building ctalogogreyscale
The Columbus Torah Academy
181 Noe Bixby Rd, Columbus OH 43213
614.864.0299

November 22, 2013

          19 Kislev 5774 

Vayeshev
  Candlelighting 4:54 p.m.
This Week on E-Dateline
Headmaster's Message
CTA Scholarship Dinner is Finally Here
CTA Student Artwork & Silent Auction
Preview of the Week of Nov. 24-29
Preview of the Week of Dec. 1-6
Dates to Remember
Sports
Give & Get Grapevine
News from the Lower School Judaic Studies Department
Say it in Hebrew
News from the Upper School Judaic Studies Dept.
Rabbi Weitz Selected for Development Program
Mazal Tov To
JCC "Erev Shabbat" Bus
Shabbat Bus to the JCC
"Thanksgivvukkah" at CTA
Dental Hygiene a Benefit
High School Student Council Attends Basketball Game
Tzedakah
Parent Directory
Community News
Hanukkah Hop is a Must Attend Even for All
Hanukkah Hop
Jump Program
PTO Holiday Gift Fund
Parsha Vayeshev Quiz
A Riddle from Israel
Join Our Mailing List
HEADMASTER'S MESSAGE

This week's Torah portion of Vayeshev focuses on Yoseph (Joseph) and his early years in Egypt. The Torah tells us that when Yosef arrived in Egypt he was sold as a household servant to a powerful dignitary, Potiphar. Yosef did everything he could to serve his master faithfully; however, Potophar's wife was attracted to Yosef and attempted to seduce him. This went on for some time and ultimately reached a point when Yosef was about to give in. At this point, according to the Midrash, Yosef remembered his beloved father Yaakov, and the image of this saintly man gave him the strength to tear himself away from his master's wife and flee the house.

 

There is a vital message here. As parents we have the ability, and the obligation, to be powerful role models for our children. It is not enough to merely tell them about right and wrong, we must demonstrate our commitment to our values through our actions. When we do this, we create an indelible image in their minds that will hopefully guide them well into the future.
 
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Zvi Kahn
CTA SCHOLARSHIP DINNER IS FINALLY HERE
After months of planning, THE EVENT has arrived.  On Sunday evening, the Columbus community will come together to celebrate the importance of Jewish day school education and the future success of Columbus Torah Academy at the Annual Scholarship Dinner.  Our honorees for the evening are Drs. Dan & Leslie Chase, devoted and committed parents, supporters and volunteers of our beloved school. The Committee has been hard at work creating a successful Tribute Journal and a wonderful evening. Special features include our fabulous Lower School Choir, a unique tribute to the Kahn Family, recognition of Norma Whitmyre's 20 years of service to CTA and a VERY special honoree response.   

 

A feature of the evening will be the expanded Silent and Student Artwork Auction which features beautiful pieces created by CTA students that are wonderful keepsakes or great items as gifts.  In addition, you will find a variety of gift cards, jewelry, sports and entertainment tickets and prize packages that will satisfy everyone AND, the proceeds go directly to support our school.  If you are not attending the dinner, please find someone to bid for you.  You definitely don't want to miss out!

 

Thank you in advance to all of the volunteers who have made this event such a success.  See you Sunday!  It will be an evening of celebration that you won't want to miss! 

 

SPECIAL ALERT:  THE LOCATION THIS YEAR IS THE HILTON, DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS, 401 S. HIGH ST.  [PARKING AT THE VINE STREET GARAGE IS $5.00]

CTA STUDENT ARWORK & SILENT AUCTION

CTA STUDENT ARTWORK & SILENT AUCTION

PREVIEW OF THE WEEK OF NOV. 24-29
Sunday, November 24: CTA Scholarship Dinner, Hilton Downtown, 5:30 pm
Monday, November 25: Pizza Bagels: Volunteer-R. Fineberg
Tuesday, November 26:  Chicken Nuggets: Volunteer-L. Polster
Wednesday, November 27:  Grilled Cheese: Volunteer-M. Szatmary
Thanksgiving/Chanukah Show, Grades K-4, 9:30 am
2:00 pm Dismissal
Thursday, November 28: Thanksgiving - NO SCHOOL
Friday, November 29: Thanksgiving Vacation - NO SCHOOL
PREVIEW OF THE WEEK OF DEC. 1-6
Monday, December 2:  Macaroni & Cheese: Volunteer-Y. Levi
Tuesday, December 3:  Tacos: Volunteer-L. Hoffman
Chanukah Hop, 4:30-7pm, CJDS
Wednesday, December 4:  Lasagna: Volunteer-A. Kohn
Chanukah Carnival, 12:30-3:15pm
Thursday, December 5:  Turkey Pastrami: Volunteer-O. Gerberg
Lower School Student Council Meeting, 4-5pm
Friday, December 6:  Fish Sticks: Volunteer-C. Wolt
Lower School Dress Down Day
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Tuesday, December 10: Executive Board Meeting, 7:30 pm
Wednesday, December 11: 11th Grade College Night, 7:30 pm
December 23-January 1: Winter Break - NO SCHOOL
Thursday, January 2: School Resumes
SPORTS:
It's Basketball Season!

