Chabura Spotlight: Noah Mogyoros
Noah Mogyoros is on Kollel for his second summer, first as a madrich. Noah, from the city of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, went to the Mesivta High School of Greater Philadelphia, followed by two years in Yeshivat Hakotel, and will be taking his talents to Yeshiva University in the fall.
Then we got the squad. The chaburah is made up of four amazing guys, all representing the southern region of the US. Avi Isaacs and Noam Landman hail from Atlanta, Georgia, and go to AJA. Avi Rosman and Yoni Oppenheimer come from the deep south, all the way from sunny Boca Raton, Florida. Rosman goes to Katz Yeshiva High School, while Oppenheimer goes to TTB (Teferes Torah of Boca). They wave the out-of-town flag high and proudly.
Throughout the summer, Noah’s chaburah has focused on the why behind the what- taking different mitzvos and discussing why we do the things that we do. They have focused on all different types of mitzvos, from tefillin to shemittah and so many others. The chaburah starts off with a discussion- everyone really thinks about why they do that mitzvah, and shares their perspective with the group. They then dive into Chazal and other mekoros to see what the Torah’s perspective is on that mitzvah. When combining the perspective of the guys and that of Chazal, the guys walk out of chaburah with a much deeper understanding of the why behind the what.
Noah and the guys have had an unbelievable summer so far and are looking forward to the final stretch!
Chabura Spotlight: Ari Pollack
Ari Pollack is currently enjoying his second summer on NCSY Kollel. All the way from sunny Los Angeles, CA, Ari attended Valley Torah (Let’s go PACK!) and then spent three years in Netiv Aryeh. Ari is currently entering his 4th semester at YU. This is Ari’s second summer as a Madrich on Kollel.
Ari’s Chaburah is an energetic, passionate group of guys looking to grow in their learning and ruchniyus. The chaburah consists of some of the most amazing guys, hailing from both ends of the East Coast: Shuey Silkin and Mendel Kahn representing Boca Raton, FL (KYHS), Yitzy Nissani representing Queens, NY (Rambam), and Eli Bruckenstein representing Cedarhurst, NY (Rambam). Together, the guys create a fun, vibrant atmosphere that allows the chaburah to reach higher and higher heights in their growth.
The Chaburah is focused this summer on understanding the true meaning of גדלות האדם and how to tap into their true potential. They are accomplishing this goal by using Gemara, Halacha, and Machshava to truly understand what shapes the way they act day to day – their middos. The Chaburah is focused on how to use (or not to use) honor, anger, jealousy, and happiness to change the way they treat others and themselves, to appreciate their self-worth, and ultimately strengthen their relationships with Hashem.
As the Chaburah finishes off the last week of this spectacular summer, they are looking forward to learning new topics, strengthening relationships, and getting ready to continue the journey after the summer and beyond!
Chabura Spotlight: Binny Freundlich
Binny Freundlich is currently enjoying his third summer on NCSY Kollel. He attended Hebrew Academy of Montreal followed by Sha’alvim, and he just completed his first year of YU. This is Binny’s second year as a Madrich on Kollel.
Binny’s chabura includes some of the best guys around: Moti Schreck from Woodmere (DRS) shteiging up a storm, Adi from Cleveland (Fuchs Mizrachi) able to read with his glasses, Daniel Lebowitz from North Woodmere (DRS) writing notecards in Hebrew, Yehuda Rubenstein from Woodmere (YFR) giving chazarah shiur with his hat and jacket and Zevi Burg from Bergenfield (MTA) wearing his Kippah on the side from Bergenfield.
This summer, Binny’s chabura will be focusing on various thought-provoking topics and sugyas, ranging from Birchas Hamitzvos to breaking down the Halachos of the 4 Shomrim. The Chaburah has a heavy emphasis on Chazarah and the importance of retaining the information learned. They summarize each Chaburah on a beautiful 9 x 13 note card followed by a quick voice note detailing the new things we learned.
The guys have really come together to create an awesome and growth-oriented environment. All of this has combined for what continues to be an incredible summer!
Chabura Spotlight: Tani Konig
Tani Konig is enjoying his debut summer as madrich at NCSY Kollel. From Woodmere, NY, Tani attended DRS Yeshiva HS and just wrapped up his second year at Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim. He will be continuing his education at Yeshiva University.
The Chaburah is comprised of four top-tier prospects: David Bitton (Engelwood, TABC), David Benisz (Monsey, TABC), Pinchas Stanislavsky (Fair Lawn, MTA), and Yosef Schonfeld (Woodmere, MAY). These awesome NCSYers are stars for their respective squads during the school year, and this summer they have joined forces to create the ultimate super team. Although they’ve just recently met, their interactions and chemistry are inspiring as they navigate the sugyas Tani presents.
