|
|
|
|
|
HEADMASTER'S MESSAGE |
This week's Torah portion deals with the rebellion by Korach and his followers against Moshe. The commentators point out that Korach was originally a very learned and righteous person. In fact, according to many opinions, Korach's protest was rooted in good intentions. The Kotzker Rebbe, zt"l, states that Korach was profoundly disturbed at being unable to participate in the avodah, the worship services in the Mishkan which were limited to the Kohanim. He felt that this inability to take part in the services prevented him from fulfilling his spiritual potential. With such a lofty religious motivation, how did Korach come to such a terrible end? The commentary Agrah D'Kalah explains that when Korach decided to express his concerns by creating controversy and conflict, his original good intentions were nullified. The most noble mitzvah can lose its sanctity and became an aveirah, a sin, if it becomes bound up with partisanship and divisiveness. This tiimeless lesson is an important one to share with our children.
Shabbat Shalom and have a wonderful summer!
Rabbi Zvi Kahn |
GRADUATES HEAD 'INTO THE WILD' |
CTA's 16 seniors expressed their secondary school experience in terms Max would have loved. The main character of Maurice Sendak's book Where the Wild Things Are conquered his fears and became king of the monsters.
CTA's 2010 graduates talked about their kingdom: goldfish, monkeys, wolves and other elements of their "wild" school landscape, at Monday night's commencement ceremony.
Tehila Wenger receives her diploma from Terri and Rick Barnett.
Each contributed to the theme, "Into the Wild, tying it to their excitement about the next destination of his or her life adventure.
Valedictorian Tehila Wenger spoke with special warmth about the bonds formed between her classmates, whom she sometimes views as "eccentric uncles with the senses of humor of fifth-graders."
 Wishing them well were CTA's Headmaster, Rabbi Zvi Kahn, CTA Board President Mike Schiff and Rabbi Howard Zack, spiritual leader of Congregation Torat Emet. Families gathered in the shul for the speeches and processional. The air buzzed with "mazal tovs" as everyone gathered in the old gym for refreshments.
Featured alumni speaker Zev Schramm, brother of graduate Channa and a University of Maryland senior, spoke about his fondness for CTA, where he said he always feels welcome when he's visiting Columbus .
This year's class gift was a donation to purchase bases for CTA's baseball diamond construction project.
|
|
READY FOR HIGH SCHOOL |
It's a time to pause and reflect, that moment after eighth grade ends, when high school looms in the approaching fall. CTA's 14 eighth-graders took the microphone in turn at Wednesday night's matriculation ceremony. Each of them talked about valued friendships and teacher support.
Monica Calabrese, past CTA president, spoke warmly about the class and thanked their parents for their partnership in the educational process. Yoni Zofan, who graduated from CTA in 2000, spoke about his CTA days and wished the young people well.
The eighth-graders (now officially ninth-graders) joined the high school graduates in presenting a gift in support of the school's new baseball diamond. Here are some highlights:
The school issued a round of applause for Kristine Coyne who will be leaving Columbus Torah Academy after 38 years of service. |
|
THEY MADE IT! KINDERGARTEN PUPILS CELEBRATE THEIR FIRST YEAR AT CTA |
Kindergartners, too, celebrated their first year as "big kids" with a showcase of songs including "Good Morning," "Morning Train," "Ani That's Me," and "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah." Each child received a certificate and got a big piece of cake afterwards. Families were aglow.
|
|
KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS | |
In order for CTA to continue to earn funds through Kroger Community Rewards, we need you to re-enroll in the program. Visit www.krogercommunityrewards.comand click on "Columbus" and "Enroll." Members must re-enroll every year. |
TOURING THE STATEHOUSE: SECOND-GRADERS SEE WHERE LAWS GET MADE AND GET GOODIE BAGS OF COOL STUFF | |
CTA's second-graders were impressed with the Ohio Statehouse.
"We went in a huge room and the ceiling was 104 feet high," said Jeffrey Binsky.
"We saw big pillars and these fossils," said Nissin Andrusier.
"We went in a room with a dome and in the middle was the state seal made of stained glass," said Shylee Delman.
"There was a big picture of people that work there as representatives," said Jane Shevkin.
The youngsters and their teacher, Stephanie Cahill, visited the home of state lawmaking as guests of Ohio Rep. Nancy Garland, who arranged for a guided tour. The children saw the rotunda and its artwork, various historical displays throughout the building and stood in the chambers where representatives debate and vote on statutes.
