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HEADMASTER'S MESSAGE |
This week's Torah portion is called Mishpatim, which means "laws." The parsha contains rules and regulations for a wide variety of areas. One area involves the laws covering situations of injuring or harming other people. In this section the Torah specifically mentions the prohibition of causing pain to widows and orphans: "You shall not taunt a widow or orphan, for if you shall cause pain and there will be a cry to Me, I shall hear the cry..." In the Hebrew verse we see that the words for pain and cry are repeated twice. Why is this so? Rabbi Mordechai Kamentsky explains that widows and orphans feel a double dose of suffering when someone takes advantage of them. First, there is the injury or damage itself. In addition, they are reminded of the fact that they are alone, bereft of the one who is supposed to protect and take care of them. This emotional pain is often worse than the actual, physical harm they suffered. Rabbi Kamenetsky points out that we should keep this lesson in mind during our interactions with all people, not just widows and orphans. Our thoughtless words and actions are capable of hurting people on multiple levels. The Torah is teaching us that we are responsible for all of the suffering we cause, be it physical, emotional, or otherwise.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Zvi Kahn |
WE LIKE TO SHOW OFF, AND WE'RE DOING IT ON FEB. 17 |
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Exhibits, displays, special presentations by students showcasing what they've learned at CTA: This is the essence of the annual Achievement Fair. It's a great way to see what our upper school program is all about.
And you are cordially, enthusiastically invited to share it with us on Wednesday, Feb. 17 with a Build Your Own Sub Dinner at 5:30 and a program at 6:30.
You will be treated to a spectacular array of film projects, science experiments and artistic creations - demonstrations of strong learning in English, social studies, science, math and Judaic studies.
You also can pick up your Ed Choice voucher packet, learn about our new ninth-grade tuition incentive program and register for high school courses.
Among the highlights of the evening will be a sneak preview of "Yellow Tulips," an original play written by a group of 12th-graders.
And there will be a special announcement made about CTA's sports program.
Come and have dinner with us (subs and sides), then talk with our students and teachers. Bring friends! But please....RSVP for dinner to: nwhitmyre@torahacademy.org.
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PREVIEW OF THE WEEK |
Sunday, February 14: Bingo! Come Volunteer!
Monday, February 15: President's Day - - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, February 16: Chicken Nuggets-Volunteer: A. Hoffman
Wednesday, February 17: Lasagna-Volunteer: P. Rodier
4th Grade Siyum - Lunch, 11:30am; Play, 12:00pm
Sub Dinner, 5:30pm; Upper School Open House & Achievement Fair, 6:30pm
Thursday, February 18: Sloppy Joe-Volunteer: P. Young
Friday, February 19: Fish Sticks-Volunteer: M. Rosenberg
Lower School Dress Down Day |
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DATES TO REMEMBER |
February 23-24: Pizza Dinner, 6pm; High School Play, "Yellow Tulips," 7:30pm
Friday, February 26: Purim Festivities
Friday, March 5: 1st Grade Chag HaSiddur, 9:30am
Monday, March 8: Executive Board Meeting, 7:30pm
Sunday, March 14: Daylight Savings Time Begins; turn clocks ahead 1 hour
Friday, March 19: 4:00pm Friday Dismissal Schedule Resumes |
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SPORTS |
Saturday, February 13, 2010
HOME Basketball Game vs. Granville Christian
HS Girls, 7:30pm
HS Boys, 9pm
Monday, February 15, 2010
HOME Tournament Game vs. Veritas Academy
HS Boys, 6pm
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Tournament Games
HS Boys at Liberty Christian if they win Monday 6pm or 7:30pm
HS Girls at CTA
6pm or 7:30pm
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Championship Games for HS Teams if they win Tuesday |
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SCRIP UPDATE - PLACES TO PURCHASE SCRIP |
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Monday-Thursday, 8:00am-4:00pm
Friday, 8:00am-2:00pm CTA Scrip Office, 864-0299 ext. 112 or contact Aliza Finegold at 239-6356 or scrip@torahacademy.org.
