Summer 2016

Another outstanding week is in the books at the NCSY Summer Kollel.  We head into our second and final free weekend with plenty to reflect on and much to which we can look forward.

Two dominant themes carried through these past few days.  First, this was our swing week, when we passed the halfway point of the summer.  Getting to this milestone means that we are well into the rhythm and flow of the summer and building momentum towards maximizing every remaining opportunity.  It is always a significant week on the program.  It naturally creates an environment of introspection and appreciation, and most often motivates even more growth and accomplishment.  In some ways it is hard to believe that so much of the summer has already passed.  But there is also no question that there is renewed vigor and focus around the NCSY Kollel as we gear up for the stretch run.

The second theme was more fragmented, and revealed itself through a series of events that may have seemed unrelated, at least on the surface.  Two weeks ago in this space we spoke of the “broadcasting” of NCSY Kollel that has been taking place for years.  In this way, we attempt to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah (2:3) when “…Torah emerges from Zion…”

This emergence takes multiple forms.  And this week gave rise to many of them.  The common denominator is a Torah and religious lifestyle that is never confined or sequestered, but broad and generous in its application.

Take last Shabbos as an example.  In our last correspondence we reported from the picturesque hills of Tzefat, in the middle of our three day Tiyul to the north.  We already took note then of the beauty and significance of these trips and how they enhance all aspects of the NCSYers summer experience.  But it is safe to say that even with the outstanding two days of fun and excitement last Thursday and Friday, the Tzefat tiyul saved the very best for last.  Shabbos was simply extraordinary.  The backdrop of natural beauty and spiritual inclinations provided a perfect catalyst to an unforgettable weekend.  The ruach on Friday night was worthy of the Tzefat history and precedents.  The overall energy and tone was uplifting from start to finish.  But it is worthwhile to speculate on whether such Shabbos would be possible without the movement and change of venue that preceded it.  We would suggest that certain pinnacles of inspiration are only achieved when we break out of routine and regular environs.  We are ever aware of the danger of providing experiences that are limited to the six weeks we share together.  Part of the way we insure lasting impact is by branching out from our campus and standard schedule and utilizing tiyulim and changes to venue for maximum effect.  This was a major factor in what made Shabbos in Tzefat so special.

Perhaps the most obvious and prominent example of NCSY Kollel’s outward movement was our fantastic two day interaction with NCSY’s Anne Samson TJJ Ambassadors Program.  This has become an annual highlight of our summer, and this year lived up to or surpassed every high expectation.  There are few sights of the NCSY Kollel season more beautiful and unique than the full Beis Medrash and campus when we host the boys from the TJJ group.  This is no quick visit or photo op.  We integrate the TJJ NCSYers into every aspect of the program and they receive an immersive NCSY Kollel experience.  Yes, it does happen that TJJers make the transition from TJJ to NCSY Kollel, either immediately after the end of their program or in a following summer.  Our great learning models make a wonderful impression, and the mini tiyul, swimming and sports always bring out the best in our guests.  But there is no question that the biggest “selling point” of NCSY Kollel is the NCSYers themselves, your sons.  And this influence is very much a mutually beneficial proposition.  The NCSY Kollel participants are forced to consider how they represent and what their learning and commitments mean to the greater community and Jewish world.  This is especially true for the NCSYers who volunteer for direct interaction with the TJJ groups, whether in learning, biking, or ball.  But it is also relevant to the entire NCSY Kollel.

This year’s coming together had one high after another.  Rav Sobolofsky’s welcoming shiur (to an audience of well over 300) set a perfect tone, and was overwhelmingly poignant.   The biking Mini Tiyul was challenging and an excellent venue for balanced and level peer to peer connections.  All of the learning modules (shiur, chabura and chavrusa) provided the chance to unite over Torah.  On day 2 there was a joint Tzizis making session with expert explanation from Rabbi Gordon and Yona Hiller.  The annual TJJ-NCSY Kollel basketball game was unusually spirited and tightly contested.  From the energetic TJJ pre game introductions to the final whistle, there was bonding and good natured competition.  The relative closeness of the game was no poor reflection on the outstanding quality of the NCSY Kollel all-stars.  It was a strong effort that resulted in a win, but it was truly victories all around.

