Jonathan Hurewitz is spending his 6th summer on the NCSY Kollel, his second 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 getting ready to begin his third year as a student at Yeshiva University. His Chaburah this summer is focused on understanding the complexity of contemporary Halachic topics through analyzing ancient as well as modern sources, in order to develop a refined perspective on key Jewish concepts.

Jonathan’s Chaburah consists of Eliyahu Esses, from Woodmere NY; Didi Moise, from Providence, RI; Gideon Rubin, from Livingston NJ; Yonatan Sragow, from Teaneck, NJ; and Yonatan Sturm, from Riverdale, NY. 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.

After one week, seven days, one hundred and sixty eight hours…NCSY Kollel finally got to experience it’s first full day schedule!

Following a jam-packed week with sports, trips, an incredible Shabbos, and little time to get over jet lag, nothing could be sweeter than a regular day on the NCSY Summer Kollel.  The shiurim and Chaburahs that made up the morning’s learning were intense and exciting, and they were highlighted by the addition of Rav Schachter, shlita, to the Beis Medrash, who could be found throughout the day giving shiur and learning privately with staff members and NCSYers alike.

Leagues were in full swing this afternoon, with a full schedules of six hockey games and seventeen basketball games (yes, for those of you counting at home, we added a new basketball court this summer).  This included the summer’s first “Marquee Matchup”, a different game chosen every day that includes prizes for the winners (in this case, Burgers Bar) and events like halftime dunk contests.

Night Seder was strong as usual and was followed by the grand opening of the Sack Shack, led by Binyamin Glanz, which served delicious hot food in preparation for tomorrow’s fast.  This was combined with an amazing showing for optional post-Maariv learning, which overall made for an awesome night.

We are very much looking forward to what promises to be an inspiring and meaningful day tomorrow as we observe the 17th of Tammuz fast.

 

What better way to close out the first week of NCSY Kollel 2017 than with our first league games, our first inspirational Shabbos in Beit Meir, and our first full day schedule?

After our incredible turnout for Thrusday night’s optional late-night mishmar, while most of the camp went to sleep, the sports staff stayed awake through the night.  The result was two complete team lists, one for basketball and one for hockey, accompanied by a full four-period schedule of games.  With overtimes, close games, and even a buzzer beater (shoutout to Jr. Madrich Mikey Pearl), the first day already had the intensity of late season games.  NCSYers still had the opportunity to go into Yerushalayim to relax, but the atmosphere in Beit Meir was one of excitement and competition.

That intensity and enthusiasm was harnessed in the only way that NCSY Kollel knows how: with an inspiring Shabbos filled with amazing speeches, an incredible Rav Burg-led tisch, and amazing learning and davening throughout.  Motzei Shabbos was highlighted by Melava Malka’s all around – at the Rabbeim’s houses for post-10th Graders, and with Shlomo Katz for the post-11th Graders and Staff.

Today, we finally experienced our first regular full-day schedule…almost.  We had intense morning shiurim all the way to lunch, followed by a full hour of Chaburahs, and culminating in a normal 3:00 sports period.  At 5:00, however, leagues ceased and buses were boarded for a special trip to the Yamit Water Park in Cholon.  NCSYers enjoyed the water park, basketball courts, and soccer field in Yamit late into the night, including a net total of over 1000 slices of pizza (that’s over 120 pies!!).

We can’t wait for our first real full day schedule tomorrow, with the incredible addition of Rav Schachter shlita, who is scheduled to arrive late tonight!

 

Each summer on the NCSY Summer Kollel is bracketed by two unique high points.  The final days of the summer are when the lessons and experiences of our six weeks together reach a crescendo.  Each moment during the last days of the program – whether in learning, trips, or sports – seems to be fully informed and impacted by all of the great times that preceded.  That intensity and depth of emotion is matched only by the excitement and energy of the welcoming moments and kickoff of the camp season.  Possibility and potential are everywhere.  Enthusiasm is mixed with anxiety; there is just so much that is unknown.  Above all, there is hopefulness and a simple and beautiful shared desire for a special and unforgettable summer.

