Guest Post: Eli Weinstein
Nachal Darja (death in Arabic)
Twas an early Tuesday morning when the bus departed for Darja. As we adventurous NCSYers waited through the drive, the apprehension was apparent. We 30 NCSYers, although thoroughly exhausted from the demanding Kollel schedule, couldn’t wait to get knee deep in the legendary Darja. We loaded up with some deli sandwiches, and went on our way. The first hour of the Tiyul was spent singing the traditional darjan songs and walking through the desert to get down into the canyon of Nachal Darja. Our first real taste of the hike came when we reached the first pool of water. We descended down into the water, sometimes climbing down, sometimes assisted by ropes, and sometimes just sliding down the rocks that have been smoothed over the many years, and henceforth Nachal Darja was upon us. After about 6 or 7 hours of hiking, we felt almost transformed by the intensity and invigorating challanges that the Darja offers. The Tiyul made it necessary for the NCSYers to work together in order to get past certain obstacles, and we bonded through our collective efforts. Darja ended with a 30 foot natural rock chute which plunged into a refreshing pool, a great way to end the intense part of the day. After the hike we drove to Ammunition Hill and were enthusiastically met with an all-you-can-eat shwarma bar.
Eli Weinstein
Teaneck, NJ
Chabura Spotlight: Yitz Richmond
Today’s Chabura spotlight is on Yitz Richmond’s chabura.
Yitz is from Teaneck, NJ, and has spent his past two summers at Camp Kayitz in Chicago, and in Camp Simcha. After participating as an NCSYer for two summers, following 10th and 11th grade, Yitz is proud to finally to be on the Kollel staff.
The NCSYers in Yitz’s chabura are Doni Dror (Los Angeles, CA),Ezra Hagler (Bergenfield, NJ), Avi Hirsch (Teaneck, NJ), Moshe Rosensweig(Jamaica Estates, NY), and Jesse Schwalb (Monsey, NY).
Throughout this summer, there has been a special emphasis ondiscussing contemporary topics in Halacha and Hashkafa. The chabura started thesummer by discussing the halachic ramifications of redeeming captives, specificallyfocusing on redeeming Gilad Schalit, and recently finished discussing”contradictions” between science and the Gemera. Yitz hopes tochallenge the members of his chabura and engage them in lively discussions.
This past Thursday night, Doni Dror was ceremoniously crowned the winner of the week’s chabura trivia contest. Previously, Ezra Hagler was the victor. This upcoming Thursday will prove to be a highly competitive match as everyone will once again compete for bragging rights and of course… a free Schwarma.
Chabura Spotlight: Andrew Israeli
Today’s Chabura spotlight is on Andrew Israeli’s chabura.
Andrew Israeli is spending his 2nd summer on NCSY Kollel. He unfortunately never attended the Kollel as a camper and spent his three previous summers as a staff member in Camp Morasha. Andrew lives in West Orange, NJ.
The NCSYers in Andrew’s chabura are Avi Gennachowski From Woodmere, New York, Jeremy Barth from New Hyde Park, New York, Ilan Schnitzer from New York City, NewYork, Akiva Kirschner from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Avi Pekarsky from Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Andrew’s chaburas are focusing on halachic topics relating to the positive commandments of shabbos. Topics such as Candle Lighting, Havdalah, Meals of shabbos, and preparations for shabbos are among the topics being covered. Andrew tries to teach his NCSYers to develop a positive appreciation for shabbos, that shabbos is a day to connect with Hashem on the deepest level, and that our entire week builds up until accepting shabbos on Friday night and all that shabbos has to offer.
We have had a great summer together, building relationships with each other, learning together, and growing from each other and we hope to finish the summer on a very strong note over the next week, and begin the school year on a spiritual high.
Chabura Spotlight: Marc Poleyeff
Today’s Chabura spotlight is on Marc Poleyeff’s chabura.
Marc Poleyeff lives in Englewood, NJ and went to TABC for high school. This is Marc’s sixth straight summer on Kollel. This summer Marc is a Madrich and the head of sports.
The NCSYers in Marc’s Chaburah are: Yehuda Berman (Neve Daniel, Israel), Avi Ennis (Teaneck, NJ), Daniel Jaroslawicz (New York, NY), Yosef Naor (Teaneck, NJ) and Ezra Teichman (Monsey, NY).
At the start of each chaburahs the NCSYers are introduced, through pictures and stories, to a recent leader in Jewish history. The Chaburah is primarily focused on different stories in Tanach. Marc is one of two Chaburas piloting a program focused on a more advanced and innovative way to learn Tanach. The material used in the Chaburah is based on the works of Rabbi David Fohrman, an expert in Tanach. His revolutionary style of learning gives the NCSYers an opportunity to improve their critical thinking skills and to gain new insights on stories in Tanach that they are already familiar with. Marc prepared before the summer by meeting with Rabbi Fohrman himself, who taught him the most effective way of teaching it to his NCSYers. On Thursday nights, the Chaburah gets together again for some food, chill, and a discussion about relevant topics in our lives. The main goal of the Chaburah is for Marc and the NCSYers to come out of the summer with a greater appreciation for learning Tanach and a love for learning Torah in general.
Thursday, August 2
Thursday was just another sensational day on the Kollel- with awesome highs both in the Beis Medrash and on the court.
We were proud to welcome Camp Morasha’s Sulam program for an afternoon of learning and ball. The NCSY Kollel hosts once again lived up to their reputation by turning back all challenges in winning all 4 of the inter-camp contests. The hockey game ended 3-0 Kollel, and all 3 of the basketball games were lopsided wins for the hometeam. Yosef Naor and Joe Kestenbaum led the charge in hockey, while Moshe Willner was the MVP of one of the basketball games. Abba Szydlo also contributed a great shooting performance. Ari Bar Shain and Gaby Barishansky carried the Kollel in the next game, and our post 11th grade stars closed out the afternoon with a thrashing of the Sulam staff.
