollel for the third summer in a row. After shteiging away at Frisch and Shaalvim, he made his way to the University of Pennsylvania, where he strives to spread the light of Torah that he gained from his summers on Kollel.

Danny’s chabura is composed of six highly motivated and superstar NCSYers from around America and Israel. First up is Akiva Lanner, one of two members from Katz YHS in Boca Raton, FL. Akiva’s simchas hachaim and enthusiastic attitude always bring amazing vibes to the chabura. Next from Katz is Golan Agyhion, whose intelligent ha’aros, questions, and laser-focused approach serve as a model for what it takes to be an eved Hashem. The second high school duo, Akiva Borgen and Jeb Fields, hails from Teaneck, NJ, representing TABC. Akiva’s curiosity consistently enlightens the chabura with intriguing questions that lead to fun and meaningful discussions. Jeb’s knowledge of Rebbeim and composed mentality fascinates the chabura and helps keep them on track. Their sole Israeli member, representing Chorev from Beit Shemesh, is Eliyahu Rosner, whose confidence and unique experiences bring a crucial perspective to the chabura. Last but not least is Yehuda Dock, representing Heichal from Teaneck, NJ. Yehuda’s constant and contagious smile demonstrates an extraordinary ahava for Hashem and His Torah.

This summer, Danny’s chabura is focused on learning about tefilla, delving into sugyas that cover the preparatory aspects of davening as well as the kavana one should have while praying—both individually and as a tzibbur.

The summer has been amazing so far, and the boys can’t wait to see what more is in store!
 
 

Eitan Dukas is enjoying his fourth summer on NCSY Kollel. A member of both Teaneck and Bergenfield (border houses do exist), Eitan attended Frisch, then Shaalvim for two years, and is now entering his last year at YU.

Eitan’s Chaburah brings together members from across the U.S., representing the diversity of the Jewish people. From the Windy City and Fasman Yeshiva are Chayim Zahtz and Natie Rosen. On the East Coast, there are four of MTA’s finest: Andi Richman, Gavi Engel, and Shai Sabo, all from Bergenfield, while Joe Mogul holds down the fort in Teaneck.

This summer, Eitan’s chaburah is focusing on two main topics. The first is various Middos in Bein Adam L’chaveiro, where they’ve learned about V’ahavta L’reacha Kamocha, embarrassing others, and more. They’re also spending time delving into the purpose of Mitzvos, understanding why we have them, their importance, and much more.

This Chaburah has already learned and grown so much and can’t wait to continue the rest of the summer and beyond!

Moving on from Shana Bet at Gush, and before that, TABC for high school, Chanan Schreiber is spending his second summer on NCSY Kollel, this time as a madrich, before heading to YU for the coming year.

Baruch Hashem, it’s been a great start to the summer with an all-star lineup in the chabura. Eddie Bohm and Elie Fenster, both from the Bronx, are in high school at SAR. From further down the East Coast, there’s Gabe Cohen from Boca Raton, Eitan Lasry from Hollywood, and Netanel Rubin from Coral Springs, all attending Katz Yeshiva High School.

The Chabura is delving into very important topics, focusing on Israel and the current situation of Am Yisrael. How should one react to news that an enemy has been killed? Is it so obvious that you should celebrate? Do the mitzvot you perform hold more significance when done in the land that Hashem has promised us? If Birkat Kohanim is so important, why is it done daily only in Israel? These are just a few glimpses into the discussions within the chabura.

B’Ezrat Hashem, Chanan and the entire Chabura will continue to grow together, learn together, and enjoy their time together throughout the rest of the summer!

Zachary Magerman, in his first summer on NCSY Kollel, is sharing Torah as a madrich. After growing up in Philadelphia and spending two years at Yeshivat Orayta, he spent the past two years at UPenn and will be transferring after this summer to continue his studies at YU.

