The Columbus Torah Academy E-Dateline

The Columbus Torah Academy

181 Noe Bixby Rd, Columbus OH 43213

614 864 0299, www.torahacademy.org

March 26, 2010
11 Nisan 5770

Tzav

Candlelighting 6:30 p.m.

This Week on E-Dateline

Headmaster's Message

Happy Pesach! See You Next Month!

Preview of the Week of April 4-9

Preview of the Week of April 11-16

Dates to Remember

Sports

Scrip Update

Mazal Tov To

The Challenge: Solve the Equations, Complete the Formulas CTA Competes for the First Time in Two National Contests

Financial Assistance Information

CTA Yearbook Accepting Ads

Sushi & Guitar: High School Students Demonstrate Their Expertise

Wanted: A Few Good Gardeners

Lower School Student Council Food Drive

Save the Date: Spring Fling May 2

A Mitzvah Worth More Than Dollars

Kroger Rewards Program

CTA Executive Board

CTA Spring Tennis 2010

Mensch of the Month

Internships 2010

Annual Giving Event

Tzedakah

Parsha Tzav Quiz

HEADMASTER'S MESSAGE

were young. And so too on and on back through the generations. What is the secret of the seder? What is the message behind its eternal vitality? At least part of the answer, I think, is family. The seder is both a family celebration and a family ritual. It is not synagogue-based, it is home-based. The seder epitomizes the synthesis of religious observance with family tradition. And, when you successfully merge those two powerful forces, wonderful results are frequently created. During Pesach we not only celebrate freedom from bondage and our roots as a nation, we also celebrate family and the critical role of families in the continuity of our people and our faith. May we all be blessed with a kosher and joyous holiday.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Zvi Kahn

HAPPY PESACH! SEE YOU NEXT MONTH!

Pesach

CTA's first-graders are ready to lead their families' Passover seders. Under the direction of Myra Elbaz, they made their own Passover Haggadot to take home and share with their families. Each shows the seder, or order, of the meal, and includes a guide to the Ten Plagues (written, appropriately, on a picture of a frog) and a plastic cup ready for splashing ten drops of wine as each scourge is named.

As Rachel Berkovichdemonstrates here, the project has two aims. The students wrote all project elements in Hebrew, thus strengthening their vocabulary and language skills, and learned about Passover, one of our most important festive holidays.

CTA staff wish you and your family a healthy Pesach! Enjoy your time together, and we will see you back at school after break.

PREVIEW OF THE WEEK OF APRIL 4-9
Sunday, April 4: Bingo! Come Volunteer! Monday, April 5: NO SCHOOL Tuesday, April 6: NO SCHOOL Wednesday, April 7: NO SCHOOL Thursday, April 8: Hot Dogs-Volunteer: J. Karmia March of the Living and Internships Begin Friday, April 9: Tuna-Volunteer: D. Meyer End of 3rd Quarter

PREVIEW OF THE WEEK OF APRIL 11-16
Sunday, April 11: Bingo! Come Volunteer! Yom HaShoah Monday, April 12: Ravioli -Volunteer: Tuesday, April 13: Chicken Nuggets-Volunteer: CTA Twirlers, 4-4:45pm Wednesday, April 14: Lasagna-Volunteer: Thursday, April 15: Pasta-Volunteer: Friday, April 16: Fish Sticks-Volunteer: Lower School Dress Down Day

DATES TO REMEMBER
April 19-30: Achievement Tests, Grades 3-8 April 25-29: ISACS Accreditation Visitation Sunday, May 2: Lag B'Omer Spring Fling Concert and Carnival Wednesday, May 5: Elementary School Achievement Fair, 6-7:30pm Thursday, May 6: Annual Giving Event, 7pm at the home of Michael and Patty Schiff

SPORTS

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

HOME Games vs. Mt. Vernon Academy

Softball, 5:30pm

Baseball, 5:30pm

Thursday, April 8, 2010

HOME Game vs. LCCA

Baseball, 5pm

AWAY Games

vs. LCCA

Softball, 5pm

vs. Fairfield Christian

Jr High Baseball, 5pm

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

AWAY Games vs. Liberty Christian

Softball, 5pm

Baseball, 5pm

Thursday, April 15, 2010

HOME Game vs. Wellington

Jr High Baseball, 5pm

SCRIP UPDATE - PLACES TO PURCHASE SCRIP

Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm

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.

