Join us this Sunday at the conclusion of Tisha B’Av, as we live-stream from the Kotel NCSY Kollel’s

“Kumzits of the World”

The live-video will begin at approximately 12:00 PM EST
(7:00 PM in Israel)

Follow this link to join us for this amazing event: https://kollel.ncsy.org/live-stream/

It may seem odd, but we are more sure about what our program is, then we are about what our program is called.

Let’s start from the beginning.  The back of our Yom NCSY t-shirts and the heading of our webpage identify us simply as “Kollel.”  But that is clearly shorthand for the critical addition of NCSY to our name.  We are, meaningfully, NCSY Kollel, and that is also likely our most common moniker.  In previous years and earlier correspondence, we have addressed how the NCSY ethos defines our mission and our agenda.

Now, we are clearly a “Kollel” like no other, and that’s where the next potential description comes in.  It’s not just NCSY Kollel, but NCSY Summer Kollel.  This too goes beyond semantics or marketing.  Summer implies a wider array of activities and pursuits, and also accurately indicates an inclination to a less formal style of learning.

So we move purposefully from “Kollel” to “NCSY Kollel” to “NCSY Summer Kollel.”  But we can’t stop there.  Eagle-eyed observers will note our predilection towards using a definite article in announcing the program.  While Michlelet is Michelet and Sulam is Sulam, we are often (mostly self-refrentially) The NCSY Summer Kollel.  Here, it is harder to explain either the evolution or the significance of this word usage, but it might be a nod towards the uniqueness and importance that we attribute to what we aim to provide.

But there is one final potential nomenclature variation.  And like the others, it connects to the heart of our identity and our educational aspirations.  Not just a Kollel, not just NCSY, and not only a Best Summer.  But decidedly, “The NCSY Summer Kollel…In Israel.”

Logistical arrangements would be far simpler in the Catskills, Poconos, or even the Rockies.  Costs would be more affordable in any number of locales in North America.  Travel would be less onerous and creature comforts more readily available if we were closer to home and on more familiar terrain.  And a further discussion point must be considered:  How much of what we do is really Israel dependent at all?  Rabbeim and Roshei Yeshiva are in abundance around the world.  Our Beis Medrash could be replicated and situated on a different campus anywhere.  Is there really a shortage of basketball or hockey courts on campsites in the United States?

Perhaps not.  But when considered as a whole, it is clear that so much of what we do is built around our being in Israel, and that NCSY Summer Kollel in Israel would hardly be the same anywhere else on earth.

It is a top priority of ours to communicate this to the NCSYers and it is a focal point of our education.  But, appreciably, this message is communicated in a variety of ways.  It is not limited to a particular lesson in the classroom, rather it is built into more experiential learning and more comprehensive instruction.

This was the main theme of the week that was.  While there were many individual highlights and special events, there was a clear emphasis on our connection with Israel and love for the land.  It wasn’t a coincidence that these activities were planned for the 9 days leading up to Tisha B’Av, as they served as an excellent preparation for the weekend ahead.

The primary example for all of this was our main tiyul of the week.  The nature of the 9 Days required us to forego water parks and beaches, and instead give attention to different aspects of this beautiful land.  There were four main tiyul options, three centered in Yerushalayim and one journeying to Sederot.

The Sederot trip was very special.  It was the first time we visited Sederot in 4 years.  It is a remarkable city, and the Hesder Yeshiva that served as our host on the trip is a truly inspiring Torah center.  It is unlike any other place we will visit this summer.  Each stop on the tour provided another layer of insight into the heroism and commitment of modern Israeli society.  The NCSYers in Sederot will not soon forget the images of fortified playgrounds, bus stop bomb shelters, Menorahs and Mezzuza Cases made of missile shrapnel, and, above all (literally), building cranes all over the city.  There was nary a hint of panic or despair in all of our interactions, but there was an abundance of love for fellow Jews and the great land.

While more familiar to most of the NCSYers, each of the Yerushalayim trips also provided a wonderful perspective on life in Israel.  The Old City tiyul connected the group to the glorious history of the city in interactive and memorable ways.  We enjoyed guided tours through the mesmerizing Kotel Tunnels, City of David, and the Machon HaMikdash.  Each of these offered meaningful connection to topics and places that are sometimes harder to relate and grasp.