REMEMBER: Target Take Charge of Education Program; SchoolMall; Box Tops for Education; turn in paper for recycling in the bin in the upper school parking lot, and empty inkjet cartridges into the box at the school entrance. To view the vendors participating in the Scrip Program go to CTA Scrip List.
Yossick's is offering pizza after Shabbos and a delicious Sunday brunch. Get your Yossick's scrip and give them a try. Yossick's is located at 539 South 5th Street in German Village.
Gili's Goodies: Miss your kids, family and friends in Israel? Send them a gift basket, birthday cake, balloons or other treats for any occasion from Gili's Goodies, a bakery and gift basket company in Jerusalem. CTA will receive 10% of your order. Call 1-866-721-7292 or go to www.gilisgoodies.com.
Giant Eagle's "Apples for the Student" Program runs until March 31, 2010. The school ID Number is 4389.
GIVE & GET: We invite all parents to take an active part in the education of our children by becoming involved at CTA as a volunteer. We hope each family will contribute at least 20 hours in the 2009-2010 school year. There are many ways to volunteer. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Robin Garvin, at 235-0350 or rgar234@yahoo.com, to get involved.
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MAZAL TOV TO: |
Yedidah Schramm (Class of '04) on her engagement |
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STAY AT CTA, GET TUITION CREDITS |
Columbus Torah Academy announces a three-year pilot program that grants tuition credits to incoming ninth-grade students.
Through TARP, (Torah Academy Rewards Program), families can "cash in" their tuition credits for a one-time tuition reduction in the beginning of the ninth-grade year. Students enrolled in CTA from kindergarten through sixth grade earn a five-percent tuition credit for each year, and those in grades seven and eight earn a 15-percent credit yearly. Students who have been enrolled at CTA from kindergarten through eighth grade could receive a 65-percent reduction on their tuition for ninth grade.
"More than 216 alumni have graduated CTA since the inception of our high school in 1991. We offer opportunities for students to continue their Judaic and Hebrew Studies and get a high quality secular education. We value the commitment that families make to Jewish day school education and would like to honor that commitment with this one-time financial reward," said Headmaster Rabbi Zvi Kahn.
Sixth-grade families with students currently not enrolled in CTA will benefit from the TARP pilot program if their children enter here in seventh or eighth grade. Students attending both of these grades at CTA will receive a 30-percent tuition reduction when they enter the ninth grade in 2012.
Board member Rick Barnett emphasizes: "Whether you have been in CTA for one year or for all nine years, every family will get a discount reward for the incoming ninth grade. If this program is a success, we hope to continue to offer it as an incentive for future high school freshmen." Applications for all grade levels are currently being accepted.
The Upper School Open House and Achievement Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. is a great opportunity to learn more about the curriculum. For more information about TARP or to arrange a private tour, please contact Shari Herszage, Director of Admissions at 614-864-0299, ext 219 or sherszage@torahacademy.org. |
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COINS FOR CHESED |
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You probably have seen the empty water containers in the hallways and in front of the CTA shul. Each high school class has chosen a charitable organization to support. During February and March, each is collecting coins. Empty your pockets. Look for loose change in the sofa. Put it in the bottles. You will be supporting a worthy cause and doing a mitzva! |
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PTO PURIM CARDS |
Wishing You a Joyous Purim!
The CTA PTO is selling Purim cards again this year. In lieu of sending tranditional Mishloach Manot to your friends and family, you can support the PTO. These colorful postcard-size cards are designed by a lower school art class. A pack of 15 cards is available for $15. Purim 2010/5770 falls this year on February 28. To receive your order by February 18, please call Agi Hartstein at 239-8760 by Feb. 15. Please note that the deadline date has been extended. |
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CTA GARDEN GETS GRANT |
Scotts Miracle-Gro has awarded CTA a $500 grant to support its Sharing Garden. The funds, managed by the Columbus Foundation, will help buy soil, seeds, bulbs and general supplies through Feb. 2011. This is the third such grant from Scotts. A big thank-you to Scotts for the good work they do in our community! |
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GOT GARDENING EXPERTISE? WE NEED YOU! |
CTA is looking for someone with soil in his or her veins to serve as the volunteer coordinator of the Sharing Garden.
