Zion

Are we true Zionists?

Understandably, that question these days raises confusion and concern, if not all our anxiety. If the query is posed on the campus of Columbia or the streets of Boulder, there is one type of unpleasant insinuation. If utilized as a battering ram during ideological debates in the halls of Knesset or in meetings of major Jewish organizations, it likely means something else entirely. As a companion to reading the summer Parshiyos and accounts of the Jews’ wandering in the desert, it challenges us and our aspirations for National homeland in an entirely different way. As a reflective probe into our collective NCSY Kollel mindest during the month of June with all its uncertainty, still another.

But what if we re-asked and rephrased the question to better align with the midway point of an utterly glorious summer in Israel with NCSY, its advisors and the teens. Are we true zionists? What does that even mean? And how is it achieved?

Tzion (Zion) appears in Tanach many times. It refers to a land, but necessarily implies more than that. For each area with the appellation of Zion, there is another title or other names that are provided to identify. It would seem that Tzion is as much an idea as it is a location.

For as many times as the word is mentioned, there are almost as many suggestions for its meaning and origin. Let’s focus on two, which can easily be condensed into one, in order to progress towards an answer to our question.

In Hebrew, a tziyun (same letters, different pronunciation) is a marker. Often for a grave, sometimes for other buried or hidden items. Tzion is also the root of the Hebrew metsuyan, defined as excellence or greatness. (Similarly it can also refer to a grade on performance or a landmark on the horizon.)

Perhaps even more than an idea, Tzion is an aspiration. An aspiration that guides and motivates us through challenge and distraction. Tzion calls us, Tzion beckons us. Tzion waits for us, and Tzion is where we look, always.

With the real risk of wading into the murky waters of update and summer recap redundancy (not to mention hyperbole and sloganeering) this week on NCSY Kollel was remarkable. It was upliftng, exhilirating, moving, and inspiring. Additonally, the experiences were unexpected and unique. The week was filled with “first times.” First time this summer, first time in two summers for our thriving returnees, and even first time for those who have spent decades on the Kollel.

Let’s start in a less obvious place to discuss the essence of Tzion- the basketball courts. (Even as it is a more obvious home for a very different “Zion”…) Sports have always been central to NCSY Kollel, both in theory and in practice. We emphasize and invest in our sports programs for a host of compelling reasons. The sports provide energy and electricity to our campus and our day. Moreover, sports are an incredible vehicle for informal instruction and mentorship. We don’t simply learn Torah, we strive to live it. The values of the beis medrash are often most needed and best expressed on the court and on the sidelines. But there is another benefit to the sporting life, both as participants and as spectators. Sports provide a glimpse into human potential, and even a form of greatness. The exultation of achieving excellence (a word we’ve already linked to Tzion) and the sublime joy of witnessing potential realized. To make it even more valuable, these emotions are products of a true meritocracy. The accomplishments and outstanding behaviors of sport are most often the byproducts of hard work and effort.

Many camps (and schools) struggle with the concept of all-star games and lauding the better ball players. It’s true that these invitational games are exclusionary where NCSY Kollel sports are inclusionary to the extreme. It’s true that the “celebrity” of sport requires its own curriculum to temper unhealthy character developments and ego fed expectations. For these reasons and more, a very small percentage of our games are of this all star variety. But that percentage is not zero. And for those chosen to participate, as well as the frenzied crowd who watch them, there is something special about the celebration of excellence. It absolutely sets a standard and serves as a marker for what lies beneath and reminds us of the art of the possible. Similarly, our program has been greatly enhanced this year by the addition of top level workouts and clinics in the early morning. These sessions have been led by Zevi Samet, NCAA Coaches, Avi Proctor and others. The clinics require effort. There is a 6:45 AM Shacharis followed by learning. The workouts themselves are rigorous and intense, and therefore oh so rewarding. Naturally, the early wake up influences and shapes the night before as well. The establishment of a clear goal and landmark serves to inspire and aspire. And so it goes.

Within a span of 9 hours this past Sunday, 17 Tammuz, we experienced three of the most moving and uplifting interactions in recent memory. As captured on all of our media platforms, we prayed and sang with Rabbi Jonathan Cohen. R’ Jon is a long time partner of NCSY Kollel through his work with Yeshiva University, NCSY, and the countless relationships he’s built with our participants over the many years of his involvement. Of late, he is sadly better known for his heroic battles with serious illness. R’ Jon shared his story and introduced the themes of mourning, struggle, and the three weeks. A couple of hours later, NCSY Kollel was transfixed by the words of Rachel Goldberg Polin, mother of Hersh, hy”d. We cried with her and were awed by her depictions of faith, prayer, and a mother’s love. At the end of the fast we traveled to the site of the Nova festival and massacre. There we encountered remnants of one of the most difficult days in Jewish life since the Holocaust. We mourned and learned and took note.

Here too, some wonder whether this programming is too much, and whether it is responsible to expose high school boys to such difficult ideas and realities. There are many reasons that we believe justify our decisions and educational commitments. But among them is this: R’ Jon and Rachel did not just represent loss and survival. They served as markers of excellence. They did not choose their fates, but they calibrated and worked hard on outstanding responses. They set a standard of optimism and belief and perseverance. They are heroes not because they were touched by tragedy, but because they responded with greatness. Our boys left each event sober and sad, but also uplifted and understanding of what realized potential looks like.

We do our best to provide the Best. Summer. Ever. But our methodologies include making sure it is a most excellent summer. Cutting no corners and surrounding the NCSYers with landmarks and gedolim, thrills and reminders. Ours is a world of wonder and excellence. It is first rate and the best. As our participants are too.

Two final examples. Thursday nights on NCSY Kollel are already legendary. The learning and spirit combine to create unforgettable memories and impressions. Last night however, was other level. In addition to all the “regular” highlights (an unfortunate oxymoron but true nonetheless), there were special events that again thrust excellence and revealed good into the spotlight. First, the beis medrash was energized by our annual “retzifus” seder- a 30 minute block of learning time with no breaks, no media, no exceptions. This was learning- NCSYers, staff, Rabbeim, Roshei Yeshiva, even the Executive Vice President of the OU- but even more excellent. The program is the brainchild of our Rabbi Josh Grajower who provides creativity and wisdom to so many of our educational offerings. Most important, in one short session there was a tantalizing glimpse into the potential in learning. The excellence in Torah.

Later that night we had our regular refreshments for late night mishmar. Only this time we followed the trend of some of the hippest eateries on the Jewish map and created our very own Cholent Bar. It was complete with ambiance, music, camaraderie, great food, and the best vibes. It was, at the end, a bowl of cholent. Only excellent. Here too there was a lesson in potential, and standard, and a reminder. Life can be good. So can we.

To be a Zionist means many things. One of them, surely, is to believe in a place, in a way, that is better. To constanly seek out those landmarks that promise us more.

We write these words from the unmatched locale of the Old City of Jerusalem. What better place to reflect on Tzion and Excellence than from the place that bears its stamp and proudly carries its name. Each step and each stone are a reminder of what can be. Sometimes with imagination, sometimes with struggle. Sometimes with some polish and sometimes with great effort. But it is there. And the discovery of that excellence is a thrill indeed, lasting a lifetime.

Wishing you an excellent Shabbos, from the source

Moshe Benovitz

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