“Welcome to NCSY Kollel 2017!”  The words are short but the implications are awesome.

Within that overall context, two snapshots stood out during our first week.  First, we return to the very start.  We already described the overwhelming sense of anticipation as three planes (JFK, LA, and Newark) with NCSYers were airborne at the same time.  We gather in Ben Gurion Airport, load a truckful of luggage, and head to Beir Meir.  Then, it happens.   Our wonderful staff take their places and the busses pull into the campus.  It begins.  These moments and interactions take two different forms, each remarkable and significant.  And after all our months of preparation and planning, they are each extremely gratifying.  The first kind of embrace is a homecoming.  Returning NCSYers, older madrichim, friends reunited, and a supreme sense of belonging.  Few instances in the summer carry as strong and clear a message of lasting impact.  The second type of greetings are far more uncertain.  But they are welcomes and invitations that speak to our commitment to inclusion and almost endless support for every NCSYer.  Our Rabbis teach that the wisest are those who see things from their inception.  When is a handshake or friendly embrace something more?  When it heralds the start of something truly great.  What a thrill it was to witness the first steps in a journey that promises to be spectacular.

The second highlight was the seamless movement through our jam-packed schedule on Thursday.  Most everything that contributes to a great summer on NCSY Kollel was on prominent display.  We finally hit the learning high notes with both morning Shiurim and Chaburahs.  It was fantastic to see such a high level of participation and passion so early in the game. Our afternoon was spent on a choice of different trips that provided excellence in the areas most exciting to the individual NCSYer.  The sports enthusiasts got to choose from basketball, soccer, ice skating, and flag football, all at superior facilities around the country.  The outdoor lovers had to decide between a thrilling waterski excursion and intense mountain biking.  Those looking to begin their appreciation for life in Israel were able to tour Ammunition Hill and learn experientially about our country’s battles in the recent past.  These elements of choice and high level programming are one of the real secrets to our success.  Each option provided great thrills and also opportunities for bonding with peers and madrichim.  Above all, there were smiles, laughs, and boundless energy.  All were channeled in only the best of ways.

Now, all of that would be a full day most anywhere else.  At NCSY Kollel, we were just getting started.  After recharging with schwarma or burgers, we returned for our first night seder.   This is an incomparable part of our program and one that again allows for high levels of individualization and special attention.  What an incredible sight to see a full beis medrash of powerful learning deep into Thursday night!  And believe it or not, our optional Thursday night mishmar still drew over 100 NCSYers for late night learning beyond.  If these first few days are any indication, we are in for quite a time this summer!

Of course, another teaching of our sages cautions, “all beginnings are difficult.”  Not everything this week was perfect and entirely pleasant.  There are cases of homesickness and difficult social adjustments.  There are campus issues that we are working to resolve, and, yes, a frightening incident with a dormitory fire.  But we are moving forward on all of this and seeing great progress and advancement.  As always, your feedback is vitally important for us to hear, and we will continue to work with you to provide only the best for your wonderful sons.

So now we stand only a few moments away from our first Shabbos together.  Today was a great combination of the opening day of sports leagues (already filled with buzzer beaters, overtime, and great plays) and trips to Yerushalayim to experience the enchanted atmosphere of pre-Shabbos in the holiest of cities.  Shabbos here promises to push us to an even higher level and to bring us closer as a group.  We look forward to sharing it with you from afar!

Greetings and best wishes from Shabbos in Beit Meir.

With blessings,

Moshe Benovitz

With our first full day under our belts and the end of the first week looming, NCSY Kollel experienced another packed day of excitement before diving into our regular daily schedule next week.  The day began with a shortened morning shiur and everyone’s first full Chaburah hour, albeit earlier in the day than usual.  Lunch and Mincha were followed by a host of awesome trips and activites to enjoy in the afternoon.

The amazing list of trips included soccer at Gan Sacher, flag football at Kraft Stadium, basketball at both Yeshivat Reishit and Yeshivat Sha’alvim, water skiing, ice skating, mountain biking, and a tour of Givat HaTachmoshet, Ammunition Hill.  All of the trips went on for most of the afternoon and culminated in either a burger or schwarma free dinner.

