The days leading up to the start of our summers are always filled with a special combination of anticipation, anxiety, hard work, and hope.  Our “spring training” is a whirlwind of activity over two continents with a common focus and goal and a common denominator of optimism and belief in the potential of the NCSY Summer Kollel.

So it was, that a staffer found himself in the Beis Medrash on the day before the flights landed in Israel.  It was the end of a good number of hours of labor, and the room was finally set up and ready for action.  It was also an ideal time for reflection, and modern reflections can sometimes be captured for posterity.    This is what he saw:

An empty Beis Medrash, which, when primed and prepped for a glorious tomorrow, can be an incredible sight.  The room itself shouts of possibility and promise.  Each empty chair is a story.  A young man from Cleveland visiting Israel for the first time.  An honors student from New Jersey coming to learn a few minutes a day with Rav Schachter.  Rav Schachter.  A CIT returning for his third summer, to a place that feels like a second home.  A staff member who is an alumnus of NCSY’s TJJ touring program (https://tjja.ncsy.org), who visited our program with his group for a day in 2012, and vowed to return sometime soon.  A Yeshiva student with some apprehension of our schedule but the resolve to use this summer to advance a proud and strong religious identity.  And no fewer than 300 other compelling and unique narratives.

It was the first of the week’s truly breathtaking moments.  Without an NCSYer in the room, it was already a highlight.  It was a moment to wonder, “What will be?”

And now, a scant 4 days later, some answers to that question have emerged.  The seats have been filled, and the discourse has already begun to change.  We can describe in clear detail exactly “What has been” and “What is.”

Here are a few snapshots from an unforgettable first few days, and a few answers to “What is.”

·      First impressions and meetings, with a handshake, fist bump or just a smile and kind word.  NCSYer to NCSYer, staff to NCSYer, Rebbe and talmid.  Old reunions and new friendships.

·      Opening Chabura Competitions for brawn and brain.  3 on 3, Hockey, Trivia, Pyramid Building, “Basketball Bowling”, and Individual Chabura Challenges.  But mostly, good times and great bonding.

·      Rabbi Yaakov Danishefsky addressing the Kollel before the first chabura, and acknowledging his own madrichim from his time as an NCSYer, 2 of whom were sitting in the room as Rabbeim.  For the record, Rabbi Danishefsky was able to recount with great specificity what he learned with each of them.

·      Halacha Shiur with Rav Schachter, with the entire NCSY Kollel spending 5 minutes after davening learning from Rav Schachter about the halachos of wake up and early morning blessings.

·      Our opening tiyul with 6 diehard outdoor options.  Softball and Soccer, hiking and biking, and NCSYers in every air conditioned gym in the Jerusalem Hills.  And yes, water skiing too.

·      Tip off and Face off for the legendary NCSY Kollel sports leagues.  32 basketball and 10 hockey teams.  21 games in the books on day one.

·      Most recently, and most meaningful as a “full” beis medrash seat, our first night seder and late night mishmar program on Thursday.  It’s hard to decide which was more impressive.  The quality and quantity of the regular night learning was overwhelming and awesome.  And there was no let up with the optional late night component either.  200 shwarmas were distributed in the Beis Medrash at midnight, and there were no doubles or leftovers…all this on our second complete day in Israel.

Remarkably, what might be most exciting is that we are still in the “before” stage, with plenty of ground to cover before properly appreciating “after.”  We are still anticipating, dreaming, and contemplating the possibilities.  What will the first NCSY Kollel Shabbos reveal?  What kind of energy will be created and what will the effect be?  What relationships are beginning today that will last a lifetime?  What daf is being turned as a step towards hundreds of more?  What will be the historical significance of our hundreds of NCSYers and staff spending such a formative 6 weeks in the center of Jewish destiny in Israel?

No, the Beis Medrash won’t have a rest until August 21.  The rows are not as neat and the aisles less clear.  It is full with the great group of NCSY Kollel 2016 and full with the possibility of greatness to come.

Have a wonderful and blessed Shabbos

Moshe Benovitz

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