Daniel Cywiak is back for his third summer on NCSY Kollel. After two summers as an NCSYer, he is now serving as a Madrich. Daniel grew up in Woodmere, NY, and attended DRS for High School. He just finished his second year in Yeshivat Sha’alvim, and he is starting his first semester at Yeshiva University this coming fall.

The guys that are in his Chaburah are Donny Langsam (Woodmere, DRS), Rafuel Mayerson (Brooklyn, MAY), Dovid Bennun (Cedarhurst, DRS), Binyamin Ritholtz (Woodmere, MAY), and Shlomo Alter (North Woodmere, DRS).

What’s unique about Daniel’s Chaburah is that although the entire chaburah is comprised of New Yorkers, each guy has their own special contribution. Whether it’s Binyamin’s humor, Dovid and Donny’s sharp questions on the Gemara, Shlomo’s quick-witted questions about Machshava, or Rafuel’s discussion-inducing shaylos, it’s everyone working together that makes this Chaburah something special. The Chaburah has learned inspiring Sugyahs about the importance of Talmud Torah and Tefillah, but also some interesting discussion-based topics like the lomdus of Shomea K’oneh.
The guys have already grown so much together, and they’re looking to finish off the summer strong!!!

Yonatan Kurz is spending his third summer in Beit Meir as a member of the NCSY Kollel, and second as a madrich, in addition to concurrently serving as Chief of PR and Head of Night Seder on the North Campus. After growing up in Teaneck and attending TABC, Yonatan spent two years in Sha’alvim, and is about to start his senior year at YU, where he is learning in Rav Rosensweig’s shiur.

Yonatan’s chabura is comprised of some incredibly talented and high-caliber guys, each of whom contributes in a unique way that bolsters the group, pushing them even further as a collective whole. Eitan Book (Bergenfield, TABC) is the Chabura Masmid and can always be relied upon, with a remarkable ability to give lucid explanations to any question. Elan Berner (New Milford, TABC) is usually able to provide a sharp insight or witticism to the conversation, ensuring that the chabura continues to move further in the topic. Shlomo Ganz (Boca Raton, KYHS) is the spark plug of the group, bringing excitement, exhilaration, and enthusiasm to the ‘bura on a daily basis that keeps them pumped for whatever is to come next. Zachy Gross (Boca Raton, KYHS) is always a step ahead of the game and can be depended upon for a profound suggestion that is often reflected by a source to be discussed later by the group. And finally, Chaim “Cash-Back” Grunhaus (Baltimore, TA) provides the glue that holds the bura together, electrifying the chevra with his charisma and engaging anecdotes.

This summer, Yonatan’s chabura is focusing on a myriad of Orach Chaim-related topics, with a special focus on Inyanei Shabbos. Over the course of these past few weeks, the group has covered a dazzling array of subjects, including “Signing Shabbos to a Long-Term Extension – A Deeper Look at מלווה מלכה,” “Bready to Start the Meal – Breaking Down the Mitzvah of לחם משנה,” and “An Aliyah A Day Keeps the מלאך המות Away – The Importance of שנים מקרא.” Using a combination of lomdus, machshava, and halacha, as well as extensive flow charts to map out the topics, the group seeks to carefully examine and analyze these commandments and ideas. Additionally, the group will often engage in an “Around the Horn” discussion where a question related to the sugya or halachic is posed and then thrown around the chabura to exhibit an impressive variety of answers. This engages the group in a lively and vibrant dialogue that, in turn, develops a nuanced understanding of the topic as a whole.

Additionally, on Shabbos, the chabura delves into different hakdamos (introductions) of various sefarim relating to the content learned during the week, including the Sugatchover Gaon’s Eglei Tal, the Chofetz Chaim’s introduction to the third cheek (section) of Mishnah Berurah, and Rav Moshe Feinstein’s Iggros Moshe, as well as a biography of their lives. This serves as a way of glimpsing into the lives of these Gedolim as well as delving into these incredible works that often fly under the radar.

All of the incredible learning and camaraderie has enabled the chabura to enjoy what can only be described as an amazing summer, with even more great things to come!

Coming from London where he attended JFS high school and then having spent 3 years in Sha’alvim, Benji Simon is loving it in his first year on NCSY Kollel as a madrich.

He couldn’t believe his luck when he met and got to know his chabura: Moshe Horn (Israel), Shuki Shafran (New York), Simcha Uretsky (LA), Shai Warso (Chicago) and Noam Abramson (LA). Apart from the incredible friendship, these guys made with each other, as if they had known each other since birth, they also pushed and inspired each other to grow in their avodas Hashem in the most positive and caring manner.

They have delved into core and fundamental topics such as ‘Onas devarim’, ‘Dan lekaf zechus’ and ‘Why we are on the planet’ which all focus on understanding how human beings work and hence how to become not only closer to Hashem but to also develop better relationships with those around you.

To say it simply, the guys have been killing it in every possible way and the summer should only get better (if that’s even possible) from here on!