They got to vote in a statewide student election to determine the popularity of school uniforms. They also each got a bag of treats, including a Statehouse pin and a coloring book.
It was the pupils' introduction to state politics, though they still have a little studying to do. When asked who the governor was, several students raised their hands. The closest answer: "Ray, somebody?" said one boy. |
OOH, GROSS? WELL, NOT REALLY | |
In fact, the CTA fourth-graders loved dissecting frogs, and they enjoyed being mentored by the seventh-graders.
The younger students became experts in reciting the names of organs and their observations of them. Working with the seventh-graders on their first dissection project was pretty neat. The older kids showed the younger ones the proper techniques and guided them.
"This was the first time we've done this," said fourth-grade teacher Tamalynn Press. "It was wonderful. We already are talking about ways to collaborate on other projects next year."
The students said it was interesting seeing what the organs looked like. They had been studying body systems in class, and now they got to see what things looked like inside a real animal.
It kinda smelled bad, they said. But other than that, it was an OK experience. Rabbi Yosef Hauser said he was impressed with the kids' decorum during the dissection. "Not a single fourth-grader was grossed out," he said. |
|
STUDENT COUNCIL OFFICERS | |
Last week, students elected the Officers for the 2010-2011 Upper School Student Council. Congratulations to the following students:
President: Aaron Portman
Secretary: Alyssa Karmia
Vice President: Molly Dolinger
Treasurer: Sarah Miriam Ginsburg
Vice President Chesed: Ilan Levine
Thanks to all students who campaigned and wrote speeches and made this election another exciting one for CTA. |
|
| |
Summer Reading Lists and Student Supply Lists will be mailed with final report cards the week of June 14. If you are going to be out of town and need these lists sooner, please contact Norma Whitmyre at nwhitmyre@torahacademy.org. All Medications need to be picked up by the last day of school, Friday, June 11 at noon. Any medications left after that time will be disposed of by the nurse. All Lost and Found items not claimed by the last day of school will be donated to a local charity. And, Final Report Cards will not be sent if students: have outstanding library books, have not returned text books, have not paid hot lunch or breakfast fees and have not completed community service hours (grades 9-12). |
|
| |
Now that the school year is over, it's time to reflect, check successes and challenges, and plan for the 2010-2011 school year. So, what happened in the Hebrew department during the past school year?
So, what awaits for next year:
· New professional and exciting teachers
· More transparency about the everyday Hebrew learning process in the classrooms.
· New Hebrew curriculum for the kindergarten.
· More Israel related activities, with focus on current events.
· Evening events to present students' achievements and abilities in Hebrew.
· Stronger Hebrew Learning Center.
Constant opportunities and encouragement to students to converse, present and debate in Hebrew. |
|
THANKS FROM MRS. COYNE | | A huge thank-you to everyone for love, support and food during a most difficult time. I truly appreciate everything. |
|
|
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:
Steve and Rhonda Schottenstein welcoming Joey and Lindsay Schottenstein to the neighborhood |
|
|
1. Why did Datan and Aviram join Korach?
a) Because they were his neighbors.
2. Why is Yaakov's name not mentioned in Korach's genealogy?
a) Yaakov prayed that his name not be mentioned in connection with Korach's rebellion.
3. What movtivated Korach to rebel?
a) Korach was jealous that Elizafan ben Uziel was appointed as leader of the family of Kehat instead of himself.
4. What did Korach and company do when Moshe said that a techelet garment requires tzitzit?
a) They laughed and mocked Moshe's ruling.
5. What warning did Moshe give the rebels regarding the offering of the incense?
a) Only one person would survive.
6. Did Moshe want to be the kohen gadol?
a) Yes.
7. What event did Korach not foresee?
a) That his sons would repent.
8. What does the phrase rav lachem mean in this week's Parsha? (Give two answers.)
a) Rav lachem appears twice in this week's Parsha. It means "much more than enough greatness have you taken for yourself and "It is a great thing I have said to you."
9. What lands are described in this week's Parsha as "flowing with milk and honey"?
a) Egypt and Canaan.
10. When did Moshe have the right to have a donkey from the Jewish community?
a) When he traveled from Midian to Egypt.
Parshat Korach Questions 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. |
|
|
