Shalom Aleichem!! Eitan Pfeiffer is spending his 4th summer on NCSY Kollel, 3rd summer as a madrich. He loves loves loves being on the kollel. There are so many opportunities for growth for everyone on the kollel. The kollel really is just heaven in 6 weeks that everyone looks back at and wishes they can be back to their summer on the kollel. 

His Chabura this year is Azarya Tiger (TABC), Yissocher Zauderer (HEICHAL), Yoel Gellman (TABC), Dani Needle (TABC), and Akiva Fried (HEICHAL). It was so special for Eitan to learn with such an unbelievable chevra. He could go on for paragraphs and say why these guys are so special but the Chabura spotlight would be too long. 

This summer Eitan’s Chabura learned a lot of different sugyos in Halacha and Hashkafa. They learned mostly sugyas in Ohr Hachaim, like sugyos in Talmud Torah, tefilla, brachos, Shabbos and more. The hashkafa was mainly from the mashgiach, Harav Wolbe zt’l, including other things as well. The learning was sweet and enjoyable, with chavrusa time and interaction throughout. 

CHASDEI HASHEM YISBARACH TORAHHHHH IS ORAH!!

Binny Freundlich is currently enjoying his fourth summer on NCSY Kollel. He attended Hebrew Academy of Montreal followed by Shaalvim and is currently learning in YU. This is Binny’s third year as a Madrich. 

Binny has the best group of post 11th graders in the bura this summer! Hailing from Teaneck is the most famous rapper in the New Jersey area, someone who lives his entire life in the world of olam habbah, R’ Micah Cyrulnik (TABC). The Florida contingent in the Chaburah is very strong, with Eitan Goldsmith jamming out from North Miami Beach, and will create a song (while wearing his sun glasses) before you can even blink (Ohr Hatorah). Right there with him is none other then Binyamin Fish, swimming in from Miami Beach, always smiling and shteiging and adding great energy to the chaburah (Ohr Hatorah). Next up is Doniel Austein, all the way from Woodmere, NY. Doniel is often compared to legends like R’ Yisroel Kaminetzky along with R’ Saquon Barkley, and it is a great honor to have such a presence in the bura (DRS). Coming in at a whopping 6 foot 6 is Eli Eisenberg from North Woodmere. Eli adds more than just height to the chaburah, with his extra large logos, he really is the one who threads the needle, keeping us all together (DRS). Last but certainly not least, Ariel Mayer coming from Queens, NY. Ariel embodies the statement that there ain’t nothing like the last minute. Despite his late arrival, Ariel has already made a tremendous impact on the chaburah (DRS). 

Together, the chaburah studied rigorously, and have analyzed many important sugyas in depth. They have really delved into the world of Mamarei Chazal such as “the ceiling is the roof” and “what goes around, goes around”. 

The Chabura have really had an פרי׳ מורי׳ time, and they can’t wait to finish the summer strong!!

Moshe Tzvi (MT) Shapiro is originally from Hamilton, Canada, though now he lives in Yerushalayim. He went to Skokie Yeshiva, and then Yeshivat Hakotel/the Golani Brigade for the past 4 years. Next year he’ll be studying in Machon Lev. This is his first summer on NCSY Kollel. 

Ezra Shmuel is from Edison, NJ and goes to MTA. Shlomo Golubchik is from Highland Park, NJ and goes to Heichal. Eli Fogel is from Edison, NJ and goes to MTA. Binyamin Neimark is from Highland Park, NJ and goes to Heichal. Jake Levine is from Highland Park, NJ and goes to JEC. 

This summer, the Chabura is learning about Tefila. Some of the topics we’re covering are: the goal of davening, its importance, what it means to daven properly and how to prepare for Tefila. They have discussed some of the challenges of tefila, what makes it so hard to daven with kavana, and tips and tools to daven with kavana and tap into the emotions of tefila. They have also talked about the big themes of tefila, and some amazing insights and themes of individual tefilos. Additionally the chabura has learnt some of the halachos of davening and the deeper reasons behind those halachos. As well, every week they hae touched upon a fundamental concept in tefila that comes from the parsha of that week. 

