Monthly Dateline Newsletter                                                                                                                    April/May 2017
Columbus Torah Academy Monthly Dateline
Take the Tour

Throughout the year, Rabbi Drandoff has noted in his public presentations to parents and faculty, how important each member of the school community is and the tremendous effort and attention that is put into making our school a remarkable place of learning.  The greatest impact we can make to grow our school is through word of mouth.  By letting the greater community know more about our school and the achievements of our students, we invite them to be a part of the world of Jewish day school education.
 
Research has shown that Word of Mouth (WOM) is the most effective mode of advertising and that when talking about recruitment to private schools, WOM accounts for 85% of referrals to a school.  We know at CTA that close to 90% of tours for prospective parents result in applications for admission and almost 100% of tours to prospective donors results in support.
 
We proudly introduce "Take the Tour" a campaign to encourage more visits to CTA from community members, supporters, and prospective families.
 
Think about the first time you visited CTA.  What pleasant suprises were you met with?  Was it the size of our campus and expanse of outdoor space?  Was it the professional atmosphere and state of the art materials?  Was it a familiar face?
 
"It was nice coming back to a school that gave me so much. I enjoyed seeing former teachers
and reminiscing. CTA gave me lifelong friends and invaluable lessons learned not on educationally but within Judaism as well," remarked recent visitor, Jared Schiff.
 
Another recent visitor, Jake Diamond, added, "I feel a real sense of pride walking through the halls at CTA because of the incredible lessons I learned and the meaningful friendships that I made as a student. It's both surprising and reassuring to see former teachers who are passionate about teaching at CTA as the school continues to grow and thrive."
 
Duplicating first time visits and bringing people into the school to connect them to this centrical organization in Columbus is the goal.  This year we have had visits and given tours to former students, former faculty, big business leaders, government office holders and more.
 
How can you be a part of it?  If you haven't come by in a while, take the tour yourself and then contact Rabbi Drandoff or Shari Herszage to arrange a private tour for a friend.  They won't be sorry and we will be elated to show them around.
 
This year, we have had more than a dozen visits from alumni and community members, some who haven't been in the building for 40 years!  Pictured are former students Jake Diamond, Jared Schiff and Lexi Schiff sharing lunch with Rabbi Drandoff in his office. 
News from the Lower School Judaic Studies Department

Dror Karavani
Lower School Curriculum Coordinator
Model Seders
Just before Passover break, as part of the intensive learning about the laws,
customs, and values of Pesach, the students created many projects and haggadot.  The ha
ggadaot were created in different ways using different skills. Some classes used technology to illus
trate their haggadot, others worked on their English writing skills bywriting their own d'var torahs and thoughts about Pesach.  All of the students enjoyed our traditional model seders, 
sitting around the decorated tables with all of the seder plates and special foods which accompany them. With many games and songs, the students demonstrated their knowledge of the "lail haseder" night. I hope your child had the opportunity to share what they studied at the seder.
 
Yom Hashoah Ceremony
Ou r sixth graders, under the guidance of Morah Elana,  led CTA's Yom Hashoah ceremony for 4th-6th grade. The sixth graders talked about the different stages leading up to and during the Holocaust period. The students also saw a short movie from Yad Vashem about the Auschwitz Diary.  Presentations and discussions happened in the various classrooms.
 
Birkat Ha'elanot
During the month of Nissan, the students visited our tree garden to once again say  the blessing for the trees, Birkat Ha'elanot, thanking G-d for the creation of the world.  As in the past, we invite you to join us in enlarging this special space by sponsoring a tree. Sponsorship funds will support educational programs at CTA. If you would like to buy a tree, please contact Dror Karavani at  dkaravani@torahacademy.org .
 
Chag HaSiddur
One of the central events in first grade is Chag HaSiddur.  In the beginning of the year the students
use the "Artscroll Children's Siddur" for their morning Tefilla (prayers). By learning and practicing all of the blessings and prayers each morning, the children gain lifelong skills and the comfort of walking into their synagogue feeling confident to open a Siddur and lead certain parts of the prayers.
 
