You are invited to our first planning meeting for the 2015 Columbus Baseball Invitational!  Co-Commissioners, Jon Hartstein and Bob Lane will be there to share news about this year's tournament!  Sub-committee assignments will be available.

When: Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Kindergarten Chumash Bereishit Siyum

After weeks of learning the parshiot stories and the values of the various characters in the Chumash, the Kindergarteners finished Bereishit and celebrated with a siyum on Thursday. Wearing crowns and performing a play with songs reflecting the main idea of each parasha, the students put on a beautiful presentation. Moreh Dror was so proud and gave each student a medal and a special certificate. At the end of the program, everyone watched a  power point presentation of the students dressed up and acting out the scenes which they learned. The students decorated a tzedakah box that was sent to them by their friends in Rakefet School in Israel as a gift for this event.  Each student recived an album as a memento and concluded the party with a yummy treat. Kudos to Morah Jamie for all her hard work and dedication in preparing the students for this occasion. This also could not have happened without our special daily help from Morah Naomi. This is just a small picture of what occurs in and out of their classroom on a regular basis.  Yasher Koach. Chazak, chazak, v'nitchazayk! May we go from strength to strength!  

Tu B'Shevat:  In all of the classrooms on Wednesday, we were busy welcoming Tu B'Shevat. Each class had its own "seder" with discussions, activities and games, and most of all, they enjoyed the various fruits from the Shivat Haminim (the Seven Species of Israel).  As part of part of the learning for the holiday, third and fourth grade students designed their poster "hamagaesh" (the order of the blessings before and after eating different foods).  You will be able to see the posters at the Achievement Fair. Happy Tu B'Sheva and Shabbat Shalom!

This past weekend 39 CTA families along with a variety of staff and faculty spent Shabbat together at the CTA Family Shabbaton for families with children in Grades, kindergarten, 1st and 2nd.   Plenty of older children were also in attendance as siblings.  The time was spent learning, davening, playing, and eating at the downtown Westin Hotel. A special thank you to the co-chairs of the event, Meagan Buren, Erin Kopp and Lindsay Schottenstein and the powerhouse faculty team of Rabbi Drandoff, Moreh Dror, Deena Tanenbaum, Irit Karavani, Rabbi Jon and Leah Savage, Rabbi Frankiel and Elana Katz for a truly memorable and special weekend.

Pictured above are the more than 200 people that attended the Shabbaton observing Havdalah together.

"One of my favorite parts of the Shabbaton was, ironically, the time I was most concerned about.  There were no scheduled activities Saturday afternoon, and I was wondering how we would occupy the children during that time.  It turned out to be the most fun.  We decided to bring games, and happily, several other parents had the same idea.  Many of us gathered in the ballroom and spent time playing with children, both our own and those belonging to other families.  The children moved from table to table (and game to game), and the adults were also able to spend time socializing.

The very best part of the Shabbaton, however, was the parent-child learning led by Elana Katz.  Having the opportunity to learn with (and from) our children is always special.  To look around the ballroom and see dozens and dozens of children and parents studying together was truly inspiring. That was the true highlight of the day.

The Shabbaton was a wonderful and meaningful way to experience Shabbat, both with our own family and with our friends.  The planning and organizing of such an event is a tremendous job, requiring a massive effort on the part of the faculty and staff involved.  CTA is a special place, and the students (and in this case the parents as well) are the beneficiaries.  The Garvin family is looking forward to the next Shabbaton."

New CTA students can apply for the Shomrim of Ohio Scholarship Initiative.  Shomrim will be offering its first one free year of tuition to a qualifying student entering grades K-12 who has been accepted to a Jewish day school in Columbus, Ohio for the 2015-2016 school year.  This unique scholarship is not dependent on financial need, but is offered to a new student who has not attended Columbus Torah Academy in the past.

"We feel very strongly that when you entrust your children to a school, you want it to be the best!" remarked Meryl Weprin, Shomrim of Ohio board member. "By taking cost out of the equation, we are expanding the opportunities for families that are passionate about providing Jewish education to their children.  CTA is welcoming, warm and offers superior academic success."

For more information about the Scholarship Initiative, go to www.shomrimohio.org to complete a short scholarship application.

Wow!  What a wonderful time the boys and girls in the lower school had with Jeanette & Christopher Canyon!  The illustrators delighted us with their books and their music.  They children were fascinated as Jeanette explained how she uses polymer clay sculpture to create her illustrations.  She told us that she tries different techniques to produce the colors and patterns she envisions.  She likes to think out of the box using all kinds of tools, even kitchen gadgets like a pasta maker!   Just look at the coral reefs in Over in the Ocean - she used a food processor to get the effect she wants!

Christopher told us that he loves stories and making pictures to tell them.  That's why he uses such a variety of materials to draw and paint illustrations that reflect the mood and theme of the book.  When he asked the children if they liked creating stories and drawing just about every hand went up!  Christopher always loved music and jumped at the chance to illustrate several John Denver songs.  He needed to create a story with his pictures to support the songwriter's words. He explained how he used his own childhood experiences living near country roads in central Ohio to create the pictures for Take Me Home Country Roads.  The audience loved his singing.  What a great voice!  It was fun to clap and sing along, too. 

The illustrators encouraged the children to use their imaginations to find their own creativity.  They showed us what fun research can be, like when Jeanette went deep sea diving to take pictures and learn about ocean creatures.  Christopher explained that journals are a great place to explore and keep your ideas and many of the children said they have journals of their own in which to write and draw. It was obvious, by their rapt attention and wonderfully thought out questions, that the children really enjoyed and were inspired by the illustrators' visit.  No one wanted it to end!

