Asher Becker is spending his 8th summer on the NCSY Kollel. He began attending his summer after 10th grade and has been there ever since.

Asher’s Chabura is a unique blend of guys, including Asher Stein from Detroit, Michigan, Shai Goldman from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mordechai Scheinson from Hillside, New Jersey, Josh Beer from Woodmere, New York, and Jonathan Haller from Woodmere, New York.

Asher’s Chabura is focusing on the topic of kodashim and the beis hamikdash, particularly how sacrifices were offered in the Beis Hamikdash, a topic particularly appropriate to the time period in which we find ourselves, leading up to Tisha Biav. The chabura also focuses on the top ten כלי יקר’s and חתם סופר’s on the weekly פרשה, giving added insight and flavor to the פרשה.

Asher and his Chaburah are looking forward to not only building together in, and getting stronger in, their learning, but also building relationships with each other and becoming a cohesive, awesome Chaburah!

After an amazing Shabbos, so many exciting “firsts” took place today on the NCSY Kollel!!!

Following our first regular wake-up and Davening schedule, the NCSYers were eager to begin their first day of full morning Shiur!  They experienced a real Yeshiva atmosphere, as they enjoyed their first morning Seder in the Beit Medrash, in which they were given time to prepare the material for Shiur with a Chavrusa.  The Talmidim were then treated to a fascinating Shiur introducing them to Gemara Berachot and the various topics they will be covering throughout the summer.  The day continued with another exciting first – full Chaburas in their regular time slots!  Each Chabura finally got to sit down and begin learning for the summer, acclimating to the other NCSYers in their Chaburahs, as well as their Madrichim and the daily routine of Chaburahs.

Today also marked the season-opener for Kollel leagues!  Both the basketball league, consisting of twenty five teams, and the hockey league, consisting of eight teams, began, and looked as if they were in mid-season form in terms of intensity, Middot, and fun.  Check out or sports update for more details!

The “firsts” kept on coming with the first night Seder of the summer!!  Each NCSYer was paired up with a Madrich to learn with for one half of night Seder, while attending a shiur from a Rebbe for the other half.  The Beit Medrash was packed, the sounds of learning filling the room throughout the night.  As the NCSYers finished an incredible, jam-packed day, they headed to bed to prepare for the amazing trips that lie ahead tomorrow.  If the first full, scheduled day of Kollel was at all indicative of the rest of the summer, it is certainly going to turn out to be the #BestSummerEver!!!

It is a special joy to be able to share with you reflections on our first few days together on the NCSY Summer Kollel.

It has been a wonderful start.  The early days on the program are designed to acclimate the NCSYers to the program and schedule, and are heavy on special events and off campus programs.  Each of these added to the growing cohesion of the group and created much excitement for the rest of the summer.

It would be hard to choose just one highlight from all that happened.  As I am sure you have been following on our website, there has already been a balance (albeit an atypical one) between great fun, sports, Tiyulim, and incomparable experiences from the Beit Medrash.  In choosing some standout moments, clearly those learning opportunities come to mind first.  Last night we welcomed Rav Herschel Schachter to his spot in the front of the NCSY Kollel.  He briefly addressed the group, and that alone was a snapshot of what makes the program so special.  Rav Tzvi Sobolofsky joined us on one of the group flights, and has already begun our morning Halacha Shiur, staff Shiur, and various learning groups with NCSYers who have sought him out.  Watching these Roshei Yeshiva interact with our sons never gets old and is the fulfillment of some of our most important ambitions.

The Beit Medrash highlights were certainly not limited to a select group of NCSYers or a small number of Rebbeim.  We gradually introduced our morning Rebbeim and Shiurim to the NCSYers, and it was incredible to witness.  The Shiurim will kick into high gear on Sunday, and the relationship building will be further advanced through the welcoming Melava Malka that each Rebbe will be hosting at his home tomorrow night.  (These relationships will likely get a further boost when our sports leagues begin on Sunday – the vast majority of our Rebbe staff are participants in the leagues, many in leading roles).

Naturally, Chaburas were also prominently featured in our early schedule.  The interactive learning was a delight to behold and the energy levels on the first few chaburas were super high.  Our canteen Grand Opening featured a rousing game of Panoply and other Chabura based challenges and competitions.  Here too, the chabura that plays together, learns together, in the inimitable style that NCSY Kollel is renowned for.

