| HEADMASTER'S MESSAGE | |
This week's Torah portion is called Mishpatim, which means "laws." The parsha contains rules and regulations for a wide variety of areas. One area involves the laws covering situations of injuring or harming other people. In this section, the Torah specifically mentions the prohibition of causing pain to widows and orphans: "You shall not taunt a widow or orphan, for if you shall cause pain and there will be a cry to Me, I shall hear the cry..." In the Hebrew verse we see that the words for pain and cry are repeated twice. Why is this so? Rabbi Mordechai Kamentsky explains that widows and orphans feel a double dose of suffering when someone takes advantage of them. First, there is the injury or damage itself. In addition, they are reminded of the fact that they are alone, bereft of the one who is supposed to protect and take care of them. This emotional pain is often worse than the actual physical harm they suffered. Rabbi Kamenetsky points out that we should keep this lesson in mind during our interactions with all people, not just widows and orphans. Our thoughtless words and actions are capable of hurting people in multiple ways. The Torah is teaching us that we are responsible for all of the suffering we cause, be it physical, emotional, or otherwise.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Zvi Kahn
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| LEADERSHIP IS EARNED | |
We are proud of the hard work that our students put forth each day to become successful. A dual curriculum is challenging both in terms of the amount of time available for curriculum content and the skills that our students must develop in two different areas.
Beyond academic content and basic skills, we are guiding and nurturing our students to become successful adults - to have the ability to interact with different kinds of people and to know how to react and behave in many types of situations, even when confronted with strong emotions like stress and jealousy. The students amaze us with their insight, intellect and ability to grasp difficult concepts and view the world in a new way.
Eleventh graders have been working together as part of their Jewish Studies class on the Laws of Shabbat with Rabbi Drandoff to plan a Shabbaton this week for the entire High School. Students in grades 9-12 will be spending the weekend at CTA celebrating the beauty of Shabbat together and enjoying each other's company. We look forward to hearing about what happens on a "Shabbat at CTA".
Leadership opportunities abound in a small school like CTA. Student Councils and Athletic teams are designed with that in mind, but student's actions and treating each other with respect are obvious ways that good leadership can be demonstrated.
We encourage our parents and teachers to attend an upcoming community-wide presentation by Dr. Joann Deak, a noted educator and psychologist who will speak about how children develop into confident and competent adults. The event will be held on February 26 at 7:00 pm at CJDS.
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Monday, February 11: Macaroni & Cheese-Volunteer: J. Topolosky
Turn in Tzedakah Box
Spirit Day / Silly Hat Day
Tuesday, February 12: Tacos-Volunteer: S. Lubow
Executive Board Meeting, 7:30pm
Wednesday, February 13: Lasagna-Volunteer: Y. Weisband
Girls Varsity Basketball Team Miami Shabbaton
Thursday, February 14: Deli Sandwich-Volunteer: J. Margolies
Friday, February 15: Fish Sticks-Volunteer: R. Berger
PSAS Financial Assistance Forms Due
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Monday, February 18: Presidents' Day - No School
Thursday, February 21: Mid 3rd Quarter
Friday, February 22: Purim Festivities
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It's Basketball Season!
Monday, February 11
AWAY at Genoa Christian
Middle School Girls, 5:00 p.m.
Middle School Boys, 6:15 p.m.
Tuesday, February 12
AWAY at St. John's Lutheran
Middle School Girls, 5:00 p.m.
Middle School Boys, 6:15 p.m.
IF THEY WIN ON MON.
Thursday, February 14
HOME Championship Games
Middle School Girls, 5:00 p.m.
Middle School Boys, 6:15 p.m.
IF THEY WIN MON. & TUES.
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SCRIP UPDATE - PLACES TO PURCHASE SCRIP
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CTA Scrip Office, 864-0299 ext. 112
Monday-Thursday- 7:30am-4pm; Friday- 7:30am-1:30pm
The Scrip Office keeps a variety of available scrip on hand. Special order scrip from hundreds of stores is available by sending your request to [email protected]. To see a complete selection of all of the Scrip choices, go to www.glscrip.com. To benefit CTA with online purchases, register at www.iGive.com.
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"L'chaim and Todah Rabah to...ALL the following families for purchasing Scrip through CTA! Dotan Herszage; Suzanne Schneiderman; Tricia Rosenstein; Shevkin Family; Schubach Family; Tonia Levison; Joni Schottenstein; Morah Kim Stock; Naomi Myers and Yaffa Gewirtz. We even had the father of a CTA graduate buy a large order of Giant Eagle Scrip!