In the newer sections of the city there was plenty of positive activity as well.  We had a fascinating behind the scenes tour of the Knesset, stops in various modern and restored shuls, and a riveting visit to Ammunition Hill.  Here, the emphasis was on present day Israel, and the realities of future life in the Jewish homeland.

The final option was one of our longest recurring trips, and an absolute NCSY Kollel classic.  Rabbi Moshe Gordon led his “History of Torah in Yerushalayim” tour, through the streets and alleys of the new city, Meah Shearim, and the surrounding neighborhoods.  The tiyul combined visits with key leaders and rabbis, and stops at historical places and points of interest.  From Rav Kook’s house to the palatial Belz world headquarters, and from the Mirrer roshei yeshiva to Rav Tzvi Meir Zilberberg, there was a steady stream of uplifting Torah and thought provoking interactions.  This was Israel as the source of Torah scholarship and learning, and evoked a deep appreciation for the Torah accomplishments of modern Israel.

Each and every one of these tours were consistent with the “daily tiyuls” we have been on since arriving here.  Both in Beit Meir and on our frequent trips, there is a constant emphasis on the land and its allure.   This immersion is critical, as there is no single event or lecture that can adequately provide the connection and understanding that we look to provide over six weeks of varied and moving experiences.

The same approach is utilized in the more regular curriculum.  On Thursday night we enjoyed a world class Leil Iyun/Night of Learning, with choices from among 11 different shiurim on the topic of Tisha B’Av and the Land of Israel.  While these classes were outstanding, their efficacy was greatly enhanced by the context in which they were delivered. The ideas discussed were not presented in a vacuum or in contrast to the educational offerings of the rest of the summer.  They were entirely consistent, and of one thread, with virtually every shiur and discussion.  We are often asked how we succeed in programming such moving Tisha B’Av events.  The truthful response is that it is more a product of this context and consistency than it is the power of any isolated presentation.  To hear Rav Sobolofsky introduce some of the Kinnos is to hear from a Rebbe who has given over a worldview and feelings for the land for 5 weeks.  It makes a difference.

We are extremely proud of the quality and level of participation at the Leil Iyun.  There were three themed slots of shiurim, with multiple offerings in each.  The first dealt with the relationship between Torah and the destruction of the Beis haMikdash, the second was focused on the world of social interaction and brotherhood, and the third was about love for the land and anticipation of redemption.  Most of these are available on our website and on YU Torah, and you too can enjoy what was one of the learning highlights of the summer.

While this all was valuable in its own right, it also served as preparation for our Shabbos Chazon together in Beit Meir and for our plans for Tisha B’Av on campus and at the Kotel.

There were other noteworthy elements to our week.  The sports courts were electric day after day, with the continuation of the thrilling 3 on 3 tournament, conclusion of our regular season leagues in basketball and hockey, and back to back intercamp games with Sulam and NCSY JOLT.  These intercamps are NCSY Kollel style – they are multifaceted interactions, with learning, sports and bonding.  This year’s games were particularly thrilling.  We came up short in the basketball contests against Sulam, but found more success in soccer and in an incredible performance by our all star hockey squad.  JOLT also gave us plenty of good competition, extending the NCSY Kollel stars to a third overtime.  The steady and confident NCSY Kollel team thrilled the crowd by pulling away at the end.  There was bonus game of Kollel-JOLT NCSYers against Kollel-JOLT staff.  The game had extra importance placed on it because of the number of JOLT staffers who are Kollel alumni, and the number of brothers playing against each other on the two teams.  It was most appropriate for a day and week that was so taken up with the notion of fraternity.

But it really all came back to reflections and deepening relationship with the land.  This was the week when we identified most strongly with our roots and national destiny, and spent the time to allow the many lessons of the summer to form a basis of ideas and priorities.  There was extra attention paid to the example of our Rebbe staff (the overhwleming majority of whom are North American olim), the breathtaking views of the Beit Meir campus, and the contributions of the brave soldiers serving in the IDF.