Many would argue that what came after the trips returned was even more exciting than the trips themselves – the start of Night Seder.  After an incredible job of organizing the Night Seder program by Assistant Director of Education Josh Fagin and Daniel Goldstein, every NCSYer was able to attend a night shiur for one hour and learn b’chavrusa with a staff member for another.  The Beis Medrash was rocking, and tonight’s strong start has certainly set the tone for the rest of the summer’s learning.

But it didn’t end there.  Even after two hours of mandatory Night Seder, many NCSYers remained in the Beis Medrash post-Maariv for the Summer’s first Thursday night Mishmar, which included extra chavrusa learning, Rav Burg’s weekly Parsha shiur, and free cholent and kugel for those who were still going strong by 11:30 PM.

The atmosphere in the Beis Medrash tonight was an incredible way to lead us towards our first Shabbos, and that amazing energy is sure to transfer over to the courts for our first league games tomorrow!

 

Our first full day on NCSY Kollel 2017 began with an exciting start to the formal learning schedule.  After various orientations for Post-10th Graders, Post-11th Graders, CIT’s, and Staff, the NCSYers were introduced to their Rabbeim in a shortened morning shiur.  This was followed by the first formal gathering of Chaburahs, introduced by Head Madrich Shai Kaminetzky.  NCSYers got to enjoy their first taste of the learning they will experience this Summer, as well as being able to officially meet the other NCSYers with whom they will spending much of their Summer.

The second half of the day was highlighted by an optional trip to the beach in Bat Yam.  NCSYers and Staff enjoyed a relaxing afternoon that included pickup games of football, soccer, volleyball, and frisbee, while others stayed on campus for pickup basketball and hockey.

The most exciting part of the day was undoubtedly the incredible night activities.  The Post-10th Grade Chaburahs, led by their Madrichim, competed in “Chaburah Olympics”, an amazing event put together by our Activities Director, Azi Fine.  Chaburahs went head to head in lineup, the Price is Right, pyramid-making, and the Kollel classic “Face-Off”, and attempted challenges such as scoring a shootout goal off of Akiva Aryeh or beating Aryeh Kaminetsky in trivia.  Meanwhile, the Post-11th Grade Chaburahs and CIT’s left campus for a trip to visit the kevarim of Gilad, Eyal, and Naftali, the three boys who were kidnapped and killed in Israel three years ago.  They ended their night at iJump, a trampoline park in Petach Tikva, which made for a trip that was both meaningful and enjoyable.

We are looking forward to an exciting array of sports trips tomorrow, as well as the official start of the Night Seder program!

After months of waiting, preparing, and counting down, NCSY Kollel 2017 is finally upon us!!

The day began with the early morning arrival of the Newark flight, followed a few hours later by the remaining flights from JFK and LAX.  NCSYers had some time to collect their things, find their rooms, and begin to settle in.  While the full program orientation was left for tomorrow, Rabbi Benovitz began with some opening words and an all-important security orientation before Mincha, dinner, and our annual first-night trip into the Old City.

What seemed like a very long day ended on a high note, with an inspiring opening speech by Head Madrich Binyamin Kaminetsky atop the roof of Aish Kodesh, with a fantastic view of the Kotel behind him.  This was followed by Maariv at the Kotel and some free time with everyone’s Chaburahs in the Rova.

We look forward to our first full day on Kollel tomorrow, filled with plenty of exciting firsts as we begin the #BestSummerEver!

A recap of NCSY Kollel 2016.

Thank you to Dani Scheinman for putting together the video.

The NCSY Kollel is not a program that crawls to the finish line or peters out towards the end.  We finish with a bang, not a whimper.   In fact, our final week together provides a disproportionate amount of the impact and memories from the entire summer.

This year was no exception, and offered a unique week that reached almost unprecedented heights.

Our reflections on this week kept bringing us back to the theme of “All in One.”  This phrase has at least three distinct implications.