The summer’s been awesome so far and we’re sad it’s coming to a close, but we’re looking forward to keep on learning and growing throughout the year!

Eli Rockoff grew up in West Hempstead, NY and attended DRS for high school and then most recently spent two years learning at Yeshivat Hakotel. After the summer, he plans to continue his studies at YU. 

Eli feels incredibly fortunate to be back at NCSY Kollel, serving as a madrich. Having been an NCSYer on Kollel himself, Eli deeply appreciates the impact that dedicated advisors can have on the campers’ lives and is eager to give back to the NCSYers in the same way they did for him. 

One of Eli’s primary focuses this summer is to build a strong and cohesive camaraderie within his chabura. He is thrilled to be leading a group of truly exceptional guys including: Chanoch Book from Monsey (Ohavei Torah); Gavriel Cohen from Fairlawn (TABC); Akiva Fox from Teaneck (MTA); Aryeh Schimel from Clifton (Heichal Hatorah) and Mayer Schwartz from Teaneck (MTA). The summer has already been fantastic and in just a short time, the chabura has already fostered strong connections and friendships. 

The learning focus of Eli’s chabura is to delve into fundamental and thought-provoking sugyas in machshava, exploring the essence of Jewish identity and the reasons that underlie our actions as Jews. The NCSYers are engaging in stimulating discussions, addressing questions like “Who are we?”, “What do we do?”, and “Why do we do it?”. The topics covered, such as the purpose of creation, bechiras am yisrael, ta’amei hamitzvos, and talmud torah k’neged kulam, are profound and provide the NCSYers with a deeper understanding of their Jewish identity and values. 

As the summer progresses, we are looking forward to continuing to grow together and are excited to build lasting memories and bonds that will extend well beyond our time at NCSY Kollel.

Gabe Kurlander is enjoying his very first summer on NCSY Kollel. He attended HAFTR and Sha’alvim and is planning on going to YU next year for his first year.

Gabe’s Chabura includes some of the best guys around: Yoni Posner from Woodmere (DRS), Yosef Razi from Great Neck (DRS), Netanel Schechter from Bergenfield (MTA), and Ezra Weiss from Staten Island (Heichal).

This summer, Gabe’s Chabura will be focusing on a mixture of Lumdus, Halacha, Machshava, and Chassidus. Some of the sugyas include the Kavana in Tefilla, Simcha in Talmud Torah, the importance of every Jew, the Kedusha of Shabbos, the Chiyuv of a Ben Torah outside the walls of the Beis Medresh, cool paradoxes in Halacha, and much much more. The goal of the learning is to gain Yediyus Hatorah while at the same time cultivating middos and an ability to see the world through Torah Lenses. 

Baruch Hashem, Gabe’s Chabura have clicked instantly and have been enjoying their Gishmak Morning Seder, post-Chabura rikud, and their chills outside the beis. All of this has combined for what continues to be an incredible summer! Chasdei HaShem!!

Eitan Warburg is very much enjoying his fifth summer on NCSY Kollel, his third as a madrich. Hailing from Teaneck, NJ, Eitan has attended MTA for high school, Sha’alvim for two years, and is now in Yeshiva University. 

Annnnnnnd now…The Starting lineup for your World Champion, Outta Town Bnei Torah!! 

At Forward, from SCY High (San Diego), standing at 5’10, the one and only Nadav Aron! The Man in the Middle, from Farber Academy (Detroit), at 6’1, Shmuel Schottenstein! All the way from Cooper (Memphis), at guard, 5’8, Rafi Goldkin! At 5’7, from Farber Academy (Detroit), bringing the energy, Gideon “cheers” Lopatin! 

This summer, Eitan’s chabura is focusing on how to infuse תורה in our daily life activities with the goal of becoming true בני תורה. We are learning a variety of topics including תפילה, halachik aspects to different sports scenarios and the beauty of שבת along with many other halachik and hashkafik topics relating to one’s daily life. In addition, we entered the world of certain thought provoking sugyos such as אדם מועד לעולם, שואל שלא ברשות and שומר חנם. 

