This chabura spotlight is featuring Yitzchok Lowy. He’s a DRS/Hakotel alumnus who’s spending his 3rd summer on NCSY Kollel, 2nd as a Madrich. 

Yitzchok’s chabura includes Rafi Lubetsky from the upper west side of the city that never sleeps, who’s currently in TABC. Next up, from across the country, we got Yosef Halevy. Although he lives in LA, Yosef’s probably the only Celtics fan who attends YULA. Next, from across the globe, we got the Ben-Aliyah himself, Eliyahu Kramer. Living in Ramat Bet Shemesh, and formerly from Woodmere, NY, he’s currently in Ahavat Yisroel. Moving down south, from Surfside we have Beni Ness. His talents are currently being maximized at Toras Chaim. Lastly, from North Miami Beach, we have the baller himself, David Tangir, also in Toras Chaim.

The chabura discusses various topics that aim to help one grow with regards to wanting to do mitzvos, as well as working on one’s bein Adam lachavero. The chabura also discussed the importance of taking advantage of one’s time and the benefits to always staying positive.

This summer so far has been amazing and super productive and will only get better from here!

Avi Tepler is enjoying his second summer at NCSY Kollel, and his first, as a madrich. A New Rochelle, NY native, Avi spent his early school years at SAR before trekking over the GWB to TABC for high school. For the past two years Avi has been learning at Yeshivat Hakotel and will attend YU this upcoming fall. 

Avi’s vibrant chabura is filled with a talented group of proud out-of-towners hailing from the sunny states of Florida and California. Starting with a stacked line up from the up and coming Boca, we have returnees Binny Perl (KYHS) and Joshua Haik (KYHS) as well as Simcha Hecht (KYHS) and David Link (KYHS). The Katz chevra envies the tame LA weather that Adir Tashman (MDY) is zocheh to have, who, in turn, seamlessly rounds out the ‘Bura. Each uses his unique personality and ideas to enhance the dynamic chabura environment. 

This summer, the chabura has been focusing on Sugyos on Mitzvos that a Jew involves himself with from the moment he wakes up each morning until he goes to sleep at night. The goal has been to instill and develop a heightened sense of awareness of HaShem in our day-to-day lives and understand how the detailed Halachic system guides and channels our ongoing mission as Ovdei Hashem. Additionally, the guys have enjoyed discussing the personalities and works of the Chochmei HaMesorah as deep dives into new seforim. Avi and the truly special chevra of guys in the chabura are excited for continued learning, growth and relationship-building to be had this summer and beyond Be’H!

Introducing an exciting Chabura! Helmed by Madrich Ovadya Yaish, from Bergenfield, NJ! Ovadya attended Heichal HaTorah in Teaneck, NJ for high school and learned at Netiv Aryeh in the holy Old City of Jerusalem. He is continuing his studies at YGW in Silver Spring, MD. 

Ovadya who attended NCSY Kollel in high school himself is passionate about bringing this group “Closer to Hashem” as they learn a rich mixture of Torah texts and modern day sources on some of the classic philosophical questions a developing Jew encounters along the journey of life! His fellow seekers are Heichal HaTorah students, Dovi Morris from Passaic, NJ, Aryeh Krimsky from Clifton, NJ, Jake Lutz, from Passaic, NJ, MTA student Gav Schwartz from Clifton, NJ and last but not least Eitan Ribault from all the way from Glendale, Wisconsin! 

No question is too big or small to tackle as this group learns about connecting with Hashem and connecting with themselves, while of course having the absolute happiest time!

Yakov Sundel, from Boston, MA, is on NCSY Kollel for the first time. Yakov intends on completing his 3rd year and graduating from Yeshiva University this upcoming year. Prior to YU, Yakov learned two years in Keren B’Yavneh (KBY) and attended Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael back home for high school. 

The Matzah Pizza Chabura has the Big Four from Heichal Hatorah: Aryeh Schimel (Clifton), Shai Kruter (Clifton), Shaya Waltuch (Highland Park), Yonatan Schiowitz (Teaneck). Additionally, the Chabura has the unbelievable Zchus to have the Twin Towers from DRS: Eytan Leibowitz (5T) and Mishael Lalehzari (Great Neck). 

This summer, the Matzah Pizza Chabura is studying various aspects within the Yaharog V’Al Ya’avor, Retzicha, and Bah BaMachteres Sugyos (from Gemara Sanhedrin Perek Ben Soreir Oo’Moreh). Using current events, the Chabura is discussing topics like the Trolley Problem, Sheba Ben Bichri (Shmuel 2 Perek 20), and the extent to which we must complete the Mitzvos, amongst others. (The Bochrim are also learning about the greatness of Matzah Pizza, a delicacy that can be eaten all year around!)

The Bochrim from the Matzah Pizza Chabura are thrilled to be on Kollel and are pumped to continue learning about such interesting topics with great focus and intensity. Especially, all of us are super excited to have Rav Schachter join us on Kollel for much of the rest of the summer.

