Sam Mandel, the chabura’s madrich, is from Scarsdale, NY. It is his first summer on NCSY Kollel. After graduating SAR High School, He spent two years overseas at Yeshivat Shaalvim, and plans on spending his next chapter at Yeshiva University. 

Although Sam gives it his all, the NCSYer’s exceptional grit and hasmada is what makes the ‘bura special. Out of Mesivta Ateres Yaakov, we have the star-studded trio of Shmuli Feldman(West Hempstead), Eli Zern(Cedarhurst), and Akiva Mosak(North Woodmere). When in doubt, you can always count on Shmuli to come out firing with a strong kashya, as well as a Mak’s birthday cake that can feed a family for weeks. He’s complimented by Akiva Mosak, a budding phenom who loves a good Mets win, but has even more affinity for the Meiri. Lastly, we have Eli Zern, the “makkos master” who subtly puts the chabura on his back, volunteering to read mekoros aloud more than any talmid the game has ever seen. Out of DRS, we have Sruli Seigel(Hewlett), Mendy Markus(North Woodmere), and Yosef Adler(Cedarhurst). Sruli has been a key member since day one, with his soothing “esa einay”, but more importantly his memorable explanation of a chakira in the sugya of Tosefes shabbos, which sparked a shiur debate about the nature of a hamburger with added pastarami. He’s complemented by Mendy Markus, who’s always locked in during chabura, but even more so on the football field. As the bura was developing into a legitimate championship contender, they realized one essential piece was missing. Minutes before the trade deadline, the bura traded cash considerations for Yosef Adler. Yosef’s elegant middos as well as his desire for torah has made the bura complete. 

The chaburas mission is twofold. First, the understanding and analysis of some of Torah’s most classic sugyas, such as zrizin makdimin lmitzvos, birchas hatorah, and shomeah keoneh. Second, to instill core jewish values into the NCSYers, discussing the topics of simcha, teshuva and more. This summer has been incredible so far and it should only get better from here!

This summer is Akiva Prager’s 4th summer in Beit Meir, with two summers as an NCSYer and two as a Madrich. Growing up in Teaneck, he attended TABC for high school and after that spent two years in Yeshivat Sha’alvim.

Akiva’s Chabura is a truly impressive group of highschoolers from across the tri-state area. From Woodmere, the Chabura is lucky to have Yaakov Meisels and Aviel Weinberg, two of the finest DRS has to offer. Next, representing MTA’s best, the Chaburah was excited to welcome Eli Schwartz of Teaneck. Last and certainly not least, Zev Horwitz, Abie Jacoby, and Netanel Goldfischer of Teaneck round out the group granting a near majority to Heichal. Even in the first week, the dynamic in Chaburas has been incredible, with open maps, witty puns, and tons of personality. 

The energy and serious talent of the group is brought to life by their Limmud this year, a deep dive into the neglected and fascinating world of the Beis HaMikdash through the day of Yom Kippur. With a large number of Leviim in the group, the Chabura embarked on a journey of discovering and deepening their understanding of the Avodas Yom HaKippurim in all of its details and intrigue. From the original Prisha of the Kohen Gadol 7 days before Yom Kippur all the way through the final washing of the hands and feet at the end of the day, the group will have a chance to learn about many different things that went on in the Mikdash on this unbelievable day, with a colored picture packet and deep Mekoros to help make things even more palpable. As a satellite of Radin and Brisk in Beit Meir, Akiva’s Chabura has truly displayed excitement for the complex topics ahead. 

Akiva and the guys are having a special summer of growth and relationship building and hope to continue and strengthen that over the rest of the summer and beyond!

Isaac Forgash is currently enjoying his 5th overall summer on NCSY Kollel, and his 3rd as a Madrich. Isaac attended TABC and then went to learn in Yeshivat Mevaseret Tzion for 2 years. Now, Isaac is entering his senior year of Yeshiva University. 

Isaac’s Chabura is made up of 4 incredibly amazing guys. First, hailing from Woodmere is Dovid Hirsch (MAY). Second, is Shmuel Feuer from Monsey, (Heichal) Next, is Yosef Warum from New York City who is proud to be a Lion. (MTA). Last but certainly not least is Chezky Wurtzel, from Passiac and who reps the Hornets. (Heichal)  

Isaacs Chabura is structured around various aspects of Judaism, with the goal of creating a new perspective on those topics that will allow for deeper understanding of them to create a more passionate Jewish life. Isaac takes a different area of Judaism each week, and spends the week discussing different aspects of that topic. The goal is that by the end of the week, the guys will hopefully have a more nuanced view of whatever was discussed. Examples of topics include, davening, the 9 days and Tisha B’av, various everyday mitzvos like Tzedakah, Kiddush Hashem, and so much more. Issac’s Chabura has been amazing so far this summer and will hopefully only go up from here! 