The Sulam games were only the introduction to the intensity of Day 2 of the 3 on 3 tournament. In the intermediate division, we crowned a champion, as the team of Elliot Heller, Jon Hurwitz and Ezra Hagler won the title. The advanced bracket witnessed some of the most intense down to the wire thrillers in the history of the competition, as they worked down to a spectacular Final Four.
And this wild week ended in the best way possible: In the Beit Medrash for a packed Mishmar program. No fewer than 7 optional shiurim filled the late night schedule, and chulent with potato kugel fortified the many NCSYers learning well after midnight.
http://www.ncsysummer.com/gallery/trip/kollel
Wednesday, August 1
The non-stop action of the week continued with Wednesday’s mega tiyul day. The diversity of options offered was staggering. For the bravest and strongest, Nachal Darja provided a stiff challenge. Darja is the most challenging of our master level hikes, and provided a full day of thrills and excitement. For those seeking another unique NCSY Kollel tiyul option, Rabbi Gordon’s History of Torah in Yerushalalyim Tour was just the ticket. The tour traces the unmatched wealth of significant Torah hotspots in Yerushalayim, including visits with some of the city’s most illustrious Torah leaders. And somewhere in the middle was the option of experiencing Masada at daybreak, the wonder of the Dead Sea and the breathtaking beauty of Nachal Ein Gedi.
http://www.ncsysummer.com/gallery/trip/kollel
Tuesday, July 31
Great learning on Tuesday was complemented by the sports highlight of the summer: our annual 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament and Festival. For the festival, there was an unbeatable atmosphere of fun and congeniality. Even after a loss, the courts were the place to be. Thanks to generous sponsorships for the event, there were giveaways (water bottles, t-shirts, balls, and more) and loads of free refreshments (drinks, ices, popcorn, cotton candy, and slushies). Music and contests were all around the games. And right in the middle of everything was our Dodgeball extravaganza. This annual game is the single event with the highest level of participation all summer. It pits the entire staff against the entire contingent of NCSYers in a battle royale not soon to be forgotten. After a spirited battle, the NCSYers used their quantitative advantage to take the crown for the second straight year.
And we haven’t even touched on the basketball yet! Somewhere in all the hoopla were dozens of the most competitive, intense, leave-it-on-the-court-exhausting-yet-exhilirating sports contests of the summer. Two different skill divisions were created, and an enormous field of competitors was slowly whittled down over the course of the afternoon.
http://www.ncsysummer.com/gallery/trip/kollel
Monday, July 30
Monday we got up. With Tisha B’Av providing a new sense of focus and commitment, the regular NCSY Kollel schedule was attacked with vigor and gusto. Morning shiurim, chaburas, and an afternoon of sports were more than enough to charge up and refresh everyone.
But Monday’s best was saved for last. Yom NCSY was every bit the spectacular event it was advertised. From the Papagaio’s BBQ buffet, to the late night fireworks, to moving orations, to multimedia, to the backdrop of Mini Israel, to the crowds well over 1000 strong, it was a night to remember.
All of the attractions merely set the stage for the most important element of the celebration: Joining in with so many others to be part of a greater whole. There was a palpable sense of community and belonging, and a strong identification with NCSY’s mission. And the energy! There were many moments where it seemed like the sound and commotion would carry over the Atlantic even without the benefit of the live feed on the internet. It was an incredible night and a great way to transition from Tisha B’Av to the days beyond.
http://www.ncsysummer.com/gallery/trip/kollel
Sunday, Tisha B’Av, July 29
It always seems somewhat improper to refer to Tisha B’Av as a highlight of the summer. So it is important to clarify that we don’t mean to suggest that we look forward to or enjoy the day in any regular sense. Nevertheless, Tisha B’Av always provides a depth and quality of experience that is unsurpassed in anything else we do all summer.
The night program has a particularly unique feel, including kinnot, singing, and a variety of shiurim and discussions providing insight into the day. For the long morning session, there were two tracks this year. In the Beit Medrash, each kinah was preceded by words from Rabbeim, Roshei Yeshiva, and senior Madrichim. These narrations were extremely meaningful themselves, and certainly gave the kinnot a very strong boost. Outside the Beit Medrash, there was a group saying fewer kinnot with more explanation. Their morning included some video presentations and time for open discussion and reflections from NCSYers.
Of course, for most, Tisha B’Av 5772 will be long remembered for the last hour of the fast. It was then that we reached the plaza of the Kotel and sat and sang until the sun set. As always, the kumsitz drew crowds of spectators and participants numbering in the many hundreds. It was truly momentous, and allowed our NCSYers to fully appreciate the places we spend our summer.
http://www.ncsysummer.com/gallery/trip/kollel
Friday-Shabbat, July 27-28
While this Shabbat was marked by a unique tone appropriate for the moments before Tisha B’Av, Shabat Chazon still carried all of the hallmarks of the incredible Shabbat experience on NCSY Kollel. If anything, the Tisha B’Av influence served to focus the amazing Ruach, and make to something even more conducive for introspection and growth.
Our Shabbat was greatly enhanced by the opportunity to hear words of chizuk from many NCSYers, Rabbi Lebowitz, Rabbi Kaminetsky, and Rabbi Gordon (who was our “Scholar in Residence” for the weekend). There were also special chaburas shortly before the onset of the fast that further helped to set the proper mood. But the Shabbat was largely built on a final opportunity to learn from Rav Schachter. Rav Schachter led a lively and enlightening question and answer session, joined some shiurim for a more personal interaction at the seuda, and was the honoree at a special Kiddush dedicated to his continued health and leadership.