But breaking it down even further, it was the simple sight of one on one learning and the cumulative result of an electrified and blissful Beit Medrash that was most gratifying.  Whether in our first morning preparation or at yesterday’s optional late night Mishmar program, the sounds of NCSYers learning together rang true, and presented a powerful image of the program at its best.

All of this was achieved without the benefit of our regular schedule or our full complement of learning options.  Additional great highlights were found in some of the special supplementary programs that were designed to bring the group together and introduce other key elements of NCSY Kollel.

It was a great week to be in the beautiful land of Israel!  One could easily point to our planes’ approaching the Israel shoreline and touching down in Ben Gurion airport as a climactic moment.  Without a doubt, a first night trip to the Kotel for an unforgettable maariv and a stop to reflect on the roof of Yeshivat HaKotel left an indelible impression on the NCSYers.  The beach on the Mediterranean was breathtakingly beautiful and was the first of many views that reveal the land in all its glory.  Friday in Yerushalayim is one of a kind, and it was great that we got to experience the pre Shabbos scene there.  For most, the off campus highlight was Thursday’s  NCSY Kollel Kickoff tiyul and games.  We offered 5 distinct options for all tastes and interests.  There was Softball at Kibbutz Gezer, Soccer on the practice fields of Beitar Jerusalem, Basketball in the gym, Flag Football at Kraft Stadium, a tiyul to the Stalactite Caves and a mountain biking expedition.  These options are typical of the NCSY Kollel philosophy of allowing choices whenever possible.  As a result, each group was a self-selecting and especially excited about the activity.    Moreover, breaking up into smaller groups accelerated the bonding process we have focused on all week.    No doubt this social dimension added to the overwhelmingly positive response to the day’s events.

But for me, none of these were the absolute highlight of the week.  I also do not intend to cop out and claim that all of the great happenings combined to form “one constant thrill”.  There was one moment that rose above the others, and it was at the very start of our adventure.  It was standing in the airport here in Israel and greeting your sons and our staff as they entered the arrivals hall.

I would suggest that there were two reasons why this was such a powerful scene.  First, each young man who walked through the sliding doors represented the actualization of months and months of preparation and expectations.  Names on lists were given three-dimensional form, and theoretical plans came into focus in living color.

But second, and perhaps more unique to this particular summer, this is an incredible group of NCSYers.  Individually they impress, and watching them come together for the first time as a group and community was exhilarating.  We are honored to try and provide them with the program they deserve, and to spend our summer with such a powerful representation of a very bright Jewish future.  They are diverse in many ways, and that makes their common denominators on display this summer all the more remarkable.

So that was my highlight of the week.  It was a moment that filled me with pride in our program and NCSY, and offered no small dose of hope and optimism for the future.  I thank you profusely on behalf of our staff for sharing your most valuable and beloved gifts with us.  We will do our very best with them.

We hope you are keeping up on all of our developments through the various social media.  We also greatly value your feedback, so please do not hesitate to share.

Thank you very much, and it is an honor to wish you a very great Shabbos, from the NCSY Kollel in the hills of Beit Meir, Israel.

 

Moshe Benovitz

What an amazing day!

Today the NCSYers enjoyed their first real trips of the summer!  This morning, Rabbi Sobolofsky began with the first Halacha Shiur of the summer, a short discussion about the laws regarding Birchat HaGomel.  After another morning of Seder and Shiur with their Rebbeim, Kollel departed to six(!) different, incredible trips, each NCSYer choosing to attend one of the six!  Whether it be to play softball at the beautiful Gezer field, flag football at Kraft Stadium, soccer in Jerusalem, mountain biking in Beit Shemesh, or basketball in a variety of gyms, the sports trips were as intense, fun, and exhausting as ever!  While some played sports, others opted to enjoy the beautiful tour of the Stalactite caves.  All of the trips enjoyed some free time in the mall upon completion of their tournaments, rides, and tours.

After returning to Beit Meir, the NCSYers sat down to their first full Chaburahs.  Following Chaburahs, the Kollel was privileged to welcome Rav Hershel Schachter for the summer, as well as to hear words of Torah and encouragement towards having an amazing summer from Rav Schachter.