Monday, November 25
AWAY Games vs. Cypress Christian
Middle School Girls, 5:00 pm
Middle School Boys, 6:15 pm
 
Tuesday, November 26
HOME Games vs. Liberty Christian
Middle School Girls, 5:00 pm
Middle School Boys, 6:15 pm
 
Monday, December 2
HOME Games vs. Genoa Christian
Middle School Girls, 5:00 pm
Middle School Boys, 6:15 pm
 
Tuesday, December 3
HOME Games vs. Oakstone Academy
Middle School Boys, 5:00 pm
Varsity Boys, 6:30 pm
 
Wednesday, December 4
HOME Game vs. New Hope 
Varsity Girls, 5:30 pm
 
Thursday, December 5
HOME Game vs. New Hope
Varsity Girls, 5:30 pm
HOME Game vs. Mt. Vernon
Varsity Boys, 7:00 pm
 
AWAY Games vs. Polaris Christian
Middle School Girls, 5:00 pm
Middle School Boys, 6:15 pm
SCRIP UPDATE - PLACES TO PURCHASE SCRIP
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 [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.  
GIVE & GET GRAPEVINE

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected]. 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.

 

THE FIRST NIGHT OF CHANUKAH IS 5 DAYS AWAY!

NEWS FROM THE LOWER SCHOOL JUDAIC STUDIES DEPARTMENT 

By Dror Karavani, Lower School Judaic Studies Coordinator

Dror-new

The "Art" of Tefillah:  Art doesn't only appear in a physical beauty.  This is the feeling that you get when you hear the fifth and sixth grade girls' morning prayers.  It's so nice to see the unity and to enjoy the melodic tunes, which have been taught and led on a daily base by Ms. Neiwirth.  In addition to the tefillah which they do, we also study the meaning behind each prayer and in a very creative way. The students learned about specific prayers and then were asked to illustrate the main idea.  Their exhibit is in the elementary hallway and will be used to teach the younger grades.  In the boys' tefillah group, it's incredible to see the participation and leadership.  Besides the skills and prayers which they have already, this week, Rabbi Hauser added "laining" in the Torah.  The boys were proud to have the honor of being called to the Torah and read the portions from the parasha (aliyot).  This will definitely prepare and give them the courage to take their roles in their shuls as chazanim.  Chazak, chazak, v'nitchazek!

 

Chanukah is around the Corner:  Throughout the grades, the students are learning about Chanukah.  When walking through the hallways, one can hear, see, and touch various things such as songs, projects, and items dealing with the holiday. I will look forward to having you celebrate with us at our combined Chanukah/ Thanksgiving Program as well as the community Chanukah Hop.  The Student Council Chanukah Carnival will be coming and I'll share the details of these events in the following Dateline. Shabbat Shalom!

SAY IT IN HEBREW

By Galit Golan, Hebrew Language Coordinator

 Differentiated learning is a key to reach more students in their own level and help them grow and progress from where they are at the moment. When learning a new language, it's crucial to apply differentiated learning as an integral part of the teaching.

 

In 5th grade, we are doing just that. In this class of 15 students, we are working daily on five different levels. Each one of these levels has its own program working with guidance and independently. For example: our three Israeli students are reading Hebrew texts at a higher level, writing scripts, performing and taping them and using advanced vocabulary.  Another group is being challenged with composing poems based on the material learned in class. While that happens, two other groups are learning and working in class with different levels of help and guidance, and the fifth group is working separately on a tailored fit oral conversational Hebrew program.

 

It is absolutely amazing to see all these students working and growing in their Hebrew skills, while each one of them receives exactly what he/ she needs.

ON THE UP & UP:
NEWS FROM THE UPPER SCHOOL JUDAIC STUDIES DEPT.
By Rabbi Zecharia Weitz 
Weitz

Bar & Bat Mitzvah Boot-Camp!

Becoming bar and bat mitzvah is the beginning of a totally new chapter of life. In order to appreciate and actualize the enormous opportunity our 7th graders have or will soon enter, Rabbi Drandoff and I initiated a one-week boot-camp that exposes our 7th graders to what we believe are the more essential, relevant and exciting areas of entering adulthood. The general message was the understanding that we are never "bar/bat mitvah-ed"; we are not celebrating a graduation but rather an initiation. Here was the brief itinerary:

 

Monday 

  • Cocktails -12:45
  • 12:50 - Your Bar & Bat Mitzvah; the Hidden Gift Beneath the Presents

Tuesday & Wednesday

  • Hands-On Mitzvah Workshop; a fresh look at some of the new mitzvot in our lives

Thursday

  • Conquering the Beast; Public Speaking Crash Course

Friday

  • A Cause for Celebration (?)(!)

