| HEADMASTER'S MESSAGE | |
 This week's Torah portion of Nasso contains a detailed description of the responsibilities that the tribe of Levi was given in the Mishkan. We learn that these responsibilities were divided among the three primary Levi families. The Kehot family was charged with packing up and transporting the holy vessels, such as the Aron and the Menora. The family of Gershon received the job of folding and transporting all of the Mishkan's curtains and coverings. Lastly, the Merari family stacked up the wooden pillars and beams and prepared them for travel. It would appear that the members of the Kehot family received the most important jobs. They dealt with the sacred objects in the Mishkan, whereas the other two families worked with the building components which housed the holy vessels. However, the Torah, when listing the responsibilities of the Gershonites, uses the extra words, "also them." According to Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, zt"l, this phrase is intended to indicate that the families of Gershon and Merari also had vital responsibilities, which were, in fact, equal in importance to those of Kehot. The lesson, according to Rabbi Feinstein, is that we should always do whatever task we are given to the best of our ability. We are not judged solely by the end result of our work, but also by the level of our effort and the quality of our commitment.
Shabbat Shalom! Rabbi Kahn |
| END OF YEAR CULMINATING EVENTS | |
Beginning their academic career in 2001, the 12th grade Class of 2014 will graduate from CTA prepared for the next stage of life. All are continuing their education, many at schools in Israel next year, and then university.
You are invited to share the pride and attend the upcoming graduations and celebrations. Themilestone for each of these young men and women (and their parents) is monumental, but it is also a testament to our school community. We have partnered with parents to imbue our graduates with skills for learning, to be productive citizens in our world and in our Jewish communities. We look forward to hearing about their success! Mazel Tov to Ellie Chase, Shoshanna Ginsburg, Aleeza Hartstein, Noah Hazan, Alyssa Karmia, Nathaniel Keri, Bradley Rosenstein, and Jonah Stavsky! Thank you to their parents for sharing your children with us.
12th Grade Graduation
Thursday, June 12 at 7:30 pm
8th Grade Graduation
Tuesday, June 10 at 7:30 pm
Kindergarten Celebration
Tuesday, June 10 at 10 am
Upper School Awards Assembly
Wednesday, June 11 at 10 am
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PREVIEW OF THE WEEK OF JUNE 1-6
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Monday, June 2: Pizza Bagels -Volunteer: Y. Levi
Final Exams, Grades 9-11
Tuesday, June 3: Hamburgers-Volunteer: L. Hoffman
Final Exams, Grades 9-11
Erev Shavuot - 2:00 p.m. dismissal
Wednesday, June 4: Shavuot-NO SCHOOL
Thursday, June 5: Shavuot-NO SCHOOL
Friday, June 6: Hot Dogs sponsored by PTO
Field Day, Grades K-8
Final Exam Review, Grades 9-11
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PREVIEW OF THE WEEK OF JUNE 8-13:
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Monday, June 9: Pizza Bagels
Final Exams Grades 9-11
Tuesday, June 10: Chicken Nuggets
Kindergarten Celebration, 10:00am;
Last day of school for Kindergarteners
CTA Twirlers, 4-5pm
8th Grade Graduation, 7:30pm
Wednesday, June 11: Upper School Awards, 10:00am; Last day of school, 12:00 dismissal
Thursday, June 12: 12th Grade Graduation, 7:30pm
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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 [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. DON'T FORGET SCRIP FOR ALL YOUR GRADUATION GIFTS!
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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 [email protected] or call 864-0299 to order scrip and have it delivered to your home!
iGive: Do you and your family make a lot of purchases on the internet? Have you registered for iGive? More than 1400 stores are connected through iGive and when registered, a percentage of your purchases will benefit CTA. We have been registered since 2011 and have earned close to $1000. However, we only have 62 registered members. Are you one of them? To get connected, go to http://www.igive.com/HS49PpM and register today!
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NEWS FROM THE LOWER SCHOOL JUDAIC STUDIES DEPART.
By Dror Karavani, Lower School Judaic Studies Coordinator
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 Thank you for coming to the Achievement Fair and supporting your children's efforts. It was wonderful seeing all of you and witnessing the variety of projects displayed, which is a reflection of what was learned in the classrooms. Yasher Koach to all of our wonderful teachers and students. On Tuesday, Erev Shavuot, we will have our Chiddon Yahadut II. The students from grades 3-6 will be divided into groups and through games, riddles and activities, we will test their knowledge. Our friends from Shiloh School will be part of this, as they have sent challenge riddles for all and gifts for the winners. As in the past, we welcomed Rosh Chodesh Sivan with singing, celebrations and a special treat for all. Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov. 
