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! 

Noam Posner is a former camper and now 2-time Madrich on NCSY Kollel. Noam went to YULA for High School and then Netiv Aryeh for three years. He is planning on attending Ner Yisroel. Noam has an unquenchable fire which he harnesses to maximize his teaching abilities. The chabura will have an emphasis on Nezikin sugyas such as אדם מועד לעולם, השבת אבידה, שאול שלא מדעת and a few others.

Noam’s Chaburah consists of five of Kollel’s finest: Dovid Boim, Yoel Rahmani, and Yisrael Loew from Woodmere, NY; Abe Wall from Westport, CT; and Akiva Erlbaum from Merion, PA.

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

Shimon Benaroch is an alumnus of NCSY Kollel as well as a former member of the sports staff. Shimon attended YULA High School for Boys, followed by 2 years in Mevaseret. Shimon brings a cool, calm, demeanor to the position as well as his refined attitude. Shimon will be teaching his chabura about the moadim of the year, going through the Jewish Calender, trying to get a deeper understanding of the various festivals contained therein.
Shimon’s Chabura consists of five of Kollel’s finest: from Shimmie Kirsch Cedarhurst, NY; Andrew Shafer from Englewood, NJ; Ami Schreiber from Woodmere, NY; Noam Shapiro from Bbrookline, MA; and Yoshie Marcus from Boca Raton, FL.
Shimon anticipates an amazing summer of learning, growth, and fun! It should be the Best Summer Ever!

Ilan Kaissar is attending kollel for the first time, but he is eager to make an impact. Ilan attended Ia Crown Jewish Academy for high school, followed by a stint at Yeshivat Hakotel. Ilan brings a cool, calm, demeanor to the position as well as his refined attitude. Ilan will be studying various sugyot in Brachot with his chabura and will focus on developing an appreciation for what the Gemara has to say.

Ilan’s Chabura this summer is stacked with a super smooth line-up of young men, including a large contingent from Los Angeles consisting of Shaya Berkowitz (MBY), Elli Bobroff (VTHS), and Michael Bess (VTHS). Rounding out the group is Eli Heisler (Chofetz Chaim) from Brooklyn, NY, and Edan Bitas from Philadelphia, PA.

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

Eli Goldberg is a former camper and CIT on NCSY Kollel. He returns this year for his second year as a Madrich. Eli attended DRS Yeshiva for high School, and Yeshivat Shaalvim for 2 years. Eli has his signature quirky attitude and world-class hasmada which he uses to inspire those around him. Eli will be teaching this summer about the moadim and hopes to combine the chinuch styles of two of the camp directors, Rabbi Benovitz and Rabbi Lebowitz.

Eli’s Chaburah is comprised of six members: Ari Rosenberg from Suffern, NY (MTA); Baruch Berger from Far Rockaway, NY (DRS); Josef Segal from East Brunswick, NJ (TABC); Shlomo Schwartz from Lawrence, NY (DRS); Isaac Shapiro from White Plains, NY (TABC); and Ariel Retter from Bergenfield, NJ (MTA); all of whom have shown tremendous growth and excitement for the learning so far.

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

Akiva Ackerman is no stranger to Kollel. This summer will be his fourth straight on NCSY Kollel, and his first as a Madrich. An alumnus of DRS Yeshiva High School, Akiva learnt in Yeshivat Shaalvim for 2 years, developing a kesher with many gedolim of Eretz Yisrael. Akiva will be learning and developing different themes in Pirkei Avot with his Chaburah.

Joining Akiva, is an amazing group of masmidim. Avi Cohen is from North Woodmere, NY; Jonothan Boxer from Hewlett, NY; Aryeh Pollack and Bentzy Klarfeld, both who are from Beechwood, OH; their fellow statesman David Benzaquen from Cincinniati; and Doniel Lasky from Valley Stream, NY.

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