The NCSY Kollel mantra of “learn hard, play hard” found a voice in the way that we moved directly from the court about 50 yards to the evening’s main attraction, the TJJ-Kollel siyum.  Rav Twersky keynoted the festivities, and then Yonatan Kurz from Kollel and Ari Rosenthal from TJJ took center stage together.  Yonatan made a siyum on Mishnayos Nezikin, part of his long term mishna yomi  daily learning commitment.  Ari was making his first siyum, also from daily learning this summer, on Pirkei Avos.  They made a great duo, and shared their accomplishments with the entirety of both groups.  And so the theme continued.

Our annual Chessed trips are another integral part of our program’s schedule.  This is true not because of the break the chessed activities provide from our regular events, but because of the essential educational value the trips offer.    This year’s chessed outings were integrated with our shiur trips, which was both efficient and symbolic.  Again, the torah studied on NCSY Kollel is designed to be meaningful for life beyond the summer, and for the community outside of our four walls.  Trips to assisted living facilities, cooking and packing for impoverished families, and neighborhood clean up projects of the Israel landscape are all consistent with our most focused educational messages.  This “outward” learning gives rise to the most altruistic spirit in the NCSYers, and the expectation is that the impact goes beyond the families who received support on Wednesday.  In addition, the shiur trip aspect is another way in which we break down the traditional borders of the classroom.  To be sure, NCSYers interact with their Rabbeim regularly during sports and on trips, and even spent time in their homes on our first Saturday night together.  But these trips provide reinforcement to the notion that the relationships can go beyond the formal learning.

The week ended on an exceptional high with the excitement of the 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament and Festival.    There may be no more fun and energetic afternoon than this tournament, which is sponsored by Yeshiva University, and boasts close to 95% participation in a variety of leagues and levels.  But beyond the entertainment value of the tournament, there was yet again a sense of something beyond the norm.  Each threesome is adorned in a colorful jersey, and the cumulative effect is a dazzling array of bright colors and the hint of the diversity that makes up NCSY Kollel.  The tournament is defined by a sense of pageantry and unity, and even at the midpoint of the summer it provides an excellent opportunity for new introductions and friendships.

So we moved “over” the mid summer hump and “out” from our own boxes.  We now head into our second and final free weekend with the hope of a restful and meaningful Shabbos ahead of another great week together.

As always, we welcome and encourage any and all feedback.  Please be in touch with us if we can enhance the experience in any way.

Wishing you a great Shabbos,

Moshe Benovitz

Thursday proved to be on of the highlights of the summer as Kollel enjoyed our annual 3-on-3 Tournament and Festival!

One of the most anticipated activities of the summer, the annual 3-on-3 Tournament began with an unprecedented 90+ teams taking to the courts!  Intense, exciting, and fast-paced games took place on all eight courts throughout the entire afternoon, as the number of teams remaining continued to dwindle down as the rounds progressed.  Team shirts of all different colors – provided by the 3-on-3 Tournament’s generous sponsor, Yeshiva University – scattered the courts as teams faced off against one another in this adrenaline-pumping version of 3-on-3 basketball.  While games raged on, on the sidelines NCSYers taking a break (or unfortunately, no longer in the tournament!) enjoyed slushes, popcorn, cotton candy, and an exciting competitive bracket challenge to predict who would win it all.  With so many games having been played by so many teams, only a portion of the Tournament was completed, and it will resume beginning next Sunday.

Following an amazing day of ball, the Beis Medrash was as loud as any other night.  Being Thursday night, NCSYers remained learning late into the night for our weekly Mishmar program, leading all the way to 11:30pm when Yona Benscher would make a Siyum.  The entire Kollel joined in the Siyum and dancing, and enjoyed some shawarma for Mishmar.

