The NCSY Kollel is not a program that crawls to the finish line or peters out towards the end. We finish with a bang, not a whimper. In fact, our final week together provides a disproportionate amount of the impact and memories from the entire summer.
This year was no exception, and offered a unique week that reached almost unprecedented heights.
Our reflections on this week kept bringing us back to the theme of “All in One.” This phrase has at least three distinct implications.
First, this was a week of all in one in the “e pluribus unum” sense of the words. It can be fairly claimed that what makes our last days on the program so very special is not a particular event, but the unifying spirit and camaraderie that accompanies even more mundane programming. Certainly, real camaraderie and brotherhood needs time to develop and strengthen. There is simply no comparison in what we are as a group today to what we were in Ben Gurion airport 5½ weeks ago.
The “one” of NCSY Kollel was displayed prominently throughout the week, but likely most significantly in our “Kumsitz of the World” at the Kotel. This one of a kind highlight of the summer showcases so much of what is great about our summer, our community, and the Jewish people. The kumsitz reflects shared values and history, as well as the power of youthful idealism and hope. But it also is a shining, bright example of our unity and strength together. This is evident both on the external and internal levels. It remains most remarkable how many people and how many kinds of people join us at the Kotel plaza. Few events anywhere capture the attention and imagination of so many different Jewish communities like the Tisha B’Av kumsitz. It is a real manifestation of the most optimistic prophecy of Jeruslalem’s ability to bind us, and a living example of the most hopeful Kotel painting. But there is also something that happens there to our group itself. The combined experience of mourning together and of creating something of such meaning and beauty firmly establishes NCSY Kollel as a family and a most cooperative enterprise. The Kotel kumsitz has no NCSYers or staff, no 10th graders or 11th, no DRS or YULA, yeshiva or public school. It is simply a community of committed Jews, and the best of NCSY Kollel.
From the transcendent to the silly, but still striking the same notes: Our sports thrills were punctuated by many special events to mark the end of the NCSY Kollel season and to supplement the playoff schedule. One annual NCSY Kollel classic is the dodgeball game that pits the entire NCSYer population against the formidable size and number of our great staff. This is the rare sporting event that includes upwards of 200 people on a single field. It is also a competition that breeds togetherness rather than division. The pregame NCSYer huddle needs to be seen and felt to be understood. Other big games created a similar effect. The Rebbe-NCSYer game is always a chance to promote the impressive basketball skills of our talented (albeit ever-aging) staff. But it also takes advantage of the way sports can unify like little else. Not only the individual teams benefited from these bonds; they were very evident in the fist bumps and knowing nods of appreciation that passed between “opponents” too. We won’t keep you in suspense much longer- long range shooting prowess made the difference, and the NCSYers recorded a somewhat rare victory over the Rabbis. But mission accomplished, regardless of the final score.
The culmination of a week of being together was our closing banquet and concert at Reishit. It’s hard to imagine a better exclamation point to a phenomenal summer. From the emotional siyum, to the staff tributes, to the incredible food and mostly the incomparable Shlomo Katz, it was a night of smiles and memories. But the dance circles, video recap montage, and keynote addresses all were, again, exhibitions of the achievements we have made in unity and harmony. All in one, and an enduring feeling of connection.
A second implication derives from the perspective of this week as a microcosm of the wider NCSY Kollel experience. All the ingredients of a great summer were present and accounted for in a mere 7 days. It was an entire summer experience (“all”) in just a week (“one”).
What is NCSY Kollel about? Well, let’s start by returning to last week’s theme and a focus on Eretz Yisroel with creative and unforgettable tiyulim. Check. This week we offered options like the spectacular Nachal Darja, our inimitable Food Tiyul, and the Dialogue in the Dark (or “Blind Museum”) experience. Each provided a fresh outlook and meaningful interaction. The challenging cliffs of Darja build character and strength, and develop a sense of awe for nature and the land. The Food Tiyul showcases the beauty of Israel’s farmland and culinary culture, while offering satiating and stimulating delights. And the Blind Museum always succeeds in opening up the NCSYers to the challenges and perspectives of others. The tiyulim collectively provided a lift to the middle of the week and generated energy and enthusiasm that carried through all other activities.
