Thursday: August 5

The closer we get to the end of the summer, the more the focus turns to the Beit Medrash and our learning. This was certainly the case on Thursday, as all of the shiurim and chaburas saw a marked raising of intensity to end the week.

Nowhere was this more evident than in the inspiring late night Mishmar program. Even without the midnight ”extras” the simple sight of over 150 NCSYers and staff sitting and learning was awesome. This was free time, in the summer, and there was no end to the learning in sight. And the extras didn’t hurt either. The Thursday night Mishmar was co-sponsored by TLN, the High School learning wing of Yeshiva University and the Center for the Jewish Future. For those not learning with a Chavruta there was a special shiur given by Rav Sobolofsky. TLN then made a presentation about learning opportunities in during the school year. This was followed by a one of a kind joint siyum made by Rabbi Lebowitz and Sammy Aronson. Rabbi Lebowitz recalled a late Friday night on the Kollel over a decade ago, when he and some other NCSYers committed to learning two mishnayot a day after the summer. Last night, Rabbi Lebowitz made his eleventh consecutive siyum on a seder mishnayot on the anniversary of that night. To drive the point home, Sammy Aronson joined Rabbi Lebowitz to make his own siyum on seder Nezikin, after having followed, on his own, a similar schedule this past year. It was a special moment for all of us, and a tremendous source of inspiration. The celebration, with TLN sponsored KFC wings, was worthy of the occasion!

Even the sports schedule was consistent with the learning theme. That was due to the annual Rebbe-Talmid game, on center stage. Before a large and boisterous crowd, the Rebbe team won for the third consecutive year, earning a fair amount of respect in the process. Led by Rabbi Schneider, Rabbi Resnick, and Rabbi Lebowitz, the experience, size and poise of the older Rabbis proved to be too much for the skilled and athletic NCSYers. Win or lose, it was a great Kollel moment and a fun game for participant and spectators alike.