In addition to the regular chabura slot, the chevra decided that it was time to add another limud. The chabura decided to learn Mishna Yoma, with the hope of connecting more to the churban, relating more to the Yom Kippur davening and having a limud that continues beyond the summer bez”H! 

It has been incredible to see how much the chevra has grown so far in both their knowledge of תורה and their מידות with even bigger and better things just around the corner as we enter the final week of an extraordinary summer. We are looking forward to our continued success in Beit Meir and beyond!

Benzion Rotblat is having a great time on his second summer on NCSY Kollel. He attended TABC and Sha’alvim and is planning on attending YU next year. This is Benzion’s first year as a Madrich. 

Benzion’s Chabura contains likely the top 5 guys on Kollel. All hailing from the Teaneck/Bergenfield area, the local connection helps create great chemistry amongst the guys. The MTA element, made up of Isaac Kantowitz, a stud baseball player who brings great questions to chaburahs every day, and Shua Ratzker, a natural leader with a real desire to grow in his Avodas Hashem. Judah Melzer, the Frisch Cougar of the group, is an incredible Ben Torah who continues to wow the rest of the chaburah with his humor and his encyclopedic knowledge of Nach, Aggadeta, and Civil War history. Dovid Saks, with his incredible patience and easy-going personality, and Yonatan Halstuch, a real Masmid who really pushes the chaburahs to another level, make up the TABC guys in the Chabura. 

The Chabura is learning sugyos of the Sheva Mitzvos Bnei Noach and related sugyos with a hope of observing the contrast to Dinei Yisroel in order to gain a greater appreciation for our Kedushas Yisroel. It’s crazy how fast the summer has gone by and the guys are excited to finish strong!

Zecharia Lebowitz the Rosh Chabura of this amazing group went to DRS for high school, followed by an almost 2 year stint in Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim, which was followed by a short lived 2.5 months in Ner Yisroel, next year Zecharia will be attending Yeshiva University, where he is absolutely thrilled to be continuing his education. This is Zecharia’s second summer on Kollel and first as a madrich. 

The chabura is made up of some of the 6 best guys around, who are true mevakshim seeking to gain a deeper relationship with Hashem and the Torah. First off we have the DRS duo of Shua Lasky from North Woodmere, who excels on the courts and in the studio (check him out on the new DRS music video) and Yitzchack Galler from Woodmere, always giving his all in chaburas, and who’s always positive personality uplift the group tremendously. Next we got the big 3 from Heichal; Dovi Weiss from Monsey, who has yet to miss a 3 point shot this summer, always bringing great energy to the Chabura room, Moshe Levy from Teaneck, never seen without a smile, always has a good Shaila or Haarah keeping Zecharia on his toes, and of course Tzvi Buchen from Passaic NJ, joining the Chabura late but fitting in like a glove right away. Tzvi’s desire to learn and grow truly inspires the rest of the group. Last but not least we got Eliezer Spirgel hailing from Woodmere NY, (MAY) who has shaped the Chabura with his insightful comments, and true desire to soak up every word of Torah. 

The Chabura is learning Sugyas connected to Bein Adam Lechaveiro, not only learning big Shas Sugyas but also working on being better overall people and better friends. Together the Chabura has come together beautifully as a group and are excited to continue to grow together in the next few weeks.

Yaakov Schwartz is currently enjoying his second total, and first year as a Madrich on NCSY Kollel. Yaakov went to MTA for high school before learning two years in the Gush at Yeshivat Har Etzion. Last year, Yaakov continued his learning at Yeshiva University, where he is also majoring in psychology with a minor in music. 

Yaakov Schwartz’s vibrant Chabura thrives on the diverse strengths that each member brings, fostering an environment of growth and camaraderie. Yehuda Lubetski, a dedicated student of Orot Yehuda in Efrat, Israel, lends his insightful perspective, enriching the learning experience. Simcha Levitt, representing Silver Spring, MD, and a scholar at Berman Hebrew Academy, stands as a technical cornerstone, skillfully guiding our reading sessions and enhancing our understanding with his solid grasp of Torah fundamentals. From Kohelet Yeshiva in Cherry Hill, NJ, Ayden Lubin enlivens our debates with his perceptive questions, while Gavi Pollack, hailing from White Plains, NY, and attending SAR High School, keeps the momentum flowing with his thought-provoking inquiries that illuminate our exploration. Charlie Shapiro, joining from the Bronx, NY, and also a student at SAR, infuses our sessions with a contagious energy for learning that radiates throughout the group, ensuring that our Chabura is a dynamic hub of growth and shared wisdom. Each voice brings a distinctive resonance, harmonizing into a symphony of learning that defines our collective journey. 

