Monday: August 2

Spotlight: Chaburas

There are many different formats for the learning on the NCSY Kollel. None are more effective or appreciated than the afternoon Chaburas.

Each Chabura is generally for 90 minutes, from after the post-Mincha announcements until the afternoon break. The Chaburas are made up of 4-6 NCSYers, led by a madrich. Each madrich is a hybrid between a camp counselor and a learning rebbe. Outside of Chabura he is responsible for the NCSYers in his group, from attendance, to physical comfort and everything in between. Inside Chabura, the madrich is the ringleader of some very spirited and interactive learning sessions.

Chaburas are designed to be somewhat less formal than typical classroom learning environments. There are more questions and more give and take, with frequent tangents and discussions. One of the primary goals is to get everyone involved and active. The size of the group and format of the learning lend themselves to this.

The Chaburas are a social experience as well. On the peer-to-peer level, chaburas are utilized to help form new relationships with like-minded NCSYers. No chabura has more than two students from the same high school, and expert madrichim can use the camaraderie and good will to foster extremely positive friendships.

Above all, is the powerful bond that is formed between the NCSYers and their madrichim. There is no better building block for long and positive relationships than the study of Torah. Careful analysis of a difficult text will often spill over to a discussion outside of chabura, on any number of life issues facing the NCSYers. Madrichim are trusted and respected and ideal confidants.

CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES OF THE DIFFERENT CHABURAS

Sunday: August 1

The week got off to a flying start on Sunday, with two much anticipated events providing thrills and excitement.

After a strong morning of learning, we headed out for our annual Chabura Trips. Each chabura traveled to different locations of their choosing, ranging from bowling to flag football, the Old City to scavenger hunts, Mea Shearim to audiences with Rabbeim of the Madrichim. Whatever the itinerary, the outings helped to reinforce some of the basic strengths of the Chaburas. For one thing, the Chaburas are designed to impact the NCSYers far beyond the four walls of the classroom or Beit Medrash. In this sense, time spent as a chabura outside of the context of formal learning is particularly valuable.

In addition, chabura trips are just plain fun. And they are part of the great success the chaburas have in making learning more palatable and enjoyable.

The chabura trips led into one of the real highlights of the Kollel calendar- Yom NCSY.

The significance of Yom NCSY can be measured on two scales. First, is the quality of the programming for the event. This year we were privileged to hear from Mr. Natan Sharansky. He is currently head of the Jewish Agency, but his personal history and accomplishments provided much stronger credentials. He spoke powerfully of the everlasting connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel, and recalled his own longing for the Jewish homeland while a political prisoner in communist Russia.

One of the most powerful elements of the program was the presentation from Sgt. Benjamin Anthony, an officer in the IDF. Seargant Anthony offered an insider’s perspective on the challenges faced by the Israeli Army and importance of standing side by side with the soldiers. He completely captivated the audience with his stories of life on the front line, and the NCSYers were very moved and inspired by the entire talk.

Of course, there was more to the program than just the orations. There was great food, rousing video presentations, short rallies for each individual program, and, to top the evening off, an incredible concert featuring the music of Shlomo Katz and Chaim Dovid.

But even with a less sensational schedule, Yom NCSY would be quite worthwhile. At its heart, it is most important simply as an assembly of teens from North America and Israel totaling close to 1000 strong. This gathering is exceedingly inspirational, and a cause for great celebration within our community. It was a real showcase for the great work being done by NCSY Summer Programs, and we were proud to be a part and contribute. It was especially gratifying to spend another evening with our good friends on TJJ Ambassadors, and to continue the development of the relationships that had been formed during their stay with us at the Kollel.

Thursday: July 29

It would be impossible to single out a single highlight from Thursday. From early in the morning to late at night, there was a constant flow of excitement and energy, with special events that were once-in-a-summer experiences.

In the morning we embarked on the annual Shiur Trips. The hardest work in learning takes place each morning, and these outings were a deserved reward for jobs well done. Shiurim created their own itineraries, with swimming and good food featured prominently in many of them. Above all, these trips enhance the relationships already formed between Rebbe and Talmid. The less formal, out of Shiur interactions complement the more formal learning and educational achievements beautifully. And beyond any elaborate explanations - the trips were just good fun!