Each Shabbos we spend together is special.  But the combined ingredients of a point of holiness in time (Shabbos) with a focus on holiness in space (Israel) should create something extraordinary.

So it is that we wish you an uplifting Shabbos and a meaningful fast, from all of us here at The NCSY Summer Kollel…in Israel.

Moshe Benovitz

Moshe Spirn is from Lawrence, New York. He just finished attending Yeshivat Shaalvim in Israel for the past two years after attending DRS for high school. Next year, he will be attending Yeshiva University. This is Moshe’s fifth summer on NCSY Kollel, but his first summer as a Madrich. He is enjoying his new role and to having an amazing summer with his Chaburah thusfar.

Moshe’s Chaburah is comprised of six members: Benyamin Bortz from Woodmere, NY (DRS), Levi Boshnack from Brooklyn, NY (Mesivta Tiferes Yisroel), Dubi Fischman from Woodmere, NY (DRS), Daniel Friedman from Cedarhurst, NY (HAFTR), Gadi Polster from Beachwood, OH (Fuchs Mizrachi School), and Etan Winograd from Boca Raton, FL (YHS); all whom have shown tremendous growth and excitement for the learning so far.

In Moshe’s Chaburah, their learning will be built off the second משנה in פרקי אבות, the idea that the world stands on three things: תורה, עבודה, and גמילות חסדים. The last two weeks they have spent time learning סוגיות related to תורה such as some reasons that we learn תורה, the nature of ברכות התורה, and what type of students do we teach תורה to. The next two weeks will be spent on learning סוגיות that have to do with תפילה. Finally, the last two weeks they will learn סוגיות that have to do with בין אדם לחבירו relationships.

The Chabura has already developed into a warm, tight knit unit, has developed a strong sense of camaraderie, and is aiming to grow as a team through both physical and spiritual experiences this summer. It’s already looking unbelievable, and Moshe and his Chaburah know that this summer will only continue to get better!

Dani Scheinman is returning to NCSY Kollel for his sixth summer in the last seven years.  Hailing from Woodmere, NY, Dani attended DRS, Yeshivat Shaalvim, and is currently enrolled in YU.  Dani is attempting to set the record for most positions occupied on Kollel, having attended the program as an NCSYer for two summers, working as a Jr. Kollel Madrich, Director of Media, and a Madrich.  He is hoping to finally break his streak of losing to his younger brother in hockey, as he currently holds an 0-7-1 record in that matchup.

Dani’s amazing post-11^th grade Chaburah is an all-star lineup, consisting of five of the most incredible NCSYers around, three of them having returned for their second summer, and one of them returning for his third! This amazing group is comprised of third-year-vet Ari Aaron of Chicago, IL (Skokie Yeshiva), second-year-returnees Shlomo Hirschey of Elizabeth, NJ (Kushner), Shlomo Landsman of Chicago, IL (Skokie Yeshiva), Benny Persin of Passaic, NJ (Heichal HaTorah), and first-year member Aaron Keller of Los Angeles, CA (YULA).  Every member of the Chaburah brings something unique to the table, and the blend creates an amazing cohesive unit that loves to learn, chill, and spend time together as a Chaburah.

This summer, Dani and his Chaburah are delving into Sugyot based on the Sefer, “Headlines.”  The Sugyot are Halachic discussions built around current events of recent years, and signify the importance of the roll that Torah and religion play in everyday life; how everything can and must be viewed through the lens of Chazal.  Some of the fascinating topics they have covered include “Hurricane Sandy: The obligation to rescue those who endanger themselves,” “Shooting Down a Hijacked Airplane: Killing the few to save the many,” and “The Gilad Shalit Deal: Trading many terrorists for one soldier.”  The topics have proven challenging, yet exciting, and the Chaburah is having a great time learning to tie together countless Gemaras and opinions surrounding a single modern day topic.

Dani’s Chaburah works together to have an amazing time outside of the Beit Medrash as well.  As the only Chaburah to have won two Chaburah challenges in the beginning of the summer, including setting a world record in basketball bowling, the Chaburah is aiming to finish first in the upcoming Chaburah Wars this summer.

