Ephraim Shmidman is living it up this year on NCSY Kollel. Whether it’s dropping buckets on the basketball court or dishing out dimes of Torah in the Beis, this summer has been nothing short of exhilarating. Born in Mountain Brook, Alabama, Ephraim brings a healthy dose of Southern hospitality to every Chaburah. After moving to Bala Cynwyd, PA, he became a proud part of what he calls the greatest Jewish community in the world. Ephraim attended Torah Academy of Greater Philadelphia, The Mesivta High School of Greater Philadelphia, and spent two impactful years at Yeshivat Sha’alvim. He’s heading to Yeshiva University this coming year.

Ephraim’s Chaburah is truly one of a kind. Bringing together four guys from three different schools could have been a challenge — but this crew clicked instantly. As the saying goes, “teamwork makes the dream work.”

First up is Mordechai “Mort” Zachter from Bergenfield, NJ (Heichal HaTorah). Mort is hands-down one of the funniest people you’ll meet. His upbeat personality fills the Chaburah with constant laughter and good vibes — and behind the jokes is a sharp thinker who brings real Torah to the table. Eytan Erez from Baltimore (Yeshivas Mekor Chaim) moves with speed and grace — both on the ice rink and in the Beis. Whether it’s tech know-how or Torah insights, Eytan brings quick wit and focused energy to every Chaburah, always contributing with clarity and confidence. Dovi Kaplitt, from Livingston, NJ (Heichal HaTorah), is a top-tier golf player and an even better Torah thinker. His boundless imagination and thought-provoking questions constantly push the group to deeper discussion. Dovi’s passion for learning and standing up for what he believes is truly inspiring. Last but not least, Moshe Trump from the Five Towns (Mesivta Ateres Yaakov) is a creative force with a thoughtful approach to everything. Whether reading Gemara inside or dominating Chaburah trivia, Moshe blends lightheartedness with laser focus, and his wise, calculated input is always appreciated.

This summer, Ephraim’s Chaburah is exploring a wide range of practical topics — from whether to wear Tzitzis while playing sports to the importance of being an active part of your community (not being Poresh Min HaTzibbur).

Despite their geographical and hashkafic diversity, this Chaburah has come together in the most powerful way — creating an atmosphere of serious growth, great conversation, and incredible memories. One thing’s for sure: this Chaburah isn’t done yet — and the best is still to come.

From camper to Jr. Madrich to Madrich to Assistant Head Madrich, this is Ezra Schechter’s fourth summer on NCSY Kollel — and you can feel it in every corner of the Beis. Ezra has grown up through Kollel, and now he’s helping the next generation do the same. Coming from Bergenfield by way of MTA, two years in Sha’alvim, and now YU, Ezra brings a unique combo of Torah passion, emotional depth, real relationships, and a contagious drive to grow.

This summer, Ezra is leading a top-tier group in a Chaburah called “Guide to Growth.” The name isn’t just catchy — it’s the mission. This Chaburah is about asking the questions that matter and using Torah to guide real-life personal growth: How do I grow? What does it mean to be all in for Hashem? How can I be confident even when I’ve messed up? Is it okay to serve Hashem when I’m not feeling it? What role do emotions like love and simcha play in Avodas Hashem? What if I struggle with Torah or Tefillah — how can I still grow? Through honest discussions, deep sugyas, and a lot of laughter along the way, Ezra’s Chaburah is building a powerful foundation in Torah and life.

Let’s meet the squad: Benny Dayan from YULA is the grill master of the Chaburah. He brings the heat both in the kitchen and in the Beis, with thoughtful ideas and a taste for good conversation. Akiva Nagel, also repping YULA and LA, has the unique talent of getting very into the discussion very quickly — and making everyone else want to do the same. The man shows up fired up and ready to learn, and somehow makes every Chaburah more fun and more real at the same time. Dovid Ratzersdorfer, coming in from TABC and Bergenfield, balances razor-sharp Torah insights with elite-level hockey skills. Whether he’s shooting questions in shiur or goals on the court, Dovid’s intensity and depth add a lot to the Chaburah’s vibe. Aaron Edell from Heichal HaTorah is a budding guitar legend, a solid baller, and a great guy to learn with. He brings great energy, great Torah, and is one of the most chilled-out serious learners you’ll meet this summer. Moshe Goldenberg, also from Heichal, is technically Aaron’s guitar rebbe, but he’s also the comic relief of the group — and somehow one of the deepest thinkers too. His jokes hit, his questions hit harder, and when he drops a vort, everyone listens.

Together, this crew from LA and Bergenfield, Heichal and YULA and TABC, has built something special — a Chaburah that’s deep, thoughtful, and actually a ton of fun. But more than that, they’ve built a space of trust, friendship, and real growth — where guys can ask big questions, explore Torah honestly, and support each other in becoming the best versions of themselves.

Naftali Kieffer’s third summer on NCSY Kollel — and first as a madrich — has been absolutely amazing so far. Naftali is from Boca Raton, Florida; he lives where you go to vacation (or visit your grandparents). He is an alumnus of Katz Yeshiva, has just finished two years at Yeshivat HaKotel, and is ready to begin his journey at YU this fall.

