Morning seder is the longest and most formal learning period of the day. Campers are placed in one of 17 shiurim given by a Rebbe.

The Rebbeim are world-renowned educators, and most are the top Rebbeim at American post-High School Yeshivot, such as Reishit, Shaalvim, Hakotel, Yishrei Lev, Mevaseret, and more.

The typical Shiur runs from 9:30-12:30, with an hour of chavruta amongst themselves. This gives the campers an opportunity to learn from each other and develop reading skills in addition to the Torah they hear from their Rebbeim.

Many of the Rebbeim play in our basketball and hockey leagues furthering their connection to the campers.

“The Morning Seder in Kollel is very unique in that, on one hand, you have the laughs that go with camp, and with the turning of a page of Gemara, you have the intense discussions that are the heartbeat of learning and of Judaism in general” – Rabbi Avi Schneider

“Morning Shiur is my favorite part of the day because I get to shiur from Rabbi Sobolvsky who is a huge Talmid Chacham and has made a large impact on my learning”– Oren Neuwirth

It’s finally here! The first full day of learning and sports on NCSY Kollel! The day began with the first Morning Seder as the campers learnt b’chavruta and heard shiur from Rebbeim. At 12 o’clock the Night Seder schedule was released and the NCSYers were introduced to the Staff member who was selected to learn with them at night, as well as the shiur they would be attending then.

After lunch, mincha and the first full length chaburas, the first day of leagues was under way. All of the 40 basketball teams and 16 hockey teams hit the courts over 4 periods of intense action. There was also a mini-tiyul, which took campers on a hike to the historical places around Beit Meir. Additionally, the pool was open for the first time from 4-6 in the afternoon.

After dinner, Kollel began its long-awaited Night Seder program. Campers attended one of 16 different shiur options and learnt, one-on-one or in small groups with our amazing staff. The Beit Medrash was filled with an amazing kol torah until maariv at 10.

As the week progresses we look forward to our trip to Eilat on Tuesday. Check back into the Kollel Sumer Blog for the latest news and photos from Summer 2018

Yis Richter is an 11th-grader from Monsey, NY who attends Yeshivat Frisch

“My experience on NCSY Kollel has changed my life. The environment and guys here make it so easy to grow as a Ben Torah and have a growth-oriented summer. You have the top Roshei Yeshiva, the best chevra and the Madrichim who are just the greatest, and who are always there to talk.

The highlight of my week every summer are the Kollel tisches. I get so hyped up and I can really get myself and my friends going wild.

NCSY Kollel is the perfect place for any Yid who values Torah and wants to be inspired. The inspiration is not just for the summer but forms the values which will guide you through the rest of your life.”

Jonathan Hurewitz is spending his seventh summer on the NCSY Kollel, his third summer as a Madrich on the program. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, he attended Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community Day School, spent two years in Yeshivat Shalaavim in Israel, and is currently a student at Yeshiva University. His Chaburah is diving into the complexity of some of the most intriguing topics in Jewish Law.

Jonothan’s Chabura consists of Shloime Bleiberg from Cedarhurst NY; Akiva Sturm from the Bronx, NY; Yosef Yaakov Arnall from Beverly Hills, CA; Yosef Teitlebaum from Teaneck, NJ; and Yisrael Wiener from Memphis, TN. The Chaburah plans to work as a unit both inside the Beis Medrash and out to create a powerhouse of Torah.

The Chaburah hopes to continue to be intense and focused in order to try to understand the Torah they learn, as well as further develop the relationships in the Chaburah.

Shabbos on Kollel is legendary for its electric ruach, inspiring speeches, and awesome learning. The first Shabbos on NCSY Kollel was no exception. From Kaballat Shabbat through Havdalah, Moshav Beit Meir was hit with a wave of holiness and unity. The Kollel came together to celebrate Shabbos together the way it is supposed to be celebrated.

We were joined this weekend by Rav Mordechai Burg, who spoke at the Friday night Tisch to a massive crowd, and by Rabbi Aryeh Lightstone, Senior Adviser to Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman. Rabbi Lightstone spoke to the staff about Israel advocacy and how to best support our true homeland.

After Shabbos the 10th graders visited the homes of their Rebbeim for pizza and Melave Malka,while the 11th graders went to Kraft Stadium to play football and eat shwarma.

Looking forward, this week we are moving toward our regular daily schedule as this awesome summer progresses.

Shlomo Stark is Assistant to the Assistant Director and a long-time kollel legend.

1.       You’ve been with Kollel for a while. What brings you back year after year?

I think it is a couple of things. The staff is amazing, there is an incredible ruach, all-star rebbeim, great basketball… It really Is the complete package.

2.       If you could have dinner with any four staff members who would you pick?

I think I would go with Rabbi Benovitz obviously. If night shiur rebbeim count I have to pick Rav Blachman. I think my third is Rabbi Lebowitz, and I’ll throw [Jonothan] Gibber in there just to mix things up

3.       What do you think is the key to Kollel’s success?

I think they do a great job in hiring the best staff to fit the needs of the campers. Its not just about hiring the most talented people. You need to find the best staff to meet your specific campers needs, and I think kollel does a great job of that.

An amazing day on NCSY Kollel wrapped up today with so much too talk about! Today began with orientation as campers and staff alike familiarizing themselves with the norms of the program. The orientation ended with the campers meeting their Morning Rebbeim for the first time. Following lunch and mincha, Kollel split into no less than 7 seperate tips, giving each camper the opportunity to craft the trip of their desire. Campers chose from trips to basketball courts, laser tag, soccer or football in Kraft Stadium, the world famous blind museum, mountain biking, or water skiing.

The campers all had an amazing time and the day was just getting started! Following dinner, everyone came to the Beit Medrash for the introduction to chaburas offered by Josh Fagin. This was followed by the first chaburas of the summer with each Madrich learning with his chabura for the first time. After, the chaburas engaged in a friendly battle in Time’s Up and trivia , with the top chaburas winning prizes.

Following Maariv, the first Thursday night Mishmar and learning began. The NCSYers and Staff were offered the opportunity to start a chavruta with someone they hadn’t met yet, forging countless new friedships.  The Beit Medrash was filled with learning until 11:30, when everyone enjoyed a delicious late night snack courtesy of Burgers Bar.

It was an awesome conclusion to the day. Stay with the NCSY Kollel blog for the latest happenings and photos from Summer 2018 as we head towards the first Shabbos together of the summer.