His chaburah is made up of five first-team All-Pro out-of-towners: three from Maryland and two from Montreal. Noah Lichtman (Berman Hebrew Academy) brings an infectious positive attitude to the chaburah, especially when speaking about or to his Yeshiva league role model, Zevi Samet. Akiva Kranzler (Berman Hebrew Academy) is a gifted learner with incredible Hebrew skills, using them in combination with his motivation and consistency. Zevi Goldsmith (TA of Baltimore) is always encouraging and hyping up his friends, making sure to care about others while also growing and shteiging himself. Ben Fallenbaum (Hebrew Academy of Montreal) is deeply committed to his Avodas Hashem, consistently putting in the work to be a strong learner and a mindful person (he’s beaten me to the Beis every single morning so far!). Daniel Levy (Hebrew Academy of Montreal) is a charismatic and friendly presence whose Talmud Torah skills and self-control are well beyond his age.

This summer, they are learning about middot, using the Ramchal’s Mesillas Yesharim as a framework for understanding how to best bring Hashem’s light into the world. This includes sugyot on Talmud Torah, Simchah, personal growth, Shmirat Halashon, and mini-lessons on Jewish mindfulness/meditation, kabbalah, and chassidus. The chaburah builds their middos in the beis and ensures they bring those middos to the basketball court, where they also thrive on their respective teams.

This summer has been incredibly meaningful so far, and the guys can’t wait to continue their amazing journey together!
 

Ariel Strick is a legendary figure hailing from Chicago and a proud alumnus of Fasman Yeshiva High School. After attending Yeshivat Sha’alvim for two years, he completed his first year at Yeshiva University. This is Ariel’s third summer on NCSY Kollel and his second as a madrich.

Some chaburahs are good, others are great, but Strick’s chaburah is something the world has never seen. For your starting lineup… (play ’90s Bulls starting lineup music on your phone for dramatic effect!) At point guard, Avi “Ben Yehuda” Ambinder from Baltimore, Maryland, out of T.A. High School. At shooting guard, Charlie “Haircut” Turner from Baltimore, Maryland, out of T.A. High School. At small forward, Elyon “BMX” Guttenburg from Miami Beach, Florida, out of Mesivta of South Florida. At power forward, Kfir “The Foodie” Kelemer from Baltimore, Maryland, out of T.A. High School. And at center, Yitzy “Jimi Hendrix” Wiener from Baltimore, Maryland, out of Yeshivat Mikor Hachaim.

This all-time chaburah has been delving into some of the most fascinating topics Judaism has to offer, including Techiyas Hameisim, Gilgulim, Mashiach, dinosaurs, the creation of the world, and much more! The summer has been incredible thus far, and each day brings new adventures for this extraordinary group of guys.

Benzion Rotblat is currently enjoying his third summer on NCSY Kollel. He attended TABC and Sha’alvim and will be learning at YU this upcoming year. This is Benzion’s second year as a madrich.

Benzion’s chaburah is made up of what are likely the top five guys on Kollel. Elisha Grinfeld (TABC), Ashi Chanales (Heichal), Hillel Jachter (Heichal), and Dov Zomberg (Heichal) share a Bergen County connection with Benzion, while Shua Aharon and Eitan Coronel make up the 5 Towns contingent of the chaburah.

This summer, Benzion’s Chaburah is focusing on sugyos that relate to our connection to Eretz Yisrael. They are learning about a variety of topics from many different parts of Shas with the goal of deepening their bond to the land while they are here. The aim is to carry this connection to Eretz Yisrael with them even beyond the summer.

The summer has been great so far, and the Chaburah is excited to finish strong!

Joseph Mann has been having an amazing summer on NCSY Kollel as a madrich. This is his first summer on the program. Joseph lives in Teaneck, NJ, and attended Yeshivat Noam for elementary school and TABC for high school. He spent the last two impactful years at Yeshivat Mevaseret Tzion and will be starting at Ner Yisroel this fall.

Joseph’s chaburah consists of some of the most amazing guys to ever join the program! Not only are they super talented and unique, but they also come from all over the U.S. First up is sharpshooter Akiva Wogan, hailing from Memphis, TN, who attends Missouri Torah Institute. Also from MTI is the incredible guitarist and stellar Cholent chef from Clifton, NJ, Avraham Rosenblum. Moving down south, we have Noam Oppenheimer from Boca Raton, FL. Noam is always ready to go, with a motivation that can’t be beat, whether on the court or in the beis. Shifting to the Midwest, the chaburah is completed with two representatives from Chicago. First is Srulie Lebedinsky who not only is a force on the court, but he’s equally dominant in the Beis, always asking amazing questions. Last but certainly not least, the chaburah has the zechus of being home to Naftali (aka NOF) Vilenski, who’s always ready to bring 100% energy to the chaburah and have a great time.