At their Chag HaSiddur celebration, with their festive costumes and crowns, singing and dancing, the students had the chance to show parents, grandparents and friends what they have learned as they received their first "grown up siddur" which they will continue to use at school and beyond. In the second part of the program, the students rotated among different activities that taught them different elements of the Siddur from various perspectives (art, music, archaeology, math). For instance, students learned how a siddur is printed today versus long ago. The students had the opportunity to use type taken from a printing press in Israel. Each child used the metal letters to make their name impressions on clay. 
 
The first graders shined at the Siddur program with pride at what they have learned. Enjoy this short video presentation of their 1st grade year at  https://youtu.be/FU_hi89NZZw
News from the Upper School Judaic Studies Department

Rabbi Zecharia Weitz, Coordinator

Jewish Living Workshops
Earlier this month, we welcomed Rabbi Michoel Alt from Buckeye Kosher/VaadHoir of Columbus to speak with our students about some of the tenets of the kosher kitchen including bug checking and koshering.  This was the first in a series inviting speakers from a variety of Jewish communal fields to present hands-on workshops to our students.  The students were very interested in Rabbi Alt's presentation and walked away with practical Jewish life skills. We hope to expand
                              this program to cover more areas of halachic life and general life skills. Stay tuned!
Highlights from the Hebrew Department

Shirly Benatar,
Chair of Hebrew Language Department
Meaninful Yom Hazikaron Commemorations

Students in grades 7-12 were involved in a meaningful Yom Hazikaron ceremony to remember Israeli's fallen soldiers and victims of terror.  The 9th and 10th grade students conducted the program as a culmination to their "Remembering 2gether" projects.  Each year, "Remembering 2gether" is a major part of the Hebrew curriculum in 9th and 10th grades as our students work in groups learning about a specific fallen IDF soldier with a connection to our sister city in Israel, Kfar Saba.  The students are in touch with the soldier's family and complete a video portfolio or biographical display of the soldier's life and service.  The project has created bonds between the students and Israeli family members as well as developing the interaction about the Israeli heroes.  At the Yom Hazikaron ceremony at CTA, some of the students shared from the project.  Ninth and 10th grade students were also involved in the Columbus Jewish Federation's Yom Hazikaron Commemoration sharing about the project.  Thank you to the Hebrew Department teachers for their attention to this worthwhile project and to Neta Ben Ezra, the Columbus Young Shlicha for her work.  
Celebrating Yom Ha'atzmaut "CTA style"

On Tuesday, May 2, CTA celebrated the 69th birthday of the State of Israel with real fanfare and an afternoon full of activities to mark the special day and bring a little bit of Israeli life to Columbus.  The afternoon started with a full assembly of all students in grades
K-12 featuring a 12 Torches Ceremony that involved students representing every grade lighting a candle in respect and honor of our Jewish homeland.  After the ceremony, everyone was treated to a BBQ lunch - Israeli style - with kofta, Israeli salads, hummus and more.  Thank you to Karan Tanenbaum and her staff as well as Norm Leist (BBQ extraordinaire) for their efforts.  Grade appropriate activities included a "Tour of Israel" for Lower School classes led by the 7th and 8th grade students which had games and interactive booths leading students with their "passport" to travel throughout the land of Israel.  Upper School students made Jerusalem mosaics and potato borekas.  The afternoon ended with the mincha service for grades 3-12 that included the Hallel prayer and erupted in singing and dancing in honor of Israel.  An amazing day!  Thank you Shirly and the Hebrew Language Department.
Celebrating Our Faculty and Staff
 
A project many years in the making has made its way to fruition and the walls of CTA.  Through 59 years of educating, there have been countless faculty and staff members who have walked through our hallways and shared their passion for learning with the students at CTA.  Their mark is remembered by many students and now everyone will be remembered forever through beautiful composites of every person who worked at CTA since its inception in 1958.  The composites are formed by decades and the first found picture of the staff member and their job title, as known, is reflected based on when they started working at CTA.  The current staff member with the longest number of years is Karan Tanenbaum, having started at CTA in the 1980's.
 
This was a project of Deena Tanenbaum (Class of 1999) and current First Grade General Studies teacher and her sister, Mindy (Tanenbaum) Cooper (Class of 1997) and current parent to a 3rd grade and kindergarten student.  To date, 5 composites hang for the 1950's and 1960s, 1970's, 1980's and 1990's.  Hopefully by the end of the school year, the 2000's will be up.
 