Dani and his Chaburah have enjoyed a phenomenal summer thus far, and are looking forward to finishing on a high note, as well as continuing to remain a tight knit Chaburah throughout the year and well beyond the summer, IY”H!

 

Yisrael Feld, director of Camp Morasha’s Sulam program, visited NCSY Kollel today along with Sulam.  Yisrael hung out by the courts and cheered on Sulam as they faced off against Kollel in basketball and hockey games.

Kollel Madrich Ben Zion Feld (left) and his brother, Sulam director, Yisrael (right) watching Kollel and Sulam square off on the basketball courts.

“There is no place on earth where you can get both learning and ball playing like NCSY Kollel.  Top learners, top ball players… Simply the Best.Summer.Ever” — Yisrael Feld

Aryeh Kaminetsky leads an amazing group of masmidim this summer, who are all ready to learn, grow and have fun. Although, this is Aryeh’s first summer as a Madrich, he is no stranger to Kollel. He has been a member of the program for the last four years and spent several summers as a child by dint of his father’s position on the staff. Aryeh uses his experiences as a camper and junior staffer to create the ideal atmosphere for creative and productive development.

Helping Aryeh is his star-studded cast of campers. First off is Yonah Benscher from Ramat Bet Shemesh. Yonah attends Mitzpeh Yericho High School and brings with him the best that Israel has to offer. Yonah’s thoughtful questions are some of the greatest stimulants of group discussion and are appreciated by all. Next up is Noam Josse from MTA. Noam can be described simply as someone with a burning desire to grow. Anyone who talks with him realizes this is a future Ben Torah and Yarei Shamamim.  His appreciation for the finer points of conceptual analysis invigorates the rest of the group. Then is Elazar Mermelstien. As the only NCSY Kollel newcomer in the group, one may have thought Elazar would be less noticeable. However, he has succeeded in making a big impact since his arrival. With his strong Gemara background, Elazar excels at grasping difficult concepts and is always one of the first to question anything he hears. Then there is Mordechai Shienson, the unofficial Chaburah “captain”. Mordechai hails from JEC and is a dynamic presence within the Chaburah. He is a natural leader and really sets the tone for how the Chaburah flows. Up next is Asher Stein. Asher is from Detroit and attends Akiva Hebrew Day School. Asher brings the warmth one would expect from someone from Central East America, and is a main provider of the Chaburah’s energy. He is willing, and certainly eager. Great things are expected of him this summer. Rounding out the group is Yossi Zimmerman from Fasman Yeshiva High School in Skokie, Illinios. Yossi is quiet and hardworking, the kind of guy who you see early in the morning and late at night learning. His earnestness and sincerity are tremendous assets and he is a natural role-model just by how he acts.

Things are looking good for this group of NCSYers and they all are looking forward to another fantastic summer on NCSY Kollel. They should do spectacularly well as they move further in to the world of Comparative Analysis of Variable Methods within Talmudic Exegesis and Relevant Ancillary Sources (CAVMTERAS).

As the regular season winds down to a close, Kollel took another break from the normal sports leagues yesterday for a combination of All-Star Games and the continuation of the 3-On-3 Tournament.

The sports period began with a round of All-Star games pitting various groups of NCSYers against staff members and each other.  The Madrichim All-Star Team took down the first of two Post-11th Grade All-Star teams, and the Sports Staff edged out the first team of Post-10th Graders.  A second team of Post-10th Graders and Post-11th Graders also squared off, with the Post-11th Graders coming out on top.  The title of the day’s most exciting All-Star game, however, must once again be awarded to hockey – in a rematch of the NCSYers win over the Staff, with the Staff’s dignity on the line, the NCSYers once again triumphed, this time by a score of 2-1.

The rest of the sports period saw the continuation of the 3-On-3 Tournament, including the crowning of champions in the Intermediate bracket: Isaac Shulman, Shalom Ezekiel, and Yitzy Tanner.  The Advanced bracket was whittled down to two remaining teams, who will face off later this week for the title: Caleb Milobsky, Zack Goldberg, and Jesse Steinmetz vs Efraim Tiger, Gabe Isaacs, and David Rabinovich.  The Tournament was a huge success, and we thank YU and Rabbi Frolich for their support in making it happen.