The Limmud this summer was to gain a better understanding of daily actions and modern-day halachic scenarios through the Torah’s lens. This chaburah was ready from the beginning and was already Shteiging from the word “GO.” Early on, they learned Mishnayot in Pirkei Avot and various Gemaras that stressed the importance of surrounding themselves with a super team to achieve their goals. Next, they learned a Gemara in Eruvin, which taught them the importance of acting like a חסיד on the ball court and discussed the meaning of the pasuk in Mishlei, ״.מות וחיים ביד הלשון״ Though the summer is almost over, their passion for learning is surging; the guys’ thirst for more modern-day halachic scenarios has forced Tani to take the Limmud to new heights. The sugyas of “better seats at a ball game” and ״נזקי ספורט בהלכה״ have this team fired up and are creating camaraderie and memories among the young men.
With one week left in the season, this super team looks to capitalize on all of their victories and end the season with a BANG!!
Chabura Spotlight: Efraim Greenberg
Efraim Greenberg is currently enjoying his fourth summer on NCSY Summer Kollel, and his second as a Madrich. Hailing from Bergenfield, NJ, Efraim attended MTA for high school, before making his way over to Israel where he spent two years learning in Yeshivat Shaalvim. Efraim is currently entering his second year at Yeshiva University.
The chevra in Efraim’s chaburah consists of growth-oriented Bnei Torah who are looking to grow spiritually and further their relationship with Hashem. They are some of the best guys around: Dovie Hirsch (DRS), Jonathan Posner (TABC), Yishai Kaufman (HANC), Elie Schlossberg (DRS) and Eitan Ross (DRS). Each of them brings their own level of insight and excitement to the chaburas, making the amazing unit even stronger.
This summer, the chaburah is focusing on the Aseret HaDibrot. Each of the Aseret HaDibrot consists of 2 chaburahs. The first chaburah goes through the suggiah, listing different opinions and questions on the pesukim from specific Rishonim. The second chaburah goes through the machshavah and halachic shaylot that comes up within the Dibor. For example, the 4th of the Aseret HaDibrot is the mitzvah of Shabbos. The first chaburah goes through the distinction between zachor and shamor and the second chaburah forces a discussion of what it means to have a day of rest.
All in all, Efraim’s chaburah has learned so much from one another and has grown tremendously throughout the summer. The burah looks forward to having continued growth and success in their Yiddishkeit as they return back home to their senior year!
Chabura Spotlight: Moshe Maltz
Moshe Maltz is returning for his third summer on NCSY Kollel and his second as a madrich. Growing up in Woodmere, NY, he attended DRS Yeshiva High School and spent two years at Yeshivat Sha’alvim. He is about to begin his second year at Yeshiva University.
Moshe is privileged to have some of the best guys around in his chaburah. The chaburah has been having a blast and has grown together as a tight-knit chevra since day one. Leading off is Avraham Schreck (Lawrence, DRS), who continues to contribute each day through his sharp questions and keen insights on whatever it is that the chaburah is learning. Next up is Yakov Meisner (Cedarhurst, MAY), who has spearheaded growth opportunities that have enhanced the chaburah’s learning and overall experience together. Down Branch Boulevard, you’ll find Aiden Buchbinder (North Woodmere, DRS), who was essential not only in our chaburah basketball game (leading us to victory) but also in insightfully getting us to the depth of each sugya. Aiden is privileged to be classmates with Avi Burns (North Woodmere, DRS), another essential member of the chevra. Avi’s drive for Torah and one-of-a-kind sense of humor have brought the chaburah closer together through our learning. Right next door to Avi in North Woodmere, you’ll find Dani Klein (North Woodmere, MAY). Dani’s creativity (don’t forget his spectacular drawings) and drive for learning have truly enhanced the chaburah’s learning each day.
This year, the Chaburah has focused on many different topics pertaining to Shabbos and Talmud Torah. Some of the exciting sugyos include Sports on Shabbos, Making Early Shabbos, Oneg and Kavod Shabbos, and Bigdei Shabbos. Additionally, the guys have devoted time to speaking hashkafically and halachically about different aspects of Talmud Torah. Before beginning our topic of the day, a chaburah member presents a piece of Torah that they prepared and worked on during their own time. This has been a tremendous opportunity for everyone to search for their unique chelek in learning and to share their excitement with the rest of the chaburah.
Moshe and the guys have had an amazing summer so far and are looking forward to continuing that momentum for the rest of the summer and beyond!
Chabura Spotlight: Akiva Prager
This summer is Akiva Prager’s 3rd summer on NCSY Kollel and after two years of being an NCSYer, he was excited to finally step into the shoes of his Madrichim. Growing up in Teaneck, he attended TABC for high school and after that spent two years in Yeshivat Sha’alvim.
Akiva’s Chaburah is one remarkable collection of high schoolers, from sea to shining sea. Starting on the West Coast, Aharon Topp and Jake Lewis represent YULA in the Chaburah. Moving to the East, DRS enters the picture with Doniel Austein and Eli Eisenberg. Lastly, they are lucky to have White Plain’s best, Elie Beer, hailing from MTA. These guys bring so much personality to the Chaburah, whether it be the multiple chefs and bakers, hockey goalie, outdoorsman and mountain biker, or being able to have a good laugh and engage in deep conversation on a bus ride. And with Chaburah activities like Challah baking and Chopped (which they won), the dynamic is electric.