The sports schedule was supplemented by the thrilling conclusion of our 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament (advanced division). Each team in the finals boasted superior teamwork and impressive skill. A huge crowd gathered and was delighted by a spirited game that was completely up for grabs until the final moments. At that point the greater size of Rabbi Lebowitz, Josh Freedman, and Zev Miller proved to be too much for their opponents to handle, and a hard earned championship was theirs.

Most inspiring was a first time program that was extremely successful. Over the course of the day (in place of regular chaburas in the afternoon and then again late at night) we spotlighted various NCSYers with interesting stories to learn from. In the afternoon, we first heard from Sammy Aronson and Nathan Kohn-Magnus. Sammy and Nathan captivated the rest of the Kollel with vivid descriptions of their experiences in public high schools. They also shared their observations on the occasional insularity of the Orthodox world and how it is perceived from the outside. From the quality and quantity of follow up questions from their peers, it was very evident that Sammy and Nathan’s words hit their mark.

Next, we had the pleasure of hearing from four of the NCSYers who have made aliyah and currently reside in Israel. Yoni Alter, Shlomo Berman, Bezalel Cohn, and Alex Yudin each related their histories and challenges, and offered vivid descriptions of life in the Holy Land. Their passion and love for Israel was absolutely contagious, and provided much to think about.

Finally, late Thursday night, we heard a mesmerizing presentation from Ben Auerbach. Ben has Tourette’s Syndrome, and he courageously detailed his experiences. It was a most inspiring talk, and the emotional and rousing standing ovation he received at its conclusion was an accurate indication of how well it was received.

The cumulative effect of these programs was a greater appreciation for each other, and a deeper sensitivity to the people around us. We ended the day more aware and contemplative than we started.

The day (and week) ended with a late night mishmar program with the participation of well over 100 of the NCSYers. When all was said and done, and the dust settled on another fantastic week on the NCSY Kollel, we were in the Beit Medrash with the focus squarely on learning.

Wednesday: July 28

Wednesday was action packed with a stream of activity from beginning to end. The afternoon sports schedule was dominated by the exciting continuation of the 3 on 3 Tournament. In the intermediate bracket, a worth champion was crowned, as Josh Zlotnick (Dorm Counselor), Judah Gavant and Kobi Rappaport prevailed over Arie Hizkya, Zach Stern, and Yanky Krinsky in a tight encounter. The advanced bracket progressed all the way to the championship game, where Eitan Jacob, Evan Genakowski, and Yoni Alter pulled off a string of upsets to meet the big favorites, Rabbi Lebowitz, Josh Freedman, and Zev Miller. The much anticipated championship game will be held on Thursday.

For those who had tasted defeat already on Monday, there were a slew of attractive options. On campus there was the normal swimming, pick up games, and computer room. In addition, there was a spirited Roller Hockey tournament, taking advantage of the quiet league schedule.
Off campus, we ran flag football in Yerushalayim, and a fantastic mini tiyul, as well. The mini Tiyul visited Kever Rachel, before continuing on the Naot Factory Outlet in Gush Etzion. It was a fun filled afternoon with something for everyone.

At the beginning of night seder, we had the bittersweet experience of wishing Rav Schachter a farewell. On the one hand, it was sad to see Rav Schachter go, and his presence will most certainly be missed. At the same time, his departure provided us with an opportunity to reflect on his impact on the Kollel and to appreciate the incredible three weeks we shared with him. Rav Schachter addressed the Kollel one final time, exhorting us to pursue serious learning, regardless of our chosen future professions. He also expressed to the group how valuable learning can be during free time, and how impressed he was with the accomplishments over the summer. Following his remarks, we danced him out of the Beit Medrash. It was one of the more emotional moments of the summer.

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Spotlight on...Sports

NCSY Kollel is almost as famous for its sports as it is for its learning. The sports leagues and tournaments are an integral part of the program, and provide both entertainment and educational value.

What makes the games so great? On the most basic level, the quality of play and efforts of our tireless sports staff make for competitive and very enjoyable competition. There is a great buzz of activity every afternoon for the intramural contests in hockey and basketball. The daily posting of schedules, standings and stats are a highlight of each Kollel day. The courts themselves are top notch, with the special added bonus of being situated with a backdrop of the beautiful and inspiring Judean Hills. The regular sports are supplemented by special events and tournaments, like this week’s 3 on 3 or the soccer day in the first week.