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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 |
Wrapping Things Up
Having Shavuot at the close of each school year is a great way to seal the year's accomplishments. This year, in particular, we were able to arrange for the Judaic Studies finals to be right after Shavuot in order to add some healthy intensity to this auspicious time for Torah study. In order to make sure the Torah we have spent months learning is not lost after June, the core concepts of each subject, as always, will be added to our Core Judaic Literacy materials. Core Judaic Literacy material appears on future assessments and, of course, the IronMench competitions. Reflecting on what was, with G-d's help, an amazing year, and looking forward to building upon it. As we look forward to next, here is a mini "year-in-pictures" from the Judaic Studies Department.
Table Talk: Most Yomim Tovim have their own physical interface to help us engage and experience the unique message of the day. For example, Pesach has matzah, Sukkot has the Sukka and 4 Species, Chanuka has the Menorah, etc. Why is there, surprisingly, no special mitzvah-item for Shavuot?
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SAY IT IN HEBREW
By Galit Golan, Hebrew Language Coordinator |
 Shalom, It's hard to believe that this school year is almost over. During this year, so many goals were reached, and new goals were set. Here are some examples: - Significant improvement in the level of Hebrew around the school
- New curriculum implemented in the Lower School
- New Israel education program for grades 5-12
- Enrichment programs for Hebrew speakers and advanced students, including an online program
- Commemoration project in high school
- Integration of technology, including Power Points and audio recordings, in many of the classes
- Assessment test to grades 2-11
The Achievement Fair on Wednesday was a great example of the hard work and the level of Hebrew learning in the Lower School. Below are pictures of students and their work. Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach!
    
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| ALUMNI WHO GRADUATE TOGETHER - OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN |
Congratulations to all of the alumni who are graduating this year from various programs. Please forward that information to the school office at [email protected].
Thanks for sending in this picture of alumni, Josh Cohen and Shimra Barnett. The two graduated CTA's kindergarten, 8th grade, 12th grade and now Yeshiva University together. They are pictured at respective graduations (young one is from Chag HaSiddur)
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KROGER REWARD CARDS
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This is a reminder to link your Kroger Reward card. If you haven't done it, do it now! You MUST re-enroll your rewards card every year beginning on April 1. This DOES NOT HAPPEN AUTOMATICALLY. The rewards program terminates EVERY APRIL, and you NEED TO RESTART IT!! UNLESS YOU RENEW YOUR REWARDS (every April), CTA will NOT BENEFIT AT ALL. Please take 5 minutes & go to: www.kroger.com. Select "community"; then "Kroger Community Rewards"; log in; (remember to find AND select Columbus Torah Academy) & save. If you have any questions or want help, contact Kim Abelman or Shari Herszage.
https://www.kroger.com/communityrewards.
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| END OF YEAR MEDICATION REMINDER |
Please make plans to personally pick up your child's medication by the last day of school, Wednesday, June 11. For safety reasons, medications will not be sent home with your child. Any medication/inhaler not picked up by the end of the last day of school will be thrown away.
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| T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE |
Want to remember the fun and pride that CTA shared during two great spring events? A limited number of Spring Fling and Junior CBI t-shirts are available for $5.00. Size and quantities can be reserved by contacting Shari Herszage.
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| IMPORTANT - COLUMBUS PUBLIC BUS RIDERS - LAST 6 DAYS! |
ALL (current and new) Columbus bus riders must fill out an Application for Pupil Transportation for the 2014-2015 school year. You can access this form at CTA's website at www.torahacademy.org. Print the form, fill it out, and return it to Norma Whitmyre by the last day of school, Wednesday, June 11. Transportation cannot be guaranteed without a form.
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MAZAL TOV TO:
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Rick and Sherri Cohen on Josh's (Class of '10) graduation from YU
Susan and Harvey Wasserman on Julie's (8th Grade Class of '05)
graduation from Stern College
Rick and Terri Barnett on Shimra's (Class of '10) graduation from Stern
College
Etana Zack (Class of '04) who has received her Medical Degree from the
Albany School of Medicine. Etana will begin her residency in pediatrics
at Albany Med in June. And to parents, Rabbi Howard and Linda Zack.
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THANK YOU TO:
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David & Esther Bernzweig, Robert and Sheyna Blum, Albert & Jaki Keri, and Simon and Elena Shamis for sponsoring this month's delicious Rosh Chodesh Faculty Appreciation Lunch
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CONDOLENCES TO:
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Moshe Makias on the passing of his mother
Rabbi Joel and Janice Epstein, Saul Epstein (Class of '98), Sarah (Epstein) Barth (Class of '00) and David Epstein (Class of '03) on the loss of father and grandfather, A. Louis Keil
Brent Levison (8th Grade Class of '85) and family on the loss of mother, Eileen Levison
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COLUMBUS WINS NCSY CHAPTER OF THE YEAR
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Congratulations to the local Columbus NCSY (National Conference of Synagogue Youth) Chapter who received the Chapter of the Year recognition at last weekend's Spring Regional Conference which included chapters from Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, and Pittsburgh. The local chapter advisor is Rabbi Yaakov Frankiel who also teaches Judaic Studies in the Upper School at CTA and many CTA students serve on the regional and local board.