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.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

MAZAL TOV TO:
Chaim and Silvia Wolfson on David becoming a Bar Mitzvah Dr. Oded and Miriam Shenkar on Riki becoming a Bat Mitzvah Zach Stern (Class of '06) on his engagement to Stephanie Kimmel Dr. Miriam Shenkar for receiving her PhD from The Ohio State University in Israel Studies

THE CHALLENGE: SOLVE THE EQUATIONS, COMPLETE THE FORMULAS CTA COMPETES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO NATIONAL CONTESTS

Several of our high school math and science students competed in math and chemistry competitions. Math and chemistry teacher Matthew Kennedy has been preparing the students and encouraged them to participate.

The National Chemistry Olympiad, held locally at Thomas Worthington High School on March 18, was a great chance for students to test their knowledge against 111 other students from 23 schools. CTA students (right) Josh Blau, Joey Cassell, Rachel Salutsky and Emily Chase will receive the results in the coming weeks. These first-year chemistry students competed against second-year and AP Chemistry students.

The Lander College Yeshiva High School Mathematics Contest challenged students from across the nation to solve problems in probability, statistics, math induction and advanced algebra. Results are pending.

Sharono Kay took the competitive test, given at CTA, with Hannah Schramm, Joey Cassell, Josh Blau and Ayelet Wenger.

There were prizes for both contests.

Dr. Kennedy said the students were thrilled to join the national competition, and those who visited the Worthington high school got to see a large school chemistry department. Thomas Worthington has eight chemistry teachers and large labs to accommodate hundreds of students.

Congratulations to our math and science leaders! We are proud of you!

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE INFORMATION

To ensure a smooth transition into the 2010-2011 school year it is imperative that if you need financial assistance you complete the PSAS form as soon as possible and mail it no later than April 30, 2010. PSAS forms may be found on the CTA website: www.torahacademy.org under the "About CTA" tab. Choose "Downloadable Documents", next choose "Administration" folder and scroll down to "Student Aid Form". Once CTA receives the analysis from PSAS the Scholarship Committee will review your requests and make their determinations after you have fully completed the financial assistance process in a timely fashion.

If you have not completed your 2009 personal tax forms, you may submit along with the PSAS form and to CTA the following: A copy of your 2008 form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ, a copy of your 2009 W-2 form(s), 2009 form 1099(s) and 2009 form 1098(s).

Please be sure to complete the PSAS form, include copies of tax forms requested, a check for $21 made payable to Private School Aid Service and mail to:

Private School Aid Service

PO Box 770728

Lakewood, OH 44107-0034

CTA YEARBOOK ACCEPTING ADS
Now is the time to reserve ad space in the popular CTA Yearbook. Use a yearbook advertisement to congratulate your favorite senior, give a shout-out to a great teacher or advertised your business. The deadline for ads is May 1. For questions or more information, please contact Mrs. Debbie Little, Yearbook Advisor at ext. 223.

SUSHI & GUITAR: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DEMONSTRATE THEIR EXPERTISE

Last week, the teacher became the student. Sage Thompson sat attentively as her high school English students taught her a whole bunch of stuff, including how to play the video game, Guitar Hero; how to get great special effects with video software, and how to roll sushi.

Sushi

Ilan Levine (right, holding bag of fish), who loves to cook, brought the rice, rolling mat and the fish, and laid the whole thing out. The trick, he said, is to make sure the sticky rice is a little moist. His classmates got to try it. Tal Benatar and Nitzan Levi (right) made several rolls of smoked salmon and carrots.

Rami Ungar demonstrated the late performer Michael Jackson's famous dance step, the "moonwalk," dividing the backwards step-sliding process into easy-to-follow movements. Then he taught his friends to perform the move.

Grubb Guitar

Nitzan explained how he created some remarkable video effects, some of them made for clients who hired him to help with their video projects. Jordan Grubb (above) showed how to play "Guitar Hero," a video game featuring a guitar-like device and instructions for playing popular songs.

Two afternoons of these "demonstration speeches" were aimed at teaching students how to explain a process by breaking it into parts and presenting it to an audience.

WANTED: A FEW GOOD GARDENERS
If you love to work in the soil, CTA needs you to help get our Sharing Garden ready for our spring planting. This is the essential part of the process - clearing winter debris, turning the soil - and we need your expertise! Call Cathy Tran if you'd like to come by and lend a hand.

LOWER SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL FOOD DRIVE

The Winter Student Council Food Drive is complete! Thanks to all the parents, grandparents and students. CTA Lower School Student Council was able to donate 18 LARGE boxes of food to the Lutheran Social Services Food Pantry. Congratulations to the Fabulous Fourth Grade for their outstanding contribution of 147 items!! A special thanks goes out to CTA Parent, Agi Hartstein, for delivering our donation.