Part of what makes Naftali’s Chaburah so unique is the diversity of the guys in it. Starting off with Gavi Engel, who goes to MTA — Gavi always brings his infectious smile, laughter, and chill vibes. Next up, we’ve got the great Aviel “Hey Mann” Kahn from Berman. Aviel’s passion for Talmud Torah and for growth is incredibly inspiring and motivates everyone to want to do better. Yitzi Wiener hails from Yeshivat Mekor Chaim in Maryland. As one of ten siblings, his passionate arguments with Eli during Chaburah are no surprise. Last, but definitely not least, we’ve got Eli Tyszler from the Mesivta of Philadelphia. Eli is one of the sweetest and nicest people you’ll meet and always has something interesting to say.

This summer, Naftali is really excited for his Chaburah titled “What’re We Doing Here?” In it, they are exploring the meaning behind the values of NCSY Kollel — and Judaism as a whole. Topics include “Why We Do Mitzvot,” “Why We Learn Torah,” “What’s the Significance of Eretz Yisrael?” and “What Is the Role of Fun in Judaism?” Naftali is using the Maharal’s Tiferet Yisrael to address many of these questions and hopes the material is engaging and impactful.

The Chaburah has been going great so far, and they’re headed toward an incredible rest of the summer!

Reuven Drazin is currently enjoying his second summer on NCSY Kollel and is having an incredible time. He attended Hebrew Academy of Montreal and Yeshivat HaKotel and will be attending YU next year. This is Reuven’s first year as a madrich.

Reuven’s Chaburah is made up of an insane squad of guys from around the world. Starting with the dynamic duo from Teaneck: Yosef Klein (Heichal HaTorah), whose humor always brings smiles and laughter to the Chaburah, and the other half of the duo, Shmuel Lauer (Heichal HaTorah), who you can always count on to be locked in on the sugya at hand. Then we head to the mean streets of Baltimore with Asher Luxenberg (Talmudical Academy), who always keeps the conversation alive, and finally to the holy city of Jerusalem with Yakir Applebaum (Chorev), the trivia king.

This summer, Reuven’s Chaburah is exploring common life situations and how we can perfect our middos in those cases — and expand that growth to our entire lives.

The summer has been amazing so far, and it’s only going up from here!

David Duitz is spending his first summer on NCSY Kollel, and it’s already been one to remember. A proud New Rochelle native, David attended SAR High School, followed by two amazing years learning in Yeshivat Shaalvim. He’s currently continuing his growth at Yeshiva University. With a love for learning and a relaxed yet thoughtful presence, David has brought an exciting energy to the Kollel campus — and his Chaburah is where that energy really shines.

David’s Chaburah is a powerhouse of personality and connection. Zvi Schiowitz from Teaneck, NJ, a student at Heichal HaTorah, brings sharp humor, strong opinions, and a dominant presence on the intermediate 3-on-3 courts. Dani “DP” Perlman of Bergenfield, NJ, repping Frisch, is a standout athlete with a special talent for wiffleball — especially on the mound. Whether he’s throwing strikes or locked into a sugya, Dani is all about intensity and focus. Down from sunny Boca Raton, FL, Nate Cohen of TTB keeps the vibe positive with his ever-present smile and, crucially, his signature slushie deliveries. He brings a boost of energy to every Chaburah. Rounding out the crew is Doniel Zwelling, also from Boca and also at TTB — a certified three-point threat, a loyal teammate, and a legend in every sense. This group has clicked from the start and hasn’t looked back.

This summer, David is guiding his Chaburah through a range of fascinating topics in both halacha and hashkafa. Together, they’ve explored ideas like mass revelation, the halachos of שכר שבת, and the mystery of עין הרע. Each discussion is packed with thoughtful insights, plenty of back-and-forth, and a healthy dose of laughs.

With this crew, learning is meaningful, energetic, and always memorable — and it’s clear that for this Chaburah, the best is yet to come.

Shua Schloss’s third year on Kollel is making a strong case for the best one yet — thanks in large part to his geshmak Chaburah and the competitive leagues. Coming at you all the way from Bergenfield, NJ, Shua had the absolute zechus to attend TABC as well as Yeshivat Sha’alvim for the past two years, as he prepares to take on YU in the upcoming year.

Shua’s Chaburah is made up of an incredible group of guys, each bringing something unique to the table. Eitan Posy, from YULA High School and the Pico-Robertson area, is always making sure they understand every detail precisely — his dedication to accuracy keeps everyone sharp. Nathan Ziv, also from YULA and coming from the Valley, is constantly looking to grow in learning (as long as he’s not too busy keeping up with R’ Eli Stefansky’s Daf). Dovi Sussman, repping MTA and North Woodmere, brings unmatched energy and a razor-sharp mind that lights up every discussion. And then there’s Shragi Lermer, another MTA guy, who combines deep learning skills with an incredible grasp of history — his insights always add a rich layer to the learning.

