Dear Parents,

Once again, the circumstances this summer provided us with a day long on emotion and full of transitions.

The two dominant themes of the day were our return to Beit Meir and the mood of Erev Tisha B’Av.  In some ways, these worked very well together, and in others there was more of a contrast.

Coming back to Beit Meir was a happy and exciting move.  The announcement last night was met with a loud cheer and plenty of smiling faces.  There was a great energy as we packed up in Chispin and said our goodbyes to our gracious hosts there.  Everything went smoothly on the technical side, due in large part to the excitement of the NCSYers.

It is impossible to separate the experiences of this summer with the observance of Tisha B’Av.   We are fully aware and witnessing first hand some of the challenges of national exile, even as we enjoy the benefits of the redeemed Jewish state.  Leaving Beit Meir and now returning have paralleled this process in a way that we all are sensitive to.  In that spirit, we are hopeful that today signifies not only the start of two incredible weeks together on the program, but a fuller and more global redemption for the Jewish people.

Immediately upon return, we turned our attention to the preparations for a meaningful Tisha B’Av.  We heard a talk from Rav Avi Schneider on how to best relate to Tisha B’Av, and in a little while we will hear from Rav Schachter on some of the halachos and main themes of the day.  Once Tisha B’Av begins we are planning our full schedule of Tisha B’av programming, both tonight and tomorrow.  These include not only the traditional recitation of kinnos (with proper explanation before each one), but also a range of innovative and interactive programs designed to allow each NCSYers to relate to the day in a meaningful manner.

We wish you a meaningful and productive fast day.  We join in praying for peace and redemption.

From Beit Meir,

Moshe Benovitz

Check out some pictures from our incredible day back in Beit Meir and Jerusalem on Thursday here!

Have a wonderful Shabbos!!!

Dear Parents,

This Friday’s Weekly Update will focus on only one day of our week.  To be sure, the entire week had events and accomplishments worth reviewing, but nothing captures where we are as a program as well as an account of our experiences yesterday.  It was that kind of day.

In Wednesday’s phone hotline update, I was happy to report another “great and safe day in Chispin.”  I couldn’t help but sense the frequent repetition of that phrase over these weeks, and I quickly added,  “…something we will never get tired of saying.”  Of course it is true.  It may not be new and exciting to report on another day of great chaburas, or an energetic night seder, or fun and competitive leagues, but it definitely beats the alternative.

Well, it’s fair to say that Thursday was a day that was like no other.  It still was great and safe – but it was many other things as well.

Our visit to Beit Meir and Yerushalayim was added to the schedule for multiple reasons.  We felt it was essential to fortify the program with some elements that had been missing, like certain shiurim and sports.  Many of the NCSYers benefitted from being at our office (safe, ATM, etc…) and their original dorm rooms.  And of course, there is no substitute for the centrality and impact of Yerushalayim itself.

The energy and emotions were high all day long.  On a basic level, the trip went great and was full of unforgettable moments.  We enjoyed stimulating learning and hours of competitive sports.  We had two games of hockey for each team.  There was a well attended mini tiyul and visits from many of our staff and other representatives from the OU.

But this was clearly about more than hockey and restocking wardrobes.  Our time in Beit Meir and Yerushalayim was marked by a palpable sense of belonging, community, and purpose.   It wasn’t just sports leagues, but rather games played on a home court.  Sitting in one’s own “Makom”, or place, in the Beis Medrash was never so laden with meaning.

From that sense of place came tremendous strength of togetherness.  Throughout the day, the feeling of being a part of something special was everywhere.  While we each had our own agendas and needs, we also strongly identified ourselves as part of the NCSY Kollel and the greater Jewish people.

