|
HEADMASTER'S MESSAGE |
This week's Torah portion, Terumah, initiates the description of the Mishkan, which was a portable sanctuary that the Jewish people constructed and used during their forty year trek through the wilderness. The Mishkan was a forerunner of the Beit Hamikdash (Temple) that would be built in Jerusalem, five centuries later, by King Solomon. The main articles in the Mishkan were the aron that held the Two Tablets of the Law; the menorah candelabrum; the two altars; and the table that held the 12 loaves of lechem ha'panim. These items are described in detail in our parsha. The Talmud, Midrash and classic Torah commentators contain lengthy explanations about the meaning and symbolism of each of these articles and of the Mishkan itself. The most basic function of the Mishkan was to serve as a place where the people could encounter and worship G-d. It was a kind of meeting place for Hashem and Bnai Yisrael. In fact, the Mishkan was referred to as the Ohel Moad, or Tent of Meeting. The dual concepts that human beings are both capable of interacting with G-d in a meaningful way and that they are obligated to strive to do so, form the core of Jewish belief and practice.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Zvi Kahn |
HONORING OUR RABBIS: QUADRENNIAL CELEBRATION INCLUDES CTA GRADS, FACULTY |
Some familiar names are on the list of new rabbis being recognized by the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary at Yeshiva University on March 7.
CTA graduates Shaul Epstein--now working as kashrut coordinator for the Vaad Ha Rabonim of Massachusetts--and Rabbi Naphtali Weisz, spiritual leader of Columbus' Congregation Beth Jacob, will celebrate along with CTA Judaic studies teacher, Rabbi Jesse Boiangiu. They are among 190 rabbis who completed their studies within the past four years. Each  received a smicha, or rabbinical ordination, at that time, but did not officially celebrate the occasion. This is because YU presents groups of new rabbis this honor only every four years. Mazal tov and congratulations to the three Rabbis and all of their colleagues. |
|
PREVIEW OF THE WEEK |
Sunday, February 21: Bingo! Come Volunteer!
Monday, February 22: Pizza Bagels-Volunteer: J. Cohen
Tuesday, February 23: Chicken Nuggets-Volunteer: M. Napper
4th Grade Siyum, 11:30 Lunch, 12:00 Play
Pizza Dinner, 6pm, HS Play, "Yellow Tulips," 7:30pm
Wednesday, February 24: Grilled Cheese-Volunteer: H. Katz
Pizza Dinner, 6pm, HS Play, "Yellow Tulips," 7:30pm
Thursday, February 25: Turkey Pastrami-Volunteer: D. Meyer
Purim Storytime, Ages 2-5, 2:30-3:30pm
Friday, February 26: Tuna-Volunteer: S. Blumenfeld
Purim Festivities |
|
DATES TO REMEMBER |
Wednesday, March 3: Annual Blood Drive, 8:30am-1:30pm
NOTE DATE CHANGE: Build Your Own Sub Dinner, 5:30pm
Upper School Open House & Achievement Fair, 7:30pm
Friday, March 5: 1st Grade Chag HaSiddur, 9:30am
Monday, March 8: Executive Board Meeting, 7:30pm
Friday, March 12: 1st Grade Iditarod
Sunday, March 14: Daylight Savings Time Begins; turn clocks ahead 1 hour
Friday, March 19: Lower School Dress Down Day
4:00pm Friday Dismissal Schedule Resumes |
|
SPORTS |
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Faculty vs. Varsity Boys, 8pm
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
AWAY Basketball Game vs. Mt. Vernon Academy at Liberty Christian
HS Girls, 6pm
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Varsity Basketball Championship Games at CTA |
|
SCRIP UPDATE - PLACES TO PURCHASE SCRIP |
|
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.
|
|
MAZAL TOV TO: |
Mina Weisz (Class of '06) on her engagement to Steven Stieglitz
Jessica Stern (Class of '03) on her engagement to Danny Irwin
Matthew Rodier on a successful Haiti fundraiser. The event, held on February 13 at the JCC, raised $4,000. The money is being sent to the American Joint Distribution Committee for Haiti relief. |
|
SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 4 - - CTA ART AT THE LIBRARY |
Students in grades K-5 at Columbus Torah Academy are the proud artists of a show on display at the Columbus Metropolitan Library for a month, starting with a public reception March 4 . The work will hang in the library's Carnegie Gallery on its second floor.
The show, titled "You, Me, & We: Investigating Identity," created under the direction of CTA art teacher Amy Neiwirth, explores the idea of self and offers viewers a window into all the wonderful personalities in our lower school.
Come join the students at the reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. See works in a variety of media, including watercolor, collage and papier-mâché.
This show is curated by gallery director Stephanie Rond, in partnership with CTA and the Friends of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. |
|
WISHING YOU A JOYOUS PURIM! |
|
The CTA PTO is selling Purim cards again this year. In lieu of sending traditional 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. The cards are available for sale at the front desk. If you have any questions, please call Agi Hartstein at 239-8760.
In the meantime, get out your silly hat! Pack up your groggers! It's time to retell the story of Esther and make merry.
Here is a recap of the activities we have planned at CTA:
- Thurs., Feb. 25: Purim Storytime for ages 2-5, from 2:30-3:30pm
- Fri., Feb. 26: Activities include the sixth-grade play, seventh-grade-operated Purim carnival and costume parade and contest. Proceeds from the carnival benefit the middle-school trip to Washington, D.C.