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EMPTY YOUR TZEDAKAH BOXES FOR END OF THE YEAR
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Remember that CTA Tzedakah box that you received at Meet the Teachers? It must be pretty full by now. Please turn in all Tzedakah box money by check, in a baggie or envelope this coming week. Turn it in to the front desk and the amount will be counted and applied to your Give & Get commitment.
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TZEDAKAH
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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:
To the Annual Giving Fund by:
Josh and Renee Seidemann & Family for a day of learning in memory of Ruth Seidemann nee Saffra
Norman, Suzanne, and Ericka Schneiderman wishing a Mazal Tov to Bob and Betsey Lane, Bob and Patti Wolf, Rabbi Zvi and Sara Beth Kahn, and Jonathan and Agi Hartstein on the graduation of their children
The Keri Family in appreciation of Stuart and Marilyn Cole for sponsoring the David and Irene Cole Essay Contest, in appreciation of the headmaster, Rabbi Zvi Kahn, for tremendously improving the Judaic and secular educational level of CTA, in appreciation of the Upper School Principal, Mrs. Eliza Delman and the Upper School Teachers for their utmost dedication, and for making a great difference in Nathaniel's life, and in appreciation of the Lower School Principal, Mrs. Patty Sapp and the Lower School Teachers for their tremendous dedication, and for making a tremendous difference in Nathaniel's life
To the Athletic Fund by:
Janyce Katz and Mark Glazman in memory of Barry Jaffee who loved baseball and in honor of Lou Katz, who was almost drafted for the Cincinnati Reds
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COMMUNITY NEWS
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BLOOD DRIVE at the JCC College Ave. - Wednesday, June 25.The need for blood donors is never completely satisfied. New donors must be found when long time donors can no longer give. Please come Monday June 25, to the JCC between 12:00 noon and 6:30 pm to give the "Gift of Life". You can arrange an appointment by calling the Red Cross at 1-800-Give Life or go to the Red Cross website at www.redcrossblood.org sponsor code: tolifecolumbus.
CARAVAN MAGAL: TZOFIM FRIENDSHIPS CARAVAN 2014- Coming to the JCC Summer Camps - June 27, 2:30 p.m., at the pavilion by the softball fields. Open to the public.
COMMUNITY WIDE LADIES SHALOSH SEUDOS: May 31, 2014, 7:15 p.m., at the home of Alison Gutwaks. D'var Torah given by Elana Katz - "Giving: The Predecessor to Gratitude."
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1. What is the significance of the number 8,580 in this week's Parsha?
a. It is the number of leviim between ages thirty and fifty.
2. Besides transporting the Mishkan, what other service performed by the leviim is referred to in this Parsha?
a. Singing and playing cymbals and harps to accompany the sacrifices.
3. On which day did Moshe teach the command to send those who are temeim (ritually impure) out of the camp?
a. The day the Mishkan was erected.
4. Name the three camps in the desert.
a. The camp of the Shechina was in the center, surrounded by the camp of Levi which was surrounded by the camp of Yisrael.
5. Who was sent out of each of the camps?
a. A metzora was sent out of all three camps. A zav was permitted in the camp of Yisrael but excluded from the two inner camps. A person who was tamei from contact with the dead had to leave only the camp of the Shechina.
6. A person stole from another and swore that he was innocent. If he later confesses his guilt, what are his obligations?
a. He pays the principle plus a fifth to the victim, and brings a korban asham.
7. Who determines which kohen receives the gifts that must be given to the kohanim (gifts to the kohanim)?
a. The giver.
8. What does the Torah promise a person who gives matnot kehuna?
a. Great wealth.
9. Why are the verses about matnot kehuna followed by the verses about the sotah?
a. To teach that someone who withholds the gifts due the kohanim is deserving of eventually bringing his wife to the kohanim to be tried as a sotah.
10. Why is the sotah given water from the holy basin?
a. The holy basin was made from the mirrors of the righteous women who left Egypt; the sotah strayed from the example set by these women.
11. What does the kohen do to the hair of a sotah?
a. He uncovers it.
12. When a sotah who is guilty of adultery drinks the water, she dies in a very specific fashion. What happens to the adulterer?
a. He dies a similar death.
13. Before the name of G-d is erased, the sotah has the option either to admit guilt or drink the water. Does she have a third option?
a. Yes, she can refuse both: She can refuse to admit guilt and also refuse to drink the water. (After the Name of G-d is erased, she loses the option.)
14. What are chartzanim? What are zagim?
a. Chartzanim are seeds. Zagim are peels.
(Parsha Nasso Quiz appeared on the Ohr Somayach website)
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