Summer 2022

Efraim Greenberg is currently enjoying his fourth summer on NCSY Summer Kollel, and his second as a Madrich. Hailing from Bergenfield, NJ, Efraim attended MTA for high school, before making his way over to Israel where he spent two years learning in Yeshivat Shaalvim. Efraim is currently entering his second year at Yeshiva University.

The chevra in Efraim’s chaburah consists of growth-oriented Bnei Torah who are looking to grow spiritually and further their relationship with Hashem. They are some of the best guys around: Dovie Hirsch (DRS), Jonathan Posner (TABC), Yishai Kaufman (HANC), Elie Schlossberg (DRS) and Eitan Ross (DRS). Each of them brings their own level of insight and excitement to the chaburas, making the amazing unit even stronger.

This summer, the chaburah is focusing on the Aseret HaDibrot. Each of the Aseret HaDibrot consists of 2 chaburahs. The first chaburah goes through the suggiah, listing different opinions and questions on the pesukim from specific Rishonim. The second chaburah goes through the machshavah and halachic shaylot that comes up within the Dibor. For example, the 4th of the Aseret HaDibrot is the mitzvah of Shabbos. The first chaburah goes through the distinction between zachor and shamor and the second chaburah forces a discussion of what it means to have a day of rest.

All in all, Efraim’s chaburah has learned so much from one another and has grown tremendously throughout the summer. The burah looks forward to having continued growth and success in their Yiddishkeit as they return back home to their senior year!

Moshe Maltz is returning for his third summer on NCSY Kollel and his second as a madrich. Growing up in Woodmere, NY, he attended DRS Yeshiva High School and spent two years at Yeshivat Sha’alvim. He is about to begin his second year at Yeshiva University.

Moshe is privileged to have some of the best guys around in his chaburah. The chaburah has been having a blast and has grown together as a tight-knit chevra since day one. Leading off is Avraham Schreck (Lawrence, DRS), who continues to contribute each day through his sharp questions and keen insights on whatever it is that the chaburah is learning. Next up is Yakov Meisner (Cedarhurst, MAY), who has spearheaded growth opportunities that have enhanced the chaburah’s learning and overall experience together. Down Branch Boulevard, you’ll find Aiden Buchbinder (North Woodmere, DRS), who was essential not only in our chaburah basketball game (leading us to victory) but also in insightfully getting us to the depth of each sugya. Aiden is privileged to be classmates with Avi Burns (North Woodmere, DRS), another essential member of the chevra. Avi’s drive for Torah and one-of-a-kind sense of humor have brought the chaburah closer together through our learning. Right next door to Avi in North Woodmere, you’ll find Dani Klein (North Woodmere, MAY). Dani’s creativity (don’t forget his spectacular drawings) and drive for learning have truly enhanced the chaburah’s learning each day.

This year, the Chaburah has focused on many different topics pertaining to Shabbos and Talmud Torah. Some of the exciting sugyos include Sports on Shabbos, Making Early Shabbos, Oneg and Kavod Shabbos, and Bigdei Shabbos. Additionally, the guys have devoted time to speaking hashkafically and halachically about different aspects of Talmud Torah. Before beginning our topic of the day, a chaburah member presents a piece of Torah that they prepared and worked on during their own time. This has been a tremendous opportunity for everyone to search for their unique chelek in learning and to share their excitement with the rest of the chaburah.

Moshe and the guys have had an amazing summer so far and are looking forward to continuing that momentum for the rest of the summer and beyond!

This summer is Akiva Prager’s 3rd summer on NCSY Kollel and after two years of being an NCSYer, he was excited to finally step into the shoes of his Madrichim. Growing up in Teaneck, he attended TABC for high school and after that spent two years in Yeshivat Sha’alvim.

Akiva’s Chaburah is one remarkable collection of high schoolers, from sea to shining sea. Starting on the West Coast, Aharon Topp and Jake Lewis represent YULA in the Chaburah. Moving to the East, DRS enters the picture with Doniel Austein and Eli Eisenberg. Lastly, they are lucky to have White Plain’s best, Elie Beer, hailing from MTA. These guys bring so much personality to the Chaburah, whether it be the multiple chefs and bakers, hockey goalie, outdoorsman and mountain biker, or being able to have a good laugh and engage in deep conversation on a bus ride. And with Chaburah activities like Challah baking and Chopped (which they won), the dynamic is electric.