The night was capped off with a special late night Mishmar.  The Beit Midrash remained packed into the late hours of the night by NCSYers and Madrichim alike, all continuing to learn together to end off what was an amazing first week.  While the sound of Torah being learned filled the Beit Midrash, the NCSYers were also treated to Shwarma and refreshments to enjoy as they continued to learn away.

It was an incredible first week on NCSY Kollel, and the NCSYers and staff look forward to continuing this amazing summer!

What an incredible day!!!

After an inspiring visit to the Kotel upon arrival last night, NCSYers and Madrichim awoke with  excitement and anticipation of the amazing summer that lay ahead.  After Davening and breakfast, the NCSYers attended a full orientation given by Rabbi Benovitz (Rabbi Lebowitz for second year NCSYers), where they learned the details of the exceptional Shiurim, Chaburas, trips, and sports that they will be enjoying throughout the summer.  From orientation, the NCSYers proceeded to their respective Shiur classrooms where they had the opportunity to hear words of introduction from their Rabbeim.  Each Rebbe was excited to meet their new Talmidim, and to begin forging relationships with them that will last a lifetime.

Shua Katz, one of our incredible Madrichim, and Micah Gill, an NCSYer on his second summer on Kollel, introduced our amazing Chaburah program to the entire Kollel.  They spoke of the long-lasting relationships that would be formed between NCSYers and Madrichim, the advantages to gain in each and every Chaburah, and the exciting summer that lie ahead in Beit Meir.  Each Chaburah joined for a brief introduction to their Madrich and fellow Chaburah mates.

Following a long, informative morning, Kollel was finally ready to hit the beach!  NCSYers and Madrichim enjoyed a beautiful day at the beach together, filled with both action and “chilling” for all.  Whether it be the intense football, soccer, or ultimate frisbee games being played, fun was had by all, as Madrichim and the NCSYers were afforded an opportunity to meet and get to know one another while having such a great time.

 

The first night activity was an exciting one, as Shlomo Stark introduced the second annual “Cafe Night.”  Gathered together in the dining room, Chaburas competed against one another in a thrilling game of Panoply, which included trivia questions testing the NCSYers on a variety of topics ranging from sports teams, to Gedolim pictures, to tractates of Gemara, while enjoying refreshments with their Chaburas and Madrichim.

As curfew came on NCSY Kollel, a buzz of excitement surrounded the campus knowing that this amazing, jam-packed day was only the beginning of what is sure to be the #BEST.SUMMER.EVER!!!

Today we had the privilege of welcoming your sons to Israel. That statement alone is extraordinary enough to be the cause of deep celebration and pride.  Much of Jewish history has been denied the opportunity for such an achievement.  We do not take it for granted. Of course, we did much more than welcome them to Israel.  We visited the Old City of Yerushalayim and prayed together at the Kotel.  We met a peer group of NCSYers and mentors that are second to none.  We began to speak about our opening schedule that includes introductory learning along with multiple trips to Yerushalayim, beaches, swimming, hiking, biking, basketball, hockey, flag football, soccer, and softball.  We welcomed them to Israel on a program that has already begun to give them an unforgettable experience that balances fun and meaning. Check-in to the campus was generally smooth, and the acclimation process is well under way.  We are aware of a small number of dorm issues that we are working out, but overall it was an excellent first day.  As always, we welcome your feedback and are happy to answer any questions you may have. With gratitude, Moshe Benovitz

Dear Parents,

We hope you are enjoying your sons’ return, and taking pride in their experiences this summer.  It is hard to believe that another year on the NCSY Kollel has come to an end.  This was truly a six weeks like no other, and we take this opportunity to offer our thanks and appreciation to those who helped make it possible.

Over the last days of the program, we established a renewed focus on prayer, both on the individual and communal levels.  This commitment was reflected in special shiurim, discussions, and, of course, during davening itself.  In many ways, tefila was an ever-present theme of the summer.  In a somewhat unexpected manner, the main catalyst for our tefilos were not only the times of anxiety and need, but the later periods of gratitude and thanksgiving.  We were fortunate and blessed in an abundance of specific instances, and the cumulative effect of this enhanced our prayer and drew us closer to spirituality.  One of the major lessons we internalized over these weeks was how to stop taking the most important gifts in our lives for granted.  For all of this, we thank God and offer a blessing of thanks for reaching today in the most extraordinary way.