We welcome former teachers and alumni to stop by the school and take a walk down memory lane of past teachers.  Thank you for the beautiful legacy!
Varsity Baseball Ready for CBI - With G.B.W.
 
Grow. Build. Win.
 
These three verbs succinctly describe the outlook for the 2017 CTA Baseball program.
 
Now in its thirteenth year, the baseball program is making strides as a team, a program, and a community.
 
Coaches Steve Guinan and Rabbi Jon Savage instituted the the G-B-W theme to give shape and enthusiasm to the baseball program leading up to the Columbus Baseball Invitational 2017 aka The Jewish World Series on May 14-16.        
 
Guinan says the top priority of the team is to grow.
 
"That's the main goal. We want to become better, not just as players but as people," Guinan says. "Growing means improving not just in hitting the curve, but also in rising to meet other challenges in life.
And growth is especially meaningful if it comes as part of a team."
 
The 2017 Lions are led by seniors Ioni Wofson, Yaakov Metz, Molly Cohen and Noah Ziv. Juniors Harry Bernzweig and Solomon Weller, and Sophomores Shmuel Metz and Neil Kalef add experience. The team also features a youth movement, with four freshman, David Bar Asher, David Benzaquen, Benzi Gisser, and Drew Samuelson.
 
Several players have already shown growth, by participating in Ron Golden's hitting and pitching camp during the winter and early spring. In fact, Mr. Golden held a three day camp at Huntington Park for the whole team to start the season. Players are also expected to complete a season long training regimen of 10,000 swings and reps, to achieve mastery.
 
But the growth is not just on an individual basis. Guinan cites the second goal--to build--as a key to the program. "A strong sports program is a great way to bring students and families together, throughout their time at CTA and beyond."
 
Indeed, the students are coming out in numbers never before seen for spring sports. CTA's campus after hours is a beehive of baseball, with over thirty families particpating in the middle school baseball and softball teams, coached by Gary Leibesman and Matt Bailey.
 
And, speaking of building, while the softball field was completed in 2011, CTA continues to take steps toward the construction of a baseball diamond on campus. This past month both varsity and middle school teams christened the diamond in-progress with inaugural games.
 
As for the third goal, Guinan looks to the end of the year tournament, the CBI, as a culmination of the program. This year's "Jewish World Series," May 14-16, welcomes twelve teams from around the country for a three day tournament like none other, and CTA hopes to make a good showing.
 
While Guinan knows the CTA Lions will be ready, it's program isn't only about winning.
 
"Because if we grow and build," said Guinan, "then we've already won."
CBI Biggest Field Ever - Volunteer Help Needed (Earn Give & Get)
 
The 2017 Columbus Baseball Invitational is coming on May 14-16 and there are opportunities to volunteer.  Use this link https://goo.gl/forms/h05tBwGJPitO4j073 to sign up for available volunteer jobs.
 
This year's tournament has the biggest field ever in the 8th year of CBI with 12 teams.  Games will be played mostly at the JCC College Avenue Baseball Fields with some second field use in a neighboring community (Columbus and Bexley) to accommodate the 3 packed days of play.  Sunday night, May 14 is expected to have large community draw as the day kicks off the tournament, is Mother's Day, and is also Lag BaOmer.  An evening bonfire at the JCC is planned with concessions from Arie Hazan and Matan Gutwaks. 
 
The teams are housed in dorms at Capital University.  We look forward to welcoming the following teams: 1.  CTA-OH, 2. Kushner - NJ, 3. Ida Crown-IL, 4. Fuchs Mizrachi-OH,  5.Atlanta Jewish Academy-GA, 6. Flatbush Yeshiva-NY,  7.TABC-NJ, 8. Kohelet Yeshiva-PA, 9. Frisch School-NJ, 10. YUHSB/MTA-NY, 11. Valley Torah-CA (Santa Barbara), 12. HAFTR (Hebrew Academy Five Towns and Rockaway)-NY  Come out to see the games.  A full schedule can be viewed at www.columbusinvitational.com . Go Lions!


CTA Awarded Ohio Emergency Safety and Security Grant

CTA has been notified that they are a recipient of an Ohio Emergency Management Agency Safety and Security Grant.  The grant was provided by the Ohio Legislature through HB 384 to establish the Ohio EMA Security Grants for Nonprofits program to provide funding to nonprofit organizations for eligible security improvements that assist the organization in preventing, preparing for, and responding to acts of terrorism.  Only 85 institutions received the grant across the State of Ohio.
 