After an incredible week punctuated by an awesome day of fun, Kollel is looking forward to its second (and final) out Shabbos of the Summer tomorrow!

Sam Gelman is returning for his 4th summer in a row on NCSY Kollel. This summer is Sam’s first as a Madrich, and he feels extremely blessed to have been given this incredible opportunity. As a Madrich on NCSY Kollel, one has the opportunity to develop real relationships with excited and motivated high school students, and Sam intends to take full advantage of the opportunity.  Sam has the distinct honor of being the only player in Kollel history to score the Championship game-winning, overtime goal in consecutive hockey seasons (’13, ’14).

Sam’s Chaburah consists of six amazing ncsyers: Akiva Splaver from Hollywood (FL), Eitan Mehlman from Flushing (NY), Binyamin Ciment from West Hempstead (NY), Zach Finkleman from West Hempstead (NY), Ephraim Kroopnick from Bergenfield (NJ), and last but not least, Mordechai Glatter from Teaneck (NJ).  After only a few weeks on the kollel, it is clear that the NCSYers in Sam’s Chaburah are very special young men who are kind, sensitive, respectful, and inspired to grow in many areas of life.

So far, the chaburah has enjoyed learning and hanging out together, and with each passing day are becoming closer as a group. This summer, Sam’s chaburah is learning from the teachings of Rabbi David Aaron, about the inner self, and why it is that we are all infinitely greater than we think we are. The members of the Chaburah are engaged and are asking great questions, and with Hashem’s help they will continue to be inspired and bring much nachas to hashem and their parents!

Check out this highlight as Efraim Tiger scores the game-clinching goal, off a beautiful assist from Gabe Isaacs!  The NCSYer All-Stars would beat the Staff All-Stars 2-0.

Kollel’s week of regular scheduling took a break today for some exciting mid-summer events.

The day began with a variety of amazing chesed trips.  Different morning shiurim teamed up to perform incredible acts of chesed throughout the country, such as packaging food, visiting the elderly, and picking fruit at Leket.  The shiurim then parted ways as each shiur went on their yearly trip with their Rebbe, enjoying bowling, basketball, barbecues, or in Rabbi Gordon’s shiur’s case, an epic game of capture the flag in the hills of Beit Meir.  Everyone met back on campus in the early afternoon for what would prove to be a one-of-a-kind sports day.

As the sports period rolled around, the usual leagues were postponed for an assortment of All-Star games.  The post-10th graders from New York and New Jersey edged out the “out of towners”, and the post-11th grade returnees proved that experience is an asset in their upset of the “rookies”.  The biggest upset of all, however, came on the hockey courts, where the NCSYer All-Star team took down the best of the Staff.

The day concluded with a usual dose of our outstanding night seder program, although today marked the first day of the new night shiur options for the second half of the summer.

We are looking forward to a continued stretch of eventful days as we prepare for the festivities of tomorrow’s 3-on-3 tournament!

Judah Cohen is excited to be joining NCSY Kollel for his first summer ever! Judah is from Englewood, New Jersey, and is currently enrolled in Yeshiva University. Judah cannot wait to learn the ropes to Kollel, as well as have an amazing summer with his Chaburah as a whole.

This summer, Judah is leading an all-star Chaburah, consisting of Yoni Aronovitz from Woodsburg, NY (DRS), Shmuel Bak from Teaneck, NJ (TABC), Aaron Ehrlich from Cedahurst, NY (DRS), Shabi Koppel from West Hempstead, NY (MAY), and Yitzy Kopstick from Bergenfield, NJ (TABC).

In Judah’s Chaburah, their learning will be focused on a wide variety of thought provoking topics. Some examples include: “The Power of Tzizit and Tefillin”, “Why are we here?”, “A Person Never Knows his Time”, and so much more! Additionally, Judah and his Chaburah will focus on some intriguing and stimulating themes in ones day to day activities.