All of that energy and talent is brought to life by their Limmud this year, deep dive into the neglected and fascinating world of the Beis HaMikdash. With Austein as the resident priest, the Chaburah has dissected the process of bringing Korbanos, from the original consecration all the way through its offering on the Mizbeach. While breaking apart the complexities of Kodshim, the guys have continually demonstrated creative thinking and often develop the ideas that they later see in the Rishonim and Achronim all on their own. As a satellite of Radin and Brisk in Beit Meir, Akiva’s Chaburah has truly displayed excitement and intellectual prowess in the complex topics at hand.
Akiva and the guys are having a special summer of growth and relationship building and hope to continue and strengthen that over the last week of the summer and beyond!

This summer marks Josh Wohlberg’s second time on NCSY Kollel. Josh is originally from Stamford, CT, and went to SAR for high school. He then went to Yeshivat Reishit in Beit Shemesh for 2 years, followed by the YU Post Pesach Program. Josh will be beginning his sophomore year in YU after the summer.

Hashem has blessed Josh with the zechus of being a madrich with a chabura with guys from all over the United States. Josh’s 7-man roster is comprised of Eli Raphael from Dallas who goes to Highland Park High School, as well as Chi-town with Kenny Shapiro and Zach Miller who both go to Ida Crown Jewish Academy. We then make our way to Brooklyn, featuring Abraham Tawil and Solomon Terzi from Yeshivah Of Flatbush and Joshua Kassin from Magen David Yeshivah, before moving in town to Alexander (Binyamin) Wenger, who is from Bergenfield and goes to TABC.

The Bura starts off with hocking on sports, whatever went on the day before, or which school is better: Flatbush or Magen David; the Nets vs Knicks rivalry is also strong between the Brooklyn boys. We always end up debating about a different topic every day. A few examples include; what would be a better use of your time, 2 hours learning art scroll or 2 hours learning two lines of Gemara, another amazing debate we had was “what is the purpose of a kippa and why should we be proud to wear it in public”.

Over the course of the summer, Josh’s chabura has come up with strategies and answers regarding day-to-day things within Judaism.

Josh’s chabura has grown a ton and can’t wait to meet each other around the country to continue growing.

Uriel Cohen is having a blast in his first summer on the NCSY Summer Kollel. Originally from Brookline, MA, Uriel attended Maimonides School and then spent two great years at Yeshivat Torat Shraga in Bayit Vegaan, Yerushalayim. Uriel is currently entering his second year at Yeshiva University.

This chabura is filled with an awesome group of guys that are looking to grow in their Avodas HaShem each and every day. It’s a great mix of ‘in town’ and ‘out of town’ with half the chabura representing TABC and the other half representing Hillel Pittsburgh.
From TABC we got the two Teaneck boys: Binyomin Bak HaKohen and Ayden Gurin, two guys that always add a ton to discussions and radiate positivity to all who are around.
Hailing from Pittsburgh, Nathan Itskowitz HaKohen and Josh Siebzener bring a ton to the table. Their humor is top-notch and is a nice compliment to the amount they add to our learning as a group.
The whole group has gotten super close over the summer and hopes to keep the learning going in the future.
This summer we started by learning about different ways to appreciate Shabbos, not only for 25 hours, but all week long. We then transitioned to different discussions/debates on topics that the guys came up with themselves. The goal is to implement Torah values into everyday conversations and actions.

We were zoche to have a special group this summer. However, the summer is simply a foundation for the Torah and continued friendships we will build together for years to come.

Eitan Warburg is enjoying his fourth summer on NCSY Kollel, and his second as a Madrich. From Teaneck NJ, Eitan attended MTA for high school, then made his way over to the Ayalon Valley, where he spent two years in Yeshivat Shaalvim. Eitan is currently entering his second year at Yeshiva University.

The chabura consists of a dynamic chevra of Bnei Torah that are always looking to grow and be better. The chevra features some of the most electric and lively in-towners of all time: Yonah Luber (Teaneck, TABC), Ophir Rauzman (Teaneck, TABC) Shua Schloss (Bergenfield, TABC), Avi Sudwerts (Passaic, Heichal), and Yaakov Tabacznik (Bergenfield, MTA).

This summer, the chabura is focusing on how to infuse תורה in our daily life activities with the goal of becoming a true בן תורה. We are learning a variety of topics including תפילה, halachik aspects to different sports scenarios and the beauty of שבת along with many other halachik and hashkafik topics relating to one’s daily life. In addition, we entered the world of certain thought provoking sugyos such as אדם מועד לעולם, שואל שלא ברשות and שומר חנם.

The goal of our learning is to ultimately come away from this chabura realizing how one can become a true בעל מדות and בן תורה while also realizing how enjoyable it can be to live a life infused with torah.

The chabura has become such a tight knit chevra and we have grown so much from one another. We are looking forward to our continued success in Beit Meir and beyond!

