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In this week's parsha of Ki Tet'ze the Torah discusses a wide variety of laws. One area that the Torah deals with includes the rules governing which ancient non-Jewish nations could be accepted as converts into the Jewish people. The Ammonites and Moabites were excluded from consideration as converts because "they did not meet you with food and water on your journey after you left Egypt, and because they (the Moabites) hired Bilaam...to curse you (Devarim 23:4-5)." However, the Egyptians were eligible to join the Jewish people after three generations. The great 13th century Spanish commentator, Ramban, asks why the Egyptians, who enslaved the Jews and treated them much more harshly than the Ammonites and Moabites, could be accepted as converts when the latter could not. He explains that the Ammonites and Moabites were descendants of Lot, Avraham's nephew, and, as such, they owed their very existence to Avraham who had raised Lot as a member of his family and had twice saved his life. Thus, in addition to the cruelty that they demonstrated to the Jewish people, they showed themselves to be profoundly ungrateful for the historic kindnesses that had been performed for them. Rabbi Yaacov Haber utilizes this point to illustrate how important it is to always be grateful for our blessings in life and to acknowledge and thank everyone who helps and assists us in any way.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Zvi Kahn |
| COLLEAGUES AND COMMUNITY HONOR RABBI EPSTEIN |
CTA is very proud of high school teacher and premier educator, Rabbi Joel Epstein. Rabbi Epstein will be recognized this coming week with the 2011 Columbus Jewish Community Educator of the Year Award.
Rabbi Epstein will be honored at the Opening Educator's dinner of JEDI (Jewish Education and Identity Department) of the Columbus Jewish Federation on Monday evening in front of a room full of colleagues and then recognized again at the Federation's 85th Annual Meeting on Thursday evening at Franklin Park Conservatory. CTA will be the host site of Monday's community-wide educator dinner expecting more than 100 teachers, administrators and staff from Jewish educational institutions throughout the Columbus community.
Rabbi Epstein has been a member of the Columbus education community for over 20 years, teaching at Columbus Torah Academy, tutoring bar and bat mitzvah students and leading adult study groups at both Congregations Agudas Achim and Torat Emet. Rabbi Epstein has taught at CTA since 1993 and he currently teaches Gemara to high school girls.
"Rabbi Epstein is a tremendously caring and patient teacher. If a student doesn't understand a Gemara the first time, then Rabbi Epstein will explain it a second, third or fourth time with as much care and patience as the first time until the student grasps the concept. He also takes great interest in his students after they leave CTA and follows their studies and careers with as much enthusiasm as when they were at CTA. "My children enjoy coming back to Columbus to see him. They often bring back religious and philosophical issues which they would like to discuss with him," Rephael Wenger, CTA parent and board member.
Rachel Salutsky, current student of Rabbi Epstein at CTA echoed Dr. Wenger, "Rabbi Epstein really cares about his students. He is patient and fair. In our small class, Rabbi Epstein goes over the material until everyone understands. During class Rabbi Epstein reveals new insights about the Gemara and shares valuable lessons from the Gemara with us and to show us outside sources and text to support the material. He is a great teacher."
Rabbi Epstein graduated from the Combined Program of the Jewish Theological Seminary and Columbia University with a BHL in Talmud and a BA in English Literature. He went on to receive his rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary and began his work teaching at the Brandeis School in Lawrence, New York.
Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Rabbi Epstein's love for Jewish education and ritual was kindled at an early age. He attended Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, first as a camper and then as a counselor, Israel seminar staff and teacher. During his college and rabbinical school years he worked as USY national Shabbaton staff member, assistant to the Jewish Chaplain at Columbia University, and Torah reader at the JTS synagogue.
Rabbi Epstein and his wife, Janice Keil Epstein, are the proud parents of CTA graduates Rabbi Saul (Sara) and David (Miriam) Epstein, Sarah (Amitai) Barth and even prouder grandparents of Aaron Epstein, Eytan and Shalom Barth, and Shlomo, Zimra and Eliyahu Epstein. Rabbi Epstein is the son of Jean Epstein of Skokie, IL and the late Lawrence Epstein, z"l, and the son-in-law of Barbara and Louis Keil who reside here in Columbus.
The Jewish Educator of the Year Award was established in 1993 by the Commission on Jewish Education in order to recognize outstanding Columbus Jewish educators, to raise the status of Jewish educators in our community, and to celebrate Jewish education. Jeffrey Lasday, former Executive Director of the Commission on Jewish Education, and Lori Serbin Lasday, also a past staff member at CTA, established an endowment fund with the Columbus Jewish Foundation in 1997 to provide an annual award to an outstanding Jewish educator.
For more information about the Jewish Educator of the Year Award, contact the Columbus Jewish Federation at 614-237-7686.