Judah’s Chaburah is aiming to grow both in their learning and their relationships with one another, become a single unit and working together as a Chaburah outside of learning as well.

It’s already looking unbelievable Baruch Hashem, and Judah and his Chaburah know that, Be’ezrat Hashem, this summer will only continue to get better!

Today was yet another exciting day on NCSY Kollel, filled with Torah, ball, and some visiting friends.

Beginning this morning, Kollel was privileged to host TJJ Ambassadors.  Upon arriving, TJJA headed straight towards the Beit Medrash where they joined Kollel to hear a few words of introduction presented by Rabbi Sobolofsky, followed by hearing a few words of Torah from Rabbi Benovitz.

The Ambassadors got the full experience, sitting in on many of Kollel’s Chaburas, as well as forming some of their own.  After Chaburas, TJJA joined many members of Kollel on an incredible Tiyul, mountain biking the Burma trail.  The trip was beautiful and exciting, and continued to develop relationships between members of Kollel and TJJA.  Finally, the NCSYers of both programs joined together for a rocking night Seder.  TJJA enjoyed joining Chavrusas as well as hearing a Shiur given by Rav Burg.  It was a pleasure to host them and Kollel is looking forward to continuing the hospitality tomorrow, when Kollel and TJJA will face-off in basketball and join together for a great Siyum.

The amazing basketball and hockey leagues continued to heat up on the courts, as the season progresses and the competition gets stiffer with every game.  Stay tuned for further updates, standings, and statistics on our sports leagues!

Erin Stiebel, the director of NCSY Give, along with five other NCSY Summer program directors including Rifka Yudin, Rabbi Dr. Noam Weinberg, Barry Goldfisher and Akiva Newman visited Kollel along with on the night of the completion of the Sefer Torah dedicated by David and Marylyn Cutler.

(Left to right) Rivkie Greenland, Marilyn Cutler, and Erin Stiebel (GIVE) walk towards the Beis Medrash to join the festivities taking place.

“I can’t believe what I am seeing. These kids have been here for only a week and they couldn’t be happier doing anything else [than writing a sefer torah]. Thank you Kollel. Amazing.” – Erin Stiebel

R’ Simon Taylor, director of TJJ bus six, came to spend an afternoon at the Kollel. He led his Ncsyers in a game against the Kollel all-stars, followed by a staff training session for the Kollel staff.

“At Ncsy kollel, they learn hard and play hard. But above all, the Kol Torah is booming.” — Simon Taylor

Ben Zion is enjoying his sixth summer on NCSY Kollel, and his second as a Madrich. He is from Teaneck, New Jersey and attended MTA. After High School, Ben Zion spent two years in Kerem B’Yavneh and just completed his first year in YU.

The Chaburah consists of six awesome NCSYers: Zeve Kornwasser and Jonathan Felman are both from Teaneck, NJ and attend MTA. Jonah Tripp is the Chaburah’s “out-of-towner” hailing from Miami while attending Weinbaum Yeshiva. Yoni Sapadin is from Englewood, NJ and will be attending TABC next after year, spending his first two years of High School in SAR. Last but not least are the two Five Towns, NY representatives from DRS, Avi Greenberg and Daniel Goldstein. There is really great camaraderie amongst these six NCSYers and the friendships that have already been built are really very special. Together, the Chaburah gels as a unit in growing in learning, as well as growing as a Chevra.

Ben Zion’s Chaburah is focused on learning different Sugyos throughout Gemara on a more “in-depth” level, with a focus on Mitzvos that appear daily. Additionally, the Chaburah usually spends the first 10-15 minutes engaged in the study of the first Perek of Pirkei Avos. They have spent time on the Halacha and Hashkafa behind Mitzvos such as Tefillah, Tefilin, Tzitzis, and Shabbos. Better understanding of these mitzvos that they perform so often will hopefully enrich the religious lives of all of the members of the Chaburah. Ben Zion and his NCSYers are looking forward to continued growth together through the remainder of the summer and cannot wait for the amazing times that lie ahead.