We received the entire amount requested in the grant - $97,730.00.  Over the summer the grant will be used to upgrade safety and security for the specific items requested in the grant application which include:  
  • Bollards around the perimeter of the front sidewalk to protect students, staff and the building from a unwanted intrusion of a vehicle or truck, either intentional or unintentional, from coming onto the sidewalk or entering the building.
  • Remodel and reconfigure the front entrance and front desk area to tighten building access. 
  • Upgrade and make changes to interior and exterior door locks throughout the building.
  • Upgrade IT system to help with backups, system protection, and security monitoring.
  Congratulations to Norm Leist, our CFO and Facilities Manager for his leadership on submitting the grant.
Get excited for MiddotFest 2017!
 
Read on to find out more about our new program and this year's celebration of student achievement!
 
What is MiddotFest?
Middot are positive character traits that we emphasize in Judaism! This year, the Lower School focused on four middot: kavod (respect), emet (honesty), savlanut (patience), and chaverut (friendship).  MiddotFest is our 2017 end-of-year fair and a wonderful way to celebrate our students' accomplishments and their study of the middot across the curriculum through projects, interactive displays, performances, and visual art.
 
When and where is MiddotFest?
MiddotFest is from 5:00-8:00 pm on Wednesday, May 17, at CTA. There will be a pizza dinner available for purchase benefiting the 2017-2018 Girls Varsity Basketball team from 5:00-6:30. Projects will also be on view in the elementary school gym during that time. At 6:45 pm, we'll join together in the shul for performances from grades K-6 and the CTA Choir!  See the attached flyers for more details.
 
What will I see at MiddotFest?
You'll see fabulous interdisciplinary student work that connects to our four middot. There will be interactive booths, games, and projects. You will see each student in grades K-6 perform with their class. You'll view student artwork and have the opportunity to check out the Scholastic Book Fair in the library, too! You can even purchase handmade bath bombs created by the fourth graders for their class business, Fizz Biz. It's fun for everyone!
 
Who will I see at MiddotFest?
You will see everyone from our CTA family! Do not miss this exciting event.
 
Why MiddotFest?
This event is the culmination of an inspiring year of learning. It is a chance for us to showcase the impressive connections and creative thinking that students have engaged in throughout the year at CTA. And, of course, it's a chance to connect to our community!

Hebrew Purim Story Time and Another One this Sunday

Moreh Dror joined with Eran Rosenberg for a super fun Hebrew Story Time at the Bex ley Public Library in prepration for Purim. Hebrew Story Times are held in conjunction with the Israeli American Council's Keshet Sfarim program which offers Hebrew-speaking families a membership for $10 annually to have Hebrew literature books sent to their home monthly.  The program provides a small stipend for CTA and CJDS to hold story times, as well.  The next story time is Sunday, May 7, at 3 pm at Bexley Public Library.
 
For more information, go to www.iackeshetsfarim.org and use Partner Code:  CDS43054

See flyer for Sunday here.
Parents Wowed at Sharing Night

Artist in Residence, Amy Schildhouse Greenberg, spent two weeks this March in a residency with Columbus Torah Academy students during the annual Writing Workshop. Students in grades 2 and 5 spend the workshop in an in-depth study of the creative writing process with a focus on poetry in 2nd grade and short stories with dialogue in 5th grade. The students dive into the creative process right away and are beginning to learn about editing, critiquing, reviewing and the valuable rewriting that makes a creative piece perfect. 
 
Parents were invited to a Sharing Night in early April to read aloud some of their original works and were greatly impressed by their students enthusiasm and excitement to share their poems and stories.
 
Mrs. Greenberg is a writer, poet, essayist and translator. Her work has appeared in numerous publications and anthologies. She serves as an artist-in-the-schools for the Greater Columbus Arts Council and the Ohio Arts Council. Mrs. Greenberg has facilitated writing workshops for children, adults, teachers and other writers at the Wexner Center for the Arts, Thurber House, the Riffe Gallery, and various central Ohio schools and libraries, including CTA, where her Writing Workshop has become a part of the enrichment curriculum for nearly twenty years.
 