First, this was a week of all in one in the “e pluribus unum” sense of the words.  It can be fairly claimed that what makes our last days on the program so very special is not a particular event, but the unifying spirit and camaraderie that accompanies even more mundane programming.  Certainly, real camaraderie and brotherhood needs time to develop and strengthen.  There is simply no comparison in what we are as a group today to what we were in Ben Gurion airport 5½ weeks ago.

The “one” of NCSY Kollel was displayed prominently throughout the week, but likely most significantly in our “Kumsitz of the World” at the Kotel.  This one of a kind highlight of the summer showcases so much of what is great about our summer, our community, and the Jewish people.  The kumsitz reflects shared values and history, as well as the power of youthful idealism and hope.  But it also is a shining, bright example of our unity and strength together.  This is evident both on the external and internal levels.  It remains most remarkable how many people and how many kinds of people join us at the Kotel plaza.   Few events anywhere capture the attention and imagination of so many different Jewish communities like the Tisha B’Av kumsitz.  It is a real manifestation of the most optimistic prophecy of Jeruslalem’s ability to bind us, and a living example of the most hopeful Kotel painting.  But there is also something that happens there to our group itself.  The combined experience of mourning together and of creating something of such meaning and beauty firmly establishes NCSY Kollel as a family and a most cooperative enterprise.  The Kotel kumsitz has no NCSYers or staff, no 10^th graders or 11^th, no DRS or YULA, yeshiva or public school.  It is simply a community of committed Jews, and the best of NCSY Kollel.

From the transcendent to the silly, but still striking the same notes:  Our sports thrills were punctuated by many special events to mark the end of the NCSY Kollel season and to supplement the playoff schedule.  One annual NCSY Kollel classic is the dodgeball game that pits the entire NCSYer population against the formidable size and number of our great staff.  This is the rare sporting event that includes upwards of 200 people on a single field.  It is also a competition that breeds togetherness rather than division.  The pregame NCSYer huddle needs to be seen and felt to be understood.  Other big games created a similar effect.  The Rebbe-NCSYer game is always a chance to promote the impressive basketball skills of our talented (albeit ever-aging) staff.  But it also takes advantage of the way sports can unify like little else.  Not only the individual teams benefited from these bonds; they were very evident in the fist bumps and knowing nods of appreciation that passed between “opponents” too.   We won’t keep you in suspense much longer- long range shooting prowess made the difference, and the NCSYers recorded a somewhat rare victory over the Rabbis.  But mission accomplished, regardless of the final score.

The culmination of a week of being together was our closing banquet and concert at Reishit.   It’s hard to imagine a better exclamation point to a phenomenal summer.  From the emotional siyum, to the staff tributes, to the incredible food and mostly the incomparable Shlomo Katz, it was a night of smiles and memories.  But the dance circles, video recap montage, and keynote addresses all were, again, exhibitions of the achievements we have made in unity and harmony.  All in one, and an enduring feeling of connection.

A second implication derives from the perspective of this week as a microcosm of the wider NCSY Kollel experience.  All the ingredients of a great summer were present and accounted for in a mere 7 days.  It was an entire summer experience (“all”) in just a week (“one”).

What is NCSY Kollel about?  Well, let’s start by returning to last week’s theme and a focus on Eretz Yisroel with creative and unforgettable tiyulim.  Check.  This week we offered options like the spectacular Nachal Darja, our inimitable Food Tiyul, and the Dialogue in the Dark (or “Blind Museum”) experience.  Each provided a fresh outlook and meaningful interaction.  The challenging cliffs of Darja build character and strength, and develop a sense of awe for nature and the land.  The Food Tiyul showcases the beauty of Israel’s farmland and culinary culture, while offering satiating and stimulating delights.  And the Blind Museum always succeeds in opening up the NCSYers to the challenges and perspectives of others.  The tiyulim collectively provided a lift to the middle of the week and generated energy and enthusiasm that carried through all other activities.

