THIS WEEK'S PARSHA BY RABBI YOSEF HAUSER |
This week's Parsha details the laws of one of the most difficult Mitzvot to understand in the entire Torah: the Mitzvah to bring Korbanot or sacrifices to the Temple. Indeed, the Torah tells us that if one successfully burns the Korban on the altar according to the law, it is a "beautiful fragrance" to Hashem! This seems to mean that Hashem can "smell" the burning sacrifice and "enjoy" it which we know to be impossible. How can we understand this? The Midrash in Parshat Noach compares this "beautiful fragrance" to a king who is searching for a spot to build his new palace. He searches and searches until he reaches a place where he smells the fragrance of many wonderful flowers and plants. Because of these beautiful smells, the king builds his palace there. The Midrash goes on to explain. What does Hashem "smell" when a Korban is burning? He smells the burning oven that Avraham was thrown into when Avraham wouldn't deny that Hashem was the one G-d, before Nimrod. He smells the burning oven that the three Navi'im were thrown into when they wouldn't deny that Hashem was G-d, before Nebekenezer in Bavel. The Midrash is teaching us that Hashem makes His presence known only to those who are willing to sacrifice something of themselves, whether it is their lives, their possessions or their time (like we sacrifice today by going to shul to daven). I believe the message of this Midrash is that Hashem metaphorically "sets up his palace" where He sees His nation sacrificing for him. It isn't about the animals but about the act of sacrifice itself that brings Hashem's presence into our midst. Therefore, it is our sacrifice of our time for prayer, Torah learning and Mitzvah observance that brings Hashem's presence into our midst. May we continue to increase our "sacrifice" of time for these holy pursuits and thereby increase Hashem's presence in our lives.
Shabbat Shalom! |
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NO FUNNY HATS REQUIRED |
 We give you our word. But we WILL ask you to consider making an annual gift to Columbus Torah Academy. After you hear what our students and community supporters have to say, you won't want to miss the opportunity!
Join us at 7 p.m. Monday March 14, at the home of Jeff and Dalia Koppes, 2086 E. Broad Street.
The annual giving reception is the place to let our children and teachers know how much you appreciate them.
Stop by! After the short program, dessert and coffee will be served. |
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Sunday, March 13: Daylight Savings Time; turn clocks ahead 1 hour
Monday, March 14: Ravioli-Volunteer: L. Hoffman
OGT Exam Grade 10
Annual Giving, 7pm, Jeff & Dalia Koppes' Home, 2086 E. Broad St.
Tuesday, March 15: Hamburgers-Volunteer: K. Abelman
OGT Exam Grade 10
Wednesday, March 16: Pizza-Volunteer: L. Blumberg
OGT Exam Grade 10
Thursday, March 17: Turkey Pastrami-Volunteer: P. Young
Friday, March 18: Tuna-Volunteer: P. Schiff
Purim Carnival & Festivities; 2:00 p.m. dismissal |
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Sunday, March 20: Community Purim Parade in Bexley, 2-3pm (more details to follow)
Monday, March 21: OGT Exam Grade 10
Tuesday, March 22: OGT Exam Grade 10
Friday, March 25: Lower School Dress Down Day; Return to 4:00pm Friday Dismissal; End of 3rd Quarter |
SCRIP UPDATE - PLACES TO PURCHASE SCRIP |
CTA Scrip Office - Monday-Thursday - 8am-4pm; Friday-8am-2pm
Giant Eagle Apples for the Students Program for 2010-2011 ends March 14, 2011. All supporters must register their Giant Eagle Advantage Card, even if they registered in the past. To register, go to www.gianteagle.com and follow the instructions. Our school ID is 4389. Parent Volunteer, Aliza Finegold, is selling Scrip from her home and taking orders via phone (239-6356) or email ( scrip@torahacademy.org). She also delivers! Contact Aliza today! Aliza's home email address is: ajfinegold@gmail.com |
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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 2010-2011 school year. Therre are many wasy to volunteer. Please contact Parent Volunteer Coordinator, Robin Garvin at 235-0450 or rgar234@yahooo.com to get involved. |
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NEWS FROM THE LOWER SCHOOL JUDAICS DEPARTMENT
By Dror Karavani | |
 On Rosh Chodesh Adar, students prepared for one of the most festive months on the Jewish calendar. They opened the day with dancing. High school students joined the lower school in our old gym to add to the festive atmosphere. Each student received oznei Haman (hamantaschen). At lunch, tables were decorated to mark the occasion. The students also came to school with funny hats.