The job involves planning and leading garden activities and organizing volunteer help. This is a great way to log "give-and-get" hours, especially if you LOVE growing things and enjoy sharing your knowledge with young people. If you're interested, call Patty Sapp at the school. |
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H1N1 FACCINES, PART II |
Nurses from the Columbus health department will be at CTA at 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26 to give the second H1N1 vaccine to children 9 years old and younger. Vaccinations are ONLY for those who participated in the first clinic. A permission form is required by Feb. 23. It has been sent home with your child, but extras are available at the CTA front desk. |
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WE NEED YOUR BLOOD! |
Or, more specifically, the Red Cross needs it. Come to CTA between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. March 3 for our annual blood drive. This year's theme is "Scarlet and Gray." O-positive blood, in particular, is always needed.
Call CTA to make your donation appointment. The minimum age for donation is 16, but certain restrictions apply. Check www.RedCross.org for specifics.
In general, make sure you are well-hydrated, well-rested and that you have eaten. Bring a picture ID. Kids who persuade their parents to give will receive a prize! |
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TULIPS AND TALES |
Join us for the CTA High School Play, Feb. 23-24 at 7:30 p.m. in the shul. But join us first for dinner at 6 p.m. The play, "Yellow Tulips," was written by CTA 12th-graders. It is also directed and performed by our HS students. Proceeds from the play and dinner benefit the high school trip to New York City. |
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PTO PARENT DIRECTORY |
Please make the following change to your copy of the Parent Directory:
NEW ADDRESS: Mousa and Shelly Aframian, 44 N. Columbia Ave.
NEW ADDRESS: Rabbi Daniel and Devorah Steinberg, 355 S. Chesterfield Rd.
NEW ADDRESS: Rabbi Chaim Yosef and Menucha Ackerman, 3145 E. Broad St. |
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EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM |
The Jewish Community Center Early Childhood Program invites you to an evening with Dr. Michael K. Meyerhoff. He will be speaking on "Helping your Child Achieve the Best Possible Educational Start in Life: The Power of Play in Early Childhood Education" on Sunday, Feb. 14, from 5:00-6:45 p.m. at the JCC. A panel discussion of local educators, including CTA Kindergarten General Studies teacher, Lauren Armeni, will follow Dr. Meyerhoff's presentation. The event is FREE but RSVP's requested to Sherie Mescher at 559-6294. |
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FOOD DRIVE |
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Presented by the
Lower School Student Council
to benefit the Mid-Ohio Food Bank
Please bring canned and packaged (unopened)
foods to CTA.
Students will deposit them in boxes in their classrooms. |
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BINGO NEEDS YOUR HELP |
The past two Sundays, Bingo sold more than 20,000 instants and netted the school over $11,000. Thanks to the following volunteers for helping to make those Sundays such a success: Paul Osborne, Sharon Schramm, Tati Buso, Mike Ligator, Anna Nazarenko, Yuriy Shevkin, Alina Galbmillion, Yuriy Berkovich, Mark Epstein, Jaki Keri, Jonathan Cassell, Walt and Norma Whitmyre, Fred Salutsky, Chaim Wolfson, Blair Corshen, Esther Wilhelm, Alex Rosen, Mark Margolies, Rebbe Lowy and Meri King. Please contact Sharon Schramm at 235-0502 or sblschramm@juno.com, and help us to reach our goals! |
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UPPER SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE & ACHIEVEMENT FAIR |
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Wednesday, February 17, 2010
5:30 p.m.
Build Your Own Sub Dinner
Including: Chips or pretzels, coleslaw, dessert, beverage
$5.00
6:30 p.m.
Program in the Shul
Ohio Ed Choice renwals and applications
9th Grade Incentive Package Enrollment Agreements available
High School Course Registration for 2010
Junior High and High School Highlights
Sneak Preview of High School Play, "Yellow Tulips"
Surprise Announcement
7:00 p.m.
Exhibits and Interactive Activities Galore!
Come browse and share in a fun-filled evening.