Table Talk: Avraham was informed that the Jews would experience the Egyptian Exile. Yosef being sold into slavery was the vehicle that brought us down. How can the brothers be held accountable (however you understand their mistake) for what would seem to be a predestined eventuality?

RABBI WEITZ SELECTED FOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

CTA is proud to announce that Rabbi Zecharia Weitz, Upper School teacher and Judaics Curriculum Coordinator, has been selected from a highly competitive applicant pool to participate in YU Lead, the Yeshiva University School Partnership's exclusive leadership development program.

 

This year's cohort is comprised of 30 teachers, division principals, student support faculty, curriculum coordinators, and student activity directors. Participants are spending this academic school year immersing in the study of leadership as they learn with experts in the field of education and peers from around the country. The learning is taking place online, synchronously and asynchronously, and at two in-person conferences. These sessions are addressing topics that include: unlocking leadership presence, time management, building a positive faculty culture, 21st century learning, reflective practice, creating systems for student support, instructional leadership, parent partnership, problem-based learning, curriculum design and much more.

 

Rabbi Weitz is already enjoying the professional networking opportunities that YU Lead provides, having just returned from an intensive two-day conference convening at the YU School Partnership's Critical Friends Group (CFG) Conference, where he learned and networked with over 120 other professional and lay leaders.

 

Although they hail from different backgrounds, YU Lead-ers all share something in common: a strong commitment to Jewish education and to learning and growing in their practice. "The interactive online model allows me to hear relevant insights from top educators every week. Every webinar and article provides a new angle on how to enhance my work and the work of my department. Being part of a professional community of learners has enhanced my practice as an educator and leader."  

 

The following schools are represented in the second cohort of YU Lead:

 

Bi-Cultural Day School, Stamford, CT, Columbus Torah Academy High School, Columbus, OH, Emek Hebrew Academy, Los Angeles, CA, Fuchs Mizrachi High School, Beachwood, Ohio, HAFTR Elementary School, Lawrence, NY, The Jewish Educational Center Elementary School, Elizabeth, NJ, Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy, Livingston, NJ, Magen David Yeshivah, Brooklyn, NY, Maimonides Academy, Los Angeles, CA, Maimonides School, Brookline, MA, Manhattan Day School, New York, NY, Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy, Rockville, MD, Oakland Hebrew Day School, Oakland, CA, Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, River Edge, NJ, SAR Academy, Riverdale, NY, Sha'arei Bina, North Miami Beach, FL, Shalhevet High School, Valley Stream, NY, Shulamith Elementary School, Cedarhurst, NY, Stella K. Abraham/HALB High School, Hewlett Bay Park, New York, Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School, San Diego, CA, Torah Academy of Bergen County, Teaneck, NJ, Torah Academy of Philadelphia, Lower Merion, PA, Yavneh Hebrew Academy, Los Angeles, CA, Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island, Inwood, NY, Yeshiva of Atlanta High School, Doraville, GA, Yeshiva of Flatbush High School, Brooklyn, NY, Yeshiva University High School for Boys, New York, NY. For more information on YU Lead and other YUSP programs, please visit: www.yuschoolpartnership.org/YULead

 

We look forward to hearing about Rabbi Weitz's experiences and what he learns from networking with colleagues from across the country.
MAZAL TOV TO:

David Goldmeier (8th Grade Class of 1966) on the marriage of his daughter

   Melissa to Josh Kahn

Bari Dolinger (Class of 2008) on her marriage to Avi Gorbacz 

Sarah (Nemzer) Kohl (Class of 2001) on the birth of a son, Amichai

   Menashe

JCC "EREV SHABBAT" BUS

Remember, the JCC offers transportation on Fridays at 2:00 pm dismissal from CTA to the JCC.  If you need to run a few errands before your children come home or have things to finish up at work, don't hesitate to use this service. It is convenient and economical.  And, your children will be well cared for until you are ready for them to come home.  A flyer and all forms can be found on the Torah Academy website. All forms must be complete and turned in by the time your child rides for the first time.  For more information, contact Kim Moore at [email protected] or Lauren Barnes at [email protected].

SHABBAT BUS TO THE JCC

 

"THANKSGIVVUKKAH" AT CTA

Thanksgiving and Chanukah have not coincided since 1888 and will not coincide again for an estimated 70,000 years.  Because of this, the lower school will merge the Thanksgiving and Chanukah annual musical shows this coming Wednesday, November 27 beginning at 9:30 am.  Grades K-4 will be featured in the show.