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NEWS FROM THE HEBREW DEPARTMENT
By Galit Golan |
 As parents we know that sometimes when our kids go on the computer, it's not necessarily for educational purposes. However, this website http://languageguide.og/hebrew/ is both educational and fun. It gives the students the opportunity to review basic Hebrew vocabulary independently. (Clothing items, body parts, furniture etc.) With a click of the mouse the students can read a word in Hebrew, look at its picture, and listen to how it sounds with the right pronunciation. So, next time you hear your child say: "Mom, dad, can I please go on the computer?" You can suggest this site. (Of course, after you've tried it yourself.)
 On another note, the kindergarten students are learning so much during their "Chalav Udvash" Hebrew class. This week the students had short conversations with each other, and with Benzi, our Israeli puppet. From one unit to the next, the students are learning more basic words, and the sound and use of the Hebrew language becomes more natural for them. A quick reminder, if you would like to know more about the Hebrew department activities and curriculum, or have any question about it, please feel free to contact me at ggolan@torahacademy.org , or via phone at 864-0299 ext. 114. |
| ISRAELI SOCCER TEAM VISITS | |
 CTA doesn't offer hockey. But middle-school boys enthusiastically embraced the game this past week when a team of boys from Ma'a Lot in Israel came by for a visit. The team, part of an Israeli youth sports league, was in Columbus to play hockey at the Arnold Classic as part of a new effort to encourage youth physical activity. Our community shaliach, Noam Even, invited them to meet Jewish students here in Columbus, and the team came over to CTA to play and to eat lunch. "It's important for (Israeli) kids to know about Jewish life here," said Even. "And for kids here to realize that Israeli kids are sports enthusiasts just like they are."
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| WE ARE READY FOR PURIM. ARE YOU? | |
 On Friday, March 18, we will be holding Purim festivities. Pictured left are performers in the program featured as part of the day's activities. 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. Students should bring $4 to $5 on Thursday, March 17, to purchase tickets for the carnival so that they may enjoy the various booths and refreshments. Tickets are $.25 each or 5 for $1.00. Tickets can be purchased at the door on Friday.
The school is collecting money for the mitzvah of Matanot L'evyonim (gifts to the needy). 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 Thursday, March 17. Checks should be made out to CTA. |
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COMMUNITY NEWS | |
The Columbus Mikvah Society is assembling a comprehensive directory filled with names and contact information of thousands of people, along with information used by the Jewish community at large. This directory would essentially function like a phonebook where anyone could access business and personal information all in one location. Ad sales for the directory have begun and will continue through the month of March. Now is your opportunity to advertise your business in the most comprehensive Jewish directory Columbus has ever seen. Ad forms can be obtained at all major Jewish establishments, or simply attach your camera-ready artwork and email it to columbusdirectory@gmail.com indicating the size ad you want with written permission to publish it. For questions, you also may contact Sara Beth Kahn at skahn@torahacademy.org. |
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A RECORD FOR THE HUNGRY | |
 Lower School Student Council set a record in this year's annual drive to help stock a local food pantry. The students collected at least 1,000 individual items - more than previous years' amounts, said council advisor, Rabbi Yosef Hauser. Representatives from the pantry at St. John's Lutheran Church came by to pick up the boxes this week and were overwhelmed by the children's efforts. M.J. Muldrow, pictured here at the left, told us that nearly 200 people drop by the pantry every day to get food to feed their families.