Yaakov’s Chabura embarks on a journey through pivotal Sugyot relating to the experience of Talmud Torah as they grow as Ovdei Hashem. Starting with Lumdishe Sugyot that explore the nature of Talmud Torah Berabim and the significance of Shenayim Mikra Ve’echad Targum, and continuing with topics relating to the Haftara, the Chabura has embarked on a collective quest to unravel the layers of the various institutions of Torah study. Over the course of the summer, they have also delved into other diverse topics and intriguing discussions, like their exploration of Birkat Me’orei Ha’esh after Shabbos with Rav Schachter in the heart of the Old City of Yerushalayim.

With each Sugya, this Chabura deepens their connection to Limud Hatorah, fostering personal growth that resonates through their interactions within the group and extends to the broader community of Kelal Yisra’el. As they grapple with the nuanced teachings of the Torah, they find themselves drawing closer to one another and, more profoundly, to Kudsha Berikh Hu Himself. The Chabura this summer aims to be a transformative journey that shapes their identities as individuals, Jews, and Ovdei Hashem. Through their collective exploration of these timeless teachings, they embrace the boundless potential of Torah to guide their lives, enrich their relationships, and make a lasting impact on the world around them. In this way, they weave themselves into the tapestry of Klal Yisra’el, contributing to its vibrant fabric one step at a time. 

This summer has been great so far and it should only get better from here!

Tani Konig is enjoying his second summer as a madrich at NCSY Kollel. Hailing from Woodmere, NY, Tani is an alumnus of DRS Yeshiva HS and enriched his yeshiva journey with two additional years at Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim. Tani recently concluded his debut year at ישיבת רבינו יצחק אלחנן and is poised to continue his studies there in the forthcoming Zman.

The Chaburah consists of five legends: David Ellis (San Diego, Scy High), Ezra Epstein (Riverdale, TABC), Yoni Lamet (Miami, Ohr HaTorah), Noah Kurlansky (Hollywood, FL, Ohr HaTorah), and Benny Dalfin (Miami, Yeshiva Toras Chaim). These outstanding NCSYers display their brilliance within their respective circles throughout the school year, and this summer, they’ve come together to form an extraordinary collective, both within and beyond the chaburah setting (you can find some of the chaburah members at @kollel.boyz on TikTok). Despite their recent introduction, their interactions and rapport are profoundly inspiring as they navigate the intricate sugyas introduced by Tani.

The focus of our summer Limmud was to cultivate a deeper self-awareness and enhance our devotion in עבודת ה׳. Right from the start, the boys were enthusiastically engaging with the sugyas, and Tani quickly recognized the need to elevate the Limmud to greater depths. Initially, they delved into the complexities of the sugya concerning the עבד עברי (Hebrew slave) and the importance of understanding that sometimes encountering difficulties and challenges in life is crucial to avoid becoming an עבדו לעולם.

Subsequently, they explored concepts aimed at fortifying their אמונה in ה׳, delving into the reason behind the juxtaposition of the mitzvah of שבת and the mitzvah of contributing donations to the Mishkan in Parshat Vayakhel. This exploration revealed a shared underpinning theme of אמונה that intricately connects both commandments. Furthermore, they delved into the concept of authentic inner strength, exploring the mishna from Pirkei Avot that asks, “איזהו גיבור? הכובש את יצרו.” In conjunction with this, the chaburah engaged in a screen time challenge, demonstrating how they could effectively utilize their time

As the summer draws to a close, their fervor for learning continues to intensify. The upcoming sugyas of “sports and the greatest of battles” and “establishing an insurance policy for the neshama” have ignited the chevre’s enthusiasm, fostering both a sense of unity and the creation of lasting memories among these young men.