David Markovitz is joining NCSY Kollel as a Madrich in his first summer on campus. David attended Frisch, followed by Sha’alvim for two years, and is looking forward to joining Yeshiva University in the fall. 

David’s chabura includes some of the most geshmak and happy guys in the Beis Medrish. The chabura consists of the Bergenfield/Heichal Big 3: Avraham Berkowitz, Nosson Feigenbaum, and Ezra Hochbaum. It is rounded out by the dynamic duo of Aryeh Greenbaum (Flushing NY, MTA) and Zvi Kahn (Bergenfield, TABC) who add so much energy to each chabura through their questions and jokes. They are all integral pieces that bring so much to the chabura dynamic. 

This summer, David’s chabura is focused on learning different le’maaseh sugyas related to sports and interpersonal relationships. Some of the topics include who is chiav to pay for injuries which occur in the heat of a game, calling others by nicknames, and cheating. 

In each chaburah they break down the entire sugyah all the way from the Torah’s mekor to the contemporary psak given on the matter. 

This summer has been unbelievable thus far and will only keep getting better as they continue growing together.

Residing in Beit Shemesh, Moshe Loew has returned to NCSY Kollel for his fourth summer (two as an NCSYer, and two as a madrich). After attending MTA for high school, Moshe went to KBY where he has just finished his third year, and is returning for a fourth as madrich. 

Moshe’s chabura is already famous for their genuinely sweet personalities of all five guys who are learning the first perek of Makkos together, in the hopes that their eyes will be opened to the beauty and wonder of Hashem and His Torah. Levi Weinograd, Ranon Milgram, and Yonatan Naggar, (also known as the Boston Big Three) attend Ohr Yisrael. Yonatan’s thoughtful insights and calm personality, blend seamlessly with Levi’s sense of humor and Ranon’s ability to focus on the sugya to create the core dynamic of the chabura. However, that isn’t all, because joining those three amazing bochurim are Natan Mayerfeld, who lives in Cleveland and attends Fuchs, and Chaim Goldman, from Philadelphia where he attends Kohelet. Natan brings unbelievable energy and asks incredible questions keeping his madrich on his toes, while Chaim with his trademark smile and charisma provides the glue, combining all the unique traits of each member of the chabura into one cohesive unit.

This out of town chabura, is focused on developing analytical skills when reading Gemara and deepening their conceptual understanding of the different shitahs of Rishonim. They are already surpassing all expectations as they continue diving deeper into the sugyas of “Keitzad Haeidim” which discuss Eidim Zomemim. This shouldn’t be a surprise though, as this chabura is not stam a chabura, but a Kollel Plus Chabura. The same drive and energy that Chaim, Natan, Yonatan, Ranon, and Levi possess which left no other option but to sign up for more basketball, more learning, and more fun, has clearly been noticed by everyone who meets them.

With only a few weeks left of the summer, this chabura, with the help of their madrich, hopes to open their eyes a little wider, and pay closer attention to the unbelievable world and the sweet and wondrous Torah contained inside each and every one of them.

Uri Ostrin is back for his third summer on NCSY Kollel: 4 years ago as a camper, last summer as a Junior Madrich and now a full fledged Madrich. Uri grew up in a beautiful Shtetl in central New Jersey called Highland Park. He attended Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva (RPRY) for his early schooling years. Then he left for the big city, Teaneck, New Jersey (Ir HaKodesh) and attended Torah Academy of Bergen County (TABC) for four incredible years. From there, Uri took his talents to Yeshivat Shaarei Mevaseret Tzion (Mevaseret) for two epic years. Uri has since attended Yeshiva University, Sy Syms School of Business, Post Pesach Program and will IYH be there for the next few years. Uri plans on completing and receiving his degree and being Yotzei his Chiyuv of כיבוד אב ואם. After university, Uri would like to explore S’micha and pursue a meaningful life in Chinuch, inspiring the next generation of Klal Yisroel. 

Uri’s Chabura, inspired by Uri’s exploding WhatsApp group chat, “Ignite YOUR Flame”, is always a fun and interactive experience for the Buchrim. The “Dream Team”, staring, The Big Baller Eyal Kinderleher (TABC), The Pianist Yakir Adams (TABC), The Singer Tani Gottlieb (JEC), The man of many talents (Artist, MasterChef) Dani Fromm (JEC), The Kohen Rebba Avi Klerer (JEC), The Fisherman Natan Altmark (Heichal HaTorah), And The Next Gadol Hador, HaGoan HaRav Yehuda Brisken Shlita (TABC), The Chabura is no short of secret weapons to knock your socks off. The growth over the course of the first few, very very short weeks of the summer, has been astronomical. The “Dream Team” is going to continue to grow and IYH allow the words of Hashem’s sweet, pure Torah to penetrate their hearts and give meaning behind their everyday lives. 