Reminder: We have a new Call & Deliver Program for Scrip. Email [email protected] or call 864-0299 to order scrip and have it delivered to your home! The $2,000 per family Give & Get commitment for 2012-2013 is fulfilled through donations, Scrip purchases, solicitations and volunteering. Send a record of all G&G volunteer hours to [email protected].
If you would like to volunteer, contact Volunteer Coordinator, Kim Abelman, at 855-5195 or [email protected]. Volunteer time is worth $25 per hour towards Give & Get.
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NEWS FROM THE LOWER SCHOOL JUDAIC STUDIES DEPARTMENT
By Dror Karavani, Lower School Judaic Studies Coordinator | |
What does Nurse Chris have to do with Tefillah? At first glance, it would seem that our special nurse would not be part of our tefilla program. However, another way of integrating tefillah with different aspects of our life is through health. This is where Nurse Chris comes in. Recently when the students learned about the blessing of "zokaif kefufim" (straightening those who are bent), our  nurse explained and demonstrated the importance of sitting correctly in the chair and having good posture. This is just one more way of making our tefillah more meaningful and relevant. We will apprise you of her next visit in the classrooms...
 Technology and Blessings: Our first grade class is using computer technology as part of their daily routine with their teacher, Morah Irit, who has a degree in this area. Using a special computer program which she
designed, the students learned about the seven species of fruits and the blessings over foods. Best of all, the entire program is in Hebrew. All of the children are curious and happy when it's their turn to use the computer and the Smart Board.
Silly Hat Day - Monday, February 11: This coming Monday, we will celebrate Rosh Chodesh Adar in many different ways. In order to create a happy environment and get ready for Purim, we would like all of the students to come with a silly hat that day. Please be creative, as we will pay special attention to the most unique hats. Mi-she-nichnas- Adar Marbim B'Simcha. Have a great Rosh Chodesh.
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SAY IT IN HEBREW
By Galit Golan, Hebrew Language Coordinator |
 I had the pleasure of seeing many of you during the Town Hall Meeting on January 30. For the benefit of those of you who couldn't make it, I would like to highlight some of the new and exciting activities and projects that your children are enjoying in their Hebrew classes:
- The entire K-12 curriculum was reviewed and revised this year.
- Educational review games were added to the different classes.
- Technology, such as Power Point presentation, special reading practice program and Skype are being used as part of the Hebrew curriculum.
- Focus on reading and writing skills.
- Available Hebrew learning center for support in Hebrew.
- Focus on conversation and listening comprehension.
- Teaching Hebrew and holiday related songs, as well as current Israeli songs.
- Teaching about current events in Israel.
- Israel program for lower and upper school with Liat Shaked, our young Israeli Shlicha.
- Chalav Udvash, conversational Hebrew curriculum, in Kindergarten.
- "Hebrew Reading Magic" reading program in Kindergarten- Students are showing a great progress.
- Preparation for middle school, focused on short stories and grammar in 6th grade.
- Monthly grammar week in upper grades.
- Focus on the connection with Israel through chapter books and newspapers.
- Shishi Ivrit, monthly Hebrew award ceremony, in the upper school.
- Intercommunity project with high school students in Kfar Saba, Israel.
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ON THE UP & UP:
NEWS FROM THE UPPER SCHOOL JUDAIC STUDIES DEPARTMENT
By Rabbi Zecharia Weitz, Upper School Judaic Studies Coordinator |
Epic Midterm Challenge 
Midterms in CTA are only required for the high school classes. Why would any of the junior high classes volunteer to take a midterm? I don't know - but it happened! (Alright, I'll admit the food incentive might have played somewhat of a role.) Not only did the Jr. High boys Gemara class take a midterm - they volunteered to take a high school level midterm! These young students devoted a solid week of class to intense review over the year's material and even requested an optional Sunday night review session at my home.
The results were rather impressive; they learned a lot of Torah and students were able to crystallize half a year's material to memory. Equally important was the knowledge that they braved a high level challenge and the gratification of accomplishment. After the midterms were returned, the Jr. High boys had a little party to celebrate.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: This Shabbat we announce the upcoming Rosh Chodesh of Adar. As the song goes (that actually originates from an adage of the Sages), "when Adar enters, we increase in happiness". Why, out of all months, does Adar bear this blessing? Why does Purim spill over the entire month while other holidays seem to be more "contained?"