Dani Pfeiffer lives in Teaneck NJ, attended MTA for high school, and has been learning in Aish Gesher for the past two years. He looks forward to continue his learning in Ner Yisroel (Baltimore) this upcoming Elul Zman. After attending Kollel in 2019 as an NCSYer, Dani is thrilled to be back as a madrich!

After just 2 weeks on kollel, he feels truly blessed to have such amazing group of guys in his chabura this summer. The chabura includes Josh Treuhaft from Bergenfield (MTA), Eitan Donath from White Plains (MTA), Yoel Kopstick from Staten Island (Heichal), Yosef Karpel from North York (Darchei) and EJ Erber from NYC (Frisch).

Dani’s chabura is learning about a vast array of topics. The foundation and core of their learning is based on the first Perek of Mesillas Yesharim and other sources in the Torah, which state that the purpose of creation is for us to take pleasure in Hashem. After gaining an appreciation for what this means, they will be prepared to serve Hashem with a greater sense of clarity, purpose and fervor to learn His Torah and perform His Mitzvos.

The summer has been great thus far, and will only get better from here!

This summer is Menachem Levy’s second Beit Meir experience and his debut as a madrich on NCSY Kollel after taking a four year hiatus. Residing in Miami Beach, FL, Menachem attended the RASG Hebrew Academy for high school and just wrapped up his second year at Yeshivas Reishit in Beit Shemesh. He plans on continuing his learning in Yeshiva University this upcoming fall. 

Menachem’s chabura is made up of an awesome group of guys coming from diverse backgrounds and with unique perspectives. Starting in Surfside FL, Yisroel Duchman’s constant insight forces the guys to think a little bit deeper; it always seems like he has something smart to add. From just over the bridge in Bay Harbor Islands, Coby Salzhauer never misses the opportunity to brighten everyone’s mood. Mikkel Hertzberg from Atlanta, GA mixes in his musical expertise with his learning in a way nobody can see coming. Hailing from Woodmere and Long Beach respectively, Zack Lasker and Chananya Goldberg bring an infectious fire to the chabura every day that can be felt by the whole squad. Together, the guys bond over a pursuit for genuine connection and discovery. 

Thus far, the chaburah has explored the concept of dveikus and discussed how to transform Avodas Hashem into more than just a routine. They have gained a newfound appreciation for Lashon HaKodesh in analyzing different brachos of Shemoneh Esrei and learnt some of the most famous mishnayos in Pirkei Avos in an attempt to refine their middos. The summer is flying by, but this group has so much more to learn!

This chabura spotlight is featuring Yitzchok Lowy. He’s a DRS/Hakotel alumnus who’s spending his 3rd summer on NCSY Kollel, 2nd as a Madrich. 

Yitzchok’s chabura includes Rafi Lubetsky from the upper west side of the city that never sleeps, who’s currently in TABC. Next up, from across the country, we got Yosef Halevy. Although he lives in LA, Yosef’s probably the only Celtics fan who attends YULA. Next, from across the globe, we got the Ben-Aliyah himself, Eliyahu Kramer. Living in Ramat Bet Shemesh, and formerly from Woodmere, NY, he’s currently in Ahavat Yisroel. Moving down south, from Surfside we have Beni Ness. His talents are currently being maximized at Toras Chaim. Lastly, from North Miami Beach, we have the baller himself, David Tangir, also in Toras Chaim.

The chabura discusses various topics that aim to help one grow with regards to wanting to do mitzvos, as well as working on one’s bein Adam lachavero. The chabura also discussed the importance of taking advantage of one’s time and the benefits to always staying positive.

This summer so far has been amazing and super productive and will only get better from here!

Avi Tepler is enjoying his second summer at NCSY Kollel, and his first, as a madrich. A New Rochelle, NY native, Avi spent his early school years at SAR before trekking over the GWB to TABC for high school. For the past two years Avi has been learning at Yeshivat Hakotel and will attend YU this upcoming fall. 

