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HEADMASTER'S MESSAGE |
In this week's double Torah portion of Behar-Bechukotai, we learn about the mitzvot of shmitta and yoval. Shmitta involved counting a seven-year cycle with normal agricultural work being prohibited during the seventh year. Yoval involved a fifty-year cycle in which seven shmittah cycles were kept and the following year, the fiftieth year, was proclaimed as a jubilee year when land was returned to its original owners. These two commandments are reminiscent of the mitzvah of sefirat haomer (counting the omer), which was described in last week's parsha of Emor. During Sefira we count the days from Pesach to Shavuot. Why all of this counting? The great leader of medieval Spanish Jewry, Don Issac Abarbanel, suggests that the Torah wants us to be cognizant of the finite nature of life, and to never lose sight of the fact that we have only a limited time here on earth. By counting days and weeks and years for various mitzvot we are constantly reminded of the importance of using the gift of time wisely and for the best purposes. Our counting is intended to help us make every day count.
Rabbi Zvi Kahn |
"LOOK WHAT I DID!" CHILDREN PROUDLY SHOW THEIR WORK AT THE ACHIEVEMENT FAIR |
 Families gathered for pizza, then toured the displays at the Lower School Achieve-ment Fair held May 5.
The old gym was filled with K-5 projects in all subjects produced during the year. The work included autobiographies, poems, dioramas of historical scenes and small machines.
Parents enjoyed displays including miniature cutouts of children clothed with paper raincoats, siddur covers, self-portraits, a class-composed alphabet book and another one about plant life, Israeli history told in the form of newspapers. Rabbi Yosef Hauser, CTA's Lower School Judaics coordinator, reprised his "Torah Time Machine," into which visitors stepped to hear stories of ancient times.
 "It is wonderful to see all the work the children have done, the whole gym decorated with the projects our children have designed and created," said Patty Sapp, Lower School principal. "All of them are capable of excellent work.
"And to see the families. Everyone is bursting with excitement. It's priceless."
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PREVIEW OF THE WEEK |
Sunday, May 9: Bingo! Come Volunteer!
Mother's Day
Monday, May 10:
Tuesday, May 11: CTA Twirlers, 4-4:45pm
Wednesday, May 12:
Thursday, May 13: 5th Grade Underground Railroad Plays, 7:30pm
Friday, May 14: Lower School Dress Down Day |
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DATES TO REMEMBER |
Tuesday, May 18: Erev Shavuot, 2:00pm dismissal
May 19-20: Shavuot - NO School
Thursday, May 27: PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE: Executive Board Meeting, Elections, 7:30pm; Town Hall Meeting following
Monday, May 31: Memorial Day - NO School
Thursday, June 3: Spring Show, Grades 1-4, 9:30am
Friday, June 4: Lower School Dress Down Day
Monday, June 7: 12th Grade Graduation, 7:30pm
Mon-Thurs, June 7-10: 9th-11th Final Exams
Wednesday, June 9: 8th Grade Graduation, 7:30pm
Thursday, June 10: Kindergarten Celebration, 9:30am
Friday, June 11: Last Day of School - - 12:00 dismissal |
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SPORTS |
Monday, May 10, 2010
HOME Games vs. Liberty Christian
Softball, 5pm
Baseball, 5pm
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
HOME Game vs. Cypress Christian
Jr High Baseball, 5pm
Thursday, May 13, 2010
AWAY Game vs. Grove City Christian
Jr High Baseball, 5pm |
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SCRIP UPDATE - PLACES TO PURCHASE SCRIP | |
Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm
CTA Scrip Office, 864-0299 ext. 112 or contact Aliza Finegold at
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.
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CONDOLENCES TO: | |
Abby Schwarz (Class of '01), Joey Schwarz (Class of '04), and Rivi Schwarz (8th Grade Class of '94) on the loss of their grandmother, Ruth Schwarz |
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The combined Annual Meeting and Town Hall Meeting will be Thursday, May 27, at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend. |
CTA EXECUTIVE BOARD PROPOSED SLATE |
PROPOSED
2010 - 2011 Executive Board of Trustees
Officers:
President: Michael Schiff
Vice President, Administration: Bob Lane
Vice President, Building: David Bernzweig
Vice President, Development: Jeff Koppes
Vice President, Education - Upper School: Rephael Wenger, Ph.D.
Vice President, Education - Lower School: Sarah Blumenfeld
Vice President, Endowment: Joel Greff
Vice President, Finance: Dan Chase, M.D.
Secretary: Aliza Finegold
Treasurer: Lawrence Binsky
Members of the Executive Board of Trustees:
Stuart Cole
Jonathan Hartstein
Ian Heyman
Gary Liebesman
Jeff Polster
Jeff Rosenberg
Patricia Fine-Rosenstein, M.D.