 

In recognition of this "once in a lifetime" event, Joy Tanenbaum (CTA Class of 2003) designed a Menurkey - a symbol of the blending of these two holidays in a combination of Menorah and Turkey. All students in grades K - 4 will receive a special commemorative button featuring the Menurkey.

 

After graduating CTA, Joy Tanenbaum continued her education at the University of Maryland where she received a BA in Technical Theater. She works in the Audio Visual industry, and has the InfoComm Certification of CTS-I (Certified Technical Specialist - Installation).  In addition, Joy enjoys cartooning and puppetry and is a big fan of the Muppets.

 

A limited number of her pins will be available for sale at the Thanksgiving/Chanukah show.

DENTAL HYGIENE A BENEFIT

 

 

Dr. Cheryl Golden of Golden Orthodontics was the guest speaker in 1st, 2nd and 4th grade this week as she brought her "friend" that showed about good dental hygiene and how to care properly and daily for your teeth.  The students enjoyed Dr. Golden's presentation.  

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL ATTENDS BASKETBALL GAME

 
Thanks to a gift of tickets from Schottenstein Stores Corporation, the High School Student Council attended an OSU Men's Basketball game this past Wednesday night.  The Buckeyes defeated American University, 63-52 and the CTA Lions were in full force cheering on the home team and building camaraderie in their own student council.  Student council advisor, Rabbi Drandoff was happy to accompany them.

 

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:

The Hazan Family in honor of the kindness of David Adar and his 8th 

   grade Hebrew Class

Gary Liebesman and Stacy Leeman in memory of Gary Blumberg's

   stepfather

 

To The Library Fund by:

Halle Schwartz in honor of Cheryl Miller 

PARENT DIRECTORY

Did you receive a CTA PTO Parent Directory? 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. Please make the following change in your copy of the Parent Directory:   PHONE NUMBER:  Jennifer Mastracci, 561-7471

COMMUNITY NEWS

CHANUKAH FAMILY FUN DAY AT THE J sponsored by the JCC and the Columbus Community Kollel: Sunday, November 24, 10:30-11:30 am - Sufganiot making, Bounce House, Interactive Craft Zone, Chanukah Games, Prizes and Snacks. Cost: $5.00 per family. For more information or to RSVP, contact [email protected] or 237-7133.

HANUKKAH HOP IS A MUST ATTEND EVENT FOR ALL

The Hanukkah Hop is an annual collaborative event between CTA, CJDS and area Jewish preschools.  This year the Hop will be held on the sixth night of Hanukkah, Tuesday, December 3 from 4:30-7:00 pm and will include arts, crafts, games, dinner and special performance by students from throughout the community. The Hop is at CJDS, 150 E. Dublin Granville Road in New Albany.   All CTA families are encouraged to attend this FREE event and show your CTA spirit.  Students in grades K-4 should wear their new Menurkey pins in celebration of the holiday and plan to wear your CTA spirit wear to show your school spirit.  Dinner will be available for purchase for $5 per meal. For more information, contact [email protected] or [email protected].

HANUKKAH HOP

 

JUMP PROGRAM 

 

PTO HOLIDAY GIFT FUND

 

PTO HOLIDAY GIFT FUND - STAFF LIST

 

GIRLS' VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM DONUT SALE

 

PARSHA VAYESHEV QUIZ

1.   What was praiseworthy about the fact that Yosef's brothers did not speak to him in a friendly manner?

      a.   They did not act hypocritically.

 

2.    How do we see from Yosef's dream about the sun, moon and stars that all dreams contain some untrue element?

      a.   The moon represented Rachel. Since she had already died, it was impossible for that element of the dream to come true.

 

3.   Who brought Yosef down to Egypt?

      a.   A caravan of Midianites.

 

4.   Where was Reuven when Yosef was sold?

      a.  He was attending to Yaakov.

 

5.   In addition to the brothers, who else knew that Yosef was alive?

     a.  Yitzchak.

 

6.  Why didn't G-d reveal prophetically to Yaakov that Yosef was alive?

     a.  Because the brothers had issued a ban against revealing the truth to Yaakov, and G-d, so to speak, abided by their ban.

 

7.  For how long did Yaakov mourn the loss of Yosef?

     a.  Twenty-two years.

 

8.  Verse 37:35 states "his father wept." To whom does this refer?

     a.  Yitzchak, who wept because of Yaakov's suffering. 

 

 (Parsha Vayeshev Quiz appeared on the Ohr Somayach website)

A RIDDLE FROM ISRAEL

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 9. You will find the answer there.

 

  

The winner of last week's riddle is Michelle Margolin.   

 

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. 

I hope you enjoy the electronic version of our Dateline. Please check out our website at www.torahacademy.org.