Today was a day of revisiting timeless Kollel traditions. The first one occured in the morning when we heard from Dr. David Luchins. Dr. Luchins is an NCSY Kollel legend, and his annual schmooze on the state of current American and Israeli affairs is a nice change of pace from the normal Kollel content. Dr. Luchins spoke about the importance of the US moving its embassy to Yerushalayim and of his optimism surrounding the imminent peace talks, which was followed by some Q and A with the kids. 

After lunch and chaburas, there was a half-day sports schedule and 2 mini-tiyulim (Kever Rochel and the biblical zoo). At 5:00 Kollel welcomed Sulam to its campus for their annual day together. Sulam heard a shiur  from R’ Dani Marcus, which was followed by the two camps playing some inter-camp sports. Sulam emerged victorious in the two basketball games, while Kollel took the hockey game in an overtime thriller. The games were hard-played but friendly as the day in general was an inspiring example of friendship and comrade.

Night seder was followed by a roaring Mishmar which capped off the amazing day 

Daniel Levy is returning for his second year on NCSY Kollel and his first as a Madrich. Daniel went TABC for high school and Yeshivat Torat Shraga for 2 years. Daniel uses his experiences as a staff member to create the ideal environment for learning and growth.

Daniel’s chabura consists of six amazing NCSYers from New York and New Jersey. Yoni Biering (TABC) is from Staten Island; Shaya Goldberg (MTA) and Charles Gibber (TABC) are from Teaneck; Joe Perl (MTA) is from West Hempstead; Dovi Fuchs (TABC) is from Bergenfield; and Avraham Levi is from Spring Valley.

The chabura will be studying the three pillars on which the world stands: Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut Chasadim. These three topics are extremely important and fundamental to Jewish thought and practice and the Chabura stands to gain a lot from studying them.

A summer of fun and meaning awaits this Chabura. It should be the Best Summer Ever.

The word “Legendary” gets thrown around a lot but is rarely properly applied. Yet, today on NCSY Kollel was nothing short of Legendary. From morning until late at night there were non-stop unprecedented and “can’t-miss” moments.

The action began at shachris when Max Felix Ashkanazi and Jason Levine celebrated their hanachat tefillin as they received their first ever pair of tefillin. All of Kollel joined in the singing and dancing, after Max delivered some heartfelt word about his personal journey which led him to the moment. After a seudat mitzva, Kollel began the day of learning with a strong morning seder. After lunch, TJJ Ambassadors and engaged in some joint Olympics with Kollel, followed by an All-Star game between the two camps.

After the game, both programs celebrated a joins siyum, celebrating the Ambassadors completion of Prkei Avot and Yis Richter completing Masechet Taanis. This was followed by more singing and dancing and the second seudat mitzva of the day.

At night, the normal night seder was replaced with a special Leil Iyun, where NCSYers heard special shiurim on character development and becoming their best selves. Entire rooms were packed with attentive campers as they heard from Madrichim, Rebbeim, and Roshei Yeshiva. Rav Mayer Twerski concluded the evening with a few brief words, which were followed by Maariv.

The official schedule had ended, but there was one final surprise of the day. An impromptu kumzitz broke out in the auxiliary Beis Medrash which lasted for over a half hour. This brought the busy day to an end leaving the campers with more highlights than they can count.

Mattew “Cook” Gross is joining NCSY Kollel for his first summer as a madrich. Cook spent his high school years in RAMAZ, and then attended Yeshivat Orayta for a year. After a brief stint in Cornell, Mathew transferred to YU, where he will be next year as well. Cook is known inexhaustible energy and down-to-earth humor, both of which make him one of the most entertaining madrichim on staff.

Mattew is joined this summer by five campers: Aryeh Alter (MTA) is from Teaneck, NJ; Moshe Farber (DRS) is from Hewlett, NY; Gavriel Gershov (YULA) is from Los Angeles, CA; Eliav Sacknovitz (DRS) is West Hempstead; and Shalom Tuchman (TABC) is from Bergenfield, NJ.

Mattew’s sessions will focus on what it means to live life as a Jew. The chabura will cover the halachic and hashkafic dicta of Judaism from the moment a ben torah wakes up, until he goes to sleep. This Chaburah has had an amazing summer so far and is looking forward to learning a lot and hanging out together for the remaining time on the Kollel.

Yair Isaacs is returning for his fourth summer on Kollel, his first as a madrich. Yair is an alumnus of YULA and spent two years in Shaalvim. He is looking forward to attending YU in the fall. Yair is well respected amongst the rest of the staff for his impeccable middot and athletic abilities.