David Schottenstein
Joey Schottenstein
Steve Shulman
Non-elected officers or members of the Executive Board of Trustees:
Monica Calabrese, Chairman of the Board
Ira Nutis, Past President
Kim Binsky, PTO President
Jay Schottenstein, Honorary Chairman of the Board
Jon Diamond, Honorary Life Member
Pearson Press, Honorary Life Member
Irving Baker, Honorary Life Member
Congregational Rabbis and Rabbis Emeritus
Members of the Honorary Board of Trustees
Ivan Gilbert, M.D., Lifetime Honorary Member
Richard Barnett
Marilyn Cole
Ann Deshe
Susan Diamond
Mark Ebner
Murray Ebner
Sheldon Estreicher, D.D.S.
Donald Garlikov
Herbert Glimcher
Josh Greenberg
Marcia Hershfield
Bernard Hirsch
Marty Hoffman
Richard Kohn
Alan Levy, D.D.S.
Milton Lewin z"l
Frank Nutis z"l
David Portman, M.D.
Samuel Portman, M.D.
Thea Press
Pearson Press
Ellen Romanoff
Bernard Ruben z"l
Larry Ruben
Mrs. Herbert Schiff
Jeanie Schottenstein
Jerome Schotttenstein z"l
Robert Schottenstein
Saul Schottenstein z"l
Steve Schottenstein
Ellen Siegel-Pollak
Warren Sobol, M.D.
Hal Tanenbaum
Julius Vargo
Philip Weinerman
Michael Weisz
Bernard Yenkin
Miriam Yenkin
Leonore Zusman
Larry Zusman z"l |
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LOST & FOUND | |
We have a number of items in the Lost & Found. Please remember to check the tables on Achievement Fair night. All unclaimed items will be donated to charity on the last day of school, Friday, June 11. |
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On Monday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m., there will be a special presentation by Admissions Officers from Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Penn, and Stanford Universities. The information session will take place at the Columbus Airport Marriott at 1375 North Cassady Avenue. Go to www.exploringcollegeoptions.org. |
GALLERY PLAYERS PRESENTS THE IMMIGRANT |
Gallery Players' final production of the 2009-2010 season is The Immigrant, which is a heartfelt, funny, lovable play which brings a fresh slant on the age-old story of immigration and assimilation. It is a charming biographical tale of the author's grandfather, a Russian Jew, who arrived in the Port of Galveston, Texas, at the turn of the century. The play spans 30 years of the family's growth and contributions to the town of Hamilton, Texas. CTA sixth grade teacher, Kate Willis, portrays Ima Perry, the Texas lady who befriends Haskell, the immigrant, and his wife, Leah, while her husband, Scott Willis, portrays Ima's husband, Milton.
Performance Dates:
Saturdays, May 8 and 15 at 8:00 p.m.
Sundays, May 9 and 16 at 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m
For tickets, more information, or if you would like to come for a discounted rate on Saturday, May 15, please contact Norma Whitmyre at 864-0299 ext. 127 or nwhitmyre@torahacademy.org. This production will be held in conjunction with a seven-week exhibition at the JCC entitled 170 Years of Jewish Life in Columbus, 1840-2010, presented in partnership with the Columbus Jewish Historical Society. |
SPRING FLING: FUN AND FABULOUS | |
 The day turned drizzly and rainy, but guests at the May 2 Spring Fling enjoyed Lag B'Omer with a great deal of zest. How can you turn down a ride on a train, or a chance to fly through the air in a speeding, twirling swing? And for those less brave - and those who were - there were two concerts by Kol Zimra. The group invited CTA kindergarten students to the outdoor state to sing "Dinosaur Shabbat." Inside, the singers urged listeners to their feet and stomp, clap and dance.
Special thank yous are due to event organizers Mrs. Chaya Katz and Mrs. Shari Herszage, to the many volunteers and to our wonderful sponsors: Astor and Black Custom Clothiers, Legacy Heritage, First Bexley Bank, Ahavas Sholom, JCC East Preschool, JCC New Albany Preschool, JCC North Preschool, Torat Emet, Tifereth Israel and Agudas Achim.
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SCHOOL NURSE DAY IS MAY 12 - SAY 'THANKS' | |
For the past decade, Cathy Tran has been a kind of surrogate mom to CTA's students. She is there when they are not feeling well, have a scrape or a cut or need to take medication at school. She also teaches them about hygiene and how to eat healthy foods and maintains information about students who have dangerous food allergies.
Take a few moments to say, "Thank you!" to Mrs. Tran this coming week, as we honor our school nurses nationwide.
Mrs. Tran came to CTA in 1999 after extensive education. She earned a master's degree in nursing and certification in school nursing from Ohio State University. Since coming to CTA, she has provided wellness education and provided health screenings for students. She also organizes all our blood drives.