All of that energy and talent is brought to life by their Limmud this year, deep dive into the neglected and fascinating world of the Beis HaMikdash. With Austein as the resident priest, the Chaburah has dissected the process of bringing Korbanos, from the original consecration all the way through its offering on the Mizbeach. While breaking apart the complexities of Kodshim, the guys have continually demonstrated creative thinking and often develop the ideas that they later see in the Rishonim and Achronim all on their own. As a satellite of Radin and Brisk in Beit Meir, Akiva’s Chaburah has truly displayed excitement and intellectual prowess in the complex topics at hand.
Akiva and the guys are having a special summer of growth and relationship building and hope to continue and strengthen that over the last week of the summer and beyond!
Chabura Spotlight: Josh Wohlberg
This summer marks Josh Wohlberg’s second time on NCSY Kollel. Josh is originally from Stamford, CT, and went to SAR for high school. He then went to Yeshivat Reishit in Beit Shemesh for 2 years, followed by the YU Post Pesach Program. Josh will be beginning his sophomore year in YU after the summer.
Hashem has blessed Josh with the zechus of being a madrich with a chabura with guys from all over the United States. Josh’s 7-man roster is comprised of Eli Raphael from Dallas who goes to Highland Park High School, as well as Chi-town with Kenny Shapiro and Zach Miller who both go to Ida Crown Jewish Academy. We then make our way to Brooklyn, featuring Abraham Tawil and Solomon Terzi from Yeshivah Of Flatbush and Joshua Kassin from Magen David Yeshivah, before moving in town to Alexander (Binyamin) Wenger, who is from Bergenfield and goes to TABC.
The Bura starts off with hocking on sports, whatever went on the day before, or which school is better: Flatbush or Magen David; the Nets vs Knicks rivalry is also strong between the Brooklyn boys. We always end up debating about a different topic every day. A few examples include; what would be a better use of your time, 2 hours learning art scroll or 2 hours learning two lines of Gemara, another amazing debate we had was “what is the purpose of a kippa and why should we be proud to wear it in public”.
Over the course of the summer, Josh’s chabura has come up with strategies and answers regarding day-to-day things within Judaism.
Josh’s chabura has grown a ton and can’t wait to meet each other around the country to continue growing.
Chabura Spotlight: Uriel Cohen
Uriel Cohen is having a blast in his first summer on the NCSY Summer Kollel. Originally from Brookline, MA, Uriel attended Maimonides School and then spent two great years at Yeshivat Torat Shraga in Bayit Vegaan, Yerushalayim. Uriel is currently entering his second year at Yeshiva University.
This chabura is filled with an awesome group of guys that are looking to grow in their Avodas HaShem each and every day. It’s a great mix of ‘in town’ and ‘out of town’ with half the chabura representing TABC and the other half representing Hillel Pittsburgh.
From TABC we got the two Teaneck boys: Binyomin Bak HaKohen and Ayden Gurin, two guys that always add a ton to discussions and radiate positivity to all who are around.
Hailing from Pittsburgh, Nathan Itskowitz HaKohen and Josh Siebzener bring a ton to the table. Their humor is top-notch and is a nice compliment to the amount they add to our learning as a group.
The whole group has gotten super close over the summer and hopes to keep the learning going in the future.
This summer we started by learning about different ways to appreciate Shabbos, not only for 25 hours, but all week long. We then transitioned to different discussions/debates on topics that the guys came up with themselves. The goal is to implement Torah values into everyday conversations and actions.
We were zoche to have a special group this summer. However, the summer is simply a foundation for the Torah and continued friendships we will build together for years to come.
Chabura Spotlight: Eitan Warburg
Eitan Warburg is enjoying his fourth summer on NCSY Kollel, and his second as a Madrich. From Teaneck NJ, Eitan attended MTA for high school, then made his way over to the Ayalon Valley, where he spent two years in Yeshivat Shaalvim. Eitan is currently entering his second year at Yeshiva University.
The chabura consists of a dynamic chevra of Bnei Torah that are always looking to grow and be better. The chevra features some of the most electric and lively in-towners of all time: Yonah Luber (Teaneck, TABC), Ophir Rauzman (Teaneck, TABC) Shua Schloss (Bergenfield, TABC), Avi Sudwerts (Passaic, Heichal), and Yaakov Tabacznik (Bergenfield, MTA).
This summer, the chabura is focusing on how to infuse תורה in our daily life activities with the goal of becoming a true בן תורה. We are learning a variety of topics including תפילה, halachik aspects to different sports scenarios and the beauty of שבת along with many other halachik and hashkafik topics relating to one’s daily life. In addition, we entered the world of certain thought provoking sugyos such as אדם מועד לעולם, שואל שלא ברשות and שומר חנם.
The goal of our learning is to ultimately come away from this chabura realizing how one can become a true בעל מדות and בן תורה while also realizing how enjoyable it can be to live a life infused with torah.
The chabura has become such a tight knit chevra and we have grown so much from one another. We are looking forward to our continued success in Beit Meir and beyond!