Twelve Angry Jurors was a phenomenal success!  Performed at two standing room only productions, the "Old Library" was transformed into an intense jury deliberation room as twelve jurors decide the fate of one accused murderer.  The clearly-decided guilty verdict in the first few moments of the play was upset by the single not guilty verdict that looked as though it would create a hung jury.  But the progress of the drama continues as the jury deliberates over the evidence and arrives at a surprising decision. 

Rosh Chodesh Nissan

Nissan is already here and we can feel Spring coming. Throughout the grades, everybody is learning about Pesach and preparing their individual haggadah and other various projects. This coming week, we're going to be very busy baking matzah with Rabbi Andrusier, the director of Camp Gan Israel.  On Wednesday, special guests from Israel will go into each classroom, talking about their choir formed in Kfar Saba and teach the students songs about Pesach.  Later in the day, the students will all get together in the shul to sing the songs they were taught earlier.  On Friday, we will have our traditional model seder with interactive discussion and activities.  We will share more pictures with you.

 

Yasher Koach to the bentchers of the month: Hannah Garvin, Maya Aframian, Lila Gisser, and Saul Blumberg. 

Shari (Flamholz) Goren (8th Grade Class of '71), Paul Tanenbaum, Hal Tanenbaum and Laeh Bat-Simcha on the loss of their mother and sister Fran Flamholz in Ramat Gan, Israel

Below is a revised copy of the 2014-2015 school calendar. Please note that the first day of school is Thursday, August 21, 2014.

 

Parents were privileged to join together earlier this week for the culminating event of Writer's Workshop.  Students in 2nd and 5th grade enjoyed an intensive with Writer in Residence, Amy Greenberg, and the Sharing Night was an opportunity for the students to read aloud selections of their poems and short stories (2nd and 5th grade, respectively).  This annual event was expanded this year to expose the 3rd and 4th grade students to Amy's expertise and to bridge their workshop experience between the grades. The exposure to the writing process and the development of their own writings is a significant part of the language arts curriculum at CTA and as we adopt the Common Core Curriculum, those skills are being expanded throughout the disciplines.  Sharing Night is an opportunity for the students to celebrate their accomplishments and for each student to share a piece of original work. Sharing and reading aloud is an essential part of the writing process which helps students to hear what they cannot see and to develop better expression, diction, spelling and flow to their writing.  

 

Two special events this week brought together CTA parents and teachers for social interaction beyond the walls of our beautiful building.  "Singers & Songwriters" presented by PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) highlighted the musical talent both inside our school and in our school community.  Featured performers captivated the audience with extraordinary talent from within our midst.  What a nice way to learn more about each other!  Pictured are performers:  Robin Garvin, Cheri Friedman, Sara Beth Kahn, Shira Frankiel, and Rachel Metz.  A special thank you to Patty Schiff for hosting the event in her gorgeous home.

 

   

 

First grade parents held a "Mom's Night Out" at Piccadilly Play Caf� and engaged in delightful refreshments and collaborative art projects.  The event is now an annual for this group who also joined together last Spring at an event to get to know one another.  Great events!  Great plans!  Great fun!

 

 

If you have an idea for a social, bring it to life and get to know your child's friend's parents!   

It's that time again to empty your CTA tzedakah box and turn your money into school.  Please send all money either in check or Ziploc baggies with your name clearly marked on it.  All donations are credited to your Give & Get account and every penny counts to make our school a wonderful place!  If you do not have a CTA Tzedakah Box, please contact the school office and one can be sent home with your child.

As we are sure you did, the students and teachers at CTA certainly took advantage of our "Day of Spring" earlier this week with outside recess, sun streaming through the classroom windows and tons of positive energy.  Pictured are Upper School students engaging in learning in the Outdoor Amphitheater.

 

Also pictured are third graders:  Aviel Metz, Maya Aframian, Ruthie Blumberg, Talia Sukienik, and Mia Cohen who read Making Murals by Rob Arego and learned about the steps involved in making a mural include thinking of an idea, sketching the idea, making a small drawing, tracing the mural on the wall, and painting the mural. The final step is for people to look up and enjoy the mural.  The students chose Nature in Spring for their subject (perhaps wishful thinking, at the time) and were excited to display and show their work, especially in Dateline!

Yasher kochachem to four city students who are studying in Israel this year.  CTA 12th graders, Shoshana Ginsburg and Bradley Rosenstein and 2013 graduates, Esther Geiger and Sarah Nutis who ran the Jerusalem Marathon's half marathon (Way to go Shoshana!) and 10K (Awesome, Bradley, Esther and Sarah!) and raised money at individual goals for Yachad, the National Jewish Council for Disabilities.  The Jerusalem Hills are especially difficult and the runners took on this commitment in addition to their school work in Israel.

 

Also congratulations to graduates currently attending Stern College:  Sharona Kay on her performance in the The Tempest and Sarah Miriam Ginsburg, stage director of the same production.  Way to make CTA proud!

BLOOD DRIVE at the JCC College Ave.: Wednesday, April 23, 12:00 noon - 6:30 p.m. The need for blood donors is never completely satisfied.  New donors must be found when long time donors can no longer give.  You can arrange an appointment by calling the Red Cross at 1-800-Give Life or go to the Red Cross website atwww.redcrossblood.org sponsor code: tolifecolumbus. 

 

Bexley Public Library (BPL) is once again participating in American Library Association's Money Smart Week, April 5-12, 2014.  During this time, BPL will be providing financial literacy programming for the community. Each program will be held in the library's auditorium free of charge.  No prior registration is needed. Information is available at the library, on our website, www.bexlib.org, and by calling (614) 231-2793.

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:

Ken and Nancy Supowit in memory of Cantor Jeff Siegel's beloved mother

Jeffrey Schottenstein in honor of his family, Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein,

  Joey and Lindsay Schottenstein, Jacob, Jonah, and Emma, and

  Jonathan Schottenstein

 

The Galron Ensemble from Kfar Saba, Israel will be visiting Columbus. The Choir has enjoyed a strong relationship with Columbus since their first visit more than 10 years ago and their visit will be a highlight of that relationship with lovers of music and song.  The choir will perform for audiences all over the city, collaborate with the Bexley High School Choirs, synagogues, retirement facilities, at Gallery Hop, and even will sing the National Anthem for the home ballgame of the Columbus Clippers.  They will spend time in our lower grades and will perform at a FREE community-wide concert on April 8, at 7:30 pm at Temple Israel where some CTA students will participate.