Few things bring High School guys together like sports. Many of the deep bonds and relationships formed over the summer are rooted in interactions in the games. Certainly, NCSYers learn each other’s names and introduce themselves in this context.. The level of staff participation, in the same leagues as the NCSYers, provides another venue for natural and healthy bonding.

Perhaps most importantly, the courts are considered extensions of our Beit Medrash. Every game is a learning opportunity, and it is not at all uncommon for NCSYers to reflect after the summer and consider the lessons learned while playing to be the most valuable of all. We emphasize proper middot and respect from day 1. Our commissioners, sports staff, and madrichim reinforce these values every day. The intensity of the games is balanced by an equally strong emphasis on playing the right way.

Tuesday: July 27

This week’s tiyul day presented incredible options that sent the NCSYers all around the country. The choices were varied, and the day’s greatest challenge was choosing from amongst the tempting possibilities.

For the truly intrepid, there was the awesome and imposing Nachal Darja. In addition to the stunning beauty and pure excitement of the hike, Darja provides the ultimate in team building and bonding. The precipitous drops and arduous climbs are not easily navigated solo. The NCSYers needed to help each other get through the canyon and rely on each other on each rope and ladder. Darja challenges hikers like no other tiyul we run, and provides unparalleled thrills and feelings of accomplishment.

On the other side of the spectrum, we had a visit to the famed “Dialogue in the Dark” (Blind Museum) experience, followed by a tour of Bnei Brak. This option required none of the physical exertion of Darja, but was equally - if not more - rewarding. At the Blind Museum, visitors join a tour of every day life activities in complete darkness. Their guides are all visually impaired, either completely or partially blind, and the encounter is unforgettable. The museum provides a fresh and striking perspective on people with disabilities, and is one of the more sought after tours in Israel.

Bnai Brak is another must-see venue to appreciate the quality of scholarship and erudition in today’s Torah world. In addition to a general tour, we were able to meet with Rav Kahaneman and Rav Tzuriel. These meaningful sessions made an indelible impression on all.

Our third option started ordinarily enough, with a few morning hours of fun at the beach. From there it was down to Be’er Sheva for a tour of the Israeli Air Force Museum. But the real fun of this trip was in the final stop, the Alpaca Farm deep in the heart of the Negev Desert. Alpaca’s are similar to llamas, and we had group challenges in herding and communicating with them. It was great and unique- and a great end to the day.

Monday: July 26

There are numerous learning highlights over the summer, both on the group and individual levels. There are certain momentous shiurim that always stand out, and a myriad of quieter moments in the Beit Medrash when a climactic moment can occur. With regard to intensity and emotion, nothing really rivals Tisha B’Av, with the possible exception of our last Shabbat and closing programs. But when it comes to sports, our annual 3 on 3 Basketball tournament stands alone. With its dizzying pace, extraordinarily high level of participation, and thrilling moments, the tournament energizes the Kollel and brings people together like nothing else. In the 3 on 3 game, each player shares in team’s fortune, more so than in our regular league games.

This year, in an effort to generate even more excitement and fun, there was a full festival coinciding with the games. Free popcorn, slushies and Cotton Candy, wiffle Ball and Chabura Line-Up, innovative challenges and contests, live music and great giveaways all helped create an atmosphere like nothing the Kollel had ever seen. Rabbeim and their families joined the fun, and over 300 people participated in the day’s events.

And, of course, there were the games. All courts were in action, often with spectators lining up rows deep. There were the usual array of scintillating performances, buzzer beating shots, and crowd-pleasing upsets. The tournament consisted of two divisions, with the NCSYers choosing the level of competition they wanted. This also helped achieve maximum involvement for all.

By day’s end, we had whittled things down to 8 teams in the advanced bracket, and 4 in the intermediate bracket. The tournaments were headed to thrilling conclusions, and the positive affects will be felt for a long time to come.

TJJ/Kollel Recap

After describing the excitement of our time with TJJ Ambassadors last week, we thought you would appreciate some of the sights and sounds of our interaction. Enjoy!