Elie Burg is currently enjoying his fourth summer on NCSY Kollel. He attended MTA and Sha’alvim and is currently entering his Senior year at YU. This is Elie’s second year as a Madrich.

Elie’s chabura includes some of the best guys around: Netanel Fruchter from Cedarhurst (DRS), Gavin Esmail from Manhattan (Ramaz), Aryeh Cywiak from Woodmere (DRS), Naftali Kieffer from Boca Raton (KYHS), and Aryeh Ohayon from Hollywood (KYHS).

This summer, Elie’s chabura will be focusing on Shabbos topics and general Halachic areas from Melava Malka to making a minyan. They will be learning about a variety of topics including Melva Malka (4th seuda?), the Importance of Minyan, and much, much more. The goal of the learning is to grow learn a little and have a great time doing it.

All of this has combined for what continues to be an incredible summer!

Avi Weitz is attending NCSY Kollel for his second summer and his first as a Madrich. Avi attended DRS for high school, followed by two years in Yeshivat Sha’alvim. He is about to start his first year at YU.

Joining Avi in his Chabura this summer is an amazing group of guys. Each one brings unique characteristics to the table that create an awesome atmosphere for the Chabura. Yosef Harkham is from Los Angeles, CA, currently serves as the president of the LA region NCSY day school board, and brings a leadership aspect to the Chaburah by always being the first to comment about the matter being discussed. Simon Bitton is from Woodmere, NY, and definitely brings some fun and life to the Chabura with his unique ability to always make jokes and references that make the Chabura laugh. Ilan Nissel is from Monsey, NY, and brings an intellectual edge to the Chabura, adding key thoughts and insights into the discussion. Last, but certainly not least, Ezra Berman, from Woodmere, NY, is the key to solidifying the Chaburah, and is always down for a nice chill or discussion as well as a nice kumzitz.

The Chabura focuses on the topic of Shabbos, specifically the customs and practices that are done surrounding Shabbos. Whether it’s through the limud or our discussions, the energy throughout the Chaburah is always there. Some of the topics that we’ve done this summer are “Zemirot at the Shabbos table” and “Proper clothing to wear on Shabbos”.

The chevra has been enjoying tremendously so far, and are looking forward to keeping it going for years to come!

All the way from down south, deep in the heart of Texas, is where Noah Diner grew up. He attended Robert M Beren Academy for high school and spent two years at Yeshivat Hakotel in the holy old city. This upcoming year he will be attending the Harvard of Jewish Universities (YU).

Next, we welcome the Goon Squad also commonly referred to as the All-Star NCSY Kollel Chabura. The guys are Reuven Schlanger (Cleveland, Fuchs), Yonatan Meyers (Cleveland, Fuchs), Gideon Fishman (Los Angeles, YULA), David Ehrenburg (Los Angeles, Valley Torah), all unbelievable tzadikim in and outside the beis midrash whether it be on the mini tiyulim, the basketball courts or shteiging away until late hours of the night. Each and every one of the guys has grown a tremendous amount over the summer blossoming into young talmidei chachamim thirsty for more.

The chaburas that Noah has been teaching this summer have been focused on enhancing our relationship with parts of Judaism that we do all the time but struggle to understand the why and true meaning behind it. The chaburas goal was to reveal the true joy of Judaism and all that it has to offer, while also allowing the guys to create an authentically personal and meaningful relationship with Hashem and Judaism as a whole. As a group, they discussed havdalah, נטילת ידים and topics of the sort while engaging in conversation and asking deep questions allowing for the guys to individualize their connections. With all of our amazing daily chabura learning, hopefully, as a group we are able to walk out of the summer finding more meaning and experience a deeper connection to the topics they discussed.

So far they have had unbelievable summer of fun and growth with even more upon the horizon as they head into the final week of Kollel.

Joey Kaplan is making his NCSY Kollel Debut as a madrich. Born in Manhattan, Joey went to Ramaz for high school, followed by Yeshivat Orayta. He is now entering his second year at Columbia College.

The guys in jkap’s chabura hail from all across the globe. Aaron Banks and Ari Gopen are both from Newton, MA. Aaron goes to Maimo while Ari goes to the rival Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael. Levi Minkin, originally from Providence, recently moved to Cleveland and goes to the Yeshiva of Cleveland. Finally, born in the deserts of South Africa, but now residing in the holy land (Baka, Israel), we have Shai Jawno attending Choreb. These guys have come together over the summer, bonding over innovative hashtags, jokes, and most importantly, Mak’s cakes.

These guys are not only great hockers, but also really know how to shteig. This summer, they explored topics focusing on the incredible value of man. After visiting the 8th Perek of Sanhedrin and analyzing life and death decision-making in a Torah context, the guys pivoted to Sefer Breishit to find how the stories they have known since their youth contain gems about middot. This chabura excels at thinking and debating the topics before delving into the sources from the Gemara to the Poskim to find out what the Torah has to say on some of life’s biggest questions.

The first few weeks of the summer have been incredible and the guys are looking forward to an incredible last stretch of the summer!

