This summer is Zev Markowitz’s 6th consecutive summer on NCSY Kollel, his second, as a Madrich. Raised in Bergenfield, NJ, he spent his younger days studying in RYNJ as well as a quick stint in Yavneh Academy. He attended MTA for high school and is currently studying at Yeshivat Sha’alvim. In addition to being a Madrich, Zev is also the fearless leader of the Sports leagues. Zev will be learning topics in Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut Chasadim. He will be expanding upon the Mishna in Pikei Avot in which the 3 aforementioned concepts can be found. Zev is also planning some interactive activities centered around Gemilut Chasadim.

The Chabura Team consists of 5 members each adding their own flavor to the Chabura. Yosef Axelrod is the Mr. Reliable who always brings the snacks to the chaburas just in case lunch wasn’t good enough for the day. Hillel Golubchik contributes a firery intensity that helps keep the chabura on track. Danny Weinberger brings an excitement for Chazara and a creative personality, in addition to creating the picture game the Chabura uses to review material. Ving Levy transcribes notes for the ‘bura and is always open to teaching others who didn’t understand the first time. Finally, Akiva Prager’s sharp mind constantly asks mind boggling questions and he never shies away from a new challenge in learning.

This fab five creates one of NCSY Kollel’s best chaburas. Zev anticipates an amazing summer of learning, growth, and fun! It should be the Best Summer Ever! 

This is Tzvi Rotblat’s fourth summer on NCSY Kollel, and second as a Madrich. Tzvi lives in Teaneck, NJ, and he attended TABC, then Yeshivat Sha’alvim for two years, and is now in Yeshiva University. His Chaburah is made up of an awesome group of guys: Danny Srulowitz from Lawrence, NY (DRS); David Cohen from Woodmere, NY (DRS); Yonatan Naor from Teaneck, NJ (TABC); Yitzi Weiss from Hillside, NJ (TABC); and Gabriel Toledano and Yoni Drazin from Cote Saint-Luc, Quebec (Hebrew Academy). This stacked Chaburah has really come together and can always be seen and heard in the Beis Medrash learning and having a great time.

The Chaburah is learning different sugyos and topics ranging from Birchot Hamitzva to Lifnei Iver. The Chaburah is focused on making the learning as dynamic as possible and maximizing the energy of the reading and discussions.

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.

Maury Rosenfeld is bravely and boldly embarking on his second summer ever on NCSY Kollel! After finishing DRS Yeshiva High School, Maury spent two wonderful years in the incubator at Shaalvim, where he decided to carry the torch of his avodas Hashem to YU and the NCSY Summer Kollel to give Chaburah to six amazing incoming twelfth graders. The ‘Bura is spending the summer learning about morality in Judaism. The sessions are designed to familiarize the NCSYers with this fundamental aspect o Judaism as well as develop their ability to think critically and ask questions.

Joining Maury from Bergenfield, NJ are Akiva Motechin (TABC), Daniel Landa (MTA), and Ephraim Greenberg (MTA). Also from New Jersey are Eli Schiff (TABC) of Teaneck and Joshua Goldman (TABC) from East Brunswick. Rounding out the group is Avi Schlam (DRS) from Lawrence, NY.

The ‘Burah is currently enjoying the Best Summer Ever.

Ariel Reiner is a former camper and now first-time Madrich on NCSY Kollel. Ariel attended Torah Academy of Bergen County for high school, followed by 2 years at Shaalvim. Ariel is a natural fit in the Kollel staff and seamlessly weaves growth and fun together in his chaburot, which will focus on the moadim of the year and how they impact our lives.

Ariel’s Chabura is an awesome crew from the tri-state area. Avi Halbfinger and Gavriel Ross from Cedarhurst, NY; Yoni Branspiegel from Woodmere, NY; Ezra Nissel from Passaic, NJ; and Yitzchak Emerson from Bergenfield, NJ.

Ariel anticipates an amazing summer of learning and fun! It should be the Best Summer Ever! 

A rollercoaster week, filled with sports, learning,  and tiyulim, ended on a high note, with an awesome day of sports and learning, culminating in a packed Mishmar late into the night.

For many on NCSY Kollel, the day began normally, with morning shiurim in full swing.  For four shiurim, however, the morning was far more memorable.  The shiurim of Rabbi Gormin, Rabbi Freedman, and Rabbi Schulman left right after shacharis on a joint shiur trip to the Aish HaTorah center in the Old City of Yerushalayim.  There, they were privileged to hear a couple of amazing speeches on Judaism and leadership before returning to Kollel just in time for lunch.

The afternoon saw 40 basketball teams and all 12 hockey teams in action, highlighted by late game comebacks and overtime thrillers.  Everyone else had the option of joining our mini-tiyul leader, David Sperber, on a special trip to amunition hill, the historical battleground from the 6-day war, or go to play football in Kraft stadium.

