| HEADMASTER'S MESSAGE | |
 In this week's Torah portion of Vayishlach, we find Ya'akov Avinu, the Patriarch Jacob, preparing for an encounter with his brother, Eisav. The Torah tells us (Genesis 32:8) that Ya'akov was, "very frightened and he was troubled" about the meeting with Eisav. Rashi explains that Ya'akov was "frightened" of being killed and "troubled" by the prospect of having to kill someone else, i.e., Eisav. It is not surprising that Ya'akov was afraid about being killed, but why was he at all disturbed about possibly having to kill Eisav. Obviously it would be a case of self-defense and completely justified. Herein lies a profound lesson. The Torah puts the highest value on human life. It is considered a terrible tragedy to take a life, even in cases where it is absolutely legitimate. Judaism commands us to defend ourselves, and to use lethal force if necessary. However, we must never glorify or celebrate the use of violence. Our tradition teaches us to celebrate life and glorify peace. The Rabbis of the Talmud referred to peace as the vessel that allows us to enjoy all of G-d's blessings. Perhaps that is why our weekly Shabbat greeting is Shabbat Shalom, which means, "Have a peaceful Shabbat."
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Zvi Kahn
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CTA IS A COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS
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 CTA is a safe haven for the children who come through our doors each day. The experiences and relationships formed at CTA are everlasting. Many of those relationships are friendships that span time and distance.
At next Sunday's Scholarship Dinner, our Lower School Choir will be singing, Count On Me by Bruno Mars, a song that depicts the types of friendships that are fostered at school. If you haven't made your reservation to celebrate our school and honor Drs. Dan & Leslie Chase, don't miss out!
If you are a alumnus, a parent, a faculty member, a board member, or supporter of CTA, you have made or are making good memories at CTA. Share your story and experiences with your family, with your friends, and with your neighbors. Let your energy go viral!
One Amazing Year will be formally introduced at the Scholarship Dinner. Find out more about this unique initiative!
And, we will recognize the Kahn family for their contributions to CTA for the past seven years.
The evening promises to be a "memory maker".
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Sunday, November 17: 8th Grade departs for Washington DC
Monday, November 18: Ravioli: Volunteer-M. Szatmary
Tuesday, November 19: Hamburgers: Volunteer-D. Koppes
Wednesday, November 20: Pizza: Volunteer-P. Wolf
Thursday, November 21: Sloppy Joe: Volunteer-A. Rosen
Lower School Student Council Meeting, 4-5pm
Friday, November 22: Fish Sticks-Volunteer-P. Schiff
2:00 pm Dismissal
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Sunday, November 24: CTA Scholarship Dinner, Hilton Downtown, 5:30
Wednesday, November 27: Thanksgiving/Chanukah Show, Grades K-4, 9:30 am; 2:00 pm Dismissal
November 28-29: Thanksgiving Vacation
Tuesday, December 3: Chanukah Hop, 4:30-7:00 pm, CJDS
Wednesday, December 4: Chanukah Carnival after lunch
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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-2pm
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 scrip@torahacademy.org. 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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Remember: Target Take Charge of Education Program; Box Tops for Education; Giant Eagle Apples for Students, Kroger card, and empty inkjet cartridges into the box at the front office. To view the vendors participating in the Scrip Program go to www.glscrip.com.
Call & Deliver Program for Scrip: email scrip@torahacademy.org or call 864-0299 to order scrip and have it delivered to your home!
If you would like to volunteer, contact Volunteer Coordinator, Kim Abelman, at 855-5195 or kimabel3@gmail.com. Volunteer time is worth $25 per hour towards Give & Get.
Featured Fundraisers: Fun Factory collection of Ink Jet cartridges, and iGive.com.
DON'T FORGET TO PURCHASE SCRIP
FOR ALL HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR TEACHERS,
BUS DRIVERS, SECRETARIES, MAILMEN, ETC.
CHANUKAH IS LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AWAY!
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NEWS FROM THE LOWER SCHOOL JUDAIC STUDIES DEPARTMENT
By Dror Karavani, Lower School Judaic Studies Coordinator
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Can you point to the place where the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was?
There are many mysterious questions in Judaism... Do we know where Mount Sinai is? Do we know where the Holy Vessels are kept? Can we point to the place where the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was? In Morah Elana's Sixth Grade, as part of the study of Sefer Shmuel in Navi, the students studied about the Biblical city of Shiloh. Through Power Point presentations, the class studied various views and the location of the city. They figured out that Biblical cities of those days were not so big  compared to cities today. It was also interesting for them to be exposed to and learn about the latest archeological finds which were published this past summer. The students saw the uniquely designed pitchers of that period as well as a picture of a broken pitcher next to ashes from the destruction of the city by the Pelishtim. The story about the Kohen Gadol, Eli and the captured Aron Hakodesh suddenly awakened them. For the first time in their lives, the children saw the location of the Mishkan that stood for 369 years in Shiloh. Now, when they continue to study the books of the Prophets, they'll have an anchor  and make the correct associations. Of course, as one of their "desserts", they held pieces of original pottery from the archeological sites. This is just one more wonderful way that Morah Elana brings the love of the land of Eretz Yisroel and of learning Tanach into the hearts of the children. Yasher Koach and Shabbat Shalom!