The Writing Workshop at Columbus Torah Academy is made possible in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.
 
Thank you to following families who had adult helpers come to make the Writing Workshop a success: Almasanu, Alt, Bar Asher, Berger, Binsky, Brenner-Berger, Buren, Goldstein, Kopp, Newman, Razker, Weinschneider and to our wonderful teachers for their time and dedication to this program:  Mrs. Buster, Miss Angie, Morah Leah, Mrs. Willis and Morah Elana.
Sign Up For Camp Packages

Is your child headed to sleep away camp this summer?  We would like to keep in touch and send them a little happy reminder of home from their school.  Please use this link to let us know where your child(ren) attend camp and the dates they will be at camp.   https://goo.gl/forms/Imd9lv6ZbUHQJz9x1


Photos Around Campus
 
1.  Upper School Drama Production of Little Women welcomed two nights of theatre to CTA and a full audience.  Plans are underway for next year's play.

2.  Lower School Student Council collected 730 non-perishable food items that were donated to Lutheran Food Pantry.  Pictured is the council members during the pick up.  The classes that collected the most were 1st and 2nd grades. 
 
3.  Fifth graders took a hike with Mrs. Miller and Mordechai Bar Asher down to the creek to participate in a scavenger hunt. Students had specific items to look for as they explored the ecosystem around them!  Mrs. Miller teaches 5th grade Science and Social Studies.

4.  Fifth grade Fiesta. The culminating event after finishing their study of Mexico and begin learning about South America!!
 

5. Student leaders from CTA join with the Columbus Jewish Federation's teen delegation to the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee Conference in March.

 

6.  CTA students, Gillian Herszage, 9th grader, and Orli Hartstein, 10th grader, recently performed with their Hazamir chapter at the Metropolitan Opera House in NYC with more than 400 other singers.

 


CTA's BookFair is May 12-19
from CTA's Library

Visit us any day during school, and at MiddotFest, Wednesday evening May 17!
 
Reading for pleasure unlocks the power of information and imagination. Here are a few things you can do to help your children develop stronger reading skills and a love for reading:
*   Set the example. Let children see you read.
*   Have a collection of books at home. Update it to keep pace as
    reading interests and skills change.
*   Allow your children to choose the books they like to read.
*   And visit CTA's Spring Book Fair!
 
Our Scholastic Book Fair brings the books kids want to read into our school. With the end of the school year just around the corner, this is a great opportunity to stock up for great summer reading!  Summer's an important time for children to build on what they know, keep skills sharp, follow their interests, and learn new things. The Spring Book Fair provides engaging and affordable books your children will want to read this summer. 
 
For more information, visit CTA's Book Fair homepage at http://www.scholastic.com/bf/cta .  Can't come to the Fair, or to see even more great books, shop online at that website, too.  Our Online Fair is available May 1-19.
 
We look forward to seeing you and your family at our Book Fair!  Remember, all purchases benefit our school.
Yarok Starts Garden Beds and Uses Low Tunnels

The spring session of Yarok Together began in the still cold days of March this year.  Students began with building a new garden bed, equipped with supports for a low tunnel. This garden bed will allow us to begin our growing season earlier as well as extend our season in the fall. The garden bed is right next to the greenhouse and currently does not have the plastic covering that normally would keep in the warm air and moisture.
 
Speaking of the greenhouse, some of the herbs planted in the fall were protected enough to come up again this spring! It was very exciting to see green on a day in March when it was 31 degrees and sunny outside! In fact, on that same day, inside the greenhouse thermometer registered a balmy 110 degrees! In addition, the herbs planted last summer in the existing low tunnel garden bed also showed signs of new life mid-March. All this protected growing area means that on our May 10th delivery day we should have radishes, green onions and mint to contribute to the packages we will be delivering. We will have other produce that will be harvested into the fall such as potatoes, peppers, beets and tomatoes in addition to herbs such as mint, basil, parsley and sage!
Yarok Starts Garden Beds and Uses Low Tunnels

The Girls on the Run team at CTA have been meeting twice a week and preparing for their upcoming 5K run on May 21.  The program is a self esteem and healthy lifestyle program with running and exercise at the forefront and is open to girls in grades 3-6.  Mrs. Lerner, Ms. Kira and Shayna Herszage have been coaching the girls this spring.
Art Room Roundup!
By Amy Neiwirth

It's been such an exciting and creative year in the art room and I can't believe it's almost time to complete our projects, display them at the art show, and hand back portfolios at the end of the year.
 
