To capture the feel and import of Wednesday, we would need more of a book than a blog post. It was an incredible day from dawn to midnight, with no less than three separate events that each could lay claim to being true top highlights of the summer.

The morning was devoted to our annual Yom Chessed. We divided up into different groups and engaged in activities that were genuinely productive, meaningful, and intense. Please see the post to come to read accounts of these great trips in the words of some of the NCSYers who participated in them.

In the afternoon, the campus was transformed by the incredible excitement of Chabura Wars. Contrary to the implications of the name, Chabura Wars are one of the summer’s great generators of achdus and unity. 

This is most evident in the spirit and camaraderie created in each individual chabura, but equally true about the effects of the competition on the Kollel as a whole. The Chabura Wars combine, athletic and academic contests, zany challenges, and extra points for creativity and energy. Kudos to the chabura of Raphy Mandelstam for an impressive effort in taking home the title!

At night, we were treated to an great learning program. We conducted two parallel symposia, on the topic of Talmud Torah. Issues tackled included “Why Gemara,” “Does on Need to Learn to be a Good Jew,” “The Connection Between the 9 Days and Torah,” and “Practical Tips for Growing in Learning While in High School.” Each group was led by a two-man panel, with plenty of interaction between the presenters and the NCSYers.

The first group heard from Rav Mordechai Burg and Rav Yosef Bronfeld, two of our most popular and dynamic Night Seder Rabbeim. The second group heard from Rav Moshe Taragin and Rav Mendel Blachman, who went well into the late night fielding question and offering their unique insights into the topic. It was a completely unforgettable day.

TO VIEW PICTURES OF OUR ENTIRE SUMMER EXPERIENCE CLICK HERE