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SAY IT IN HEBREW
By Galit Golan, Hebrew Language Coordinator
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 Shalom,
Last Friday, the upper grades students celebrated Rosh Chodesh Kislev during Shishi Ivrit, our monthly Hebrew Award Ceremony. The students watched a presentation about the Israeli Palestinian conflict. They learned about the events that contributed to the conflict, and about the people who caused important developments in the conflict process. After the presentations the students had the opportunity to ask questions and to sing Hebrew songs. As part of the program, awards were given to student who excelled in their Hebrew studies during the month of Cheshvan. The teachers had a hard time choosing the awardees among many excellent students.
Moreh David Adar awarded Julie Chase, Ellie Chase and Sigal Import for excellence in Achievements.
Morah Kelly Adar awarded Alyssa Karmia and Mira Cassell for excellence in Hebrew studies.
Morah Galit Golan awarded Basya Fedorovskaya and Rosie Kalef for excellence in Hebrew studies.
Mazal Tov and Yishar Koach to all our students! Shabbat Shalom!
 
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ON THE UP & UP:
NEWS FROM THE UPPER SCHOOL JUDAIC STUDIES DEPT.
By Rabbi Zecharia Weitz |
Creative Thinking in Gemara
Describing the process of Gemara learning to parents during yesterday's conferences reminded me of how daunting it can sound. There is so much that goes into "understanding" a piece of Gemara; reading, translating, punctuating, explaining, understanding the dialogue and, finally, the outcome. This is something that eventually comes naturally after a certain amount of exposure, but it's no small adjustment.
In efforts to scaffold the process for our junior high students, we use various visual, audible, physical and logical platforms. The most current projects, for example, entail creating a comic strip of the back and forth of the Gemara and a special menu based on the halachic outcome. Mastery is a long process but we do what we can to support and sweeten it along the way.
 Table Topic: Often saying something out loud helps us understand how little it makes sense. Try this for example - Yaakov had a wrestling match with Eisav's angel, won, but injured his leg in the process (huh?) That is why we don't eat the sciatic nerve...of animals (double huh). Any thoughts?
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| MAZAL TOV TO: |
David Gold (8th Grade Class of 1969) on the birth of a grandson
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| CONDOLENCES TO: |
Gary Blumberg on the loss of his step-father, Arthur Hirshowitz
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| GUEST SPEAKER ADDRESSES HIGH SCHOOL FOR KRISTALLNACHT |
 Rabbi Steven Burg spoke to the high school last Friday afternoon about Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, which commemorates events that took place 75 years ago. Rabbi Burg was the Managing Director of the OU and the International Director of NCSY. Presently, he is the Director of the Eastern Region of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. He was in Columbus as part of Beth Jacob's Scholar in Residence weekend about this historic event which has had an everlasting impact on the Jewish people.
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| SCHOLARSHIP DINNER CORNER |
1) NEW LOCATION: Hilton Downtown is the location of the 2013 Scholarship Dinner. The address is 401 N. High St. Self service parking is available in the Vine Street Parking Garage for $5 per car. Valet Parking is available for $15 at the High Street entrance.
2) If you have not sent in your reservation, contact ktanenbaum@torahacademy.org
3) The Silent & Student Artwork Auction promises to have wonderful items to bid on. Be watching your email for previews of jewelry, sporting items, gift cards and more.
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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 the Scholarship Fund by:
Jerry and Natalie Frager in honor of Sonia Schottenstein
Gary Liebesman and Stacy Leeman in memory of Faygle Shkolnik
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| PARENT DIRECTORY |
The CTA PTO Parent Directory was sent home with the youngest child of ALL PAID PTO members. Don't miss out on this important booklet. Become a PTO member for just $20. Please send your check, made out to CTA PTO, to the school office and we'll send the Directory.
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| COMMUNITY NEWS |
Shelly Dembe will be offering YOGADANCE for women and girls only Motsei Shabbos this week at 8:15pm, Ahavas Sholom. $10 donation per family suggested. Please bring a water bottle and mat or towel.
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| INFORMATION FOUND ON CTA WEBSITE |
The following information can be found on the CTA website under Downloadable Documents:
1. Celebrate Chanukah with the Blue Jackets
2. PTO Holiday Gift Fund
3. Winter Break Camp
4. Box Tops for Education
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CELEBRATE CHANUKAH WITH THE BLUE JACKETS
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PTO HOLIDAY GIFT FUND - STAFF LIST
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GIRLS' VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM DONUT SALE
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1. What sort of messengers did Yaakov send to Esav?
a. Angels.
2. Why was Yaakov both "afraid" and "distressed?"
a. He was afraid he would be killed. He was distressed that he would have to kill.
3. In what three ways did Yaakov prepare for his encounter with Esav?
a. He sent gifts, he prayed, and he prepared for war.
4. Where did Dina hide and why?
a. Yaakov hid her in a closet so that Esav wouldn't see her and want to marry her.
5. After helping his family across the river, Yaakov remained alone on the other side. Why?
a. He went back to get some small containers he had forgotten.
6. What was the angel forced to do before Yaakov agreed to release him?
a. Admit that the blessings given by Yitzchak rightfully belong to Yaakov.
7. What was it that healed Yaakov's leg?
a. The shining of the sun.
8. Why did Esav embrace Yaakov?
a. His pity was aroused when he saw Yaakov bowing to him so many times.
(Parsha Vayishlach Quiz appeared on the Ohr Somayach website)
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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 the parasha? Look in Chapter 32, Verse 7. You will find the answer there.
 The winner of last week's riddle is Maya Aframian.
Moreh Dror Karavani will collect all of the submitted answers, put them in 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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