Starting with the snooze button on the alarm clock and what comes after it, Uri’s Chabura is focused on what a normal day looks like. As it says in Pirkei Avos 1:1, ״והעמידו תלמידים הרבה״, You should “Stand Up” Your Talmidim. This is a very strange language to use… The Tosfos Yom Tov explains that this means that the students need to know how to stand on their own. When they come across a situation in life, how to handle it. Uri’s belief is that it all starts with the basics! What are we saying when we make a Bracha… what is the “in depth meaning” behind each of the words. What should we be thinking about? With Siyata Dishmaya, Uri hopes to be able to instill within each member of the “Dream Team”, a true sense of meaning and purpose in our everyday lives! With this sense of meaning, Uri hopes to highlight the undeniable truth, that greatness lies within. Each and every single Yid is created with his greatness! Uri hopes that the boys realize this and allow it to come flowing out of their Neshamos. 

The Dream Team has already Baruch Hashem exploded in epic ways! As Uri always reminds the boys, Shoot for the moon and if you miss, you’ll end up in the stars! Each boy on an individual level has started to realize this and the growth has been jaw dropping. Uri couldn’t be prouder of the “Dream Team”, and he can’t wait to see what lies ahead for each Tzaddik in the Chevra. Uri hopes that the Chevra will stay strong and continue to learn and grow from each other. 

Yoni Besser is having a blast back on Kollel for his fourth summer, second as a madrich. From Clifton NJ, Yoni went to Heichal Hatorah before two years at Sha’alvim. He spent last year in Rav Twersky’s shiur in YU, majoring in accounting.

The chabura is composed of four all-star NCSYers: Kivi Margolese lives in Baltimore and goes to YGW, Gavriel Sokolic of Cherry Hill is in Kohelet, Yeshaya Friedman from Passaic attends Chofetz Chaim of Miami, and last but not least Ariel Mayer from Queens is in DRS.  Together, they’ve meshed into a wonderful group, and the chemistry they’ve developed, both in and out of chabura, is a pleasure to watch.

The learning done in this chabura is especially unique because of the unique perspective that each guy is able to contribute throughout the entire hour. This summer’s learning is centered around the six zechiros, learning some of what’s behind yetzias mitzrayim, matan torah, amalek, and more. Additionally, for the 9 days, the entire chabura has taken it upon themselves to be mechazeik in making brachos and in being careful in what they say about others.

The entire Chabura has grown tremendously and has had a blast so far this summer, and they’re extremely excited for what the next few weeks have in store!

Eric Dolitsky, born and raised in the great city of Philadelphia, is attending his fourth summer on NCSY Kollel (second summer as a madrich!). Eric attended Kohelet Yeshiva High School, spent two years in Yeshivat Sha’alvim and will be embarking on his second year in YU this coming year.

Eric’s Chaburah is made up of an All-Star starting five. Starting at guard, all the way from Lower Merion, PA, we have David Troodler representing The Mesivta of Greater Philadelphia. At shooting guard, comes Abie Barnett from the Skokie Yeshiva from Chicago. At forward, comes Jay Guberman from the Yeshiva Greater Washington from Silver Spring. At the other forward, another representative of team Mesivta of Greater Philadelphia from Lower Merion, PA, we have Eli Friedman. Last, but most certainly not least, at center, Jacky Lerner hailing all the way from Baltimore representing Torah Academy of Baltimore.

The Chaburah’s focus is to expose themselves to the vast world of Torah such as lomdus, machshava, halacha, and a little bit of Chassidus. They have discussed topics such as Shabbos, Tefilla, Talmud Torah, and Eretz Yisroel through the lens of each of these different areas of Torah. The goal of the chabura is to gain a deeper appreciation for each area of Torah and how it can apply to changing our perspective for everyday life.

So far, Eric’s chabura has gelled into an amazing chevra who love to spend time together and continue to be a group that explores the World of Torah!

Ariel Strick is enjoying his 2nd summer on NCSY Kollel, and this is his first year as a Madrich. Ariel went to the Fasman Yeshiva (aka FYHS, THE Yeshiva, that Chicago Kayitz place) and then spent the next two years learning at Yeshivat Sha’alvim. Ariel will be attending YU next year with the primary goal of developing a cool handshake with Rav Twersky, and also to learn some good torah too.

The guys in Ariel’s Chabura are an awesome group of legends such as Sammy Zimmerman from Staten Island (JEC), Koby Bekritsky from Monsey (Heichal), Shuie Strong from Hillside (JEC), Shlomo Ambinder from Hillside (JEC), and Dovid Lichstein from Monsey (Heichal).

Ariel’s Chabura is learning some of the famous sugyas in the beginning of Arvei Pesachim- including Tosefes Shabbos, Matzah on Erev Pesach, Kiddush, and Matzah and Mayo (a personal favorite to all).

The summer has been unbelievable so far, and the learning is only going to keep getting stronger as the summer goes on!