Student Council officers are Hannah Blumenfeld and Jenna Rodier (co-presidents), Shayna Herszage (vice president), Rena Kahn (secretary), and Yehuda Morris (treasurer).
Pictured here are (standing) Zoe Blumenfeld, Shayna Herszage, Mira Cassell, Neil Kalef, Tamar Stavsky and Jenna Rodier and (seated) Nathan Binsky and Hannah Blumenfeld.
Special thanks to Amy Neiwirth, Patty Sapp, Eugene Simakovsky Vladimir Daniuk and to all the families who donated food items. |
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BLOOD DRIVE BRINGS IN DONORS | |
Another successful activity was our annual student-run Red Cross Blood Drive. The drive collected blood from 38 people, including 14 who had never given before. Thanks to our committee: Josh Tranen, Alyssa Karmia, Dena Handler and Molly Dolinger. Special thanks to Eugene Simakovsky for the setup, Karan Tanenbaum for providing refreshments and Tamalynn Press' fourth-grade class for its informational bulletin board. We also had a number of Pint Size Heroes who brought nine parents to donate blood. Each student received a stuffed toy in the shape of a blood cell. All donors received Red Cross T-shirts.
 
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SENIOR PERFORMING WITH YOUTH ORCHESTRA | |
CTA senior, Hannah Polster will be playing the piano with the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra on Sunday, March 13, at 3:00 p.m. in the Verne Riffe Center. Tickets cost $5 for students and seniors (65+) and $8 for adults. |
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MENSCH OF THE MONTH | |
For the month of Adar I, the nominees for Mensch of the Month from the 7th and 8th grade classes were: David Polster, Rikki Shenkar, Chaya Andrusier, Roston Shore and Josh Wolf. These students each received nominations from their teachers for being honest, helpful, respectful to teachers, respectful to students and not disruptive. The student who received the highest number of nominations was Riki Shenkar, 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. |
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BEXLEY PURIM PARADE | |
The very first Bexley Purim Parade for the entire community is Sunday, March 20, 2-3 pm. Wear a costume, decorate your bike, scooter or stroller. The parade will begin from the Cassingham School campus and end at Graeters. In case of inclement weather, meet at Agudas Achim. Money for the community tzedakah, in the spirit of Matanot L'evyonim, will be raised for the JFS Hope Fund. If you are interested in volunteering, please email bexleypurimparade@gmail.com. |
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SAVE THE DATE | |
Lag B'Omer Spring Fling will be held on Sunday, May 22 at CTA. The event will feature a concert, amusement rides, food and Craftstravaganza! Please contact Shari Herszage (sherszage@torahacademy.org) or Chaya Aviva Katz (ckatz@torahacademy.org) if you are interested in volunteering on the planning committee. |
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COLLEGE OF JEWISH KNOWLEDGE | |
Join the entire community for an extraordinary day of Jewish learning on Sunday, April 3, from 2:30 until 8:30 p.m. This will be a day of relevant and meaningful sessions for adult learners, taught by some of Columbus's most dynamic rabbis (including our headmaster, Rabbi Kahn), professors and community members. Registration includes two afternoon sessions and a featured evening program. The event is $10 until March 20 and $12 after. Register at www.JEdIColumbus.org or contact Cheryl Dritz at 559-3226. |
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NEW CTA SPEECH PATHOLOGIST | |
Heather Bogden, our Speech Pathologist for the past few years, is no longer with CTA. Her family will be moving to Dallas, Texas where her husband took a new job. Please welcome back to CTA, Lynn Votero, who will be taking Heather's place for the remainder of the school year. |
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THANK YOU TO: | |
Mousa and Shelly Aframian, Dr. Aryeh and Judith Cohen, Dr. Leon and Lina Margolin, Seth and Lisa Stavsky, and Dr. Shifra Tyberg and Dr. Rafe Wenger for sponsoring this month's delicious Rosh Chodesh Faculty Appreciation Lunch.
