Kollel

Spend an unforgettable summer in Israel with intense learning, world class sports, and a full schedule of great trips.  The Kollel features an unbeatable combination of outstanding Torah leaders, fantastic Rabbeim, and talented madrichim. The relationships that you will build on the Kollel will last long after the summer has ended. On the NCSY Kollel you will have the opportunity to understand, appreciate, strengthen and intensify your commitment to both Israel and the Jewish people.

NCSY Kollel offers classes and programs that make it appealing to any teen of any skill level. Classes include: Talmud, Halacha (Jewish law), Chumash (Bible), and Hashkafa (philosophy).

The learning is complemented by competitive sports leagues and a wide range of tiyulim (trips).  On-campus activities include: basketball, hockey, roller hockey, swimming, and hiking. Staff participation raises the level of play and intensity of the leagues.

Tiyulim cover the land of Israel from top to bottom. They offer options for every taste and interest, from the holy historical sites to refreshing water hikes, and from the hills to the deserts and everywhere in between.

NCSY Kollel’s sterling reputation is based on the unique combination of these ingredients, and the result is the summer of a lifetime.

A summer on the Kollel is an opportunity not to be missed

Trip Summary

Eligibility:

Current 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, Program for boys

Price:

$6,999 USD

Location:

Israel,

Duration:

6 weeks

Dates:

July 01 2013 - August 12 2013

Contact Information:

p: 212-613-8167
f: 212-613-0789

Downloadable Forms:

Medical Form Recommendation Form

Payment Schedule

 

  •  $250 due at time of application, $100 is non-refundable
  •  $750 due at time  of acceptance
  •  $3500 due for Kollel on March 1st
  •  Balance due on May 1st

 

All summer programs fees must be paid in full to NCSY by May 1. Any pending scholarship requests WILL NOT be applied towards the balance. In the event that a person has a pending scholarship either with NCSY or with another organization, that person’s balance must be paid in full by May 1 INCLUDING the amount pending in scholarships. If after May 1 additional scholarship monies are received by NCSY, NCSY will immediately credit the account for the amount received. Scholarships will be applied towards the cost of the program ONLY when NCSY has received an official letter of intent from the funding source.

Q: How do I apply for an NCSY Summer Program?

A: The application will be open late October, please continue to check back on our website for updates.


Q: What forms do I need to fill out before I can be accepted?

A: Acceptance decisions will not be made without a completed application, recommendation letters, and medical waivers. ** Please note, all programs require a telephone interview before an acceptance decision is made.**


Q: I have applied, now what?

A: Upon completion of your online application, you will receive a confirmation email. All NCSY Summer Programs also require a brief telephone interview as part of the application process. In the unlikely event that you do not receive a phone call to schedule your interview within three weeks of submitting your online application, kindly send an email to Summer@ncsy.org or call us at 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU.


Q: Until when can I apply for the programs?

A: All programs work under a rolling admission system which means that there is no final date to apply to the program. Once the program reaches capacity, we will stop accepting applications for that program. Most programs fill to capacity sooner rather then later so applying early is always recommended.


Q: Are scholarships available for NCSY Summer Programs?

A: Yes! The financial aid application is part of the online registration process. Scholarship decisions are based on need and are made after an applicant has been accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Please note, many outside organizations offer scholarships for summer programs. You might consider calling your local Federation, ZOA, JCC, Synagogue or local NCSY office for scholarship assistance.


Q: What forms do I need to send to NCSY before I can go on a program?

A: After being accepted, you must submit a packet of legal forms and medical forms. All forms will be sent to you in a confirmation email upon completion of the online registration process.


Q: When will I know if I have been accepted?

A: All programs will be accepting applicants on a rolling basis. You can expect to have an answer about three weeks after interviews have been conducted. If more than three weeks have passed since your interview and you have not been contacted regarding your participation, kindly send an email to Summer@ncsy.org or call us at 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU.


Q: When can I expect to receive an information packet for my program?

