Congratulations to Rabbi Avrohom Drandoff, Upper School Judaics Teacher and Dean of Students.  He is this year's recipient of the Columbus Jewish Foundation's Ben Mandelkorn Jewish Communal Workers Endowment Award. Drandoff will attend the March 2015 North American Day School Conference in Philadelphia. The Mandelkorn Award was established by community members upon Ben's 1979 retirement as Director of the Columbus Jewish Federation. Mandelkorn subsequently served as the first Executive Director of the Columbus Jewish Foundation.

Parsha Tours:   Do you have a parsha that is "your parsha" - the one that you feel like you own, you worked through and have developed deep questions and meaningful answers? This year, Mrs. Morris' Chumash class has split-up the weekly Torah readings amongst the class with a different student presenting the parsha each week. Mrs. Morris deliberately conveyed substantial yet flexible expectations; a 15-20 minute presentation of the parsha that includes a general overview and the students choice of commentary. The presentation format is totally up to the student and each classmate receives a handout of the content. The results have been truly remarkable. Becky Portman reflected "it is striking to see how each person's unique personality expressed itself in the way they presented." From art to poetry to detailed analysis, each student found their personal portal to the message of their parsha.

Click here for just  a few examples of their impressive work:

Becky Portman's Power Point on Parashat Toldot

Shayna Herszage's analysis of Parashat Lech Lecha

The Educational Bridge from CTA to Kfar Saba:  This is the fourth year of our successful partnership with the students in Kfar Saba. Every year we introduce our kindergarteners to the program. Through pictures and video they learned about their new friends, kindergarteners in the "Rakefet" school. They saw similarities and differences between the two classes and were excited about the relationships that will develop over time. For Channukah they will celebrate together through Skype.  More information on that will be coming.  Our children wrote and decorated Chanukah cards which will be sent to the school and we plan on other various projects and ideas throughout the year.  This partnership continues in other grades.  In second grade as part of our curriculum for Chanukah the students participated in a program called "Yom Yomi Yehudi" which is about introducing our curriculum and routines to the Shiloh students. Each student was paired up and assigned a classroom to observe and then produced a poster describing what was learned. They then were able to make the connection between the different classrooms' learning and how this relates to Judaism. In third and Fourth Grade, they learned about a variety of Jewish symbols and how and why they became popular. The students were then sent around the school to find and take pictures of these symbols. What was exciting about this activity was that each CTA student could identify and relate to his/her friends in Shiloh. The project for the fifth and sixth graders was called "My Jewish Home" where the student took pictures of items in their house that represents their Judaism.  This helps CTA students strengthen their Jewish identity and their connection and love for the State of Israel. Moreh Dror will present these projects and letters during his visit to the school and bring back projects and letters from the Shiloh School.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BENTCHERS OF THE MONTH

Saul Blumberg, Tovah Berger, Adira Martin, Avigdor Steinberg

Dr. Joel Fisher on the loss of his mother, Anne

Eugene and Natasha Simakovsky on the loss of their son, Gleb

Kathie-Jo (Paine) Arnoff (8th Grade Class of '68) on the loss of her mother, Miriam Paine.

   Miriam Paine taught art at CTA.

The Parent Directory was sent home last week to all PAID PTO members. Don't miss out on this important booklet. Become a PTO member for only $25.  Please send your check, made out to CTA PTO, to the school office.  We'll send the Directory home.

There are a number of Lost & Found items hanging on the hooks outside the shul. Please ask your child to check these items. All unclaimed items will be donated to charity on Friday, Dec. 19.

CHANUKAH FAMILY FUN DAY:  Sunday, December 7, 10:45 am-12:00 pm, at the JCC-College Ave. Activities include: Sufganiyot Making, Bounce House, Interactive Craft Zone, Chanukah Games, Prizes and Snacks. For more information or to RSVP, contact [email protected] or 237-7133.

GIVE THE GIFT OF FITNESS THIS CHANUKAH: Save $50 on a JCC Annual Membership plus new first time personal training clients can receive a one time $20.15 rate (reg. $70).  Call 559-6227 for more information.

PARENTS' NIGHT OUT:  December 13, 6:15-9:00 pm.  Have you been meaning to finish some holiday shopping or just need a night out?  Drop off your kindergarten bound through 6th graderat the JCC and let our expert youth staff entertain them with games, activities, movies and dinner!$20 for the first child
and $10 for the second child.  RSVP by 12/8 to Halle [email protected].

HANDS-ON-HANUKKAH:  Thursday, December 18, 5:00-8:00 pm, at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium.  Hosted by the JCC and J-Reach, the day will include raffles, a scavenger hunt, and other activities.  A community Hanukkah Menorah lighting will take place at 6:30 pm.  Special discounted prices are: $10/Adults (normally $14.99), $7/Children ages 2-9 (normally $9.99) and Children under 2 will be admitted FREE!  To receive discounted tickets, community members must contact Becca Nitzberg at the JCC by emailing [email protected] or calling 614-559-6215.

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:

Marlene and Aaron Walter in memory of Rabbi Moshe Chaim Sapochkinsky father of

   Chani Capland

Tod and Cheri Friedman in memory of Zeff Weiss

Chris Morford in honor of Patty Sapp

To the 8th Grade Trip Fund by:

Matt Goldish in honor of Eddie Karmia

The Holiday Gift Fund List can be downloaded and printed from the CTA website - www.torahacademy.org or stop by the front office to pick up a copy.

By demand, the E-Dateline will now be offering advertising space in its weekly newsletter.  Space is limited and rates are weekly as follows:

Weekly Dateline Sponsorship $150 (includes tribute line at top of newsletter)

Full Weekly E-Dateline Sponsorship:  $150 - Name at top

Full Size Submission:  $75 - size is 780 x 432 pixels/10 x 6"

Half Size Submission:  $50 - size is 390x 216 pixels/5.4 x 3"

1/3 Size Submission:  $30 - size is 260 x 144 pixels/3.6 x 2"

Rates are weekly and all submissions must be received by Wednesday at noon.  At this time advertising is only available in the e-Dateline, not paper version.  Advertising submissions are subject to content review. Contact [email protected] for more information.