Over the summer, Shua’s Chaburah is tackling different mitzvos and parts of davening that are often underrated — like Aleinu, Tachanun, and Kibbud Av Va’Eim.

With the perfect mix of laughs, depth, and growth, this Chaburah is making every day on Kollel count.

Sariel Rotblat is currently enjoying his third summer on NCSY Kollel. Sariel is from Teaneck, NJ; he attended TABC for high school, followed by two years in Yeshivat Sha’alvim, and plans to attend YU this upcoming year. This is Sariel’s first year as a madrich.

Sariel’s Chaburah includes some of the best guys around: Etiel Knoll from Teaneck (TABC), Ezra Drang from Silver Spring (YGW), Shmuel “Muli” Gross from Passaic (YGW), and Micah Frenkel from Silver Spring (Berman).

This summer, Sariel’s Chaburah is focusing on a broad variety of topics surrounding the theme of Mashiach. This includes: What Is Mashiach, Tzipisa LiYeshua, Calculating Mashiach, Mitzvos Beteilos LeAsid Lavo, and many more awesome topics. The goal of the learning is to gain insight and appreciation for what Mashiach is — and why Jews have longed for it throughout time.

The Chaburah has already learned and grown so much, and as we enter the final stretch of what has been an amazing summer, the Chaburah looks to continue that growth and make the most of every second left!

Yoel Horwitz was absolutely ecstatic to embark on his third summer on NCSY Summer Kollel (his second as a madrich). Hailing from Cedarhurst, New York — the greatest of the Five Towns — Yoel has spent the past year in YU, the previous two years in KBY, and the four years before that in DRS (after spending ten years in Yeshiva of South Shore). Yoel has been more than ready to share the valuable lessons and insights he picked up in those institutions with his Chaburah and others on the program!

Yoel’s Chaburah this year is made up of three of the most legendary, renowned 11th grade NCSYers. First, there’s Dov Robret (pronounced Duv Robray) from Montreal, who brings an immense amount of energy to the table. Next, there’s Gavriel Marmom from the Lion’s Den, whose sharp comments keep everyone — especially Yoel — on their toes. Finally, there’s Yitzchok Eizenstat from YGW, who enlightens the rest of the chevra with his philosophical remarks.

Yoel’s Chaburah this summer is mainly focused on learning about different aspects of Shabbos and the Yomim Tovim. However, the Chaburah also discusses many other important Jewish topics such as joining the army, proper middos, and discovering our life’s mission.

This underratedly dynamic Chaburah of four has made incredible progress so far — and they’re energized to finish the summer strong!

Michel Green is enjoying his second summer on NCSY Kollel, and he couldn’t imagine having a better time. A proud resident of Teaneck, Michel attended Frisch, then spent two years learning in Shaalvim, and is planning to start YU in the fall.

Michel’s Chaburah brings people together from across different countries, representing the diversity of the Jewish people. From the United States, there are Moshe Parver, Elchanan Brandstatter, and Noah Weiss — living in New Milford, Bergenfield, and Staten Island, respectively. From the land of maple syrup, there is Shiya Green, living in Hamilton, Canada. Each of them brings their own unique energy to the Chaburah, and together they’ve formed something truly special.

This summer, Michel’s Chaburah is focusing on various topics relating to tefillah. From exploring the machshava behind tefillah through the lens of the Maharal and Rav Yosef Albo, to analyzing halachic topics through the perspective of Rav Chaim Brisker, the Chaburah has encountered a wide spectrum of the Torah of Hashem.

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

Chaim Brand is back for round two on NCSY Kollel — and it’s safe to say this summer might just be his best yet. It’s his first year as a madrich, and things have been nothing short of unreal. Why? Simple: it’s all thanks to his epic Chaburah. Originally from Skokie, Illinois, Chaim is a proud graduate of Skokie Yeshiva, spent two and a half years at Shaalvim, and is currently learning in Yeshiva University.

Now let’s talk about the Chaburah. This crew may be from across the country, but the chemistry clicked on day one.

Starting off hot, we have Yitzy Posy from YULA. He brings that cool LA vibe along with his awesome yedius haTorah, elevating the quality of the Chaburah. Moving on to sunny Florida, we’ve got Akiva Lanner from KYHS. Akiva is always ready with a quick joke or a surprise Yiddish word, keeping the guys energized and on their toes. Last but not least are the two Teaneck guys — and they’re anything but stam. Jeb Fields, hailing from TABC, brings his energy and breadth of knowledge to the Chaburah. He’s quick to offer a quality he’arah and show off his impressive knowledge of Gedolim. And last but definitely not least, Yishai Neiss from MTA. He brings his sense of humor and his passion for ball, keeping everyone smiling and having a good time.

This summer, the title of the Chaburos is “Why Do(n’t) We Do That?” in which they’re diving into different halachos and the surprising sugyas behind them. Topics include everything from “Throwing Candy at Bar Mitzvahs,” to “The Story Behind Melave Malka,” and everything in between.

With a crew this solid, it’s no surprise this summer has been unforgettable. One thing’s for sure: this isn’t the end of the story — it’s just the beginning.