At this year's Student Art Show, (the evening of our MiddotFest Celebration of Achievement, May 17) look for artwork to be displayed as curated collections by each student. This process helps students take ownership over the art show by deciding which of their works from the year they are most proud of and would like to display. Also be on the lookout for collaborative projects from the 5th and 6th grade!
 
Here are some of the projects we're working on and finishing up this month in art class:
 
Kindergarten is learning all about "'scapes" - they created seascape paintings inspired by Hokusai's
"The Great Wave Off Kanagawa" print, and nighttime cityscape drawings using crayons that seem to "glow" on black paper.
 
First Grade wrapped up their unit on pattern and symmetry while studying about Turkish & Persian carpets. They created their own symmetrical collage carpet designs complete with yarn fringes for texture.
 
Second Grade is studying about Henri Matisse and will be creating papier-mache masks incorporating geometric and organic shapes and wild, bright colors.
 
Third Grade is learning all about Cubism and Pablo Picasso. They are incorporating overlapping shapes and designs in to artworks with the theme of music - a la "The Three Musicians" paintings Picasso created.
 
Fourth Grade is exploring the birds of Ohio through the art of Charley Harper. His art style, called "minimal realism" uses basic shapes to create extraordinary artworks reflecting the wonder of nature.
 
Fifth Grade is focusing on Japanese printmaking (called ukiyo-e). Since we don't have the 10 years it takes to become master woodblock carvers, we are experimenting with the "art ingredients" of the Japanese prints to create landscape paintings and drawings.
 
Sixth Grade students are working on posters dedicated to raising awareness about various social causes. We checked out some sweet poster designs from the past and present and discussed how visual design can help communicate a message.
 
Seventh Grade is having a blast mixing tints for their monochromatic landscape paintings. Whether the desert, a lush forest, or a fictional planet, students are utilizing the principle of atmospheric perspective to give their work a sense of depth.
 
Tenth Grade students are beginning a project focusing on radial design. This exploration of design elements throughout art history and across the globe also has a math connection: unit circles!



PTO Directory

Still wondering where to get a list of CTA families?  Planning a birthday party or b'nai mitzvah?  Searching for the name a high school student to babysit?  Look no further than the CTA PTO Directory.  You don't have one?  Make sure to sign up for PTO if you haven't already done so as it is a perk of membership.

PTO Dues are $25 yearly
$210 Lifetime Member (that's forever!)

(Stay connected. You will still get a directory even after the kids graduate!)
 
For more info, go to:    http://www.torahacademy.org/pto/
tzedakah box
Tzedakah Box Turn In
 
If you have a CTA Tzedakah Box, don't forget to fill it and empty it often.  THE NEXT SCHEDULED DROP OFF DATE IS THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2017.  You can choose to send in a check with the amount of the contents or put the change and cash into an envelope or baggie and send in with your child.  Amounts are counted towards your Give and Get and are a great addition to the donations the school receives.  If you need a new or more Tzedakah boxes, contact Shari.
Sponsor a Day of Learning

Have a lifecycle event to share?   Opportunities to sponsor A Day of Learning are now available at CTA.  For a $180 donation, you can make a donation, in honor, in memory, in appreciation, for a speedy recovery or in celebration of a person, a birthday or an event.  To schedule a day, contact sherszage@torahacademy.org or adrandoff@torahacademy.org The sponsorship will be listed in the CTA Weekly Communicator, the monthly CTA Dateline, posted on the monitor in the school lobby, and announced to the students.
Condolences To:
Steve and Kim Geiger, Miram Geiger (Class of 2010) and Esther Geiger (Class of 2013) on the loss of mother and grandmother, Sondra Geiger
 
Dr. Avi and Karen Mikalov, Natanielle (Mikalov) Cooper (Class of 2007) and Jacob Mikalov on the loss of father and grandfather,Robert Goldman
 
Dr. Roger and Karen Ruben, Heather Ruben (Class of 1999), and Benjamin Ruben (8th Grade Class of 1989) on the loss of sister and aunt, Geraldine "Jerri" Green
 