What else makes a summer something special? Well, a full complement of heart racing playoff games certainly doesn’t hurt. There is nothing quite like NCSY Kollel ball and hockey, and all of what it offers was on display this week. The games were intense and extremely well played, but also measured and kept in line with our overall educational focus. We crowned deserving champions in basketball, hockey, and 3 on 3 tournaments. There were actually co-champions in Basketball, but more on that in a different post. The courts are a hub of buzzing activity and big smiles, and they are at the heart of much of what we do here.
But no ballgame can ever overshadow what goes on within the walls of our Beis Medrash. And the climactic shiurim and chaburahs always bring a glorious combination of excitement, closeness, and sublime satisfaction for jobs well done. Our final Thursday night mishmar (with the requisite late night siyum and refreshments) was of particular note. At midnight we were still over 80% strong. What a sight! There was not an iota of external compulsion or pressure. It was simply the place that so many wanted to be as the summer’s end drew near.
Saying goodbye to our remaining Roshei Yeshiva also brought home how impactful their stay has been. Rav Twersky and Rav Sobolofsky (along with Rav Schachter and Rav Sacks earlier this summer) have been central to all the NCSY Kollel stands for, and provided guidance, inspiration, and scholarship on an unrivaled level. More on that in a bit.
These elements work together because of the undercurrent of energy that flows through NCSY Kollel. There is an indefatigable NCSY sprit that permeates the program. In truth, it exists even in daily shiurim, sports, and one on one exchanges, but it is off the charts at certain distinct and special times. Shabbos Chazon and Tisha B’Av were prime examples of this spirit. NCSY has long understood and relied on the power of song and the need to generate emotion and feeling as we learn and grow. There was a more tangible educational element to our Tisha B’Av preparations and program, but at the core there were a passion and spirit that motivated everything else that we experienced. This was certainly the case with the Shlomo Katz concert as well. There was just an overwhelming and uplifting energy throughout the evening. Singing and dancing with friends, madrichim, and rabbeim in celebration of a summer of learning and growth is as good a feeling as one could have.
The third idea of “All in One” is a bit less obvious. Our program hardly lacks for pomp and fanfare. Whether it is a water-park or an inter-camp game, daily visits from community leaders and shiurim from renowned scholars, or supersized tiyulim and YouTube worthy sports action, there is always a spotlight on the NCSY Kollel big stage. Yet the greatness of the program is very clearly in the softer moments we share, and often involve the individual and his achievements, even without a press release or highlight reel. A few simple examples: One night this week a 10th grader from the Midwest was observed walking out of his night shiur in conversation with Rav Twersky. They stopped for a minute to focus fully on the point being made. Where else would such an exchange be possible? As Rav Sobolofsky was leaving, a different NCSYer ran over to ask a staffer if he had Rav Sobolofsky’s email address. He had a follow up question that he didn’t get to ask and was looking forward to continuing the discusson…
It is common to see an NCSYer in the corner of the Beis Medrash in silent devotion to prayer and improving this aspect of his relationship with Jewish practice. Some will work tirelessly to overcome struggles with gemara, while others will set quite ambitious learning goals and enjoy the thrill of surpassing them. Still others will dedicate serious time to changing their social persona or attitude on a sports field. It is a magical place that tries to allow each participant to succeed and thrive on a level appropriate for him. So there is clearly an “all” that describes 225 NCSYers collectively making their mark on the summer program landscape and the greater world, but it all comes down to the “one” of the individual growth and religious commitment. These are built up, NCSYer by NCSYer, in the most remarkable of ways.
It has been our honor and privilege to observe this first hand this summer and to dutifully report on such great nachas and pride. We are grateful for the confidence you have had in us, and for sharing your most precious of gifts with us this summer. We are sorry to see the summer come to a close but we are filled with excitement for our last weekend and pride in what we have done together. Above all, our summer here has renewed our confidence in the Jewish future and we can’t wait to share endless success with your sons for many years to come.
Wishing you a great Shabbos.
With gratitude,
Moshe Benovitz