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Monday, Sept. 12: Macaroni & Cheese-Volunteer: Y. Levi
Jewish Educators Opening Dinner, CTA, 5:30pm
Tuesday, Sept. 13: Hamburger-Volunteer: M. Sobol
Executive Board Meeting, 7:30pm
Wednesday, Sept. 14: Pizza-Volunteer: S. Rosen
New K-12 Parent Orientation, 6pm
Meet the Teachers, Grades K-6, 7pm
Thursday, Sept. 15: Chicken Cutlets
Friday, Sept. 16: Tuna-Volunteer: K. Abelman |
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Monday, Sept. 19: New Parent Social, Kahn Home, 7:30pm
Tuesday, Sept. 20: Scholarship Dinner Committee Kick-Off, 7pm, at the home of Murielle & Jeff Rosenberg
Wednesday, Sept. 21: Meet the Teachers, Grades 7-12, 7pm
Wednesday, Sept. 28: Erev Rosh Hashanah, 2pm dismissal
September 29-30: Rosh Hashanah, NO SCHOOL |
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Monday, Sept. 12
HOME Volleyball vs. Cypress Christian
Jr High, 5pm
AWAY Soccer vs. Mt. Vernon Varsity, 5:30pm Tuesday, Sept. 13 AWAY Soccer vs. Liberty Christian Varsity, 5pm Thursday, Sept. 15 AWAY Volleyball vs. Genoa Christian Jr High, 5pm |
SCRIP UPDATE - PLACES TO PURCHASE SCRIP |
CTA Scrip Office - Monday-Friday - 8am-4pm
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. REMEMBER: Target Take Charge of Education Program; Box Tops for Education; Giant Eagle Apples for Students (enrollment begins in October), Kroger card (must enroll in program), and empty inkjet cartridges into the box at the school entrance. To view the vendors participating in the Scrip Program go to www.glscrip.com.
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. www.gilisgoodies.com or 1-866-721-7292 |
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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 2011-2012 school year. There are many ways to volunteer. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Kim Abelman, at 855-5195 or kimabel3@gmail.com, to get involved. |
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MAZAL TOV TO: | |
Rabbi Josh and Aliza Finegold on the birth of a son
Ian and Pam Rodier on Jenna's Bat Mitzvah
Josh Cohen (Class of '10) on making the Yeshiva University soccer team
as a starter |
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REFUAH SHLAIMA TO: | |
7th grader Rosie Kalef |
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CONDOLENCES TO: | |
Rabbi Zecharia Weitz on the passing of his uncle
Linda Zack on the loss of her mother |
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NEWS FROM THE LOWER SCHOOL JUDAICS DEPARTMENT
By Dror Karavani, Lower School Judaic Studies Coordinator | |
 The months of Elul and Tishrei are the busiest months of the Jewish year. As one passes the classrooms at CTA, it is impossible to avoid seeing all of the learning, activities and songs on the different upcoming chagim. The atmosphere of the New Year spreads from the classrooms throughout the building.
In addition to our Chumash, Navi, and Mishna classes, we have also been busy learning about the holidays of the New Year. Every class has written special large-size cards wishing the different synagogues and Jewish institutions of Columbus a happy New Year.
 I would like to remind everyone to check on a regular basis our Jewish studies teacher's blogs. There you can find out all about what is going on in the classroom, including homework and tests. As always, I am happy to be of any assistance to you. Please contact me (dkaravani@torahacademy.org or 864-0299 ext. 116) with any questions. Shabbat Shalom!
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SAY IT IN HEBREW
By Galit Golan, Hebrew Language Coordinator | |
This year the Hebrew Department is emphasizing the use of technology in the classes. Our portable carts of laptops and projectors, donated by Marilyn and Stuart Cole, in memory of Mr. Larry Zusman, are being used often in various classes.
Entire study units are being adjusted to take advantage of the benefits of technology. Topic-based vocabulary units, such as colors, weather, clothing and more, are much more attractive for learning when the students can watch a PowerPoint presentation incorporating the new vocabulary. However, the use of technology in Hebrew classes doesn't stop in elementary school. We use technology in the upper grades as well, to teach and learn grammar. In fact, entire grammar units are being upgraded through the use of technology and students can watch the grammar come to life on the screen, in addition to the regular use of books. The importance of the use of technology in Hebrew classes goes beyond the extra fun it brings to the class. Many students are visual learners, and the help of the visual cues a presentation provides, improves their learning process.
As our school is now equipped with wireless internet, we will be able to use this advantage as well to improve the learning of Hebrew.
I wish you all Shabbat Shalom and a great weekend. |
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UPPER SCHOOL GENERAL STUDIES
By Eliza Delman, Upper School Principal | |
The second week of school brought with it the wake up-call for 12th graders to start finalizing their college lists. Many of them have already begun brainstorming their responses to application essay prompts and reflecting on their values to help determine which colleges will be a good fit for them. They're considering the weight of proximity to home, cost, prestige, opportunities for Jewish life, and maybe even climate. It's an exciting time in their lives, and I love working with them on it. The 12th grade College Application Workshop is on Monday, September 19, from 11:30-12:50. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Block periods are coming: Every month, periods 3, 4, 6 and 7 will get one double period in order to accommodate longer Science labs or special activities and projects in the High School. For the Junior High, Block Periods mean that the 7th and 8th grade students will have a supervised study hall in which they will get a jump start on their homework and have a lighter load that night. |
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WELCOME TO OUR NEW TEACHERS! | |
CTA is very pleased to welcome two new teachers to the faculty. Mrs. Shira Claman is teaching Upper School Girls Chumash and Ms. Lara McCormick is the instructor for Advanced Biology. Mrs. Claman moved here over the summer with her husband, who is a member of the Columbus Kollel, and their baby boy. She received her BA (magna cum laude) in Jewish Studies from Stern College and her Teachers Certificate from Michlalah Jerusalem College for Women. Mrs. Claman is planning to complete her work towards a Masters degree in Jewish Education and Administration from the Azrieli Graduate School of Yeshiva University by the end of the academic year.
