Summer 2023

Avi Weitz is attending NCSY Kollel for his third summer and his second as a Madrich. Avi attended DRS for high school, followed by two years in Yeshivat Sha’alvim and recently just finished his first year in Yeshiva University.

Joining Avi in his Chabura this summer are epic guys, each one bringing their own unique characteristic that helps create an awesome Chabura. Inspired by the music of Abie Rottenberg, Aryeh Wolf, from Woodmere, NY, brings his love for music to the table, helping the Chabura connect and strengthen their connection to Hashem. Yehuda Besser, from Clifton, NJ, a devoted baseball fanatic, brings a refreshing blend of enthusiasm to the Chabura, while also providing the Chabura with new insights and intellectual thoughts into the sugyas and discussions being discussed. Yonatan Wiseman, from Woodmere, NY, is always providing great memes and jokes, infusing the Chabura with fun and humor. His ability to find joy in every situation creates a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Last, but certainly not least, Shaya Grunstein, from Woodmere, NY, helps solidify the Chabura. Shaya exhibits a natural talent for bringing people together. His ability to foster unity and create an inclusive environment ensures that every member feels valued and heard enabling the Chabura to flourish.

The Chabura is focusing on practical issues that come up in the realm of “Bein Adam Lechaviro”. Whether it’s inside or outside the Beis Medresh the energy throughout the Chabura is always there. Some of the topics that we have done this summer are “Can I Work For Uber Eats” and “Better Seats At the Game”.

The chevra has been enjoying tremendously so far, and are looking forward to keeping it going for years to come!

Benjamin Coplin’s chabura has guys from all across North America coming together to have one unforgettable summer together. Starting with the madrich himself, Benjamin hails from Silver Spring, Maryland. A former NCSYer on Kollel, Benjamin went on to graduate from Berman Hebrew Academy, spent two years in Hakotel, and will continue on to Yeshiva University next fall after spending his second summer on Kollel and first as a madrich.

Next up, we have brothers David and Michael Karoudo, bringing their talents all the way from Las Vegas, Nevada. In case your wondering no, they’re not twins- they’re triplets. And no, they don’t want any Ashkanzi food, they’re 100% Sefardi. Moving west, we have Ari Cohn, from the City of Angels itself, Los Angeles, California. Ari’s incredible kindness and soft demeanor may make it hard to believe he could be next up on America Ninja Warrior, but trust us, his parkour is next level. Rounding out the Americans in the chabura is a man with a deep passion for learning, Eli Ludmir from Houston, Texas. Although Texas holds a special place in his heart, through seeing the history and beauty of the land of Israel in the last few weeks his love for Israel has flourished tremendously. Going ALL the way up north, there is Noah Green from the capital of Canada, Ottawa. Noah Green is a force to be reckoned with, providing fascinating insights to the chabura while simultaneously delivering breathtaking laining performances to the entire North campus. Last, but certainly not least, is another Canadian resident, Ari Burger from Toronto. With his late night Gemara learning,  (and we mean late late night learning), many people are left to wonder how he finds the time and energy to be such a threat on the basketball court.

This chabura from all over has gathered together in Beit Meir to learn about the land of Israel, controlling our anger, Teshuva, Tefillin, Tefilah, and so much more! Already off to an incredible start, this chabura with these dynamic players should only continue to go higher and higher!

Rami Gertler went to TABC, attended Sha’alvim for 2 years, and IY”H be at YU for the upcoming year. This is his 2nd year on Kollel, one as an NCSYer and one as a Madrich.

Rami is having an unbelievable time learning and hanging out with a great group of guys. First off is Zac Pockriss, the tennis master, hailing from the 5 Towns and attending DRS. Next is Yoni Aharon, an absolute stud at ball, also a member of the 5 Towns and DRS. Continuing in the chain, Yitzi Lazar is also a 5 Towns and DRS attendee always bringing the humor. Coming all the way from the west coast, we have Kevin Myers, shteiging away at YULA in LA. Next is Gadi Pollack, helping everyone improve on their Israeli accent, as a resident of the Holy Land for over 9 years, attending Netiv Meir in Yerushalayim. And last but certainly not least, Tani Cohen, the nicest kid around, coming from Florida and attending TTB.

This year in Chaburas, they are aiming to cover a wide variety of topics, mostly focused on helping them grow, whether it be in their learning or Middos. Throughout the chaburas are pictures giving summaries of the sources and topics, trying make the discussions as interesting as possible.

It has been an amazing summer until now, and it will only get better from here!

Shmuel Belizon attended Katz Yeshiva High School for four years. Afterwards, Shmuel spent two years learning in Yeshivas Sha’alvim. Next year Shmuel will be starting his junior year in Yeshiva University and continue learning under Rav Meir Twersky Shlit”a. This is Shmuel’s fourth summer on Kollel, and second summer as a madrich.

Now, on to the the ikkur of the chabura, the guys:

Noach Balsam, from Valley Stream, is currently in YFR and learning up a storm. Aiden Buchbinder, from Valley Stream, is attending DRS and is takka carrying the ball team. Dani Klein, from Valley Stream, is attending MAY and shteiging away, all while painting the coolest shoes known to mankind. Avi Burns, from… you guessed it… Valley Stream, is learning in Yeshivas DRS and is reading all the mekoros inside. Yosef Schonfeld, from Woodmere, is attending Yeshivas MAY and is finishing sha”s while eating breakfast. Avraham Schreck, from Lawrence, is attending Yeshivas DRS and soaking up the ruchniyus.

