Thank you to all the Rabbeim who made the trip up to Chispin for the day yesterday!  Shiur and ball with the Rabbeim really helped liven the Kollel atmosphere and enhanced our stay here in Chispin!

This summer marks Robbie Schrier’s second summer as a Madrich on NCSY Kollel. Because of the three weeks, Robbie is currently working on his signature mustache and goatee that makes him look uncannily similar to Guy Fawkes.

Robbie has an all-star, diverse Chabura that has been assembled from all over the US. Sam Kalnitz, from Philadelphia, attends the Kohelet High School. Yaakov Kaminetsky (who has attended Kollel for more years than the rest of the Chabura combined) hails from Woodmere, NY and currently attends DRS. Tzvi Kaminetsky (not related) is from Teaneck NJ and attends TABC. Gavi Lashak (aka Shaq-Attack!) lives in Dallas, Texas and goes to the Ner Yisroel high school in Baltimore. David Selis, our west coast powerhouse from Palo Alto, California, is going to be attending the American Jewish University in Bellaire. Dani Mosenkis goes to the Jewish Day School in Columbus, Ohio. Dovid Lesser lives in Lawrence, NY and attends the Mesivtah Ateres Yaakov.  Robbie’s chaburah has been delving into the Sugya of Pru-Urvu, analyzing the Torah sources for the Mitzvah and how they interact with the Gemaras in Yevamos that develop the topic.

Robbie is looking forward to defending his Chabura-Wars championship title this summer.

While the 17th of Tammuz, and the introduction of the Three Weeks, brings with it a more somber, serious atmosphere, the excitement and buzz of NCSY Kollel did not waiver.

Although it was a fast day, on which everyone is generally more tired and hungry, the Beit Medrash here in Chispin was stronger than ever!  Due to its incredible success thus far, night Seder took place during morning Seder.  Instead of the usual preparation for Shiur, NCSYers got an extra opportunity to learn with their Madrichim for an hour of Chavrusa time, and attend Shiurim by Rabbi Tanchum Cohen, Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky, Rabbi Andi Yudin, and Kivi Naiman about the seriousness of the Three Weeks and the fast day at hand.  Throughout the day, the NCSYers were presented with a variety of optional Shiurim, all of which were attended by an impressively large group of Talmidim.  Rabbi Sobolofsky gave a Shiur on the topic of the Three Weeks, and Rabbi Cohen gave a Shiur later in the day on the topic of Breslov and Brisk and how they can lend to a more meaningful Davening.  Before Maariv, Chaburas gathered to discuss the events and ideas behind the day of the 17th of Tammuz, and the ramifications that these should have on our lives today.

After the conclusion of what was a meaningful fast for all, the NCSYers were given the option to attend an awesome, unforgettable night hike towards the Kineret, with an chance to go swimming in a nearby spring.  It was another of many opportunities to explore the beautiful sights of Chispin and the surrounding Golan Heights.

At the end of a day filled with learning and inspiration, we look forward to the beginning of basketball leagues and the continuation of more intense learning and sports tomorrow!

Dear Parents,
Today’s goals were simple: to energize the Chispin campus, take full advantage of the great energy that was created on Shabbos and Motzai Shabbos, and to further focus the attention of the NCSY Kollel away from all distractions and squarely on the summer ahead.
On the original summer schedule, we planned for July 13 to be a day spent tapping in to World Cup fever. We allotted for a full morning seder, a massive soccer tournament, and a late night viewing of the game itself. Even in Chispin we were undeterred. Through the ingenuity and hard work of our incredible sports staff, Chispin was soccer central. Through the wonders of technology, a big screen offering of the championship from Brazil was presented to all.
And these great events were only part of an incredible day. We continued to take advantage of the history and beauty of the lower Golan with our second of three straight days of extended mini-Tiyulim. We welcomed UCONN legend Doron Sheffer for an inspirational talk and basketball exhibition. And there were further surprises and twists to keep everyone excited.
The intent was to raise spirits and to break some of the built up tension. We strongly feel that all of the bigger summer goals can best be achieved in an environment of calm and comfort.
We still can’t predict how long our stay here will be. We are taking things day by day, and working to maintain all of the elements of the NCSY Kollel experience.
How will that work practically?
Right now we have a wonderful team of Rabbeim with us. Rabbi Cohen travels regularly with our group, and Rabbi Lebowitz will be doing double duty with both his administrative responsibilities and his impressive teaching skills. Rabbi Sobolofsky has been pressed into service giving regular shiurim in the morning as well. From neighboring programs there is a wealth of talented teachers as well. Most notable, Rabbi Andi Yudin is based nearby with his family, and he will be working with us in the mornings as well. We lack the same access to seforim and printing that we enjoyed in Beit Meir, so here the shiurim will be somewhat less textual and cover some broader topics.
To a man, each of our morning Rabbeim in Beit Meir has offered to contribute to the learning by driving up to join us or giving shiurim on line. If our stay extends into later in the week, we may well take them up on that offer.
The afternoon chaburas with madrichim comprise the backbone of the learning day. For many of the NCSYers, this is not much different than the situation under normal conditions in Beit Meir. Chaburas have been particularly dynamic since we came north, and we have not sacrificed much in that regard.
Since we succeeded with a regularly planned night activity tonight, we actually haven’t missed a night seder since coming up on Friday. Tomorrow night, we will run a variation of the normal night learning, with a heavy emphasis on chavrusa learning.
We are working on a number of technical issues, such as laundry and money changing to allow for a more comfortable stay. While we hope that our time here is limited, we also want to make sure that the program remains as viable as possible for as long as we must be here.
Overall, spirits are high and the NCSYers are responding well to both the learning and the special programs. The extra effort they are required to make for things to operate smoothly is paying off, as they are increasingly invested in what we are offering and are taking very little for granted.
Our prayers are for a just and long lasting peace, and for the NCSYers to be unimpeded in their march towards Torah growth.
Moshe Benovitz