The limud of the chaburah this summer is focused around Matan Torah. They’ve delved into topics such as what makes Matan Torah so integral to being a Yid, and explored some of the Aseres Hadibros like Kibud Av V’eim, Shabbos, and Lo Tachmod. The Chaburah also discussed subjects like Netilas Yadayim, Tefilah, borrowing without permission, and much, much more! The summer has been amazing so far, and it’s only going to get more Gishmak!

Ovadya Yaish couldn’t have asked for a better start to his third summer on NCSY Kollel, and his second as a madrich. Hailing from Bergenfield, NJ, Ovadya has been a part of the vibrant Jewish community there for almost his entire life. He’s a proud alum of Heichal HaTorah, spent three years in Israel learning at Yeshiva Netiv Aryeh, and is currently deepening his Torah study at the Yeshiva of Greater Washington.

This summer, Ovadya’s chabura has quickly become a tight-knit group. Although they come from different parts of New York, there’s a unique chemistry that has been brewing from day one. Leading the charge is Sammy Shafir from Brooklyn, NY, who attends MAY and brings a solid sense of humor and energy to every session. Alongside him is Aaron Weinstein from Woodmere, NY, also a MAY talmid, who offers thoughtful insights and keeps the discussions lively. Tani Wind, another Woodmere native from MAY, brings a calm and steady presence that balances the group. Akiva Simchon from Brooklyn, NY, who attends MTA, keeps everyone on their toes with his engaging questions and perspectives. Last, but definitely not least, Azi Steiner from Monsey, NY, a Yeshivat Frisch talmid, adds a sharp mind and quick wit to the mix.

This summer, Ovadya’s chabura is diving into the profound idea that, as Jews, we are royalty. Each session explores this concept, examining how it impacts their understanding of self-worth, responsibility, and the way they live their lives as young Jewish men.

The chabura has gotten off to an incredible start, and with such a dynamic group, it’s sure to only get better from here!

Tzvi Abrams, from Chicago, IL, attended Fasman Yeshiva High School before traveling to Nof Ayalon to learn for two years at Yeshivat Sha’alvim. This past year, Tzvi took his talents to Washington Heights, where he completed his first year learning in Rav Koenigsberg’s shiur at Yeshiva University. This summer marks Tzvi’s third appearance on NCSY Kollel.

The Chaburah, known as “Blueberry Icebox” on their WhatsApp group chat, is composed of five NCSY’ers with Chicago backgrounds. First up is Akiva Isenberg (Fasman Yeshiva), the King of Basketball Team 32. Next is the MopBall 2024 All-Star Game MVP, Naftali Neikrug (Fasman Yeshiva). Then, there’s David Kluk (Fasman Yeshiva), otherwise known as Mr. Shoko B’Sakit, followed by Ami Gavant (Ida Crown), the only person from Ida Crown who knows how to play Torah Bowl with the Yeshiva guys. Finally, there’s Shlomo Ross (Ahavat Yisrael), who made Aliyah from Chicago and now resides in Ramat Beit Shemesh. Shlomo adds a sense of seriousness and is always striving to understand the Chaburah. With the majority of the group hailing from the greater Chicago area, the chaburah shares a special bond and camaraderie.

This summer, the Chaburah has delved into various Sugyas of Shabbos. Their learning has encompassed topics such as Bigdei Shabbos, Hadlakas Neros, playing ball on Shabbos, and reading newspapers on Shabbos. Each Sugya has been explored in depth, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the gift that is Shabbos. As the summer progresses, the Chaburah has grown significantly, both in their Torah learning and in their camaraderie. Each member of the “Blueberry Icebox” Chaburah has developed a deeper appreciation for the holiness of Shabbos. They look forward to the rest of the summer, eager to learn more and grow together!