Stacy Leeman for picking a tag from the Wishing Tree and donating a CD player to our lower school. |
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MAZAL TOV TO: | |
Kate (Stubbe) Levy (Class of '98) on the birth of a daughter
Natanielle Mikalov (Class of '07) on her marriage to Avi Cooper |
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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 Scholarship Fund by:
Robert and Betsey Lane in memory of Tamalynn Press' grandfather and
in honor of Hannah Blumenfeld's birthday
Gary Liebesman and Stacy Leeman in memory of Chaya Morris' mother,
Betty Blond
Shifra, Rephael, & Ayelet Wenger in memory of Betty Blond, mother of
Chaya Morris
To the Annual Giving Fund by:
Sam Weintraub in honor of Thelma Nutis
Rachel Kurlantzick and Jeremy Hershfield in honor of Marcia and Robert
Hershfield
Ralph and Joan Rosenblum in memory of Thea Press
Rebecca Herszage in honor of her granddaughter Shayna Herszage and
in memory of her husband, Moshe Herszage
Joseph and Marcie Meyers in memory of Betty Blond
Judah and Alegria Bitton in honor of Dalia and Jeffrey Koppes
William and Frances Bloch in memory of Lenore Bloch
Amnon and Arlene Sapir in honor of Jennifer Sapir Schuman and
Benjamin Sapir
Todd Schiff and Tracey Ballas in honor of the children of Mike and Patty
Schiff
Gary Liebesman and Stacy Leeman in honor of Sam Nutis' engagement |
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READ ACROSS AMERICA COMES TO CTA | |
On Thursday, CTA celebrated the national program to get kids reading by focusing on the books of Dr. Seuss. Librarian Helen Chronister welcomed several guest readers to share their love of these timeless stories. Thank you to Patty Sapp, Nancy Rosen, Bill Chronister, Walt Whitmyre, and Jared Saltman. Community shaliach Noam Even read the students "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back" in Hebrew (in which it is titled "The Tricky Cat Comes Back"). Special thanks to Sam Chronister for dressing as the Cat in the Hat and visiting with our students.
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SCHOOL CHOICE RALLY |  |
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1. Who does the word "eilav" in verse 1:1 exclude?
a. Aharon.
2. Name all the types of animals and birds mentioned in this week's Parsha.
a. Cattle, sheep, goats, turtledoves (torim), and doves (bnei yona).
3. What two types of sin does an olah atone for?
a. Neglecting a positive command, and violating a negative command which is rectified by a positive command.
4. Where was the olah slaughtered?
a. In the Mishkan Courtyard (azarah).
5. What procedure of an animal-offering can a non-kohen perform?
a. Ritual slaughter.
6. Besides the fire the kohanim bring on the altar, where else did the fire come from?
a. It descended from Heaven.
7. At what stage of development are torim (turtledoves) and bnei yona (young pigeons) unfit as offerings?
a. When their plumage turns golden. At that stage, bnei yona are too old and torim are too young.
8. Why does the Torah describe both the animal and bird offerings as a "satisfying aroma"?
a. To indicate that the size of the offering is irrelevant, provided your heart is directed toward G-d.
9. Why is the term "nefesh" used regarding the flour offering?
a. Usually, it is a poor person who brings a flour offering. Therefore, G-d regards it as if he had offered his nefesh (soul).
10. Which part of the free-will mincha offering is burned on the altar?
a. The kometz (fistful).
11. The Torah forbids bringing honey with the mincha. What is meant by "honey"?
a. Any sweet fruit derivative.
12. When does the Torah permit bringing a leavened bread offering?
a. On Shavuot.
13. Concerning shelamim, why does the Torah teach about sheep and goats separately?
a. Because they differ regarding the alya (fat tail). The lamb's alya is burned on the altar but the goat's is not.
14. Who is obligated to bring a chatat?
a. One who accidentally transgresses a negative commandment whose willing violation carries the karet (excision) penalty.
(Parsha Vayikra Quiz originally appeared on the
Ohr Somayach website, www.ohr.edu)
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