We are constantly aware that our successes this summer, and our people’s continued prosperity on the holy soil of Israel, do not come without a heavy cost.  The funerals and houses of mourning that marked the landscape of the summer served as an extremely painful reminder of the heroism and self-sacrifice in our beloved IDF.  We will personally meet only a tiny percentage of these brave soldiers, but we have never felt more connected or indebted to them.

We cannot say enough about the inspiring behavior of each of our main hosts.  The people of Beit Meir, and specifically the wonderful staff of Yeshivas Ohr Yerushalayim, were faced with their own set of significant challenges this summer.  Remarkably, this never interfered with their prioritizing of our needs.  We arrived in Chispin and discovered an incredibly special community that went above and beyond the call at every opportunity.  The warmth and good nature of the kitchen staff was particularly impressive.  Both the Beit Meir and Chispin residents modeled the highest levels of Jewish hospitality and true building of Zion.

It has never been more valuable to be part of the greater OU/NCSY family.  The administrative staff in New York provided never ending insight and technical expertise.  The summer programs staff, headed by David Cutler, were the best team one could ever hope to put together.  The OU leadership was everything you could expect from the best of our community.  And the team at OU Israel represented our Orthodox Union and NCSY programs exceptionally well throughout difficult times.

Nothing this summer would have been possible without the performance of the great staff.  This includes the names you know (your sons’ madrichim, rabbeim, and chavrusas) and the names you might not (our tech staff and support staff).  Not one of these wonderful individuals encountered the summer or job responsibility he anticipated or prepare for.  Yet, each responded with professionalism and skill.  The madrich staff in particular, led by the incomparable team of Andrew Israeli and Marc Poleyeff, was outstanding.  Each of these young men had to first deal with his own frustration and discomfort associated with the pressures of the conflict, and then turn around and effectively deal with the physical and emotional needs of the NCSYers.  They did this with confidence and competence.  Special mention should also be made of the families of our staff who accompanied us throughout our travels.  They endured more challenging conditions with less support than in any other year.  Without their quiet efforts, it would have been a much different six weeks.

But we save our final words to address our most cherished audiences.  We refer to you the parents, and your most wonderful sons.

Your support over the summer meant the world to us.  We felt like true partners in both the education of your precious children and in the contributions to the Jewish State.  We were honored to communicate with you as part of this relationship.  We felt your emotions and concern.  We were humbled and uplifted by the trust you placed in us, and never took that responsibility lightly.  Not for the first time in the history of the NCSY Kollel, we were reminded of how special a group of families associate with this program, and how fortunate we are to make those acquaintances.

And ultimately, we thank the NCSYers for all that they did this summer.  Our accomplishments are all a tribute to them.  First, there optimism, ambition, and good character inspired all of our efforts.  More importantly, any positive developments over the summer started with the individual decisions that they made for themselves.  They were incredible to work with and a pleasure to serve.

For this and more, we offer thanks.

While this is the end of our regular and scheduledcorrespondence, we still welcome your feedback and communication.  This summer will not be soon forgotten, and we encourage you to share any thoughts you may have.

Like so many previous emails, we end with a simple prayer.  These past few days here in Israel have returned us to some of the more tense moments of the summer.  Israels soldiers and citizens are back to the front lines, and we wish them strength and success in all their missions.

With hopes and prayers for true peace and continued growth

Moshe Benovitz

Dear Parents,

We have tried to provide even more detailed daily updates this week, in order to give you as full a picture as possible of the great events and developments during our last days together.

As a result, we will use this week’s Friday update to take a step back, and to look at this extraordinary summer as a whole.

Rather than repeat earlier reports or give further attention to the most prominent events that defined the summer (Kumsitz at the Kotel, Sports and Tiyul highlights, Tzizis making, the return to Beit Meir, and more) we will instead focus on some other moments that spoke volumes about our experience and will hopefully provide a deeper understanding of why we will never forget NCSY Kollel 2014/5774.