A: Packets will be mailed out before Passover. These packets will include packing lists, itineraries, flight information, specific program codes of conduct and other VERY IMPORTANT information. It is crucial that you read through the entire packet and mail in all appropriate forms. If you need this information prior to Passover, kindly send an email to Summer@ncsy.org or call us at 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU. Please note, most of this information will also be available on our website (http://www.NCSYsummer.com) around Passover time.


Q: Can I extend my stay in Israel?

A: Yes. To extend a ticket, you will need to contact the Summer Programs Associate assisgned to your program. He or she will give you the direct email address for our travel agent who will make the accommodations. Program Associates cannot arrange flights. Note: Any additional fees associated with the change are the responsibility of the program participant.


Q: Once the program has departed, how can I be in touch with my child?

A: For domestic programs, numbers will be provided. For the overseas programs there will be cell phone rental service required through a third party. There will also be an emergency number available. Some programs will also have access to fax machines and emails.


Q: Once the program has started, whom do I contact with problems or questions?

A: If you have a question regarding billing, flights or any other matter concerning your program, please contact the NCSY Summer Programs Associate assigned to your program at 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU. If your specific questions were not answered in the FAQs above, please feel free to call 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU, or email your inquiry to Summer@ncsy.org


If your specific questions were not answered in the FAQs above, please feel free to call 1-888-TOUR-4-YOU, or email your inquiry to.