Nowhere was this clearer than at our siyum towards the end of the day in Beit Meir.  In truth, a siyum on Wednesday night in Chispin was the real kick off for this stage of the program.  On that night we huddled around Eitan Kaszovitz as he completed Maseches Taanis.  Eitan spoke beautifully about various events to which his learning was dedicated to, and his example and words were a major unifying force for the entire group.  Our siyum on Thursday continued with this theme.  We joined in celebrating with one of our madrichim, Yehuda Meitelis, as he completed Maseches Tamid.  Yehuda is a madrich and also an alumnus of the program.  I often introduce siyumim on the Kollel by stressing how much we as a group strive to identify with Torah accomplishment.  On these two occasions, the “as a group” aspect was even stronger than ever.

And above all, there was Yerushalayim.  We were well aware of how important it was to the NCSYers to get back to the Kotel.  But even we were surprised by the level of emotion and outpouring of song and prayer that accompanied our visit.  Our generation, including those who don’t often visit Israel, can sometimes take access to the Kotel and Yerushalayim for granted.  For one night at least, we were fully appreciative of what it means to walk down and daven opposite the Wall.  It was extraordinarily special.

While the day was great fun and provided a wonderful lift to most everyone on the program, part of what made it so powerful were the aspects of balance that we described last week.  Our return was less than fully triumphant, especially as it was still temporary.  Furthermore, we are fully cognizant and appreciative of the ongoing efforts and sacrifices of our chayalim.  We have been reminded this summer that the opportunities we are blessed to have here in Israel do not come without a cost.  These realizations made for a positive trip that was less euphoric, but more substantive.

And this helped explain many of the utterly unique experiences that we shared yesterday.  Walking through our campus in Beit Meir was akin to discovering a time capsule.  The beis medrash, for example, was almost completely untouched from when we left three weeks ago.  On the tables were name tags and tiyul sign up sheets from the first day.  The associations were all to the hours and days after we landed in Tel Aviv and began our journey together.  It was almost impossible not to feel transported back to the beginning of the summer and to contemplate the perspectives on what was then and what has been since.  This process was not good or bad, but it was sobering and meaningful.

It was a great day and it has been a great week.  The summer has been full of growth and accomplishment, and we are looking forward to the stretch run of the program.

Thank you for your continued support and trust.

With prayers for all our people,

Have a great Shabbos

Moshe Benovitz

Dear Parents,

Today was yet another great tiyul day in the North, with much variety, excitement, and love of the land.  Back in Chispin, the special programming continued, and the day concluded with a strong night seder.

This time the tiyul options included a challenging hike down the famed Arbel Cliff, spectacular off-road biking near the Jordan River, and a tour of ancient Katzrin and the Talmudic village there.  The common thread in each of these very different trips was greater familiarity with the beautiful areas of the Golan and Galil.  The Katzrin group had the distinct privilege of being accompanied by both Rav Schachter and Rav Sobolofsky, and their presence and contributions to the tour made it a true “Only on NCSY Kollel” experience.

Each group was also treated to ice cream to cap off the tiyul, and with temperatures rising this week in Israel it was most welcomed and appreciated.

Upon our mid-afternoon return, we took a break from the usual basketball leagues for a mega-tournament featuring some other sports.  There were matches in soccer, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, 3 on 3 basketball, and even 4 team dodgeball.  These games gave a chance for some new alliances to be formed, and for those who do not relate well to the basketball leagues to participate in the fantastic NCSY Kollel sports program.

Please note the following update to both out itinerary and our free Shabbos plans:

After careful consultation with our situation room, we are planning a day trip to Beit Meir on Thursday.  This trip will allow for further interaction with our staff in the center of the country, a chance to play some hockey, another opportunity to bring personal items up North, and time to access the safe and ATM machine.

Because of this travel, we will begin the sign-out for the Free Weekend on Thursday night.  We will again have a drop off in Yerushalayim at the OU Center, 22 Rechov Keren Hayesod, at approximately 8:30 PM.

The free weekend will again be extended to Sunday morning.  Sign in will begin at the OU Center at 8:30 AM and the buses will depart at 9.

