THE CTA WEEKLY COMMUNICATOR
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THE CTA WEEKLY COMMUNICATOR includes important school information.  On the first Monday of each month,  THE MONTHLY CTA DATELINE is published via email with highlights of school activities.
November 27, 2015/15 Kislev 5776/Vayishlach
Candle lighting 4:50
Shabbat Shalom D'var Torah
by Rabbi Zecharia Weitz, Upper School Judaics Curriculum Coordinator and Teacher

Modei Ani, I Give Thanks

A handyman came to do some work on our kitchen earlier this week. On his way out, my wife wished him a "Happy Thanksgiving." My 4 year old daughter turned to my wife and asked "why did you wish him 'Happy Thanksgiving' - he's not Jewish?!"

I believe the primary reason Thanksgiving has been embraced by so many American Jews is because it triumphs an essential virtue. To truly appreciate the concept of gratitude, however, we must look through the lens of the Torah.

In the beginning Va'Yishlach (this week's parsha), Yaakov faces the daunting reality of meeting his fearsome brother, Esav. In his prayer to Hashem, Yaakov declares "katonti mekol hachasadim, etc.", "I have been diminished from all of the kindness, etc. that you've done to me". Rashi explains that, after safely emerging from 20 years with the conniving and sinister Lavan, Yaakov felt he must have tapped his "merit account" dry. "I do not have sufficient merit left to deserve to survive my encounter with Esav! Please Hashem, grant my survival even though I don't deserve it" was Yaakov's plea.
In the history of the world, few have come close to the level of Yaakov - and yet, even Yaakov believed he did not deserve the kindness Hashem awarded him. In truth, the word "modeh", thanks, also means "admit". Thanking Hashem is more than a "thanks"; it's acknowledging, as we learn from Yaakov, that we have not earned the blessing in our lives. It is all a gift from Hashem.

Shabbat Shalom
Preview of the Week
November 30-December 4


Mon.,
Nov. 30
Tues.,
Dec. 1
Wed., 
Dec. 2
Thurs.,
Dec. 3
Fri., 
Dec. 4
Lunch
Pizza Bagels

Hamburgers
Volunteer:
L. Schottenstein

   
Grilled Cheese
Volunteer:
L. Slabodnick

Chicken Cutlets
Volunteer:
M. Friedman
Fish Sticks
Volunteer:
R. Fineberg
 
Sports
MSG & MSB Basketball HOME vs. Granville Christian, 5:15 pm and 6:15 pmVB Basketball HOME vs. Patriot Prep JV, 5 pmTennis, 2:45-5 pm
MSG & MSB Basketball AWAY vs. Grace
 Christian, 5:00 pm and 
6:15 pm

VG & VB Basketball HOME vs. Liberty Christian, 5:30 pm and 7 pm

Activities
Choir Practice 4-5 pm
11th Grade 
College Night
7:30pm

Choir Practice 
4-5 pm


DATES TO REMEMBER:
Dec, 5:  Community Night Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball Games, HOME vs. New Hope Christian, 7:15 pm and 8:30 pm
Dec. 6:  Hanukkah Rock at the JCC, 10:00 am
Dec. 9:  Chanukah Show, 9:30am; Chanukah Carnival, 1-3pm
Dec. 13:  Scholarship Gala, 5:30 pm at CTA
Dec. 21-Jan. 3:  Winter Break - No School
Important School Information

Scholarship Gala event RSVP to Karan Tanenbaum.

Silent Auction Items for Gala still being accepted.  Contact Lindsay Schottenstein.

Get your tickets for Hanukkah Hop, to be held next Sunday at the JCC.  Click here.


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CTA accepts donations to our Annual Fund or Scholarship Fund throughout the year.  We also accept Tribute Donations in memory of or in honor of loved ones.  Donations can be made through the school office at 614-864-0299 or online by clicking here.

Donations are listed in our monthly CTA Dateline.
Columbus Torah Academy | 181 Noe Bixby Road | Columbus, OH 43213  614.864.0299 | [email protected]