Kibbutz Lavi Hotel, a few hours before Shabbos.We are waiting to check in to the hotel for our alternative programming on the second “Free” Shabbos of the summer. There is one elderly gentleman in front of us. He is dignified and proper, and seems to be of European descent. As they hand him his key, he runs through a quick checklist of final questions regarding his stay. He confirms the meal times and the hours of the tea room. He inquires about the facilities and when to sign up for the tour of the kibbutz. Although it prolongs our group’s wait, it is actually an exciting introduction to the hotel’s amenities. His last question is more sobering. He matter of factly turns to the concierge and says: “And would you be so kind to advise me of all the closest bomb shelters?” Such was our summer…

Beit Meir, 3:30 AM on our second night in Israel. It is one of our few nights on our campus before our move north. The campus is settled into a somewhat uneasy quiet. Most are sleeping, save for the rotation of madrichim and staff taking shifts through the night to help expedite a potential siren procedure. There is a hooded figure, sitting in the bus stop adjacent to our dorm, and he is moving oddly. On this of all nights, any strangers or strange activity need to be investigated, so the person is approached. Wrong on two counts. He is no stranger, and his movements are anything but odd. It is the madrich assigned to that section of the campus, bundled against the night chill. And he is reciting tehillim while watching and listening for the safety of our boys…

Chispin, during the annual basketball game against Sulam (Morasha). We did not win the game, but it was a special night nonetheless. The NCSYers were valiant in defeat, and the game had none of the regular competitive edge. Every program in Israel, if not every Jew in the world, were true brothers this summer. Sports highlights often follow a formula. They involve a long homerun or spectacular goal. There is a slam dunk or a buzzer beater to dramatically shift the outcome at the last second. It is hard to recall a well-played basketball game where the highlight was a rebound (!) in the middle of the second half. But that was the case that night. The Sulam front line was imposing. We were undersized most of the game. At a pivotal moment in the game with the NCSYers trying to close the gap there was a missed shot on the Sulam end with an impossibly long and high rebound off the rim. The biggest Sulam player and an NCSYer were positioned under the ball forever. The NCSYer jumped, and rose and seemed to continue to rise. He tipped the ball and then ferociously secured possession. The crowd erupted in appreciation. It was the strongest reaction to a rebound we have ever seen on the Kollel. It didn’t win us the game; Sulam was the better team that night. But it gave us one more possession, and one more chance. And it was a metaphor for a certain strength and tenacity that was on display from day one through the end of the summer…

A Monday night in Chispin. Our tech staff head is also a reservist in Tzahal. His unit has recently been retrained, and thus assumed to be removed from the call up list. On this night, that assumption is proved incorrect. Yair has received notice. He is on his way to Gaza. As he rushes off, a group is left stunned by his departure, and they stand together discussing the news. For most of our stay in the north, we share the campus with Camp Dror, an OU Israel program for Israeli youth. A boy from Camp Dror approaches the group, and asks with overwhelming concern, “Did you say that Yair got called up?” It is Yair’s younger brother. No one was even aware that Yair had a brother in the camp, and now we were unwittingly in the position to give him the news of his brother’s return to active duty. His obvious concern and worry was almost too much for our NCSYers to bear. Yair’s brother was quickly escorted to his own counselors and adult staff to be further counseled. And he was elated (along with all of us) when Yair returned safely a few days later. Many in Yair’s former unit were not as fortunate. And they are all someone’s brother…

It was not our only encounter with the true heroes and warriors of this summer. On our second Shabbos in Chispin, we hosted Rabbi Gotch Yudin and his family. His son Alex is an NCSY Kollel alum and soldier on active duty in Tzahal. He is enjoying Shabbos with his parents and grandparents before heading to the battlefield. Alex honors us with hagbah, and before he begins, the clear symbolism of his holding up the Torah before us is pointed out to the group. His grandfather, Rabbi Benjamin Yudin begins to read the haftorah. He stands beside his grandson and the Torah and slowly recites the berachos that follow the reading. His prayers for peace, joy, and salvation fill the room in a way that is utterly unforgettable…

A Sunday morning in Chispin. The office of the manager of the hotel. We have a long list of issues to discuss but he responds to everything with a smile and says simply “Ra’iti et HaKlip SheLachem.” No one knows what he means. He repeats himself. It doesn’t help. He stresses the mystery word- “HaKlip, HaKlip!” he gestures to his computer which is open to YouTube. It is now made clear. “HaKlip” is a video clip, posted online. He has returned home from some long days at work and reported to his wife on the remarkable efforts to accommodate the groups from NCSY. She is intrigued, and Googles it. Our weekly video comes up. The entire staff has been delighted to see their hotel as the backdrop for such exciting programs and events. She is blown away by the nature of our program. He is responsive to our requests…