This summer Shmuel felt that the chabura should work on something that not a lot of people focus on, their relationship with the Beis Hamikdash. To do this, the chabura as a group are learning many halachos and sugyos that took place on a daily basis in the Beis Hamikdash, with hopes that through spending time learning about what took place and the beautiful Torah of kodshim they can reach a deeper appreciation and love for the Beis Hamikdash and its crucial role in yahadus. Additionally, as an added benefit, through their learning of the Beis Hamikdash they can achieve what the רמבם says, that all those who learn about the Beis Hamikdash and Korbonos are viewed as if they rebuilt the Beis Hamikdash!

Shmuel’s chabura are proud of the learning, and grill chills they have had so far… and are excited for the rest of the summer and all that it has to offer.

Ezra Seplowitz lives in Teaneck, NJ, and graduated from TABC in 2020. He then studied in Yeshivat Sha’alvim for two years and is going to be returning to Yeshiva University for his second year this Fall. This is Ezra’s second summer on Kollel and his first time as a Madrich.

There are currently four budding תלמידי חכמים in Ezra’s Chaburah: Ezriel (Ezzy) Brandwein, Elisha Rodin, Michael (Mordy) Rosenbaum, Avraham (Shimmy) Wellikoff. Ezzy, Shimmy, and Mordy are from Passaic, NJ, and just finished their sophomore year in Heichal Hatorah. They were all in Rabbi Komet’s Shiur (a relative of Ezra’s). Elisha is from North Woodmere, NY, and just finished his sophomore year in MAY. Elisha is the diligent notetaker and Tzaddik Yesod Olam, but Shimmy is a lowkey sleeper (pun intended?) who shteigs away late at night on the ball court. Ezzy is the focused one who loves spending time in Meah Shearim while Mordy bangs on the table and asks bomb kashyas.

The Chabura is learning about the depths and meaning of קריאת שמע and תפילה as well as other recurrent מצוות. The Chabura focuses on distilling the יסוד המחלוקת in order to formulate a meaningful understanding of the סוגיא. Additionally, the guys spend time remembering “Cash Torah” which they can take with them wherever they go.

Overall, it’s been an incredible summer thus far, and the remaining weeks in Beit Meir will only get better!

Danny Weinberger, the fourth year veteran, has returned to be a madrich on NCSY Kollel for the second time in a row. After shteiging away in Frisch and Shaalvim, he made his way to the University of Pennsylvania, where he tries his best to spread the light of Torah that he gained from his summers on Kollel.

His chabura is composed of six super-stars who attend Yeshiva University affiliated High Schools, with three from each of MTA and YULA. Starting off the MTA trio from Teaneck, NJ is Noam Sheffey. Noam is always locked in and engaged, ready to take our chabura to the next level. Feel free to be amazed when you test him on Super Bowl statistics. Next up is Ben Safier from Bergenfield, NJ. The motivation and consistency that Ben brings to the chabura is unparalleled. In addition, his easy going attitude enables the chabura to run smoothly. Rounding off the MTA crew from Teaneck, NJ is Gavi Pinsky.  Gavi is a Torah savant and is most likely to be found during chaburas being mechavein to Rishonim. The three YULA members all represent the community of Los Angeles, California. The trio includes Moshe Uretsky, a true mevakeish who inspires the chabura with his desire to keep growing. They also have Raphi Mark, a professional air-sipper who never fails to enlighten the chabura with a Hasgacha Pratis story or Thank You Hashem moment. Last but not least they have Elisha Feldman (AKA danger). Elisha is the rock of the bura, as his contagious smile always keeps everyone happy.

This summer they are learning Shabbos sugyas. Instead of delving into intricacies of the melachos and the Shamor side of Shabbos, they are spending their time on the positive commandments of shabbos, the Zachor aspect. The different sugyas range from To’ameah, which kicks in right before Shabbos begins, all the way to Melava Malka, escorting out the Shabbos Queen with celebration as she departs.

The summer has been amazing so far and the boys cannot wait for what’s more to come!

Yonah Tarzik could not have asked for a better start to his first summer as madrich and second summer overall on NCSY Kollel. He has the privilege to call Bergenfield, NJ home for the last 17 years of his life. He attended Heichal HaTorah, Yeshivas Sha’alvim and plans on taking his talents to YU this upcoming year.

Yonah’s chabura has had incredible chemistry since day 1. While all living in the Bergenfield/ Teaneck community (and 4 of the 5 attending the same high school) definitely helps, there is something special brewing in this chabura. We got some of TABC’s finest. To start off we got Akiva Mittel, who brings great vibes to the chabura with his exquisite vocabulary and humor. Next up is Shia Forgash, that when not behind the net or looking for his room key, is always involved and making insightful comments. Then we have Aryeh Eizikowitz who always brings the energy and a proud member of the 7am hockey club. Next is Moshe “heshy” Strulowitz who’s always there to stir up the pot (shoutout to the rice) and always got the chaburah on their toes with his witty comments. Then we got Nochi Book, the high flying and ambidextrous star from MTA. We were also blessed with the mid season acquisition of NCSY Kollel legend Menachem Grossman all the way from Bet Shemesh.

In Chabura time, we have delved into the sugyas of the עשרת הדברות along with other important topics such as the torahs perspective on failure and the secret to simcha. For each dibra, we learn a sugya in depth and also discuss practical tips and advice how to apply it to our daily lives.

The summer has gotten off to an unbelievable start and I’m certain it will only get better from here!