COLUMBUS TORAH ACADEMY
Where Tomorrow's Leaders Get Their Start
181 Noe Bixby Road
To RSVP for dinner:
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IMPORTANT PURIM INFORMATION |
Dear Parents,
On Friday, February 26, we will be holding Purim festivities. The K-6th and 8th grade classes will attend a carnival during the day and participate in the costume parade. All Lower School students should wear or bring a costume on Friday in order to participate in the Purim parade and presentation. There will be a costume contest judged by the Lower School Student Council with prizes awarded for the most creative costumes. We suggest that children bring approximately $4.00 to $5.00 on Thursday, February 25, to purchase tickets so that they may enjoy the various booths and refreshments at the carnival. Tickets are $.25 each or 5 for $1.00. Tickets can be purchased at the door on Friday as well. The 7th graders will organize the carnival, and all proceeds go toward their Washington, D.C. trip next year.
Please note that since this year Purim actually falls on Sunday, February 28, there will be no special lunch meal served. The standard hot lunch menu will be followed.
Regular minyanim will be held for the high school and middle school. This year, in place of the Megillah reading for the lower school, there will be a special Purim play presented by the 6th grade for the elementary school children.
The high school students will mark the occasion with special Purim-style activities on Monday, March 1, which is Shushan Purim. The regular schedule will be maintained.
As in the past years, the school is collecting money for the mitzvah of "Matanot L'evyonim". All families who would like to fulfill this very important mitzvah by contributing to the "Od Yosef Chai" organization should have their donations into the office by Friday, February 26. Checks should be made out to CTA. The monies collected will be distributed in Israel to those in need on Purim day.
Wishing you a joyousPurim,
Rabbi Zvi Kahn
Headmaster |
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CTA TWIRLERS |
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Now that basketball season is over, it's time to jump!
The CTA Twirlers Jump Rope Team is open to
students in Grades 2-7.
Team meetings will be on Tuesdays from 4:00-4:45pm.
Space is limited to 20 students! Reserve your place on the team by contacting Deena Tanenbaum at 864-0299 ext. 218 or at dtanenbaum@torahacademy.org. Reservations will
be taken in the order in which they are received.
Reservation deadline is February 17.
The cost to join the team is $20. Practices will start in March. A full schedule will be sent home. |
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SPONSOR A DAY OF LEARNING |
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SPONSOR A DAY OF LEARNING IN MEMORY OF
MR. FRANK NUTIS For more information, please contact Rabbi Elbaz at 864-0299. |
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PARSHAT MISHPATIM QUIZ by Rabbi Zecharia Weitz |
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1) Why does this Parsha begin with the word "and" ("And these are the laws..."), isn't that an awkward way to start a sentence?
a) It is an allusion to the idea that all of the mitzvot were actually given to Moshe on Sinai, together with the 10 commandments we just read about previously.
2) How many years is the term of a Jewish servant?
a) 6
3) Why did the Jewish courts used to put an awl through the ear of a servant when he chose to remain past his term?
a) His ear heard on Sinai not to steal and to only be a servant to Hashem and he apparently didn't listen well enough.
4) What does the famous axiom "an eye for an eye" actually mean?
a) It refers to the approximate monetary worth of the victim's eye that the damager pays. He does not actually loose his eye.
5) What does one pay if he steals and slaughters a sheepor an ox?
a) 4 and 5 times its worth, respectively
6) What about if one steals anything else under the sun?
a) Double its worth
7) What are the four types of "watchmen"?
a) A borrower, renter, watchman, and paid watchman
8) What is the meaning of the famous statement that Bnei Yisroel made, "Na'aseh V'nishma"?
a) "We will do and (then) we will listen!"
9) What was seen under the feet of Hashem and what did it represent?
a) Safire brickwork, representing the painful experience the Jews had in Egypt.
10) What Jewish month begins this Sunday?
a) Adar
Discussion Questions
1. Why did Hashem open the section on societal laws with that of the Jewish bondsmen; in essence a person who did not make it in society?
2. If "an eye for an eye" really means monetary compensation (see #5), why did the Torah say "an eye for an eye"?
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I hope you enjoy the electronic version of our Dateline. Please check out our website at www.torahacademy.org. |
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