After an incredible Shabbat and a Sunday full of surprises in Chispin, Kollel just kept on rolling!!  On Monday, morning Shiurim were in full swing.  All of the NCSYers were privileged to partake in a Q&A session with one of our Roshei Yeshiva, Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky, while getting the opportunity to attend a morning Shiur given by one of the other guest Rabbeim as well.  Chaburas continued to be more enjoyable than ever as Madrichim and their Chaburas took their learning outdoors, to a variety of beautiful locations throughout the Chispin campus.  Following the packed morning of learning, the Kollel Cup began its playoff rounds.  After a thrilling quarterfinals and semifinals, featuring 4 games ending in penalty kicks, Costa Rica would go on to win the cup, beating France by a score of 2-1 in the final, exciting match.  Many also got a chance to play some volleyball, a new introduction to Kollel sports.  The NCSYers would eventually head back to the Beit Medrash for a tremendous night Seder consisting of the usual Chavrusa learning time and a slew of new night Shiurim as well.  After “Shteiging” away for most of the day, Kollel was treated to a pre-3-Weeks Kumzitz with Rabbi Josh Weinberg, a truly special event which helped get all who joined into the appropriate mindset for the upcoming fast day of the 17th of Tamuz and the 3-Weeks which lie ahead.

On Friday morning, Kollel began their trip up north to Chispin!  Upon arrival, the entire Kollel gathered in the amphitheater for the annual announcement of the Kollel Basketball League teams.  The room was filled with excitement, as the guys were ready to meet their teammates and begin competing to win the championship.  The NCSYers spent the afternoon truly enjoying all of the beautiful facilities in the Yeshiva in Chispin.  While league exhibition games took place on the courts, soccer, frisbee, and football games took place on the fields.

As the NCSyers prepare for Shabbat, we look forward to what will be an amazing and inspiring Shabbat, and an exciting, fun-filled next few days here in Chispin.  Shabbat Shalom!

While the major events of the day were covered already via email, there were many other exciting activities that took place today on Kollel…

Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky kicked off the morning with the first post-Shacharis Halacha Shiur, in which he discussed some basic Halachos regarding Bishul Akum, cooking of a non-Jew.  Following breakfast, 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 many of the Halachos of, and Gemara topics regarding, the Mitzvot of Mezuza, Tzitzit, and Tefillin.  Morning Seder concluded with a Shiur by Rav Dani Marcus, explaining the idea of having “Jewish Pride,” specifically in light of the recent situation in Israel.  The day continued with another exciting first – Chaburas!  Each Chabura got a taste of what it means to learn with a Madrich in a much more relaxed setting, with topics ranging from Gemara to Mussar and Machshava.

During the break, while pick-up games of basketball continued on the courts, NCSYers had the option of attending the first amazing mini-Tiyul of the summer. Led by the talented mini-Tiyul expert, Yosef Ginsburg, they toured the beautiful Moshav of Beit Meir, which serves as the campus for NCSY Kollel.  This was their first of many opportunities to see the beautiful sites of the country of Israel.

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.  As this was also the first Thursday night of the summer, night Seder did not end at the usual time of 10:30. NCSYers had the option of continuing into late-night Mishmar!  The loud roar of learning continued to fill the Beis Medrash until the hour of 12:00, after which awesome cholent and potato kugel were enjoyed by all.  After an amazing first week, we look forward to the incredible Shabbos that Kollel has in store!

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.

Following a long, informative morning, Kollel was finally ready to hit the courts.  The inauguration of the sports for the summer of 2014 began with “The Achdus Games,” activities designed to allow everyone to meet new people and create new friendships.  The Games consisted of “Chabura Line-Up,” a competitive game of Line-Up where Chaburas played against one another, rotating members of their Chaburas as shooters, as well as a race which required NCSYers to work in pairs and learn something new about their partners.  The completion of the “Achdus Games” brought the first of many intense pick-up-ball games, both in basketball and hockey, where the NCSYers and Madrichim had the opportunity to interact in a setting outside of the Beit Medrash.

The first night activity was an exciting one, as Kivi Naiman introduced Kollel to “Cafe Night.”  Gathered together in the dining room, Chaburas competed against one another in a series of trivia games, including “Faceoff” (a game in which contestants race to list as many items within a topic as possible in a specific time frame), “Ikea or Cheese” (which called for identifying an interesting word as falling under one category or another), and others, while enjoying pizza and ice cream 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!!!