Night seder was rocking, with chavrusahs during both hours filling the beis medrash, tent, and even some of the rocks outside.  This was followed by a packed house for Mishmar.  The back of the beis was filled with NCSYers and staff listening to Rav Burg’s famous parsha shiur, followed by multiple shiurim, including a special guest shiur by Rabbi Nosson Rich, former TABC Rebbe and current Rebbe in Yeshivat Torat Shraga.

There was still a full beis medrash at 11:30 PM when free Ben n’ Jerry’s was given out, and we couldn’t possibly think of a better end to the week.

We are excited to pick up where we left off Sunday morning after a relaxing and refreshing free weekend beginning tomorrow!

This is Chaim Levtov’s second summer on NCSY Kollel. After being a Madrich on NCSY Camp Sports in Baltimore, he wanted to teach and guide teenagers in our homeland in Israel. He hails from the glorious city of Great Neck, NY. He has a diverse background which starts off with four years in DRS high school, shana alef in KBY and most of shana bet in Netiv Aryeh in the old City of Jerusalem. He is currently a psychology major in Lander College for Men and hopes to pursue a career in psychology and mental health. Chaim is giving chabura on contemporary halachic topics as well as pirkei avot.

Chaim’s chabura consists of Ari Needle from Passaic, NJ (TABC); Gabi Antosofsky from Teaneck, NJ (TABC); Ovadya Yaish from Bergenfield, NJ (Heichal HaTorah); Yitzie Socol from Flushing, NY (MTA); and Michael Sutton from Brooklyn, NY (YDE).

In addition to Chaburahs, Chaim is also running the “Sfardy Party” this summer on Kollel. This is a unique opportunity for all the campers with a rich Sfardy background to appreciate their Sfardy culture with great torah from R’ Ovadya Yosef zt”l, accompanied by great food and singing. It is definitely an experience never to forget!

Chaim anticipates an amazing summer of learning, growth, and fun! It should be the Best Summer Ever!

Michael Fagin returns to Kollel after spending last summer as a Junior Madrich. Michael attended DRS Yeshiva High School, followed by two years in Yeshivat Hakotel. Michael looks forward to spending the summer learning and growing with his chabura. Michael will be focusing in his chaburot on various mitzvot aseh and trying to understand what they are all about.

Michael leads a true all-star group of guys in his Chabura. Josh Pomerantz lives in Woodmere, NY and attends DRS, along with Kenny Rosenfeld, who lives in Lawrence. Ezra Pilevsky and Yehuda Ross hail from Woodmere, NY and attend Mesivta Ateres Yaakov. The chabura also has representation in Eretz Yisrael in Gavi Schwartz, from Bet Shemesh.

Michael anticipates an amazing summer of learning, growth, and fun! It should be the Best Summer Ever! 

Eitan Kaszovitz is returning for his 5th straight year on NCSY Kollel, and his first as a Madrich. Eitan attended DRS Yeshiva for high School, and Yeshivat Shaalvim for 2 years. Eitan uses his experiences as a camper and staff member to be the best madrich possible. Eitan will be zugging on actual real life halachic cases and scenarios that present many interesting sugyas and shailos. He presents a case and the chabura discusses the details of the halacha.

Eitan’s chabura is made up of an awesome group of guys: Moshe Klaven from Teaneck, NJ (Heichal HaTorah); Akiva Schwartz from Bet Shemesh (Horev); Elan Goldman from Merrion, PA (The Mesivta of Philadelphia); Ari Katznelson from Woodmere, NY (DRS); and Menachem Kunin from Cedarhurst, NY (DRS). This stacked Chaburah has really come together and can always be seen and heard in the Beis Medrash learning and having a great time.

Eitan anticipates an amazing summer of learning, growth, and fun! It should be the Best Summer Ever! 

Azzi Kimmel is new to NCSY Kollel but he has already made an impact with his warmth and sincerity. Azzi lives in Hillside NJ and attended JEC for high school. He learned in Mevaseret for 2.5 years and is currently in Lander College. In Chaburah Azzi is learning Pirkai Avos in depth. Every single word in Pirkai Avos has significance, and every Mishna is connected to the previous one. The goal of Azzi’s Chaburot is to figure out how everything fits together and come up with questions and with by a guided discussion and forum.

Azzi heads a group of all-stars consisting of Eliezer Sheinman (Rambam) and Uri Shiffer (MAY) from Cedarhurst, NY; Zev Tovbin from Bergenfield, NJ (TABC); Shaya Leiberman from Teaneck, NJ (Frisch); and Ovadya Yitzchak from Philadelphia, PA (Yeshiva Greater Philly).

Azzi anticipates an amazing summer of learning, growth, and fun! It should be the Best Summer Ever!