What else makes a summer something special?  Well, a full complement of heart racing playoff games certainly doesn’t hurt.  There is nothing quite like NCSY Kollel ball and hockey, and all of what it offers was on display this week.  The games were intense and extremely well played, but also measured and kept in line with our overall educational focus.  We crowned deserving champions in basketball, hockey, and 3 on 3 tournaments.  There were actually co-champions in Basketball, but more on that in a different post.  The courts are a hub of buzzing activity and big smiles, and they are at the heart of much of what we do here.

But no ballgame can ever overshadow what goes on within the walls of our Beis Medrash.  And the climactic shiurim and chaburahs always bring a glorious combination of excitement, closeness, and sublime satisfaction for jobs well done.  Our final Thursday night mishmar (with the requisite late night siyum and refreshments) was of particular note.  At midnight we were still over 80% strong.  What a sight!  There was not an iota of external compulsion or pressure.  It was simply the place that so many wanted to be as the summer’s end drew near.

Saying goodbye to our remaining Roshei Yeshiva also brought home how impactful their stay has been.  Rav Twersky and Rav Sobolofsky (along with Rav Schachter and Rav Sacks earlier this summer) have been central to all the NCSY Kollel stands for, and provided guidance, inspiration, and scholarship on an unrivaled level.  More on that in a bit.

These elements work together because of the undercurrent of energy that flows through NCSY Kollel.  There is an indefatigable NCSY sprit that permeates the program.  In truth, it exists even in daily shiurim, sports, and one on one exchanges, but it is off the charts at certain distinct and special times.  Shabbos Chazon and Tisha B’Av were prime examples of this spirit.  NCSY has long understood and relied on the power of song and the need to generate emotion and feeling as we learn and grow.  There was a more tangible educational element to our Tisha B’Av preparations and program, but at the core there were a passion and spirit that motivated everything else that we experienced.  This was certainly the case with the Shlomo Katz concert as well.  There was just an overwhelming and uplifting energy throughout the evening.  Singing and dancing with friends, madrichim, and rabbeim in celebration of a summer of learning and growth is as good a feeling as one could have.

The third idea of “All in One” is a bit less obvious.  Our program hardly lacks for pomp and fanfare.  Whether it is a water-park or an inter-camp game, daily visits from community leaders and shiurim from renowned scholars, or supersized tiyulim and YouTube worthy sports action, there is always a spotlight on the NCSY Kollel big stage.  Yet the greatness of the program is very clearly in the softer moments we share, and often involve the individual and his achievements, even without a press release or highlight reel.  A few simple examples:  One night this week a 10^th grader from the Midwest was observed walking out of his night shiur in conversation with Rav Twersky.  They stopped for a minute to focus fully on the point being made.  Where else would such an exchange be possible?  As Rav Sobolofsky was leaving, a different NCSYer ran over to ask a staffer if he had Rav Sobolofsky’s email address.  He had a follow up question that he didn’t get to ask and was looking forward to continuing the discusson…

It is common to see an NCSYer in the corner of the Beis Medrash in silent devotion to prayer and improving this aspect of his relationship with Jewish practice.  Some will work tirelessly to overcome struggles with gemara, while others will set quite ambitious learning goals and enjoy the thrill of surpassing them.  Still others will dedicate serious time to changing their social persona or attitude on a sports field.  It is a magical place that tries to allow each participant to succeed and thrive on a level appropriate for him.  So there is clearly an “all” that describes 225 NCSYers collectively making their mark on the summer program landscape and the greater world, but it all comes down to the “one” of the individual growth and religious commitment.  These are built up, NCSYer by NCSYer, in the most remarkable of ways.

It has been our honor and privilege to observe this first hand this summer and to dutifully report on such great nachas and pride.  We are grateful for the confidence you have had in us, and for sharing your most precious of gifts with us this summer.  We are sorry to see the summer come to a close but we are filled with excitement for our last weekend and pride in what we have done together.  Above all, our summer here has renewed our confidence in the Jewish future and we can’t wait to share endless success with your sons for many years to come.

Wishing you a great Shabbos.

With gratitude,

Moshe Benovitz

A new craze sweeping the social media world, this “2 Seconds Everyday” video captures the entire NCSY Kollel Summer 2016 in 2 second video clips for every day of the summer!!! Here’s to remembering every second!