Chabura Spotlight: Nachi Cooper
August 10th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Today’s Chabura spotlight is on Nachi Cooper’s chabura. Nachi is spending his 6th straight summer at NCSY Kollel. He has been a camper, sports staff, junior madrich, and madrich. He is currently the hockey commissioner and the camp EMT. He is from Teaneck, NJ. The NCSYers in Nachi’s chabura are Aaron Kurtzman (Omaha, NE), Logan Levin (Buffalo Grove, IL), Nate Simon (Beachwood, OH) and Aharon Tabakman (Toronto, ON). Every chabura…
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Thursday, August 9
August 10th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  What a day- in learning, and on the courts.  This year’s calendar has allowed us a great number of long Thursday nights for incredible Mishmar programming.  The Beit Medrash on these nights is a sight to see.  There are huge crowds, multiple shiur options, and an incomparable pulse to the learning.  This Thursday we celebrated 2 siyumim, enjoyed great refreshments, and kept things going strong until the wee hours of the morning. The sports scene provided no shortage of highlights.  The playoffs continued with earnest, and the hockey and basketball brackets shrunk to just 4…
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Chabura Spotlight: Yoni Senter
August 10th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Today’s chabura spotlight is on Yoni Senter's chabura. Yoni Senter is spending his first summer on NCSY Kollel. Yoni lives in Monsey, NY, and attends Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore. On previous summers yoni has done various SEED programs in California. The NCSYers in Yonis's chabura are Eli Brochov (Cedarhurst NY), Yaakov Bronstein (Far Rockaway), Yehuda Fogel (Woodmere NY), Pinny Fried (Flushing NY), Aryeh Laufer (Lawrence NY), Yaakov Samuels (Toronto ON), Yisroel BOAZ Wiess (North Miami Beach, FL). We all blended together to make a colorful, loud, and fun bunch of guys. This…
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Chabura Spotlight: Corey Fuchs
August 10th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
Today's Chabura spotlight is on Corey Fuchs's chabura. Corey is from Teaneck NJ. This is his 7th summer on the Kollel, his first 2 as an NCSYer and is currently a member of the medical, technical and programming staff. He has also been involved with NCSY Shoresh during the year in the New York area. The NCSYers in Corey's chabura are Dov Alberstone (Bellevue, WA), Peter Century (Cleveland Heights, OH) Aaron Lieblich (Edison, NJ) Dovid Kesselman (West Hempstead, NY) Yoni Perlysky (Lawrence, NY) Yoni Sheer (Passaic, NJ). Corey's chabura are learning topics…
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Wednesday, August 8
August 10th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Playoffs are here!  The courts came alive all afternoon with the intensity of NCSY playoff action.  There were few upsets in the early rounds, a trend that would continue on Thursday.  Kudos to “The Dream Team” captained by NCSYer Shai Kaminetzky for pulling off an impressive double:  First winning their tie breaking play-in game, and then coming back to win their first round playoff matchup.  Two playoff wins in a span of three hours!  A job well done. For those whose luck had already run out, there was a great mini-tiyul to the beach. But…
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Chabura Spotlight: Dan Schindelheim
August 10th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Today’s Chabura spotlight is on Dan Schindelheim's chabura. Dan is from Long Beach, NY, and is spending his third summer on NCSY Kollel. He was an NCSYer in 2006, and after spending a few summers working at Camp Stone, is now in his second year as a madrich. Dan also manages to find time in his busy schedule to serve as an advisor for NCSY Central East. The NCSYers in Dan's Chabura are Ilan Hirshfield (Rochester, New…
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Chabura Spotlight: Zev Kahane
August 10th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
Today’s Chabura spotlight is on Zev Kahane’s chabura.  This is Zev’s first summer on NCSY Kollel since 2007 when Zev attended the Kollel as an NCSYer. With memories of fantastic trips, inspiring moments, and amazing growth from that summer, Zev was excited to finally return to the NCSY Kollel. When asked about his return to the Kollel, Kahane remarked, “I am looking forward to have an opportunity to give back to the Kollel after receiving so much when I attended as a…
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Tuesday, August 7
August 10th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  To do it proper justice, Tuesday would require multiple blog posts.  Morning, noon, and night all featured distinct programming, and all three were memorable and meaningful. The day began with Shiur Trips.  This is a very different kind of tiyul day, with the focus resting on the shiurim and the activities serving to bond the NCSYers into more cohesive units.  Each shiur had its own itinerary, and tremendous fun was had by all. Back in Beit Meir, Chabura Wars awaited.  This zany and challenging competition serves two primary purposes.  First, it widens our range to…
