A SISTERHOOD OF ACHIEVEMENT 

Fulbright Scholarships are designed to foster mutual understanding and encourage the exchange of ideas between U.S. scholars, teachers and students and their peers throughout the world.

Hannah, whose goal is to become an English literature professor, said, "The Fulbright will give me more experience teaching English in a college setting, as well as a year in an entirely new intellectual framework to expand my understanding. It will also help me learn Norwegian, which will no doubt be of great use when I continue on to write my dissertation on 19th century transatlantic women's literature."

Hannah earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland in English literature, Women's Studies, and philosophy. She wrote an honors thesis on the influence of male concepts of autonomy in literary and philosophical theory. She credits much of her school success to her CTA education.

"I am grateful for the encouragement and inspiration that Mr. Guinan and Mrs. Moskowitz gave all three of us," she said. "They are two absolutely phenomenal English teachers and I owe so much of my academic drive to them."

She is excited about learning Norwegian so she can "read Ibsen in the original," but isn't going to spend all her time sitting at a desk. She plans to build in some hikes through the fjords.

Ayelet weathered a long application process for the Bronfman Fellowship. It required four essays and two in-person interviews. She applied because a friend told her how much she had enjoyed it. "She said it changed the way she viewed Judaism," said Ayelet. "She's a Conservative Jew. I've only been in an Orthodox environment, so it's going to be interesting to meet Jews from different backgrounds."

The Bronfman Fellowship aim is to build stronger Jewish relationships across communities, and to strengthen North American ties with Israel. Fellows remain connected as they age, attending foundation events and working with other Bronfman alumni on special projects.

Meanwhile, Tehila Wenger is spending a year studying in Israel and will begin attending Princeton University in the fall. Needless to say, the sky is the limit for these talented and creative young women.

Last week I had the chance to visit Morah Minna's 4^th grade Hebrew class. The fourth graders were in the middle of their animal unit. The students learned the names of different animals in Hebrew, and used adjectives to describe the animals in complete sentences. Later, each student chose one animal and prepared a presentation for the class about the animal. Some of the students described the animal they chose, and some prepared a riddle.

The final step for this unit will be writing Hebrew books about each of the animals chosen.
 

The kindergarten classes are also having a blast with their Hebrew studies. Lately, we added use of technology to the regular "Chalav Udvash" curriculum. The students watch video clips of conversations in Hebrew, and use them as examples to create their own conversations in Hebrew. They watch PowerPoint presentations that present the learning topic in an interactive way. This enhances the comprehension and focus of the students, and increases the quality of learning. Below are pictures of the kindergarten students enjoying this interactive Hebrew learning.

Leslie Hill on the passing of her mother

Every season brings many learning opportunities to our CTA classrooms. Now spring is here, and following the Jewish tradition of thanking Hashem for the creation of our world, our students will create a 'Birkat Ha'elanot' Garden.

This small community of trees planted just beyond our kindergarten playground will add to the natural beauty of our property and serve as a gathering place for blessing and celebration.

We invite you to join us in creating this special space by sponsoring a tree for $180. This is a beautiful way to honor or commemorate a family member or loved one.

As a thank-you, we will list your name on a commemorative plaque in our building. You also will be invited to personally plant your tree in a special ceremony after Pesach. Each year in the springtime, the CTA students will gather in the Birkat Ha'elanot Garden to say the special blessing that is recited upon seeing new blossoms. Sponsorship funds will support educational programs at CTA.If you would like to buy a tree, contact Dror Karavani at dkaravani@torahacademy.org. You also may contact Ruth Portnoy at rportnoy@torahacademy.org, or 864-0299, ext. 117.

1.          When may a metzora not be pronounced tahor (ritually pure)?

a.      At night.

2.      In the midbar (wilderness) where did a metzora dwell while he was tamei (ritually impure)?

a.   Outside the three camps.

3.      Why does the metzora require birds in the purification process?

a.   Tzara'at comes as a punishment for lashon hara. Therefore, the Torah requires the metzora to offer birds, who chatter constantly, to atone for his sin of chattering.

4.      In the purification process of metzora, what does the cedar wood symbolize?

a.   The cedar is a lofty tree. It alludes to the fact that tzara'at comes as a punishment for haughtiness.

5.      How was having tzara'at in one's house sometimes advantageous?

a.   The Amorites concealed treasures in the walls of their houses. After the conquest of the Land, tzara'at would afflict these houses. The Jewish owner would tear down the house and find the treasures.

6.      When a house is suspected as having tzara'at, what is its status prior to the inspection by a kohen?

a.   It is tahor.

7.      What happens to the vessels that are in a house found to have tzara'at?

a.   They become tamei.

8.      Which type of vessels cannot be made tahor after they become tamei?

a.   Earthenware vessels.

9.      Where were stones afflicted with tzara'at discarded?

a.   In places where tahor objects were not handled.

10.     When a person enters a house that has tzara'at, when do his clothes become tamei?

a.   When he remains in the house long enough to eat a small meal.

(Parsha Metzora Quiz originally appeared on the

Ohr Somayach website, www.ohr.edu)