Chispin, the Wednesday night before Tisha B’Av.The occasion is a siyum being made by an NCSYer. The kitchen staff are still setting up the meat meal to follow, so the actual siyum moves outside. In the middle of the Chispin campus there is a large raised hexagon. It has served as an unofficial meeting spot, the place from which we distribute late night snacks, and the venue for certain activities and programs. On this night, it is where the siyum is being held. The NCSYers are gathered around this stage listening to one of their own celebrate the great accomplishment of finishing Maseches Taanis. Something clicks into place. The common focus transforms the audience from a group of individuals to a greater sum. And because we are gathered in a circle we are witnessing this. Everyone is looking at the siyum and also at each other. The siyum serves to unify strangers and to give depth to the bonds between old friends…

Maariv after Shabbos, each week of the program.The decision has been made to limit our communal recitation of tehilim over the summer. The primary reason is a concern that too many tehilim, too often, will dull their effect and make it a mindless routine. We say tehilim each night after maariv, and the intensity matches the drama of the events around us. On the first Motzai Shabbos, a spontaneous singing of “Acheinu” follows the tehilim. It is a simple heartfelt prayer, that seems to become more poignant and personal each passing week. The “brotherhood” referred to in the song’s title and opening word is laden with meaning. There are, of course, the soldiers in Gaza, never far from our hearts and minds. There are the residents of the south, who bear the brunt of the attacks and costs of the war. We feel connected to them in ways that surpass anything we have felt before. But there is also an allusion to the brotherhood in our own Beis Medrash. This is affecting all of us, and we are in it together. No sports tournament or tiyul can bring a group together in a manner that matches what we have experienced together this summer. While as individuals we may cope and express ourselves in different ways, ultimately there is a communal response as well. This is our song…

Tisha B’Av afternoon, on the bus towards the Kotel. What are the contributing factors to the indescribable Kumsitz at the Kotel? Where does its power come from? And why is it uniquely associated with the NCSY Kollel? As beautiful as the singing voices may be, there must be nicer choirs out there. As many people as we are, there must be bigger groups. The answer may be sitting on the bus, in the third row, aisle seat. There is one of our Roshei Yeshiva, oblivious to the normal din and commotion of a bus ride. He is intently focused on a small gemara in his hand, learning one of the topics permissible for study on Tisha B’Av. There is no fanfare or live webcast here. But it is the secret to the kumsitz nonetheless. Our preparation for the singing at the Kotel did not start that afternoon and did not involve learning songs or melodies. It began the day we arrived and continues through every shiur, chavrusa, and chabura. A strong connection and allegiance to Torah and our Mesora is the direct link to the feelings of loss and yearning that inspire the Kumsitz. The leadership and participation of the Roshei Yeshiva inform our Tisha B’Av observance and we follow their lead. Before there was a kumsitz, there was a bus ride, a rebbe, and a gemara…

The same day, at the Kotel and broadcast around the globe. The Jewish people as a whole have great representation at this kumsitz. And as we get up off the floor, positioning changes and people find themselves standing arm and arm with whomever is in the area. A quick glance around the Kotel plaza reveals the simple beauty of the gathering. A Rosh Yeshiva finds himself beside a religious solider and a bareheaded older man. It seems like the most natural thing in the world. There is no question that they have much more in common than anything that might divide them. There is a roadmap to rebuilding and redemption…

Our “visit” to Beit Meir, before our full return. The residents of the moshav have always been remarkably hospitable. They practice extreme Hachnasas Orchim each summer in the way that they graciously host our program. It is a relatively small town, and our numbers make for an uneasy accommodation. They are proud to be the part of Israel that we get to witness first hand, and take seriously the responsibility to welcome all Jews. This summer has not been simple for them. Beyond their own anxieties from the call ups and sirens, they have been saddened by our departure. They feel somewhat abandoned and deprived of the ability to interact with the boys. Upon our return, they cannot hide their enthusiasm for our being back, nor their disappointment in our having left. The relationship between Israel and the Jews of the Diaspora is complex, and part of an unplanned curriculum for this summer…