Avi’s vibrant chabura is filled with a talented group of proud out-of-towners hailing from the sunny states of Florida and California. Starting with a stacked line up from the up and coming Boca, we have returnees Binny Perl (KYHS) and Joshua Haik (KYHS) as well as Simcha Hecht (KYHS) and David Link (KYHS). The Katz chevra envies the tame LA weather that Adir Tashman (MDY) is zocheh to have, who, in turn, seamlessly rounds out the ‘Bura. Each uses his unique personality and ideas to enhance the dynamic chabura environment. 

This summer, the chabura has been focusing on Sugyos on Mitzvos that a Jew involves himself with from the moment he wakes up each morning until he goes to sleep at night. The goal has been to instill and develop a heightened sense of awareness of HaShem in our day-to-day lives and understand how the detailed Halachic system guides and channels our ongoing mission as Ovdei Hashem. Additionally, the guys have enjoyed discussing the personalities and works of the Chochmei HaMesorah as deep dives into new seforim. Avi and the truly special chevra of guys in the chabura are excited for continued learning, growth and relationship-building to be had this summer and beyond Be’H!

Introducing an exciting Chabura! Helmed by Madrich Ovadya Yaish, from Bergenfield, NJ! Ovadya attended Heichal HaTorah in Teaneck, NJ for high school and learned at Netiv Aryeh in the holy Old City of Jerusalem. He is continuing his studies at YGW in Silver Spring, MD. 

Ovadya who attended NCSY Kollel in high school himself is passionate about bringing this group “Closer to Hashem” as they learn a rich mixture of Torah texts and modern day sources on some of the classic philosophical questions a developing Jew encounters along the journey of life! His fellow seekers are Heichal HaTorah students, Dovi Morris from Passaic, NJ, Aryeh Krimsky from Clifton, NJ, Jake Lutz, from Passaic, NJ, MTA student Gav Schwartz from Clifton, NJ and last but not least Eitan Ribault from all the way from Glendale, Wisconsin! 

No question is too big or small to tackle as this group learns about connecting with Hashem and connecting with themselves, while of course having the absolute happiest time!

Yakov Sundel, from Boston, MA, is on NCSY Kollel for the first time. Yakov intends on completing his 3rd year and graduating from Yeshiva University this upcoming year. Prior to YU, Yakov learned two years in Keren B’Yavneh (KBY) and attended Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael back home for high school. 

The Matzah Pizza Chabura has the Big Four from Heichal Hatorah: Aryeh Schimel (Clifton), Shai Kruter (Clifton), Shaya Waltuch (Highland Park), Yonatan Schiowitz (Teaneck). Additionally, the Chabura has the unbelievable Zchus to have the Twin Towers from DRS: Eytan Leibowitz (5T) and Mishael Lalehzari (Great Neck). 

This summer, the Matzah Pizza Chabura is studying various aspects within the Yaharog V’Al Ya’avor, Retzicha, and Bah BaMachteres Sugyos (from Gemara Sanhedrin Perek Ben Soreir Oo’Moreh). Using current events, the Chabura is discussing topics like the Trolley Problem, Sheba Ben Bichri (Shmuel 2 Perek 20), and the extent to which we must complete the Mitzvos, amongst others. (The Bochrim are also learning about the greatness of Matzah Pizza, a delicacy that can be eaten all year around!)

The Bochrim from the Matzah Pizza Chabura are thrilled to be on Kollel and are pumped to continue learning about such interesting topics with great focus and intensity. Especially, all of us are super excited to have Rav Schachter join us on Kollel for much of the rest of the summer.

David Markovitz is joining NCSY Kollel as a Madrich in his first summer on campus. David attended Frisch, followed by Sha’alvim for two years, and is looking forward to joining Yeshiva University in the fall. 

David’s chabura includes some of the most geshmak and happy guys in the Beis Medrish. The chabura consists of the Bergenfield/Heichal Big 3: Avraham Berkowitz, Nosson Feigenbaum, and Ezra Hochbaum. It is rounded out by the dynamic duo of Aryeh Greenbaum (Flushing NY, MTA) and Zvi Kahn (Bergenfield, TABC) who add so much energy to each chabura through their questions and jokes. They are all integral pieces that bring so much to the chabura dynamic. 

This summer, David’s chabura is focused on learning different le’maaseh sugyas related to sports and interpersonal relationships. Some of the topics include who is chiav to pay for injuries which occur in the heat of a game, calling others by nicknames, and cheating. 

In each chaburah they break down the entire sugyah all the way from the Torah’s mekor to the contemporary psak given on the matter. 

This summer has been unbelievable thus far and will only keep getting better as they continue growing together.