Ms. McCormick received her BA in Anthropology from Arizona State University, and her MA in Physical Anthropology from California State University. She is presently working on her Ph.D. in Biological Anthropology at The Ohio State University. Ms. McCormick has published numerous articles and lectured widely in her field.
We also wish to extend a warm welcome to Chris Morford, the new school nurse, and Nancy Case, the new Title I teacher. Both are highly experienced and dedicated professionals. Chris will be at CTA two days each week (Tuesdays and Fridays) and Nancy will be here three days per week (Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays).
Last, but certainly not least, we want to extend congratulations and best wishes to two staff members who have taken up new responsibilities: Mrs. Devorah Aronowitz has moved from the Upper to Lower School and is now the Kindergarten Judaic Studies teacher. Mrs. Eliza Delman, while continuing to direct the Guidance office, has been appointed as the new Upper School General Studies Principal.
We hope that all of our teachers and staff members, both old and new, will have a highly enjoyable and fulfilling academic year. |
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8TH GRADE MAGAZINE FUNDRAISER | |
The annual 8th grade Magazine Subscription Drive is underway. The class earns 40% of the sale monies for both new and renewal subscriptions for its Washington trip. Please go on-line to:
http://qsp.com/profile/ezjm?Origin=CCL&extTrackID=LaunchEmail
to order new or renew. |
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CTA ALUM TEACHES DRUM AND PIANO |
Is your child interested in learning the drum or piano? CTA alum, Daniel Zwelling, OSU graduate with a degree in Jazz Studies is offering lessons. He is located only 5 minutes from CTA. For more information, please contact Daniel at: (614)260-0160 or Dzwellingmusic@yahoo.com. |
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KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS | |
How To Sign Up for Kroger Community Rewards Program
I. Registration is online at Kroger.com
a. Sign in (if you have not done this before create a new password)
b. Enter your card number where instructed
c. Once in click on My Account, just under where it says Welcome and your name
d. Scroll down on your account information and Click onto Community Rewards. If CTA comes up you are already listed. If not add Columbus Torah Academy here as instructed.
II. CTA is reimbursed quarterly based on the total purchase amount
III. You can choose only one organization - if you choose to support another organization let us know so we stop bugging you
Encourage friends and family living in Ohio (except Cincinnati, Dayton, and Springfield) to sign up with CTA as the beneficiary as well.
Every April you need to sign up for
KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS at Kroger.com
Sign up by Thursday, September 22 and your children will be eligible to win a gift certificate - the drawing is Friday, September 23
The classroom with the highest percentage of families signed up for KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS will be eligible for the drawing.
Not sure what SCRIP is? Call for more information
Aliza Finegold, 239-6356
Tricia Rosenstein, 237-4346
Robin Garvin, 235-0350 |
| MEET THE TEACHERS |  |
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1) What fraction of the inheritance does a first-born
receive if he has a) one brother? B) two brothers?
a) One brother, 2/3; and two brothers, ½
2) What will become of a ben sorer u'moreh (a violent and rebellious son) if his parents don't bring him to court?
a) He will eventually rob and kill to support his physical indulgences.
3) Why is it a degradation to G-d to have a criminal's body on the gallows overnight?
a) Because humans are made in G-d's image.
4) What do you do if you find a lost object that costs money to maintain?
a) Sell it and save the money for the owner.
5) Why does the Torah link the mitzvah of sending away the mother-bird with the mitzvah of making a railing on the roof of your house?
a) To teach that one mitzvah leads to another, and to prosperity.
6) When is it permitted to wear wool and linen?
a) Wool tzitzit on a linen garment.
7) Although the Egyptians enslaved the Jewish People, the Torah allows marriage with their third-generation converts. Why?
a) Because they hosted Yaakov and his family during the famine.
8) Why is causing someone to sin worse than killing him?
a) Murder takes away life in this world, while causing someone to sin takes away his life in the World to Come.
9) If one charges interest to his fellow Jew, how many commandments has he transgressed?
a) Three; two negative commandments and a positive commandment.
10) What is the groom's special obligation to his bride during their first year together?
a) To make her happy.
(Parsha Ki Tet'ze Quiz originally appeared on the Ohr Somayach website, www.ohr.edu)
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I hope you enjoy the electronic version of our Dateline. Please check out our website at www.torahacademy.org.
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