Please let us know as soon as possible if either the pick up or drop off times will be problematic for you.

Those who are staying with us for Shabbos will return to the North on Thursday.  We are still exploring options for enhancing our next weekend together.

Thank you for your cooperation in filling out the new free weekend form.

With heartfelt prayers for a real and just peace,

Moshe Benovitz

Following his debut last year, Ezra Zanger is privileged to return for his second summer as a Madrich on the Kollel.  After an unbelievable two years of learning in Yeshivas Netiv Aryeh, Ezra went to Yeshiva University where he is currently entering his senior year. He continues to have the great Zechus of attending Shiur by Rabbi Elchanan Adler.  Ezra’s Chabura includes Phil Dolitsky (Philadelphia, PA – Kohelet Yeshiva H.S.), Daniel Feldan, Efraim Schachter (both from Boca Raton, FLA – Weinbaum Yeshiva H.S) and Aron Herman (Woodmere, NY – D.R.S).

Ezra’s Chaburos this year have been an outstanding success, as he gives Chaburos centered on the topic of Bris Milah. Topics include “Chiyuv Av Limo L’es Haben,” “Shlichus B’ Milah,” and “Ktzizas Baheres B’Makom Milah.” Ezra’s goal is to orient the NCSYers to the beautiful Lomdus of Inyanei Milah all contained within a warm, Leibedek Chabura environment, all of the perfect ingredients to complement an incredibly inspiring summer.

Dear Parents,

We enjoyed a safe and excellent Shabbos.

In Chispin, a group of 200 strong stayed for Shabbos and experienced a “bonus” Shabbos on our summer schedule. While we designed a Shabbos with a more relaxed schedule to correspond to the originally scheduled free weekend, we were still fortunate to experience an uplifting and meaningful weekend. The majority of our staff was with us for Shabbos, and Rav Sobolofsky and Rav Kaminetsky in particular were active in giving a special feel to this Shabbos. One of the highlights was hearing some words of strength from Rav Dov Zinger, principal of the Mekor Chaim yeshiva. This is the yeshiva where Naftali Frenkel and Gilad Shaer learned. Rav Zinger has been a pillar of support for many here in Israel, and it was a tremendous honor to have him address the group. Overall, it was a beautiful Shabbos and an opportunity for reflection and recharging.

Early reports from those who traveled for the modified free weekend were also positive. Everything is arranged for the safe return to Chispin tomorrow, and we look forward to a strong start to our next week together.

With continued prayers for peace in our land,

Moshe Benovitz

Check out the highlights of our amazing first half of the summer 2014!

Eliezer Feder is returning for his third consecutive summer on NCSY Kollel, and second as a Madrich. His Chabura is comprised of five members (Cameron Broder, Asher Gritz, Alter Klausner, Avraham Marcus, and Dovid Samuels), all of whom have shown tremendous growth and excitement for the learning thus far. Together, they are delving deeply into the super-famous Sugya’s in Kedushin, daf 29b, which discuss the Mitzvos that a father must perform towards his son. Faced with challenging questions and thought-provoking discussions, the Chabura tackles each Gemara with much enthusiasm. As Cameron said “I never knew that these Gemaras were so rich with deep understandings, much more than what first meets the eye!”

Alter, who had previously learned the Gemara, exclaimed, “The discussions and Torah fights that take place every day in our Chabura shed new light on the Gemara that really proves to be rewarding!”

Besides the fun that the Chabura enjoys while learning together, they are a mighty unit outside of the Beis Medrash as well. This past Friday, when the Kollel had a scavenger hunt in Tzfat, the Chabura worked together to decipher the clues, and ultimately finished second amongst the over twenty-five Chaburas that competed. Asher proudly stated, “The same way we worked together learning, we worked together solving the clues, and we are very proud of our accomplishments.”

Eliezer is looking forward to continuing an amazing summer. We are only half-way there, with plenty more to come!