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Chabura Spotlight: Evan Genachowski
August 10th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Today’s Chabura spotlight is on Evan Genachowski’s chabura. Evan is spending his 5th summer on NCSY Kollel. He previously was a madrich and Jr. madrich and was an NCSYer in the summers of 2008. He is from Woodmere, NY. The NCSYers in Evan's chabura are Yehuda Gertler (Teaneck, NJ), Doni Mozorosky (Staten Island, NY), Max Polack (Omaha, NE), Yisroel Moshe Weissberg (Cincinnati, OH), Tzvi Weiss (Staten Island, NY), and Ricardo Zepeda (Leewood, KA). We recently summed up a set of chaburas on the mitzvah of honoring one's parents, discussing the halachik and…
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Chabura Spotlight: Steve Ritholtz
August 10th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
Today's chabura spotlight is on Steven Ritholtz's chabura. Steve is from West Hempstead, NY. After spending his past few summers doing "academic stuff," Steve is proud to be spending his first year on Kollel. Steve's chabura consists of what he claims is the cream of the crop: Elly…
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Monday, August 6
August 10th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Yes, the learning continued to peak as the week progressed.  But much of the attention was on the courts for the final day of the intramural regular season.  Commissioner Marc Poleyeff and his fantastic staff worked tirelessly all summer to provide high quality games in a welcoming and supportive environment.  The results of their efforts were some of the best leagues NCSY Kollel has ever seen.  Day after day featured nail-biters and buzzer beaters, with most teams teetering between excellence and less excellence all season long. Monday’s basketball action ended with 13 teams still in contention…
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Chabura Spotlight: Shaya Katz
August 10th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
Although Shaya did not have the opportunity to attend NCSY Kollel as a camper, he is now in his second summer as a madrich on the program. Previously, Shaya has worked at Camp Morasha and Camp Shoresh in Frederick Maryland, near his hometown of Baltimore.    The NCSYer's in Shaya's Chabura are Dani Gruen (Brooklyn, NY), Joey Horack (Overland Park, KS), Aaron Kaplan (Nof Ayalon, Israel), Jacob Leichter (Los Angeles, CA), and Yair Mordfin (Silver Spring, MD).
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Chabura Spotlight: ­­­Asher Becker
August 10th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
Today’s Chabura spotlight is on ­­­Asher Becker’s chabura. Asher is spending his 5th summer on NCSY Kollel. He previously was a jr. madrich and was an NCSYer in the Summers of 2007 and 2008. He attended JEC for high school and is from Elizabeth, NJ.   The NCSYers in Asher’s chabura are Binyamin Davidson (Queens, NY), Yitzy Klipper (Elizabeth,NJ), Rafi Sanders (Chashmonaim, Israel), Yonah Hiller (Los Angeles, CA), Jacob Penn…
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Guest Post: Akiva Kirschner
August 10th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
This past week we traveled to Masada, Ein Gedi, the Dead Sea, and Jerusalem. The day began with a very energetic bus ride to masada which began at the early hour of 2:30 am. We arrived at the ancient site just in time to watch the beautiful sun rise over the horizon. Shachris was davened in the ancient shul that was used by the Jewish refugees on the mountain. Our very interesting guide then led a short tour of the hill which was packed with history. We hiked down on the snake path which made us thank Hashem that we didn't have to hike up it…
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Sunday, August 5
August 10th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Our last full week started by taking all the energy of Shabbat Nachamu in Yerushalayim, and channeling it into our regular schedule in Beit Meir.  There was great learning, great ball, and a great feel to the entire day. We continued to host different camps and programs, this time being visited by the boys of BILT (the newest NCSY Summer Program).  We were also joined on Wednesday by some Israeli teens (almost all anglo Olim) from the renowned Camp Landau in Ramat bet Shemesh. Our night learning was wonderfully enhanced by an optional post-maariv shiur…
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Friday- Shabbat, August 3-4
August 10th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  What could be more special than a Shabbat in the OId City? The festivities kicked off on Friday with a thrilling flag football tournament in the heart of the “New” City, and an option of touring Ir David and its famous water tunnels. Of course, this was merely the warm up for the great things to follow.  Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel was special.  Later at night, after our meal at Yeshivat HaKotel, we returned to the Kotel for singing and a talk from Rav Jesse Horn.  There were late night options as well, including…