SAVE THE DATE: SPRING FLING MAY 2

Lag B'Omer is coming and CTA is holding the event of the season: a community carnival and two concerts. Join us from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. for rides, food and music, featuring performers Kol Zimra. Check out their sound at: http://www.gorfy.com/beatachon/music/kz/sampler/. The band will perform in the daytime and at night, in a special concert for adults. At night we'll also have a bonfire in grand Israeli tradition. Details will follow. Check the CTA Web site and watch for a flier. Did you graduate from CTA? Join us for a special price! (RSVP required in advance. Stay tuned for details.)

A MITZVAH WORTH MORE THAN DOLLARS

For some, it was a windfall. For the Ackerman family it was a teachable moment. Rabbi Chaim Yosef and his children Aron, Leah, Dovy and Eliyahu were on their way to CTA Wednesday morning when they noticed what looked like a paper storm at the intersection of Hamilton Road and E. Broad Street. "We just saw papers flying all over the place. We didn't know what it was. It was the size and shape of money," said the rabbi.

It was money - $20 bills. An armored car had sprung a leak on its way to the bank.

News reporters told of passers by who pocketed some of the cash and fled. But the Ackerman family didn't consider doing that.

"I pulled off into the Flowerama parking lot and got out," said Rabbi Ackerman. "Somebody else had pulled over and we both called the police. The money was still in the bags and I made sure my kids held onto it. And I helped start to pick up the other bills."

The police then came with boxes and bags. Speedway employees came across the street to help gather cash. The Ackerman children gave the money they had retrieved to the police.

"This mitzvah made us especially happy," said their father. "I was extremely proud of them. An officer said, 'You have very special children."'

His message to us? "A Kiddush Hashem is worth more than all the money is the world. We kept saying that over and over in the car. Most people probably could just never imagine such a thing happening, but I hope that if it does we all respond appropriately."

KROGER REWARDS PROGRAM

All current participants in the Kroger Rewards Program must re-enroll for the program in order to earn funds for CTA during 2010. Beginning Thursday, April 1, visit www.krogercommunityrewards.com, click on "Ohio" to sign up for a Kroger.com account or click on "Already enrolled? Sign In" if you already have an account. All participants in the program must have a valid online account at Kroger.com to participate.

CTA EXECUTIVE BOARD
If you or someone you know would be interested in becoming a CTA Board member, or serving on one of its committees for the 2010-2011 school year, please submit names in writing to Norma Whitmyre at school. Also, if you are no longer interested in serving on the Board, please indicate in writing as well. Elections will take place on Monday, May 10, 2010.

CTA SPRING TENNIS 2010

Dates: Mondays, April 12, 19, 26 and May 3, 10, 17, 24

This will be a 7 week session and class will be 4:00-4:45

You are invited to join the weekly tennis program at CTA. This fun-filled and high-energy tennis instructional program is played every Monday on the tennis courts unless weather prevents and we will be in the gym.

Grades 1-6

All skill levels welcome

Classes will be taught by Pam Lippy, a USPTA certified teaching pro and 2009 Maccabiah Gold Medal Winner!

Cost is $105/session or $15 per class

Players will need a racquet.

For questions, contact Pam at: (H) 939-1522, (C) 216-701-6001 or (Email) pamlippy@helloworld.com

MENSCH OF THE MONTH

For the month of Adar, the nominees for Mensch of the Month from the 7^th and 8^th grade classes were: Sabrina Ebner, Ellie Chase, Shoshana Ginsburg, Orri Benatar, and Chaya Andrusier. These students each received nominations from their teachers based on their excellent example of fine character traits. The student who received the highest number of nominations was Orri Benatar who was awarded a certificate, a gift card to Barnes & Noble and a coupon for a healthy snack from the front desk. All of the nominees will enjoy a special lunch with Rabbi Kahn and have an opportunity to share their ideas with him.

INTERNSHIPS 2010

With only 7 students attending the March of the Living this year, 23 students are going to embark on an experiential educational journey outside of the classrooms. From April 8-April 20, our 11^th and 12^th graders will be placed in the following internship sites:

Shimra Barnett - Childhood League Center

Tal Benatar-10th District Court of Appeals & Ohio Jewish Communities

Elizabeth Berkovich - CTA, Mrs. Kate Willis

Milana Bogina - Etc. Gifts

Josh Cohen - Columbus Sports and Entertainment Group

Sppencer Eppstein-Central Ohio Eyecare, Dream Seats, The Kollel

Valery Galakchieva - Chute Gerdeman

Miriam Geiger - EMH&T and Stacy Leeman

Jordan Grubb - Eddie Karmia

Danny Lebowitz - OSU Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation

Sam Rosenstein - Acock Associates

Channa Schramm - OSU Department of Neuroscience

Griffin Schroeder - Yosick's

George Shevkin - Auto Image & Auto Spa

Maya Shpancer - Clintonville Community Resource Center

Emily Sobol - Nationwide Children's Hospital, Gastroenterology

Josh Tolle - OSU Department of English

Pnina Tranen - Clintonville Community Resource Center

Rami Ungar - Columbus Metropolitan Library

Ilya Vaisberg - Columbus Firefighters

Tehila Wenger-Nationwide Children's Hospital-Trauma Surgery

ANNUAL GIVING EVENT
PLEASE JOIN US MAY 6, 2010 FOR CTA'S ANNUAL GIVING EVENT AT THE SCHIFF HOME RSVP WHEN YOUR INVITATION ARRIVES, OR CALL 864-0299

TZEDAKAH

It has been a time-honored Jewish tradition to give tzedakah in recognition of important events. Todah Rabah to the following for their donation to:

The Scholarship Fund:

The Hartstein Family in honor of Amy Neiwirth and the artists in the "You, Me & We" Art Show, in honor of Cathy Tran and all of the new and veteran student donors for the Blood Drive, and in honor of Dr. Miriam Shenkar on receiving her PhD from The Ohio State University in Israel Studies

The Annual Giving Fund:

Nathan and Nicola Mellman in honor of Boots Nutis and in memory of Frank Nutis

Salomee Osborne in memory of Michael Osborne

The Zuckerman Family in memory of Frank Nutis

William and Suzanne Schwartz in memory of David Schwartz

Maynard and Miriam Goldmeier in memory of Frank Nutis

Chaim and Susan Rosen in memory of Helen Rosen

The Dr. Irving Fried Judaic Professional Development and Curriculum Enrichment Fund:

Thea and Pearson Press in memory of Frank Nutis, in memory of Richard Cohen's father, Liza Mordoh's husband, David Lever's mother, Alvin Minkin, Barbara Flox's mother, Reuven Sukienik, and Marc Levison

To CTA two4one:

Robert Eckhart, Jeremy & Liz Kalef, Dan & Leslie Chase, Melanie Blau, David & Miriam Portman, Cheryl Miller, Jeff & Lori Polster, Alan & Sara Shatz, Joel Mazel, Bob & Marcia Hershfield, Ron & Beth Dolinger, Meri King, R. Michael & Kathryn Smith, William & Frances Bloch, Janet Alper, Nancy Golden, Jim & Lesa Caputo, Robert & Betsey Lane, Stuart & Marilyn Cole, Laurie Rosenberg, Ilan Levine, Edwin & Cigarette Parks, Dotan & Shari Herszage, Warren & Marlene Sobol, Stephen & Deborah Guinan, Marcia Guinan and Stephen Guinan

Michael & Helen Miller in honor of Avi Kahn, Ori Kagan, and Orri Benatar becoming a Bar Mitzvah this year

PARSHAT TZAV QUIZ

1) What separated the kohen's skin from the priestly garments?

a) Nothing. The garments were worn directly over the skin.

2) How often were the ashes removed from upon the mizbe'ach? How often were they removed from next to the mizbe'ach?

a) Every day

b) Whenever there was a lot.

3) If someone extinguishes the fire on the mizbe'ach, how many Torah violations has he transgressed?

a) Two

4) The portion of a flour-offering offered on the mizbe'ach may not be chametz. But is the kohen's portion allowed to be chametz?

a) No.

5) When a kohen is inaugurated, what offering must be bring?

a) A korban mincha - - A tenth part of an ephah of flour.

6) What three baking processes were used to prepare the korban of Aharon and his sons?

a) Boiling, baking in an oven and frying in a pan.

7) What is the difference between a minchat kohen and a minchat Yisrael?

a) The minchat kohen is burnt completely. Only a handful of the minchat Yisrael is burnt, and the remainder is eaten by the kohanim.

8) When is a kohen disqualified from eating from a chatat?

a) If he is tamei (spiritually impure) at the time of the sprinkling of the blood.

9) What is the difference between a copper and earthenware vessel regarding removing absorbed tastes?

a) One can remove an absorbed tasted from a copper vessel by scouring and rinsing, whereas such a taste can never be removed from an earthenware vessel.

10) Can an animal dedicated as an asham be replaced with another animal?

a) No.

Parshat Tzav Quiz originally appeared at the Ohr Somayach Website (www.ohr.org.il)

I hope you enjoy the electronic version of our Dateline. Please check out our website at www.torahacademy.org.