Elli Spinowitz is very much enjoying his fourth summer on NCSY Kollel, his second as a madrich. Hailing from Teaneck, NJ, Elli has attended TABC for high school, Yeshivas Sha’alvim for two years, and will soon begin his second year at Yeshiva University. When people ask him why he comes back year after year, he has no other response but to exclaim, “how can I not come back?!”

Elli may be a fine madrich, but without his amazing chaburah, he would be nothing. Starting from the top, coming from Boston, MA, Michael Wald has been a foundational member of the group. Moving down the coast, we find another core piece of our program, Zev Epstein, coming all the way from Philadelphia, PA. Noam Berman, yet another foundational component of the chaburah hails from a city even further south, known as Potomac, MD. As we hit our most southernmost point on the map in Boca Raton, FL, we can find two more key aspects of the team, Meir Lanner and Elyada Shabtai. While on paper the group may seem geographically dispersed, in reality, there couldn’t be a more tight-knit group. Whether it’s during chaburahs or not, the chevra will frequently be seen hanging out with each other, both in laughter and in deep conversation.

In the chaburah slot, while we definitely do get to work, we try to do everything bisimcha and with a real ruach. We have been going through different sugyas that generally come up as we go through a regular day, such as netillas yadayim, bircas hatorah, shomeah ki’oneh, and tfillah. What happens at the end of school if someone offers you a ride home? Are you obligated to split the cost of the gas? This is how we got to the sugya of zeh neheneh v’zeh lo chaser. The goal of the chaburah is to develop a deep love for learning as we get more and more comfortable reading through the mekoros and discussing the topics at hand.

This summer has been beyond phenomenal and we can’t wait to take it to the next level this coming week, as we close out the summer strong!

Effie Klein is here for his fourth summer on NCSY Kollel (second as a madrich). Originally from West Hempstead, NY, Effie has attended Rambam Mesivta and Yeshivat Sha’alvim before spending 2 years in Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan in Rav Eliakim Koenigsberg’s shiur. After the summer, Effie will wrap up his undergraduate studies in YU, while also pursuing semicha and a Master’s in Jewish Education from Azrieli.

Effie’s chaburah consists of a large range of guys, even if it may not seem like it at first. Joseph Andron and Yaakov Malk both hail from Los Angeles, and go to school in YULA. Gavi Ness is from Hillside, NJ, and goes to JEC with Avi Salomon, who comes from East Brunswick, NJ. Lastly, we have Yitzy Loew, who is originally from Highland Park, NJ and went to JEC, but who recently made aliyah with his family to Beit Shemesh, and will be starting in Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh in Elul. When these guys are together, they bring a lot to the table, and everyone contributes something tremendous to the chaburah as a whole.

This year, Effie’s chaburah is analyzing sugyos regarding mesorah, such as הלכה למשה מסיני, paskening from a בת קול, and other interesting sugyos. As we learned about from רבי יוחנן and ריש לקיש, the material is sharpened through the give-and-take during chaburah, and everyone’s amazing insights and questions.

While the summer is nearing its end, Effie’s chaburah is ready to take on the home stretch and finish off the Best.Summer.Ever on a high note!

First camper, then Shoel U’meishiv/Jr Madrich, and now back for his 3rd summer all the way from the city of Angels is Jake Fishman. It all started in YULA Boys High School; Jake then took his talents to the Ayalon Valley attending Yeshivat Shaalvim for two years, and now is pumped for his first full zman at Rabbeinu Yitzchok Elchonon (YU) this Fall.

A fabulous chevre of out-of-towners makeup Jake’s Chabura. First, all the way from Rav Soloveitchik’s neck of the woods, from Brookline, MA, we got Robbie Jaffe. Also, repping the Makom Ha-tea party, we got Jonathan Greenberg from Newton and Binyamin Orkaby from Brighton. The three of them spend their days at Yeshivat Rambam, AKA Maimo. Continuing down the coast all the way to the 3rd state in the union, the place where the lightbulb was invented is a small town in New Jersey called Hillside. It is in this little village (it’s definitely out of town) that our other two rockstars hail from. Aaron Schwartz and Gershon Friedman, friends from youth and natural ba‘ar plugtas to the likes of Rav and Shmuel or Rabah and Rav Yosef, these two bring the heat to Chaburas, always trying to find the Emes. They spend their days in Mesivtas Heichal Hatorah.

This summer, Jake’s Bura is diving into the Sugyas that divide Klal Yisroel: Is there a mitzvah of Yishuv Eretz Yisroel? What is the Satmar Perspective? Why do people wear hats and jackets during davening? What was the driving force behind the philosophy of the Rav, just to name a few. This is all in an attempt to highlight how although Jews may dress, act, and practice differently, we‘re all united around Torah and Mitzvot: “Shivim Panim L’Torah…Eilu V’Eilu Divrei Elokim Chaim”.

We’re in the final stretch of the summer, and this group of rocking guys isn’t slowing down. We’re pushing harder and learning longer, and we won’t stop growing together. The summer may be coming to an end, but this is just the beginning of a long story for this all-star Bura.