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Guest Post: Yona Hiller
August 8th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  As the sun started to set on Shabbos day, mixed feelings filled the air: on one hand Shabbos, the holiest time of the week was in its’ last moments, however on the other hand Tishabav, the saddest day of the year was about to start.  Everyone quickly ate their last bits of food and drank as much water as humanly possible, simultaneously enjoying the third meal of Shabbos and preparing for the upcoming fast.  Following Shalosh Seudos we made our way to the Beis Midrash, with some time to spare before Tishabav, in an attempt to savor…
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Guest Post: Eli Weinstein
August 8th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Nachal Darja (death in Arabic) Twas an early Tuesday morning when the bus departed for Darja. As we adventurous NCSYers waited through the drive, the apprehension was apparent. We 30 NCSYers, although thoroughly exhausted from the demanding Kollel schedule, couldn't wait to get knee deep in the legendary Darja. We loaded up with some deli sandwiches, and went on our way. The first hour of the Tiyul was spent singing the traditional darjan songs and walking through the desert to get down into the canyon of Nachal Darja. Our first real taste of the hike came when we…
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Chabura Spotlight: Andrew Israeli
August 7th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
Today’s Chabura spotlight is on ­­­Andrew Israeli’s chabura.   Andrew Israeli is spending his 2nd summer on NCSY Kollel. He unfortunately never attended the Kollel as a camper and spent his three previous summers as a staff member in Camp Morasha. Andrew lives in West Orange, NJ. The NCSYers in Andrew’s chabura are Avi Gennachowski From Woodmere, New York, Jeremy Barth from New Hyde Park, New York, Ilan Schnitzer from New York City, NewYork, Akiva Kirschner from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Avi Pekarsky from Elizabeth, New Jersey.   Andrew’s chaburas are focusing on halachic topics…
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Chabura Spotlight: ­­­Yitz Richmond
August 7th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
Today’s Chabura spotlight is on ­­­Yitz Richmond’s chabura. Yitz is from Teaneck, NJ, and has spent his past two summersat Camp Kayitz in Chicago, and in Camp Simcha.  After participating as an NCSYer for two summers,following 10th and 11th grade, Yitz is proud to finally to be on the Kollelstaff. The NCSYers in Yitz’s chabura are Doni Dror (Los Angeles, CA),Ezra Hagler (Bergenfield, NJ), Avi Hirsch (Teaneck, NJ), Moshe Rosensweig(Jamaica Estates, NY), and Jesse Schwalb (Monsey, NY). Throughout this summer, there has been a special emphasis ondiscussing contemporary topics in Halacha and Hashkafa. The chabura started…
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Chabura Spotlight: Marc Poleyeff
August 5th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
 Today’s Chabura spotlight is on ­­­Marc Poleyeff’s chabura. Marc Poleyeff lives in Englewood, NJ and went to TABC for high school. This isMarc’s sixth straight summer on Kollel. This summer Marc is a Madrich and the head of sports. The NCSYers in Marc’s Chaburah are: Yehuda Berman (Neve Daniel, Israel), Avi Ennis (Teaneck, NJ), Daniel Jaroslawicz (New York, NY), Yosef Naor (Teaneck, NJ) and Ezra Teichman (Monsey, NY). At the start of each chaburahs the NCSYers are introduced, through pictures and stories, to a recent leader in Jewish history.  The Chaburah is primarily focused on different stories in Tanach. Marc is one of two Chaburas piloting…
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Thursday, August 2
August 3rd, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Thursday was just another sensational day on the Kollel- with awesome highs both in the Beis Medrash and on the court. We were proud to welcome Camp Morasha’s Sulam program for an afternoon of learning and ball.  The NCSY Kollel hosts once again lived up to their reputation by turning back all challenges in winning all 4 of the inter-camp contests.  The hockey game ended 3-0 Kollel, and all 3 of the basketball games were lopsided wins for the hometeam.  Yosef Naor and Joe Kestenbaum led the charge in hockey, while Moshe Willner was the MVP…
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Wednesday, August 1
August 3rd, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  The non-stop action of the week continued with Wednesday’s mega tiyul day.  The diversity of options offered was staggering.  For the bravest and strongest, Nachal Darja provided a stiff challenge.  Darja is the most challenging of our master level hikes, and provided a full day of thrills and excitement.  For those seeking another unique NCSY Kollel tiyul option, Rabbi Gordon’s History of Torah in Yerushalalyim Tour was just the ticket.  The tour traces the unmatched wealth of significant Torah hotspots in Yerushalayim, including visits with some of the city’s most illustrious Torah leaders.  And somewhere in the…