Beit Meir, after our decision to be back for good.Those who have been with the program for multiple years are intimately familiar with every inch of the campus. While expansive for our purposes, the actual area is not large and easy to navigate. Its vistas and landscapes are well known to us. Something is jarring in one of these views. An old bomb shelter in the park, long used as a climbing toy for small children, is in its usual spot, but for the first time in our 15 years here its metal door is ajar, 24/7. The gaping entryway reveals steps that descend to parts unknown. This is new and unchartered territory, and a silent reminder of business not quite as usual…

A windswept basketball court, in an unused corner of the campus in Chispin. The conditions and location of the court make it unusable for our league games. But on this day there are two figures battling the elements and engaged in a spirited one on one. It is one of our veteran madrichim and a first time NCSYer. The NCSYer is far from sure why he is here. He is struggling to understand why and how the program is to be run in these circumstances. This small game will provide a large part of the answer. It is to provide him a chance to play and to bond with this madrich. Nothing more, and certainly nothing less. Fulfillment for the words of the prophets “..there is reward for your toil” this summer, can be found here…

Or here. Late night in the Chispin Beis Medrash, one of our first nights. A member of our Jr. Kollel staff (his primary responsibility is to learn mornings with the younger children of the educational staff) is sitting in the Beis Medrash. There are not many others there, but he is not alone. He has asked a quiet and shy NCSYers to join him. This staffer is not known for flamboyance or showmanship. He prefers to operate outside of the spotlight. It is a simple chavrusa. There will be no siyum or proclamations. It is just a student and mentor working for a few minutes to better themselves and to connect. They are completely unaware that they make it all worthwhile, and are justifying our efforts this summer…

Or maybe it is here. Friday night, on one of the modified free weekends. The group that has remained is singing Friday night zemiros. Although (because?) it is not our full strength of numbers, the singing is strong and powerful. There is an NCSYer who, for whatever reason, is not privileged to a Shabbos table of song on a regular basis. He quietly repositions himself at the table and finds himself between Rabbi Kaminetsky and Rabbi Lebowitz. These two leaders live on opposite sides of the globe, yet have found opportunities to sing together on Friday nights for over two decades, dating back to their time in Camp Mesorah in the early nineties. They intuit a playlist and are in sync and harmony. The NCSYer is a welcome addition to their table. There is something happening here that goes beyond very beautiful music. The singing lasts long into the night…

Shabbos in Chispin. Hotel rooms in the north are in great demand and overbooked all summer long. Shabbos is particularly crowded. You never know who you will see in the hotel lobby. Aside from the many groups that come in and out, there are occasional sightings of other persons of note. On our first Shabbos, we see Rav Shlomo Aviner, one of the leaders of the Religious Zionist community in Israel, check in. On the second weekend, it is Rav Dov Zinger, leader of the Mekor Chaim yeshiva in Kfar Etzion. Rav Zinger has been more high profile than usual of late, for the most unfortunate of reasons. He is the head of school in the Yeshiva where Naftali Frenkel and Gilad She’er learned. His steady leadership and great resolve have guided a nation through a period of deep mourning. He agrees to address our boys, but requires a translator. Rabbi Kaminetsky is the choice for that task. As expected, Rav Zinger’s remarks are inspiring, but it is also true that a picture speaks a thousand words. The image of two established principals standing side by side, separated by oceans and language but united by grief, hope, and an unshakable faith in the youth who comprise the future of the Jewish people is simply unforgettable. Although they have never met, they have been standing side by side for years…

Beit Meir, a recent beautiful afternoon. One of the quiet streets of the moshav. This is one of the spots with a spectacular view; on a clear day it stretches all the way to the Mediterranean. Much of the country is spread out in the distance. On the far right sits Tel Aviv. As you turn towards the left you can make out Ashdod and Ashkelon in the distance, and in the hazy beyond, even further south. There is a utility pole, and on it flies an old Israeli flag. This is no surprise, as Beit Meir takes great pride in its Religious Zionism. This flag has seen better days. It is frayed and faded, and the wind has twisted it into an awkward position. But it still waves, strong and true. The scene is breathtaking. The background is essentially the arena of the entire conflict. The flag is the foreground, somewhat wounded, but ultimately unbroken and unbowed. This summer there are no mere postcard panoramas. Everything is infused with meaning and significance…

