Today was the continuation of the new shiur trip program with shiurim going on many special trips. Some shiurim woke up early to daven at the kotel, others had the special opportunity to work with Siach Sod and special needs patiets, while still others enjoyed the jam-packed non-stop work of packing food for needy families with Yad Eliezer. All the trips were incredibly meaningful and helped guide the program into a more reflective tone to begin the 9-days.

The rest of the camp enjoyed a normal morning seder followed by lunch and chaburas. The afternoon saw two separate mini-tiyulim, both consistent with the more serious time-period. One trip was to the kotel tunnels, a sneak peek to our full-day-tiyul later this week. The other was to the world-famous Gush Katif museum, which details the bitter history and exile of the settlers of the region.

Sports leagues continued as the main contenders began to separate themselves from the middle of the pack. A strong night seder followed by an equally strong post-night seder concluded an exciting day.

We are looking forward to visits of all sorts this week, beginning with TJJ Ambassadors tomorrow. Stick with the Kollel Blog for all the latest from NCSY Kollel.

Gilad Vann is a 3-year Kollel veteran who is joining the Madrich Staff for the first time. Gilad learnt for 2 years in Yeshivat Ohr Yerushalayim and now learns in Shor Yashuv in Far Rockaway. Gilad’s calm demeanor and professional attitude make him a natural fit amongst the madrichim. He is also the residential expert on the NCSY Kollel Shabbaton in Gush, having attended all 3 years in Kollel.

Gilad leads a true all-star group of guys in his Chaburah. From New York there is Shmuel Pak (Cedarhurst), Yehuda Davidson (Flushing) and Yaakov Jacobowitz (Woodmere), all of whom attend DRS. Donny Morris is from Bergenfield, NJ and attends MTA, and the international contingent consists of Meir Blanshay from Motreal, Quebec who is a student at Hebrew Academy.

Gilad’s Chaburas will focus on sugyot in Masechet Sukka, with an emphasis being placed on feeling the fire one should feel when studying Gemara. Gilad hopes his NCSYers leave his Chabura with an appreciation for the important role learning plays in everyday Jewish life.

David Sperber is from Randolph, New Jersey, went to Yeshivat Sha’arei Mevaseret Tzion, and is currently learning by Rav Eliyahu Soloveitchik shlita at Lander College for Men. This is his fourth year on the NCSY Kollel, his second as a Madrich. When not giving Chaburah or learning with guys b’chavrusa, he can be found with NCSYers all around the Yerushaliyim area, acting as the Kollel’s legendary mini-tiyul tour guide extraordinaire!

David’s Chaburah this summer is stacked with a super smooth line-up of young men, including Jesse Ernstein from Overland Park, KS; Isaac Forgash from Teaneck NJ; Dovid Pearlman from Staten Island, NY; and Sean Hedvat from Great Neck, NY.

The Chabura will be learning the 3rd Perek of Masechet Sukka this Summer. The Sugyot are designed to make the holiday of Sukkot more meaningful but also include many tangents which relate to and help the campers understand different aspects of Judaism.

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

Gabe Silverman is a first-time staff member and madrich on NCSY Kollel. Hailing from Manhattan, Gabe attended Ramaz from K-12 and then attended Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh. He currently is enrolled in Harvard University. Gabe describes his chabura theme as “exploring the fundamentals of Judaism, taking abstract ideas – such as the Jewish conception of God, or man’s role in the cosmos – and following them through to see how they inform everything we do as Jews.”

Gabe’s chabura is an awesome crew that stretches across the country. Jason Levine and Max Felix Ashkenazy from Houston, TX, Andy Neymit from Agoura Hills,CA, Joney Shlasinger from Las Vegas, NV and Alan Misyuk from Manalapan, NJ. Every member adds their personal hometown touch to the chabura. The cross-country membership really pushes the chabura over the top.

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

Jonah Waldman is incredibly excited for his first summer on NCSY Kollel. An Alumnus of Frisch and Yeshivat Orayta, Jonah is currently a rising sophomore at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Jonah’s chaburas are all about exploring the deeper meaning of mitzvot. The sessions are designed to illuminate the philosophical underpinnings of the various halachic details which inform how we view the actions of our everyday religious lives.

Jonah’s Chaburah is comprised of five members: Yosef Haber from Ramat Bet Shemesh (Yeshivat Ahavat Yisrael); Yonatan Ginsburg from Beachwood, OH (Fuchs Mizrachi School); Ezra Baron from Bergenfield, NJ (TABC); and finally, Daniel Becker (TABC) and Yaakov Schwartz (MTA) from Teaneck, NJ; all of whom have shown tremendous growth and excitement for the learning so far.

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

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!