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Tuesday, July 31
August 3rd, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Great learning on Tuesday was complemented by the sports highlight of the summer:  our annual 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament and Festival.  For the festival, there was an unbeatable atmosphere of fun and congeniality.  Even after a loss, the courts were the place to be.  Thanks to generous sponsorships for the event, there were giveaways (water bottles, t-shirts, balls, and more) and loads of free refreshments (drinks, ices, popcorn, cotton candy, and slushies).  Music and contests were all around the games.  And right in the middle of everything was our Dodgeball extravaganza.  This annual game is the…
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Monday, July 30
August 3rd, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Monday we got up.  With Tisha B’Av providing a new sense of focus and commitment, the regular NCSY Kollel schedule was attacked with vigor and gusto.  Morning shiurim, chaburas, and an afternoon of sports were more than enough to charge up and refresh everyone. But Monday’s best was saved for last.  Yom NCSY was every bit the spectacular event it was advertised.  From the Papagaio’s BBQ buffet, to the late night fireworks, to moving orations, to multimedia, to the backdrop of Mini Israel, to the crowds well over 1000 strong, it was a night to remember.…
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Sunday, Tisha B’Av, July 29
August 3rd, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  It always seems somewhat improper to refer to Tisha B’Av as a highlight of the summer.  So it is important to clarify that we don’t mean to suggest that we look forward to or enjoy the day in any regular sense.  Nevertheless, Tisha B’Av always provides a depth and quality of experience that is unsurpassed in anything else we do all summer. The night program has a particularly unique feel, including kinnot, singing, and a variety of shiurim and discussions providing insight into the day.  For the long morning session, there were two tracks this year. …
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Friday-Shabbat, July 27-28
August 2nd, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  While this Shabbat was marked by a unique tone appropriate for the moments before Tisha B’Av, Shabat Chazon still carried all of the hallmarks of the incredible Shabbat experience on NCSY Kollel.  If anything, the Tisha B’Av influence served to focus the amazing Ruach, and make to something even more conducive for introspection and growth. Our Shabbat was greatly enhanced by the opportunity to hear words of chizuk from many NCSYers, Rabbi Lebowitz, Rabbi Kaminetsky, and Rabbi Gordon (who was our “Scholar in Residence” for the weekend).  There were also special chaburas shortly before the onset…
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Chabura Spotlight: Moshe Watson
August 2nd, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Today's Chabura spotlight is on Moshe Watson's chabura. Watson is spending his 3rd summer on NCSY Kollel, all as staff. Moshe started on the Kollel in the prestigious capacity as the office guy and it is his second summer as a madrich. He is originally from Teaneck, NJ, and his family currently resides in Beit Shemesh. The NCSYers in Moshe's chabura are Gaby Barishansky (Teaneck, NJ), Shalom Goldscheider (Mt Kisco, NY), Sammy Rauch (Lawrence, NY), Sammy Schultz (Los Angeles, CA) and Eli Stahler (Lawrence, NY). Moshe's chaburas are focusing on variety of topics. In the last…
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Chabura Spotlight: Noach Goldstein
August 2nd, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
Today's Chabura spotlight is on Noach Goldstein's chabura. Noach is spending his 3rd summer on NCSY Kollel. He attended as an NCSYer in 2005 and returned last summer as a madrich. He hails from Teaneck, NJ. The NCSYers in Noach's chabura are Yair Adler (Edison, NJ), Ari Bar-Shain (University Heights, OH), Dovi Leiter (Passaic, NJ), Ruby Marriot (London, UK), and Dovid Ort (New Milford, NJ). Noach's chaburas are focusing on halachic topics relating to davening. Usually they focus on investigating the concepts underlying certain halachot of tefilla with an emphasis both on analytical tools and on how…
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Listen to our Leil Iyun: “דרכיה דרכי נועם” - Beauty & Pleasantness in the Path of Torah
July 27th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Click here to listen to Rav Lebowitz's Shiur Click here to listen to Rav Twersky's shiur Click here to listen to Rav Kaminetsky's shiur Click here to listen to Rav Sobolofsky's shiur Click here to listen to Rav Benovitz's shiur      
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Thursday, July 26