Ari Needle is currently enjoying his 3rd summer on NCSY Kollel. Ari is from Passaic, NJ, he attended TABC for high school followed by 2 years in Yeshivat Sha’alvim and plans to attend YU this upcoming year. This is Ari’s first year as a Madrich.
Ari’s Chabura includes some of the best guys around: Alex Weinberg from Bergenfield (TABC), Jeremy Kessler from New Rochelle (TABC), Ben Jacobson from Riverdale (MTA), and Avi Glick from Woodmere (MTA).
This summer, Ari’s Chabura will be focusing on a broad variety of topics that come up throughout Maseches Brachos. This includes Birchas Hatorah, Eating before davening, Shnayim Mikrah V’echad Targum, “Unanswered” Teffilos, and many many more practical topics. The goal of the learning is to gain insight and appreciation for all of our daily religious activities and to feel a greater sense of connection in all areas of Avodas Hashem.
The Chabura has already learned and grown so much, and as we enter the final stretch of what has been an amazing summer, the Chabura looks to continue that growth and make the most of every second left!

Yosef Tropp is currently enjoying his second summer on NCSY Kollel. He attended Yeshivat Frisch and Lev HaTorah and is currently in YU. This is Yosef’s second year as a Madrich.

Yosef’s chabura includes 5 awesome guys all from different places: Yechiel Bertram from Cedarhurst (Netzach Hatorah), Aaron Rosenkranz from Queens (Teferes Shmuel), Alex Savetsky from Bergenfield (Heichal), Tuvia Werner from Silver Spring (Yeshiva of Greater Washington), and Netanel Zigdon from Baltimore (Yeshiva Mekor Chaim).

This summer, Yosef’s chabura has been focusing on topics in Chesed (based on teachings from Rav Machlis tzaddik of Yerushalyim). They have been learning a variety of topics including Tzedaka, Hachnasas Orchim, Nichum Aveilim, and Bikkur Cholim. The goal of the learning is to learn about the chesed and to experience the chesed as well.

The summer has been great summer of growth and imyh it should only get better!

Yehuda Spivak returns to NCSY Kollel for his second summer, first as a madrich. Yehuda hails from West Orange NJ and attended Yeshivas Heichal Hatorah for high school. After Heichal, Yehuda spent the last 2 years in Yeshiva Toras Shraga, and now is entering his first year at Yeshiva University.

As an unofficial out-of-towner himself, Yehuda’s chaburah is filled with NCSYers hailing from the Windy City, Chicago. First up we got Yosef Litwack who attends Skokie Yeshivah. Then we got Jonah Levinson, who also hails from Skokie Yeshiva, Yosef Volkowitz, also from Skokie Yeshiva. Last but definitely not least we got Gershie Hartstein, who recently made Aaliyah (from Chicago) to the Ramat Bet Shemesh, and attends Ahavat Yisrael. Baruch Hashem, the whole chaburah came in as close friends, but they have made some room for their madrich to join the chevra.

This summer, Yehuda’s chaburah is focused on learning more about the 613 mitzvos. They have been analyzing certain mitzvos within the Sefer hamitzvos l’rambam, and other rishonim and goanim’s minyan hamitzvos, and learning why or why not certain mitzvahs were counted. They have learned sugyas, such as Yishuv Eretz Yisrael, Aron Kodesh, Birchas Hatorah, Emunah B’Hashem, Tefillah, and much more. The goal for the chaburah is to understand more about hakodosh Baruch hu’s mitzvos and to get a taste of the sweetness of geshmak lomdus. The summer has been amazing so far and will hopefully only continue to get better and better!!

Eitan Pfeiffer is currently enjoying his third summer on NCSY Kollel. He attended MTA and Sha’alvim and is planning on going back to YU next year for his second year. This is Eitan’s second year as a Madrich.

Eitan’s chabura includes some of the best guys around: Dani Greenberg from Teaneck (MTA), Abie Rosenberg from Monsey (MTA), Max Sandel from Riverdale (MTA), Chaim Mermelstein from the Teaneck (TABC), and Dovid Gopin from the Teaneck (TABC).

This summer, Eitan’s chabura will be focusing on a mixture of Halacha and Machshava. Some of the sugyas include the chiyuv to learn and teach Torah, he chiyuv to daven, kavana in tefilla, sugyas in hilchos brachos, tfilas mussaf, pikuach nefesh on Shabbos, the chiyuv of a Ben Torah outside the walls of the beis medresh, the chashivus of Torah, and much more… The goal of the learning is to gain an appreciation and to understand the power of the important things we do every day. Through doing this, it can enhance their performance and become better עובדי ה׳ together as a chabura.

All of this has combined for what continues to be an incredible summer! Chasdei HaShem!!