Aiden Englander is having an unbelievable time in his first summer on NCSY Kollel. After serving as a staff member on a “rival” summer program last summer, Aiden wanted to get a piece of NCSY Summer, and becoming a Madrich on Kollel seemed like the perfect fit. Aiden is from Woodmere, NY, went to DRS Yeshiva High School for Boys, spent two years learning in Yeshivat Hakotel, and is now entering his second year at Columbia University studying Computer Science. With the help of his friends, Aiden also tries his best to reap the benefits of his proximity to the Rav Yitzchak Elchonon Theological Seminary.
Aiden’s chaburah lineup, formally, or informally, known as “The Duuudes” is spectacular. Hailing from Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael of Boston, we have Abie Banks (Boston, Massachusetts) and Daniel Girard (Tucson, Arizona/Providence, Rhode Island). Then, coming from The Maimonides Upper School of Boston we have Ben Goldring (Boston, Massachusetts). Finally, from DRS Yeshiva High School for Boys, we have Nadav Chelst (Woodmere, NY) and Shaya Rosenfeld (Great Neck, NY). As a completely East Coast High School chaburah, Aiden’s chevra meshed well together from day one. Additionally, Nadav’s Bostonian roots allowed him to immediately bridge the gap between the NY and Boston squads. What a wonderful dynamic we had in the chaburah.
This summer, Aiden’s chaburah studied the philosophy of Torah She’be’al Peh. We strived to answer questions such as, “What is Torah She’be’al Peh comprised of?”, “How was the Oral Law passed down from generation to generation?”, “What is the origin of dispute in Torah She’be’al Peh if we assume that it originated from Har Sinai?”, and “How do we know the Rabbis of our tradition were right and why is their law binding?” Through examining and analyzing many texts from Chazal, Rishonim like Rambam and Ramban, and Achronim like the Maharitz Chajes and R’ Elchonon Wasserman, we were able to gain a clearer understanding of the inner workings of Torah She’be’al Peh and develop a greater appreciation of our complex, yet beautiful mesorah. In addition to these topics, we also learned some miscellaneous sugyot, such as “The Thought of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov”, “The Jewish Value of Hischadshus” and “Judaism’s Perspective on Free Will.” Aiden’s chevra always asked striking and thought-provoking questions which allowed them to develop their ideas in productive discussions throughout their time in chaburah. Outside of chaburah time, the chevra really enjoyed their time on the courts as well as on the many awesome mini-tiyulim.
Aiden could not be more proud of what his chevra has accomplished this summer and looks forward to continuing the beautiful relationship he has developed with each member of the chaburah. Aiden and “The Duuudes” are already scheduling their first summer reunion which is going to be absolutely epic.