The last Thursday night. Our seudas hoda’ah and farewell concert. We are sitting at the tables, enjoying the last moments of a great meal. Shlomo Katz is on stage, at the ready. He strikes the first energetic note. The room is transformed. Again, the specifics are unplanned. We happened to be sitting when he starts, and as a result it seems that 250 strong rise in unison. The sudden and overwhelming change to the room is astounding. The change to vibrancy and the highest of highs, in a matter of moments. And this was not the kind of performance where the pulsating musical beat obscured what we were hearing and singing. It is hard to remember or imagine a concert where the participants were more in sync with the words and music. Each song seemed to be a description of what we are and where we have been. It is impossible to choose a single example or highlight. Was it when we danced to “Ivdu es Hashem B’Simcha”? Yes, so many of the NCSYers now understand the need to serve God with joy and passion and pride. We are blessed with a religion with the strength to deal with pain and adversity. But ultimately, we find expression for our religious practice in times of happiness and excitement. The two cannot and should not be separated. We weren’t singing and dancing without care or concern. We were serving with elation and vitality. This is as it should be. Perhaps the climax to the evening came with the words Am Yisrael Chai. This has been our anthem all summer. It is a prayer and an affirmation. Every NCSYer dancing and exclaiming those words was making a loud and clear proclamation. We are still here, stronger and prouder than ever…

Friday afternoon, hours before our last Shabbos together. Showers and changing clothes, some early packing in anticipation for Sunday. On the courts, the teams competing in the championships are preparing for their final games. It is a time for reflection on 6 weeks that have been a lifetime. Many of the thoughts and memories above are common to all of us, in one form or another. These perspectives are part of our Shabbos preparation and will be underneath all of the learning, tefilos, and spirit of this beautiful Shabbos…

With that we wish you a wonderful Shabbos, as you continue to accompany us from afar on this journey. A week from now, many of you will be sharing Shabbos again with your sons and hearing from them a new list of memories and images. For now, we have just over 48 hours together to spend solidifying what we have learned and enjoying the most remarkable summer we have shared.

Wishing you a Shabbos of complete peace and beauty…

In gratitude,
Moshe Benovitz

Dear Parents,

With the powerful and positive aftereffects of the 3 on 3 tournament, great tiyul day, and Chabura Wars still being felt, we turned our attention back to learning.  Today was our last full regular day, and we took full advantage of the opportunity.

There were strong morning shiurim and afternoon chaburas.  At night, we said farewell to the night rabbeim, who delivered their final shiurim.  Rav Bronfeld, Rav Burg, and Rav Hirschel each made an enormous impact on the program, and will remain strong influences on the NCSYers for many years to come.

In addition, there were some special shiurim that added much to the day.  All week we have adjusted our schedule to allow for extra focus on davening.  We have incorporated a short daily talk right before maariv.  Tonight was the final installment, and Rav Mordechai Burg delivered one of the more creative and exciting orations that we have heard in a long time.  After Maariv, Rav Jesse Horn delivered a talk on going home.  Approximately 30 NCSYers joined the shiur and participated in the great energy of the post maariv learning.

There were plenty of great happenings outside the beis medrash as well.  Our final mini tiyul of the summer drew 35 NCSYers to the Machon HaMikdash (Temple Institute) and the Old City of Yerushalayim.  This trip capped the best attended and most appreciated mini tiyul season in the history of NCSY Kollel.  Average participation doubled from year’s past, and as a result we increased the mini tiyul offerings by a significant degree.  This began in Chispin and carried over the Beit Meir, and added a great deal to the program this summer.

Every day finds a rise in the intensity on the courts.  Today was the Final Four in the 3 on 3 advanced bracket and championship in the intermediate division.  Congratulations to Yehuda Alter, Leor Levenson, and Daniel Steinberger on taking home the first NCSY Kollel sports title of 2014!  There was also quarterfinal action in basketball and hockey.  The hockey games were particularly thrilling, with 2 of the 4 games ending in double overtime.

Tomorrow, we finish the learning week with final morning shiurim and the last standard chaburas.  We are also planning a closing concert and special dinner, followed by a late night mishmar program back in Beit Meir.

Moshe Benovitz