July 27th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  An intense week of learning and Tisha B’Av preparation reached a crescendo with Thursday’s events. Many of the regular shiurim, including the first night of the new night shiurim, focused on Tisha B’Av and how we can best relate to the mourning for the Beit HaMikdash.  In addition, there was a most appropriate mini-tiyul option that toured the moving Har Herzl- Israel’s official military cemetery.  There is no better place to understand recent Jewish history and to reflect on the sacrifices and trials that dot our past. Our weekly Thursday night mishmar was particularly well…
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Wednesday, July 25
July 27th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  What are the odds?  No 5-Overtime games in 19 years of NCSY Kollel leagues, and then 2 in a span of 3 days!  This was an absolute thriller, as Lone Silver Axe narrowly prevailed after 5 extra sessions. Wednesday was also the final day of the first session of night shiurim.  Many of the first half options will be continuing due to popular demand, with some new choices rounding out the slate.  The night shiurim have been a great thus far, and should continue to be a huge lift to the entire program. Sushi night…
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Tuesday, July 24
July 27th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Tuesday was trip day.  Of course, with the various restrictions of the 9 Days, and also with the sharp educational focus we try to maintain throughout this week, it wasn’t going to be an ordinary NCSY Kollel tiyul.  This week’s outings focused on chessed, and tried to combine experiential volunteering activities with some fun and excitement.  As usual, our busses headed in all different direction to provide a wide range of opportunities.  There were groups working in Jerusalem soup kitchens, and others working in the fields to pick onions for Project Leket.  We visited army bases and…
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Monday, July 23
July 27th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  There were some incredible highs on Monday, both in learning and on the courts. Our basketball and hockey intramurals roared into the heart of the schedule, and intense battles for playoff positioning have begun.  The leagues have been extremely competitive, with the vast majority of teams hovering somewhere near the middle of the pack.  That healthy parity was most clearly on display in an NCSY Kollel instant classic between Mivakshei HaShem and Shnitzel Klippings (I don’t name them, I just report on them).  Mivakshei entered the game with an undefeated record, while Shnitzel was only a…
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Sunday, July 22
July 27th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Sunday kicked off the middle week of the summer.  It was also the first day back from the 2nd and final free weekend, including a fantastic shabbaton option at Yeshivat Har Etzion. Sunday was also our third and last day of hosting our friends from TJJ Ambassadors. That program was capped off with stirring words from one of their head madrichim, Rabbi Michael Hoenig.  We also heard an update on the current political scene from Dr. David Luchins. The sports break was enhanced by some special new tournaments, and there was also a mini-Tiyul option…
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Siyum Hashas Video
July 26th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
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Chabura Spotlight: Mayer Simcha Stromer
July 25th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Today’s Chabura spotlight is on Mayer Simcha Stromer’s chabura. Mayer Simcha is spending his 5th summer on NCSY Kollel. He was previously on Kollel as an NCSYer in 2008 and 2009 and has been on staff in previous summers as a jr. madrich and on sports staff.  He is from Teacneck, NJ. The NCSYers in Stromer’s chabura are Abba Szydlo(Suffern, NY), Shimmy Savitsky(Woodmere, NY), Alex Kupchik(West Hempstead, NY), Avi Weingarten(Woodmere, NY), Aleck Zimbalist(Merion Station, PA), and Shlomo Stark(Rannan, Israel).  Mayer Simcha’s chaburas are focusing this week on interpersonal relationships. He tries to teach his…
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Chabura Spotlight: Alex Gipsman
July 25th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Today’s Chabura spotlight is on ­­­Alex Gipsman’s chabura. Alex is spending his 1st summer on NCSY Kollel. He previously worked at Camp Heller and Camp Morasha. He is from San Diego, CA. The NCSYers in Alex’s chabura are Shaya Kestenbaum(Bergenfield,NJ),  EJ Ehrlich(Staten Island, NY), Shmuel Sheinfil(Teacneck, NJ), Menachem Rozner(Suffern, NY), and Jeremy Tabak(North Woodmere, NY). Alex’s chaburas are focusing on halachic topics such as treating other people with proper respect and speaking nicely to others. The first 50 minutes of each chabura focus on the halachic aspects of each mitzvah, and the last 20 minutes…
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Guest Post: Aaron Pultman
July 23rd, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