Special thanks to PTO for providing funding for this program.  It's an experience the children will remember for a long, long time!   

Enrollment Agreements for the 2015-2016 School Year are due back to CTA by Friday, February 20.  Tuition will increase by $200 per child for Agreements received after that date.  Enrollment Agreements were mailed home to every family in early January.  If you have not received your Enrollment Agreement, contact sherszage@torahacademy.org  PSAS Financial Assistance forms are due by March 20 and can be accessed at www.psas.org/4944 or a paper copy is available to download on the school website.  Please keep these dates in mind.

When visiting CTA please report to the receptionist at the front desk to sign in and receive a visitor's pass.  Please do not go to any areas of the building, including classrooms, library or cafeteria, without first checking in and securing admittance.  In most cases, if you are entering a student area, you will be escorted by a staff member. Violations of this rule impede school security (we need to know who is in the building at all times) and disrupts the learning process.  We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

As many of you know children in our community have been ill with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea over the past couple of weeks. When your child is ill please keep him/her home from school until they are fully recovered! Tell the receptionist what is wrong with your child when you call the school to let us know your child is ill and will be staying home. If you take your child to a health care provider and they have a contagious illness, please have the doctor or nurse practioner write a note to the school stating what is wrong with them and when they can return to school. This note needs to be sent to school with your child when they return to school.

The school policy regarding illness starts on page 16 of the Parent/Student Handbook. It is on the school website under downloadable documents. Please refer to it for more details. Here is an excerpt of our school policy:

If your child seems to be developing symptoms of an illness, for your child's well being and that of others, keep your child home. Do not send ill children to school.

If the temperature is over 100 degrees, the parent will be requested to take the child home. If your child is sent home with a fever or is home with a fever, he/she may not return to school until the fever is gone for 24 hours.

If your child has been ill with vomiting or diarrhea, he/she may not return to school until the vomiting or diarrhea have been gone for 24 hours.

Below are further guidelines for when to keep your child home. If you have questions or concerns please contact the school nurse, Chris Morford. She will be happy to talk with you about your concerns.

The PTO is ready to take your orders for their annual Purim Card Sale.  Purim will be celebrated on March 5, 2015.  In lieu of sending traditional Mishloach Manot baskets to family and friends, consider purchasing Purim postcards, artfully-done by Ms. Neiwirth's students.  It is a great way to support the PTO and an easy, convenient and low-calorie way to wish a Happy Purim to your friends and family, near and far.  While supplies last, a packet of 20 cards is $18.00 and $25.00 with stamps included.   Payment can be made with a check or cash.    Order forms will be available in next week's Dateline and can be left at the front desk or mailed to the school.  Deadline for ordering cards is Friday, February 20 with delivery by Wednesday, February 25.   Any questions, please call Agi Hartstein at 239-8760. Note: Sending Purim cards does not fulfill the mitzvah of Mishloach Manot.

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:

Malka Bendor in honor of the Blumberg Family

Pat & Jerry Boerger in memory of Dora Kopp's father-in-law, Martin Kopp

Orders are still being accepted for logo items with the new CTA logo on it.  All orders must be received by February 10.  The following items are available:  keychains, long sleeved polos, beanie hats and drawstring backpack.  Use the order form attached to make your order. 

Columbus Conference for Jewish Women:  Sunday, February 8 from 9:15 am - 1:45 pm at Franklin Park Conservatory (FPC).  A day of engagement, education and introspection for women of across the community.  With the theme, "What Can I Say, What Can I Do?" addressing the high and low moments that we face as individuals and as a community.   

To register, go to http://thekollel.givezooks.com/events/columbus-conference-for-jewish-women-2015 or 237-7133.

PJ Library Community Day:  Sunday, February 8 from 10 am- 12 pm at Franklin Park Conservatory (FPC).  This event is perfect for families with children ages 1- 8 years old and includes Tu B'Shevat activities.  Cost is FREE for children and $13 for adults.  FPC members are free.  For more info, contact arussell@tcjf.org.

Jewish Lives Under Fire in Ukraine:  On February 8, at 5pm, the Jewish Federation of Columbus' Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC) will be presenting a musical evening by Ukraine-born violinist, Arkadiy Gips, and an update on current relief work in Ukraine by guest speaker, Etta Gross Zimmerman.  A dessert reception will follow the event.Couvert: $35 at the door.  Location: JCC of Greater Columbus, 1125 College Ave.  Tickets can be purchased in advance at JewishColumbus.org/UkraineFor additional information, please contact Marni Kostman at MKostman@tcjf.org or by calling 614.559.3205.

For those who think Columbus is "a cow town," Congregation Ahavas Sholom says "It's a kosher cow-town!" Columbus's first ever Kosher Food Festival will be on Sunday, February 15 from 11 AM until 3 PM, at Ahavas Shalom.   Local vendors will be displaying and selling kosher food and other products available in central Ohio. Come, taste and buy gourmet cheeses from Kosher614 and baked goods from Matt's Bakery.  Satisfy your craving for thin mints by buying Girl Scout cookies. Silver Spoons, Etc. will be selling beautiful, reasonably priced paper goods for your next dinner or party. Raffle tickets are being sold for $5 and include prizes from Bexley Natural Market, Costco, and the Breslov Center.  Admission is free but sorry no children under 12 admitted.  Vendor space is still available. Please contact KosherKolumbus@gmail.com for more information.

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 sherszage@torahacademy.org for more information.