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| PTO DONATION OFFER |
Christine's Garden, located at 2733 E. Main Street, will donate 10% of every order (up to $5.00) to the CTA PTO. The offer expires 12/31/2013. For on-line purchases, log onto www.osuflowers.com and enter the code FHGM05CTA. For in-store or phone purchases (235-4510), give the code to the salesperson.
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100 DAYS OF SCHOOL CELEBRATED IN KG & 1ST GRADE
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Last Thursday was the 100th day of school this year and the kindergarten and first graders celebrated in a big way! In first grade, the students wore "100 day" glasses and stickers. The students each brought in a 100 day collection and in class weighed them on a balance scale, checking whose collections were heavier and whose were lighter. The students also enjoyed playing 100 day bingo.
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MRS. MORENO HONORED AS OCTELA PRESENTER
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Upper School Social Science and English teacher, Bethany Moreno, has been selected to present at a state-wide Ohio English Teachers Conference sponsored by the Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts (OCTELA) which will take place in Columbus on March 22. The topic for the Conference is "Dream Big: Common Core Standards and Beyond." The conference will focus on the new Common Core Standards in English Language Arts, and Mrs. Moreno has been selected as one of only a few teachers who will be able to align her presentation directly with those standards. She has designed her presentation to be of significant interest to Language Arts teachers throughout the state of Ohio. We are fortunate to have Mrs. Moreno teach our students on a daily basis.
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INTEGRATED TU B'SHEVAT EXPERIENCE FOR 3RD/4TH GRADE
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Throughout CTA, Tu B'Shevat was celebrated with songs, stories, plantings and seders, but the 3rd and 4th grade engaged in a afternoon of integrated learning about Tu B'Shevat and the value of trees. The General Studies, Judaic Studies and Hebrew Language teachers in 3rd and 4th grade joined together to create an opportunity for the students to learn about Tu B'Shevat and trees through the disciplines of science, art, Hebrew language, Judaics and Israel. Students researched different types of trees that grow in Ohio and in Israel. Liat Shaked, the Young Shaliach, taught them a great game about taste and smell and they students made their own "besamim bugs" to take the great smells of Israel with them. Learning about the parts of a tree in Hebrew and then exploring what the rings inside a tree trunk mean as well as an art project led by Ms. Neiwirth that showed appreciation for the environment and recycling brought the observance of the Jewish holiday of the trees to a whole new level.
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| LAG BAOMER SPRING FLING PLANNING COMMITTEE |
Plans are underway for the 2013 Spring Fling which will be held on Sunday, April 28. We WANT YOU to be on the planning committee. The first planning meeting will be on Monday, February 18, place and time, TBA. The Spring Fling is a great event open to the entire community which features Amusement Rides and lots of fun for the whole family! Remember, you can earn Give & Get by taking a leadership role on the planning committee. Some of the subcommittee choices include: PR, Food, Volunteers, Activities, and more. Please email Shari Herszage ([email protected]) or Chaya Aviva Katz ([email protected]) to let us know you want to be a part of it.
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SAVE THE DATE - GRANDPARENTS & SPECIAL PERSONS DAY
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Grandparents and Special Persons Day will be held in the Lower School on Friday, March 1 from 12:30-2 pm. Students in grades K-6 received invitations to color and send to their grandparent or special person. The program will feature a short presentation in the shul and then invitees will go to the classrooms to engage in learning activities with the students. Please do not plan to bring younger children. If you do not have a grandparent in town, help your child choose an adult (ie: babysitter, neighbor, rabbi, teacher) who will enjoy spending time with them at school. If you need more invitations, please contact Shari Herszage at [email protected].
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GRANDPARENTS & SPECIAL PERSONS DAY
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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (PSAS) FORMS DUE FEBRUARY 15
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Reminder that the deadline for PSAS forms for the 2013-2014 School Year is this coming Friday, February 15.
Columbus Torah Academy awards financial aid to families based solely on financial need. Families requesting any level of financial assistance must complete the appropriate financial assistance forms provided by Private School Aid Service (PSAS). Financial aid forms should be filed by February 15, 2013. PSAS will assess a $30 late fee for all applications received after that date. Forms are available in the CTA Business Office, at www.torahacademy.org or by applying and submitting information online at www.psas.com using the school code: 4944.
The financial assistance form should be mailed directly to PSAS along with a copy of your 2012 W-2's and 2012 1099's and, if available, 2012 tax return (if not, please submit 2011 tax return) for their analysis. Also, submit a complete copy of the PSAS form, W-2's, 1099's and 2012 tax return to CTA enclosed in an envelope marked "confidential" for the Scholarship Committee. The results will be evaluated by the CTA Scholarship Committee.