Today, we followed everything up with another strong day of learning, highlighted by a lunchtime siyum from CIT Shmuel Aidelson on Maseches Taanis.  Sports were equally as exciting, with key playoff positioning on the line as league teams played their second to last games of the regular season.

All the while, the feeling of the 9 days is tangible and evident in the atmosphere of Kollel.  We look forward to an amazing and educational trip day tomorrow that will iy”h inspire and really set the mood for the remainder of the 9 days.

Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, NCSY’s Director of Education, visited the Kollel for a few days.  During his visit, he presented a staff training to the staff about how to improve connections with Talmidim, he met with administrators, staff members, and NCSYers, and fought valiantly in the YU-sponsored 3-on-3 Tournament alongside other NCSY personalities.

R’ Bashevkin leading Staff Training on the significance of connections to Rebbeim.

“On November 19 1863, Edward Everett, in what was supposed to be the keynote speech, addressed a gathering at the Gettysburg battleground. Of course, history immortalized the words of his successor, Abraham Lincoln, his opening words nonetheless bare repeating as I struggle to find words to commemorate my visit to the hallowed Torah grounds of NCSY Kollel. Mr. Everett began as follows:

Standing beneath this serene sky, overlooking these broad fields now reposing from the labors of the waning year, the mighty Alleghenies dimly towering before us, the graves of our brethren beneath our feet, it is with hesitation that I raise my poor voice to break the eloquent silence of God and Nature.

The circumstances are of course different. Our battlefield, while just a real, is spiritual. And Everett’s description of the silence of God and Nature, in our environs, is the deafening roar of Torah study. But my voice here is all the more poor and all the more hesitant. Perhaps the only appropriate response then, as it was in Gettysburg, is a solemn silence recognizing that no quote will adequately describe my feelings. It is here, unlike Everett, that the silence remains intact.” — R’ Dovid Bashevkin

Rabbi Ari Rockoff, director of leadership development of NCSY, visits Kollel and discusses ways to improve the year-round NCSY programming with the Madrichim.

R’ Ari Rockoff (right) meets with Madrich Jeremy Teichman (left) in the Kolel Beit Medrash.

“Kollel is the Disney World of Jewish education that continues to shape & inspire the future leaders of our community. You have to see it to believe it! I highly recommend to any educator, parent, or friend of a Kollel teen to come visit and share the experience with them.” — Rabbi Ari Rockoff

This summer is Yoni Schwartz’s 3rd summer on Kollel, after coming as a camper as well as junior staff last summer. He hails from Teaneck, NJ, having studied at TABC, Yeshivat Hakotel for almost 2 years, and currently at Yeshiva University. But what really defines the Chaburah are the stellar Bachurim in Yoni’s group, all of whom have come to Kollel from many areas of the USA.

While this summer may be Yoni Schwartz’s first summer giving Chaburahs on NCSY Kollel, don’t let that fool you; this is in no way a beginner’s Chaburah. For starters, the Chaburah consists of post-11th graders, 5 out of the 6 members returning for their second summer in Beit Meir. Furthermore the Chevra pushes one another in the group to learn on a high level, leaving Yoni the task of having to keep up.

The All-Star Chevra consists of Shaya Forman, of Teaneck, NJ (MTA), Nathan Peyman, of Roslyn, NY (DRS), Noah Shafron, of Dallas, TX (TTI), Boaz Sobol, of Hollywood, FL (Weinbaum), Efraim Wiener, of Memphis, TN(Cooper) and, last but not least, Adam Zahler, of West Hempstead, NY (DRS). Each member is crucial to the group as they each bring their own talents to the table.

This summer Yoni and his Chaburah are learning about different topics in Hashkafa and Mussar. Up to date, they have learned about the significance of learning what you enjoy, how it’s possible that one Torah can have opposite opinions, and the roots of the Mesorah. The discussions on each sugya are phenomenal and the ‘bura boys know how to mix valuable insights with fun playful comments. The summer is still young and the group is growing both in learning and comradeship. Together Yoni and his Chaburah are looking forward to many more great learning opportunities and looking forward to many more chills, growing closer together as a Chaburah.