YSP Morristown Ends Summer

Photos: Menachem Aron, Video: Shamai Chein

220 Talmidim recently completed a seven week Summer Program of fun, learning, trips, and activities.

Based at the Rabbinical College of America, in Morristown New Jersey, YSP of this year saw 8th grader graduates from across North America come together for a most amazing seven weeks.

The program, featuring a rigorous Mesivta-style learning program, followed by an afternoon of sports, is aimed at cushioning the transition for so many between elementary school and Mesivta. Offering the advantages of a proper Yeshiva, as well as quality sports and trips, it has successfully drawn massive crowds for more than thirty years.

The success of the learning program had very visible results, and close to the end of the seven weeks, no less than 144 Talmidim gathered together in the presence of Rabbi Moshe Herson, Head Shliach of NJ and Executive Director of the RCA, and Rabbi Mendel Goldberg, director of YSP, to be tested thoroughly on the Gemara curriculum, consisting of Prek Lulav V’arava of Maseches Sukka, which they had learned entirely off by heart. Rabbi Asher Oster, resident camp Rosh Yeshiva for the past six years, spot tested the Talmidim that had achieved such an amazing effort, and, together with Rabbi Herson and Rabbi Goldberg, presented each of the Talmidim with their very own complete set of Shas.
The summer culminated in a Grand Trip that began in New Jersey, and travelled through Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, with six stops at various recreational parks, water cruises, hotels, and a massive amusement park to top it all off.

Talmidim reflecting on the Summer Program recalled the new friends they had met, and the professional sports League system that was put in place, resulting in no less than 271 competitive games being played throughout the summer on the RCA’s seven playing fields.

Many Talmidim improved in their davening, and all achieved massive goals in learning, be it learning the entire Perek by heart, or going the extra mile and learning the Meforshim on the set curriculum. The Tanya Baal Peh program was also a smashing success, with over 90 Talmidim completing at least an entire Perek by heart.

The countless Chassidisher Farbrengans held throughout the summer had a visible impact, with Talmidim committing to wearing a Hat and Jacket in public, keeping up with Chitas and Rambam, and going to the Mikva more often, to name just a few of the Hachlotos that were taken on.

Much emotion was seen at the buses on the last day, as friends bid each other farewell, each setting on his own path to his individual Yeshiva he would be attending next year. Additionally, YSP this year bid a special farewell to Assistant Director Rabbi Levi Harlig, who has spent four years at YSP, and will soon be continuing on and moving out on Shlichus to Las Vegas, Nevada.

The success of the program would not have been possible, without the dedicated Learning Directors, Head Counsellors, Learning Teachers, Counsellors, General Staff, and Program Directors, who worked tirelessly both throughout the summer and for many months before, ensuring that every aspect of the YSP program would, and did, turn out to be the most impressive ever.

See more media, photos, and videos the YSP website, YSPmorristown.com.

Video: Goodbye YSP