Mrs. Tran has earned several grants for CTA programs on subjects such as nutrition and gardening. She earned three grants from Scotts Miracle Gro for the Sharing Garden. Because we now understand so much about to stay healthy, CTA also has won the "Buckeye Best" gold award for five years in a row for its overall health.
School nurses are special kinds of health professionals. Often, they are the only healthcare providers that students see regularly. They also serve an important public-health role by teaching others about disease prevention. This is the most important role, said Mrs. Tran. "I think it's well known that this generation of children could be the first to live shorter lives than their parents (because of obesity, inactivity and related health problems)," she said. "I think it's important to provide education, so they can lead healthier, longer lives."
Mrs. Tran also works in Columbus City Schools, too, spending two days each week at Oakland Park Traditional School.
"I just like being around children," she said. "I like the variety of the job. I'm always learning new things, and I like the contact with the families, and seeing the kids grow up." |
COLUMBUS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE |
FRIDAY, MAY 14 FIRST ROUND GAMES
Game 1: JCC field 1, 10:30 a.m.: CTA vs. Ramaz (home)
Game 2: JCC field 2, 10:30 a.m.: Ida Crown vs. Kushner (home)
Cookout lunch at JCC at 1:00 p.m.
Home Run Derby, 2:00 p.m.
3 contestants from each team compete in the Home Run Challenge
SATURDAY, MAY 15 SECOND ROUND GAMES
Game 3: JCC field 1, 10:30 p.m.: Kushner vs. CTA (home)
Game 4: JCC field 2, 10:30 p.m.: Ramaz vs. Ida Crown (home)
SUNDAY, MAY 16 FINAL ROUND
Final Round Game 1: Academy Park, 8:30 a.m.: CTA vs. Ida Crown (home)
Final Round Game 2: Academy Park, 11:00 a.m.: Kushner vs. Ramaz (home)
Awards Ceremony and Wrap Up, 12:30 p.m. Sunday, May 16 |
COLUMBUS BUS RIDERS - FORMS DUE BY NEXT FRIDAY |
This is your final week to get your 2010-2011 Application for Pupil Transportation forms in to Norma Whitmyre. Bus service cannot be guaranteed for next year without this form. You can access this form on the Columbus Public Schools Website at www.columbus.k12.oh.us.
Click on the link labeled Transportation.
- Click on Links & Forms.
- Click on 2010-2011 Application for Pupil Transportation to a Non-Public School
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Print the form, fill it out, and return it to Norma Whitmyre, Executive Secretary by Friday, May 14, 2010. |
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March of the Living Reunion
Please join us as our teens share pictures and
stories from their incredible journey to Poland
and Israel
Monday May 17, 2010
7:30 pm
Columbus Torah Academy
181 Noe Bixby Road 43213 614 864-0299 |
PARSHAT BEHAR-BECHUKOTAI QUIZ
By Rabbi Zecharia Weitz |
1) What is the name for the 7th year of the agricultural cycle?
a) shemita
2) What is the name of the 50th year?
a) yovel
3) What 2 "returnings" are announced on Yovel?
a) All ancestral land returns to its owner and every slave returns to freedom
4) "V'lo tonu ish et amito - a person should not afflict his fellow"; what behavior is included in this prohibition?
a) Not to hurt other people's feelings and not to intentionally give another person bad advice
5) What was a "ger toshav"?
a) A gentile who has accepted not to worship idols
6) Based on this Parsha (25:38) what is leaving Eretz Yisroel comparable to?
a) Worshipping idols (Medrash)
7) How long did the Babylonian exile last and why that particular number of years?
a) 70 yrs.; because that was how many shemita and yovel years the Jews violated
8) Interestingly, Yaakov's name is spelled with a vav in it in verse 26:42. What is the significance of this?
a) Yaakov took the vav from Eliyahu (as his name is spelled 5 times without a vav corresponding to the 5 places that Yaakov is spelled with a vav). Yaakov took these vav's as an assurance that Eliyahu will eventually announce the redemption of the Jewish people.
9) There is a section of Bechukotai that is read in an undertone; what is the name used to refer to that section and why do we read it like this?
a) The Tochacha, we read it in an undertone because it discusses the consequences we will incur if we don't keep the Torah.
10) Where must one eat their ma'aser sheini (- 2nd tithe, i.e. 10% that is taken from fruits of Israel)?
a) In Yerushalayim
Discussion Questions
1. Rashi on the phrase "And if you despise My laws" ("Ve-im bechukosai timasu"), explains it as: "If you despise the performance BY OTHERS of My laws". The commentators explain that this is referring to a person who himself does mitzvot but yet despises the performance by others; why would anybody who keeps the mitzvot despise others who do the same?
2. Shemita is just one of the many ideas in Torah that revolve around the number 7. How many other 7's can you think of? What might be the deeper meaning behind the significance of this number? |
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