Shabbat Nachamu: July 24

There were highlights aplenty over Shabbat, but in truth, the real greatness of the weekend was simply soaking in the incomparable atmosphere and beauty of Tzefat. The program attempted to showcase the serenity and inspiration found in every alley and staircase.

As always, the ruach at the meal was just on another level. With everyone’s active participation, we were able to take new songs and old and energize the entire room. Following the rousing seuda, we split into three options. For some, it was a special session with Rabbi Kaminetsky, singing the songs of Shabbat and Tzefat well into the night. Others took full advantage of our resident tiyul expert, Rabbi Moshe Gordon, for a special nighttime adventure through “The Hidden Tzefat.” Our final option was a special tour with stories and insight from Yaakov Block.

On Shabbat day we split up to sample the eclectic group of ancient and modern Tzefat synagogues. Lunch was once again a high-energy affair. In the late afternoon we had a tour of the classic and less known Tzefat venues. We also heard from Rav Yona Akiva, a Breslov Chassid originally from public school in Boston, MA. Rav Yona’s sweetness and sincerity were the perfect conduits for him to share his remarkable story. We concluded Shabbat Nachamu with some penetrating words of chizuk from Rabbi Kaminetsky, who drew the strong parallels between the historical consept of Mikdash and our Torah study today. All in all, it was an unforgettable weekend that combined fun and inspiration for the perfect Nachamu combination.

Friday: July 23

The fun and excitement in the North continued with an Erev Shabbat to be remembered. In the morning, there were two great options, each centering on one of the holy cities of Israel. First, there was a tour of Tiberias, including the holy sites and some of the more modern attractions. We enjoyed the beautiful boardwalk and marina alongside the Kineret, and ventured into the water for some banana boating and other water sports.

Choice two was to stay closer to home and begin the exploration of our host city of Tzefat. Here the tours focused on some of the hot spots that are not accessible on Shabbat, including the Artist’s Colony and other museums and shops.

In the afternoon, we were treated to a presentation that aptly captured the essence of Tzefat and the values of the NCSY Kollel. We packed a local gym and heard from Doron Sheffer- former UCONN basketball star and NBA draft pick, who has retuned to observance and is now a resident of the Galil.

(For more on his career and basketball prowess, CLICK HERE)

He mesmerized the audience with a frank and substantive discussion on the relationship between sport, celebrity, and Torah life. The question and answer session was particularly uplifting, and Doron’s insights and perspective went well beyond his personal journey. From there it was on to the court, where a group of NCSYers teamed with Doron to challenge the mighty NCSY Kollel staff stars. Doron proved to be the difference, and his dazzling display of shooting and passing led the NCSYers to a thrilling victory.

In the birthplace of Kabbalat Shabbat, we doubled our pleasure with an early, “musical” welcome. Led by some of our talented musicians, we kicked off Shabbat with great spirit and verve. “The hills were alive…” as Shabbat descended on the mountains of Tzefat!

Thursday: July 22

What a start to our biggest tiyul extravaganza of the summer! Thursday we packed up and headed up north for three fantastic touring options. The first brave group tackled the “Black Canyon,” a closed to the public extension of the famed Nachal Yehudiya. This extremely challenging trek includes rappelling, mountain climbing, swimming, and some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. It was a real thrill and a very rewarding experience.

Option two headed up through picturesque Caesarea. There they were surprised by a mini Color War break out, following themes of the history of the Mediterranean coast. From there it was onward and upward to Rosh HaNikra, one of the more amazing spots in the country.

Our third option traced the steps of some of the monumental battles of 1967 and 1973 in the Golan Heights. This moving tour was accentuated by an impromptu kumsitz on the Syrian border, and incredible stories of the war history of the North. After, they relaxed at the Ein Ziv chocolate factory and had a hands-on “sweet” experience.

All groups reconvened for dinner in Tzefat, and then ended the day in incredible fashion with a nightcap at the Canada Center. The entire facility was rented out for our NCSYers, who enjoyed ice skating, swimming, basketball and the spa until late into the night.

Wednesday: July 21

Wednesday was a snapshot of so many of the elements that make NCSY Kollel great. First, the day was sandwiched between the emotions and intensity of Tisha B’Av on the one hand, and the anticipation for Shabbat Nachamu and great Tiyul days on the other. Wednesday was the day for this transition, and day that reflected the positive energies of each experience.