Yair’s chabura is an amazing crew that stretches across the country. Sam Kaufman is from Plainview, NY; Yoshi Mahony is from Pittsburgh, PA; Jonathan Malove is from Aventura, Fl; Yosef Weiss is from Cedarhurst, NY; Rory Meyerson is from Scottsdale, AZ; and Marty Stevens is from Woodmere, NY.

 The chabura will be focusing on practical halacha. The mission of the sessions is to get the campers to think of the things they do and especially with the  daily halachot that we deal with on a day to day basis, in addition to interesting Halachick situations that an average guy wouldn’t think of.

Overall, the summer has been filled with a lot of Torah, jokes, and fun, and the Chaburah looks forward to the second half!

Sruli Prero is joining the NCSY Kollel staff for the first time. After attending Skokie Yeshiva, Sruli spent 3 years learning in Shaalvim. Sruli has a fun-loving attitude and always enjoys a good chill.
Sruli’s Chabura is an awesome crew that stretches across the globe. Gavriel Chasky (Kohelet) and Noah Mogyoros (Mesivta of Greater Philadelphia) hail from Merion, PA; Eyden Zimbalist (Yeshivat Bnai Akiva) lives in Raanana; Reuben Mellman (Yeshiva Greater Wshington) is from Silver Spring, MD; and Shmuel Belizon(Katz Yeshiva High School) is from Boca Raton, Fl.
Sruli’s Chaburas cover a large range of topics, from explaining the sources and significance of tzitzis tefillen and kippah, to what it means to be a yid. The Chaburah has already developed into a warm, tight knit unit, has developed a strong sense of camaraderie, and is aiming to grow as a team by taking advantage of the land, the Torah, the chill and the sports. It’s already looking unbelievable, and Sruli and his Chaburah know that this summer will only continue to get better over the last two weeks!

Dirty “Matthew” Wexler is returning for his third summer on the NCSY Summer Kollel, his second as a Madrich. From Teaneck, NJ, Matthew attended TABC for high school, followed by two years in Yeshivat Sha’alvim in Israel, and started YU last Fall. His Chaburah consists of the five greatest NCSYers nation (world)-wide: Gavriel Ashkanazy and Mordy Greenland from Chicago, IL; Drew Samuelson from Columbus, OH; Menachem Gewirtz from North Woodmere, NY; and Daniel Cywiak from Woodmere, NY.

This cross-country Chaburah has a diverse range of personalities, and after a few short weeks, their growth as both individuals and as a Chaburah is tangible. Together, they are learning about the various Mitzvos in the Torah, from Tefillah to Talmud Torah to Chesed. The conversations during Chaburah, though, span far greater than the particular Mitzvah being discussed, while they touch on a range of topics in Jewish philosophy and Halachah.

The Chaburah enjoys learning, chilling, and doing whacky things with each other both inside and outside of the Beis Medrash. They have already bonded over late-night chills (obviously involving great food), competition,s and tons of laughter, and the fun they have together is only on the rise. Matthew and his Chaburah are looking forward to continued success and awesomeness in the coming weeks!

Ben Greene is returning after a 1-year hiatus for his second stint as a Kollel Madrich. Ben learnt in Yeshivat Ohr Samech and then attended Wayne State University. He currently learns in Shapell’s Darchei Noam. Ben is famous for his legendary laid -back attitude and Midwestern friendliness.

Ben’s chabura has 4 amazing kids. Ben Bonder is from Woodmere, NY (HAFTER); Dovid Puterbutel is from Cedarhurst, NY (MAY); Jacob Hershenov from Bergenfield, NJ (Frisch); and Yakir Goldscheider from Yerushalayim (YTA).

The Chabura will spend a lot of time learning the famous Iggeret HaRamban which contain some profound lessons on character growth and development. They also will spend some time learning miscellaneous topics from Mishmeres Hachaim and all of the wisdom contained therein. 

Zev Jarashow is back on Kollel after a summer as  Junior Staff. Zev grew up and still lives in Fairlawn, NJ. Zev went to Yavneh Academy and then to TABC. He just completed 2 years in Shaalvim and will be starting YU in the fall.

The NCSYers in Zev’s Chabura are all from New Jersey and 4 of them live in Bergenfield: Aryeh Teller (Ramaz), Sam Weinberg (TABC), Shlomo Gellman (TABC), and Aharon Teigman (Heichal). Joining Aharon from Heichal is Yoni Besser from Clifton.

Zev Chaburas will center on the moadim. The sessions will focus on the sugyot that relate to each moed and how they impact our understanding of the Jewish Calender