When walking through the halls of CTA, you can hear the symphony of shofrot being blown by the students, trying out their skills.  In addition to that, they are also learning about the meaning of the three different shofar sounds. During Chodesh Elul, there are three things which we emphasize; tefillah (prayer), teshuva (repentance), tzedaka (charity). In an effort to continue the growth of our tefillah time, we are beginning a program, entitled "Our Tefillah and Israel" with our new shlicha tziera, Lihi Shmueli, who comes from Israel.  How exciting for us!  Stay tuned. In the weeks to come, many of the things we will be focusing on revolve around the theme of Rosh Hashanah and the High Holidays.  I would like to remind everyone to check our Jewish Studies teachers' blogs on a regular basis. There, you can find out what is going on in the classroom, including homework and tests. As always, I am happy to be of any assistance to you. Please contact me at dkaravani@torahacademy.org or 864-0299 ext. 216 with any questions. Shabbat Shalom! 

Aliyah:  What better a speaker for our 12th grade Israel Advocacy class than a CTA graduate who is in the Tzahal and made Aliyah? This past Tuesday, we invited Yoni Calabrese (graduating class of 2009) to talk with the class about his experience making Aliyah.  Yoni shared with us the reasons that helped him decide to make Aliyah in addition to giving an informative "walk-through" of the process of making Aliyah and acclimating to the Holy Land.  Students were able to hear a real life perspective of what it is like to currently live in Israel from a person not so much older and not so different from them.  He also shared with our seniors the various skills that he learned while serving in the IDF.

It is our hope that exposing our students to speakers like Yoni will help them see that making Aliyah is a realistic opportunity and privilege worth considering.

Last Sunday's welcoming reception was a wonderful start to Rabbi Levine's tenure at CTA.  The building was abuzz with CTA families, faculty and community members who were excited to see the new renovations and to connect to the school and each other.  Newly renovated space in the 2nd grade classrooms, lower school science lab, shul, lower school gymnasium, multi-purpose space, cafeteria, administrative wing, kindergarten and 1st grade wing and upper school classrooms showed the vibrancy of our spectacular building.  Hopefully you were able to attend.  If not, plan to schedule a private tour and to meet Rabbi Levine. 

Pictured are snippets from the full morning of touring and remarks.   

With their science teacher, Mrs. Lerner, the 4th graders are learning each week in the newly renovated science laboratory in the 2nd grade wing.  This week they were investigating variables to study scientific principles.  The students tested whether string length or weight of an object affects the swing of a pendulum.  By using 2 different sized metal washers, the students made observations about the pendulum swing at 30 cm of string length; and then tested the pendulum swing at 10 cm of string length to make their conclusions. 

Pictured are the 4th graders engaged in a lesson about inference.

"Get Ready for Sukkot" is scheduled for Sunday, October 5 from 1-3 pm at CTA.  Students and their families are invited for a fun activity which includes making art decorations to hang in your sukkah or leave in the school sukkah.  Moreh Dror will lead an interactive story time for ages 2-6. More details to follow.  Parent volunteers are needed from 12-4.  Contact silviawolfson@hotmail.com or info@torahacademy.org to be included on the schedule.

Shayna (Cohen) Pinsker (Class of '06) on the birth of a daughter Nina

   Eve and to grandparents Rick and Sherri (Vinar) Cohen (8th Grade Class

   of '80) and to the great grandparents Marvin and Barbara Vinar 

Dr. Rachel (Weinerman) Spinner (Class of '98) on the birth of a son and

   to grandparents Drs. Phil and Julie Weinerman

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 Scholarship Fund: 

Scott and Tammy Weisman in honor of Joey and Lindsay Schottenstein

   and Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein families for the recent success of the

   mission to Israel

Bob and Betsey Lane in memory of David Bernzweig's grandmother, Mary

Robert and Carol Flexer in honor of their grandchildren, Libby, Rebekah,

   and Jakob Klynn

Gary Leibesman and Stacy Leeman in memory of Chaya Morris' father

To The Annual Giving Fund by: 

Rabbi Howard and Linda Zack in honor of their three daughters, Etana,

   Shifra, and Meira