We also welcome the boys of Morasha’s Sulam tour for an afternoon of learning and sports. We were honored to provide such positive and welcoming environment in our Beit Medrash for our friends from Sulam. On the courts we were somewhat less hospitable, posting convincing victories in both basketball and hockey. It was a real joy to watch the teamwork and midot of the Kollel All-Stars in both sports, and they provided plenty of cheers. The basketball game was never really in doubt, but the hockey game was tied 0-0 after two periods. At that point Kollel really turned it up a notch and earned an impressive 4-1 victory.

At night we celebrated another grand siyum. The late night canteen was standing room only for Nechemia Zemel’s completion of Masechet Taanit, and the abundant Burger’s Bar went down easily after a long 9 days…

It was also the first night of the new round of night shiurim, and this anchored what was already a very strong day of learning.

Tisha B'Av - Tuesday: July 20

All of our preparations led to a meaningful and appropriate Tisha B'Av experience, that will remain in the memories of all NCSY Kollel 2010 participants for some time to come. As we often say, it is the context of the day that makes it so special. First, observing Tisha B’Av in Israel provides a front row seat to living examples of destruction and rebuilding. Beyond that, when the focus of the entire summer is on developing our spiritual and religious attitudes and sensitivities, Tisha B’Av becomes more of an extension of the rest of the summer, and less an aberration.

The Kinot, on both the night and the day, were preceded by general words of explanation and inspiration. In the evening, Rav Twersky spoke of the common man’s relationship with churban, and his role in redemption. In the morning, Rav Schachter framed the day with a discussion on the uniqueness of the Jewish people and our narrative, and the challenges to that specialness in the long years of exile. Each kinah was preceded by word of elucidation from a madrich or rebbe. In addition to offering some historical perspective and explanation of key words and phrases, these explanations succeeded in drawing connective points between the kinot and our lives. It was a long and difficult day, but extremely powerful as well.

At night, after kinot, special programs included shiurim on the relevant Gemaras dealing with destruction and mourning, workshops on Mitzvot Bein Adam L’Chaveiro, and character development, and a unique kumsitz with an emphasis on songs that truly move the soul, without musical accompaniment or long speeches.

For many, the most impactful moments of the day were reserved for the very end. Almost the entire group opted to travel to Yerushalayim. Some departed earlier and included a moving detour to Har HaMenuchot and some of the kivrei tzadikim there. Everyone met up the Kotel Plaza for the now famous NCSY Kollel Tisha B’Av kumsitz. Our group, over 200 strong, was joined by hundreds of others spectators and passersby for over an hour of singing, crying and great Kiddush Hashem.



We are immensely proud of the effort made by staff and NCSYers alike to make Tisha B’Av a memorable and meaningful experience. We look forward and fervently pray for those efforts to result in the further transformation of Tisha B’Av from a day of sorrow to a festival of complete joy.

Monday: July 19

In addition to our regular shiurim, the early part of the day was loaded with special programs and presentations in advance of Tisha B’Av. Foremost among them was an extremely moving and powerful talk from Rav Binny Freedman.

Rabbi Freedman is the Rosh Yeshiva of Orayta in the Old City and the founding director of Israelight. He spoke about Jewish loss and sacrifice in recent history, and inspired the group with his integration of biblical texts and real life fulfillments of the words of Tanach. In the afternoon, we heard from Rav Benjy Kwalwasser and Rav Gedaliah Hochberg with some final messages before the start of the the fast.

Sunday: July 18

We started the week with a bang, with a special presentation from Dr. David Luchins and a visit from his wife Mrs. Vivian Luchins, Chairperson of the OU’s Youth Commission. Dr. Luchins addressed the current political climate in both Israel and the US, and, more importantly, he described the need and opportunity for political activism and advocacy. From the spirited questions that followed his presentation, it was clear that he succeeded in reaching our NCSYers on these important topics.

Sunday was also our third and final day of learning with the boys from TJJ Ambassadors. At this point the TJJ NCSYers felt completely at home on our campus, and the learning and camaraderie were the ideal lead in to Tisha B’Av. One of TJJ’s directors, David Teller, ended the day by speaking to both groups in the overflowing Beit Medrash. He beautifully described the significance of the three days of learning, and even quoted directly from the TJJers whose excitement for learning was a true inspiration.

(TUNE IN NEXT WEEK FOR A VIDEO RECAP OF THE TJJ/KOLLEL EXPERIENCE)