    Tuesday morning, 6:00 A.M., the alarm rings rousing me from my short night of sleep. I drag myself out of bed and slowly make my way through the dark campus to shacharis. We eat a quick breakfast and then it's on to the buses: our trip has begun. After three hours of drifting in and out of sleep on the bus, we finally arrive at our first stop: kayaking. I get together with my friend and we retrieve our life-jackets, oars, and our boat. We hit the water with a tremendous…
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Thursday, July 19
July 20th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
Thursday will go down in the annals as one of the most remarkable days in the history of NCSY Kollel.  There were many “ordinary” high points:  The continuation of our three day hosting of the boys from TJJ Ambassadors, two intercamp sports contests against TJJ- a blowout win in basketball and a narrow 2-1 victory in soccer, and a huge turnout at our Thursday late night Mishmar learning program. But the only star of the show was our first ever Siyum HaShas on the NCSY Kollel.  The siyum was jointly celebrated by Rav Sobolofsky and madrich/long time NCSY…
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Wednesday, July 18
July 20th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
The great fun in the North continued, with two outstanding tour options.  For the more adventurous, there was an unforgettable hike in the Black Canyon.  The canyon is an extension of the Nachal Yehudiya streams, and is not generally open to the public.  The hike offers incredible scenery, major climbs and descents, and massive water pools.  For those looking for something a bit more calm, there was an ever-popular visit to the chocolate factory and a waterwalk through the “Lazy River” (not its real name, but its NCSY Kollel sobriquet.)   The evening took an unexpected turn when we…
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Tuesday, July 17
July 20th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
All tiyulim are special opportunities to get out and enjoy all the beauty and exhilaration offered by the great  Land of Israel.  The 2 day trip to the North is all that and more.  Day 1 options were all over the map, as busses headed out south, north, and even more north.  Our 4 Holy Cities trip, a whirlwind tour of Chevron, Yerushalayim, Tiberias and Tzfat, was inspirational (aided by the accompaniment of Rav Schachter and Rav Sobolofsky).  Our kayaking run down the Jordan run was enhanced by the participation of a group of Israeli teens under the auspices…
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Guest Post: Ilan Hirschfeld
July 16th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  This past Tuesday, about 80 NCSY Kollel 2012 participants went on an exciting tiyul, which was located in Wadi Qelt. After leaving Beit Meir at around 7:00 AM on two tour buses and traveling for about 45 minutes, everyone got out for an intense 4-hour hike through the Judean desert, before which everyone checked and double-checked that they had sunscreen on and enough water to last the whole hike. Every single person had an opportunity to experience the beautiful and serene scenery and geography of the area. Rolling hills, extremely high mountains, winding paths, rich plant life, and the…
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Reflections: Ami Nadiv
July 16th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  On Thursday July 12th NCSY Kollel ran a Mini Tiyul with Geerz, an innovative educational biking program in Ramat Bet Shemesh.  NCSYer Ami Nadiv was moved to pen the following short essay:   My deep, determined breathing keeps perfect time with the unending pounding in my chest. My knees are burning with a new-found intensity, as I complete my arduous journey up the very hills traversed by my ancestors. Then, I begin my descent. The wind rings in my ears,…
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Monday, July 16
July 16th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  No few paragraphs could cover all of Monday’s coming and goings.  For starters, we hosted an incredible delegation from TJJ Ambassadors for the entire day.  TJJ Ambassadors is another of the premier NCSY Summer programs that attracts outstanding teens from across North America.  These NCSYers, from non Yeshiva backgrounds, spend their summer on a program with learning, Israel advocacy training, chessed activities and great touring.  A major part of the their itinerary is a 3 day visit to NCSY Kollel. Rav Sobolofsky addressed the entire Kollel and TJJ to kickoff the program.  In the afternoon, our…
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Sunday, July 15
July 16th, 2012 | Kollel | Comments |
  Sunday we resumed our schedule back in Beit Meir.  It was the calm before the storm, as it was the first and last completely regular day of the week.  Regular did not mean boring- it was a great day of NCSY Kollel excitement.  The sports leagues continued with their thrilling seasons, and there was a full slate of games in both basketball and hockey.  The real thrill of the day was the ever increasing attendance at the optional post-maariv learning.  The Gemara Makkot group was joined by a second crowd who began studying Masechet Tamid.  There…
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