- Mon., March 1: Shushan Purim. High school students complete their month of competitions, staged each day during lunch. Contests include watermelon eating, wiffle ball, cake decorating, tzedakah collection and pudding eating.
|
SAY IT IN HEBREW
By Galit Golan, Hebrew Language Coordinator |
 It's a mitzvah to be joyful during the month of Adar. In CTA Hebrew classes, we are taking this message into the classrooms. Minna Shifman's second grade is learning the concept of "ונהפוכו"by learning new vocabulary words, and focusing on opposites. The students make motions for different opposites like: לישון- לקום (to sleep- to wake up), רעש- שקט (noise-quiet), and play different games.
The fourth graders are reading and acting out a story about Queen Esther, and ninth- and tenth-graders are studying about the Purim-related literature, including learning a famous, funny Israeli story. If you want to know more about our Adar celebrations in the Hebrew classes, contact me-or better yet, ask your children! Your kids would love to show off the vocabulary words they have learned in Hebrew class. |
|
LIONS PEACE POSTER CONTEST |
CTA sixth-grade students participated in a worthy contest sponsored by the Bexley Lions Club. Stressing the importance of peace, tolerance, and international understanding, the contest, entitled, "The Power of Peace," gave students an opportunity to express themes of global understanding and hope for bright futures through their visual creations. Pictured are Lion Richard Sharp, Art Teacher Amy Neiwirth and 2009-2010 winners, Sapir Aminov, 2nd place; Ariella Hartstein, 1st place, and Cameron Karmia, 3rd place. |
|
CTA LOWER SCHOOL SWEATSHIRTS |
Love seeing the lower school students sporting their CTA sweatshirts? Do you want to show your school spirit, but missed the order deadline? Well, we have extras! Stop by the front desk and purchase yours for only $20 - and support the Lower School Student Council at the same time. Please note that we have a limited quantity of sizes (in both kids' and adults). |
|
FOOD DRIVE |
February 22-March 5, 2010
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. |
|
ACHIEVEMENT FAIR RESCHEDULED FOR MARCH 3 |
The inclement weather tried to get in our way, but nothing can stop our upper school students. We've simply moved the event. So, join us for this heavily-anticipated showcase. Have dinner at CTA at 5:30 p.m., then enjoy the program at 6:30. Find out about CTA's ninth-grade incentive package, register for high school and get your Ed Choice form.
At 7 p.m., take a stroll through the upper school and have a look at the exhibits. This is what your children have been working on this year. They are proud, and you will be, too! |
|
UPPER SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE & ACHIEVEMENT FAIR |
|
PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE
Wednesday, March 3, 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 High School Course Registration for 2010
Junior High and High School Highlights
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:
|
|
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 |
|
CTA PRESENTS AN ORIGINAL HIGH SCHOOL PLAY |
|
|
|
PIZZA DINNER |
|
FEB. 23 & 24
COST:
$2.50 per slice
$1.00 bowl of salad
$1.00 soft drink
Dinner will be served in the cafeteria beginning at 6:00.
Dessert & coffee will be served both evenings after the performance in the old gym.
Reservations are encouraged; those who have reserved meals will be first served.
All donations and proceeds go to CTA Yearbook. |
PARSHAT TERUMAH QUIZ by Rabbi Zecharia Weitz |
|
1) What was the stated purpose of the construction of the Mishkan?
a) So that Hashem would be able to dwell among us
2) The Mishkan was constructed using acacia wood (amongst other materials). Where did they find acacia wood in the desert?!
a) The Medrash tells us that Yaakov prophetically saw that his children would need acacia wood for the Mishkan. He therefore brought seeds, planted them in Egypt and instructed the Jews to take the wood with them.
3) What was the Aron constructed of?
a) Three boxes; the outer and inner ones were gold, concealing the center one which was made of acacia wood.
4) What is the name of the cover of the Aron that has the Cherubim on it?
a) The kaporet
5) What was the function of the shulchan (table) and what was it made of?
a) It held the 12 show breads and was made of acacia wood and covered in gold.
6) The show breads are actually called "lechem ha'panim" - bread of faces. Why were they called this?
a) The 2 ends bent up and inward to be "face-to-face" with each other
7) How many branches were there in the Menorah and what was unique about its construction?
a) It had 7 branches (3 on each side and 1 in the middle). It was made out of one solid piece of gold; the menorah was hammered into its proper form.
8) What were the dimensions of the Mishkan?
a) 10 amot x 30 amot, and 10 amot high (an amoh is between 1.5 & 2 ft.)
9) What were the dimensions of the Mishkan's Courtyard?
a) 100 amot x 50 amot
10) Both the birthday and yahrtzeit (date of death) of which great tzadik are on the7th of Adar (this Sunday)?
a) Moshe
Discussion Questions
1. Parshat Terumah is the first of 5 times we will read about the construction of the Mishkan. Why does the Torah spend this unprecedented amount of time on a topic which would seem to have relatively little relevance to us?
2. During Adar, there is a mitzvah to increase our simcha (happiness). Is the intention to increase the quantity of our simcha or its quality? | |