If you have any questions about Financial Assistance or Payment Plans, please contact Sara Shatz at [email protected] or 864-0299, ext. 100.
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MAZAL TOV TO:
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Rabbi Meir and Devorah Aronowitz on the birth of a daughter
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CONDOLENCES TO:
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Gleb Shevchenko (Class of '08) on the loss of his great grandmother Dora Shevchenko
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SPIRIT DAY / SILLY HAT DAY
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 This coming Monday, February 11, we will celebrate Rosh Chodesh Adar. In order to create a happy environment, we would like ALL of the students to come with a silly hat that day. Please be creative, as we will pay special attention to the most unique hats. It is also Spirit Day, so wear your CTA polo shirt!
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PTO PURIM CARDS - DEADLINE EXTENDED
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The Deadline for ordering Purim cards has been extended to Monday, February 11. A pack of 20 cards are available for $18.00. For $25, PTO will deliver your cards with postcard stamps included. Purim 5773/2013 falls on Sunday, February 24. Please turn in your order with your payment to the front desk by Monday, February 11. Any questions, please call Agi Hartstein at 239-8760.
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PTO MISS CHOCOLATE FUNDRAISER
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Miss Chocolate packets were sent home with Dateline last Friday to Grades K-8. Order forms and money are due by Friday, February 22. If you order on-line, please use our school code #703241. Any questions, please call Esther Bernzweig at 774-5273.
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LOST & FOUND
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Do you recognize any of these coats & jackets?
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| COMMUNITY NEWS |
Gallery Players at the JCC Presents "Fiddler on the Roof": Saturdays, March 2 & 9 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, March 16 at 8:30 p.m.; Sundays, March 3, 10 & 17 at 2:30 p.m. and Thursdays, March 7 & 14 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost: $20 JCC Member, $25 Non-Member and $10 Students. If you would like to come for a discounted rate of only $15.00 on Sunday, March 17, please contact Norma Whitmyre at:
[email protected]. You don't want to miss Director of Performing Arts, Laurie Alexander as Grandma Zeitl, 5th & 6th Grade General Studies Teacher, Kate Willis as Shaindel (Motel's mother) and her husband Scott Willis as Lazar Wolf, parent, Amy Judd as Frumah Sarah and students, Rosie and Neil Kalef.
Columbus Jewish Day School presents JoAnn Deak, Ph.D., internationally renowned psychologist, author and expert in brain function, on Tuesday, February 26, 7-9 p.m. This is a community-wide seminar for parents and educators. Admission is free, but please RSVP to 939-5311 or [email protected].
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1. In what context is a mezuza mentioned in this week's parsha?
a. If a Hebrew servant desires to remain enslaved, his owner brings him "to the doorpost mezuza" to pierce his ear.
2. What special mitzvah does the Torah give to the master of a Hebrew maidservant?
a. To marry her.
3. A intentionally hits B. As a result, B is close to death. Besides any monetary payments, what happens to A?
a. He is put in jail until B recovers or dies.
4. What is the penalty for someone who tries to murder a particular person, but accidentally kills another person instead? Give two opinions.
a. (1) The murderer deserves the death penalty. (2) The murderer is exempt from death but must compensate the heirs of his victim.
5. A slave goes free if his master knocks out one of the slave's teeth. What teeth do not qualify for this rule and why?
a. Baby teeth, which grow back.
6. An ox gores another ox. What is the maximum the owner of the damaging ox must pay, provided his animal had gored no more than twice previously?
a. The full value of his own animal.
7. From where in this week's parsha can the importance of work be demonstrated?
a. From the "five-times" penalty for stealing an ox and slaughtering it. This fine is seen as punishment for preventing the owner from plowing with his ox.
(Parsha Mishpatim Quiz originally appeared on the
Ohr Somayach website, www.ohr.edu)
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As part of our partnership with the Shiloh school in Israel, we will be receiving riddles each week relating to the Parasha. You will notice this each week on this back page. The goal is to have the parents and children discuss the parasha, while trying to figure out the connection between the picture and the parasha. All answered riddles should be given to the Judaic teacher on Monday. The names of the winners will be announced and sent to our friends in Israel.
What is the connection between the picture and food in our Parasha? Look in Chapter 22, Verse 30. You will find the answer there.
 The winner of last week's riddle is Tzvi Chaykin.
Moreh Dror Karavani will collect all of the submitted answers, put them into a box, and save them for the big raffle! You will hear more about this very soon. Keep your answers coming.
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