Paul Osborne, Michael Osborne (Class of 2011), Rachel Osborne (8th Grade Class of 2010)  and Samuel Osborne on the loss of wife and mother, Kimberley Osborne
 
Lena (Sheludkova) Feldman (Class of 2002) and Leo Gorelik (Class of 2002) on the loss of grandmother, Klara Feldman
 
Dr. Jiri and Zipporah Klinger, Zamir Klinger (Class of 1997) and Rabbi Nuriel Klinger (Class of 2005) on the loss of mother and grandmother, Elizabeth Klinger
 
Dr. Carol Park on the loss of her mother
 
Pat Hinterschied former member of our kitchen staff on the loss of her mother Rita Martini a member of our kitchen staff for 23 years, from 1988-2011
Mazel Tov To:
Pammy and Scott Samuelson and family on the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Aiden
 
Gillian Herszage and Orli Hartstein on their performance at the HaZamir Festival at the Metropolitan Opera House on March 26
 
Rabbi David and Shira Claman on the birth of a baby girl
 
Yosef (Jeffrey) Romanoff (8th Grade Class of 1992) on the birth of a daughter and to grandparents Ellen and Sonny Romanoff
 
Rabbi Ari and Shira Neuman on the birth of a baby girl
 
 Rabbi Yeshayahu Ginsburg (Class of 2007) on receiving Smicha from Yeshiva University and to parents Rabbi David and Shulamit Ginsburg
 
Rabbi Nuriel Klinger (Class of 2005) on receiving Smicha from Yeshiva University and to parents Jiri and Zipporah Klinger
 
Judy (Vinar) Kahn (8th Grade Class of 1978) on the engagement of her daughter Sara Beth to Joseph Reinstein of West Hempstead, New York and to her son Michael receiving smicha from Yeshiva University and to grandparents Barbara and Marvin Vinar
 
Leah Epstein (Class of 2009) on her marriage to Abe Korman and to parents Dr. Avrom and Marcia Epstein
 
Cantor Baruch and Minna Shifman on the birth of a great granddaughter, Zahava Leah to Shoshana and Yossi Hacker and on the birth of a great grandson, Akiva to Pesach and Devorah Shifman

Thank You
The following families for sponsoring Rosh Chodesh Nisan Staff Lunch:  Dr. Benjamin & Wendy Almasanu, Avi & Perle Benmoshe, Ben & Daryl Binsky, Ken & Laura Clubok, Yaffa Gewirtz, Shloimy & Inbal Hazut, Naomi Myers, and Rabbi Binyomin & Ahuva Weinschneider.
School Events

School Links for Parents ( http://www.torahacademy.org/parent-page/ )

May 10:  Spring Fundraiser Celebration Toast, 7:30 pm
May 15-19:  Scholastic Book Fair
May 17:  Lower School Celebration of Achievement and Middot Fest, 5 pm
May 18:  K-8 Field Day
May 21:  High School Graduation, 1 pm
May 25:  Last Day of School, 12 noon dismissal
May 25:  Freshman Speeches, 5 pm
May 25:  Upper School Awards Assembly 7 pm
July 4:   March in Bexley Parade with CTA - more details TBA
Community Events

Shabbat Candlelighting Times for May and Junel

May  12, 8:18 pm
May 19, 8:24 pm
May 26, 8:30 pm
June 2, 8:36 pm
June 9, 8:40 pm
June 16, 8:43 pm
June 23, 8:45 pm
June 30, 8:45 pm

Tzedakah Donations
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 Annual Giving Fund:
Gary Liebesman and Stacy Leeman in honor of Mrs. Willis and Gillian Herszage for their hard work on the Upper School production of "Little Women" and in appreciation to the Judaic Staff for preparing their children for wonderful Passover Seders
Jonathan Gisser in appreciation of the Hellman family
 
To the Library Fund:
Cheryl Miller in memory of Mr. Pray's father
Bob, Patti, Josh, Rachel and Bella Wolf in honor of Dr. E. Thank you for teaching from the heart and not just from the book. We will miss you.
 
To the Scholarship Fund:
Bob, Patti, Josh, and Rachel Wolf in celebration of Rabbi & Mrs. Claman's beautiful new daughter
 
To Sponsor a Day of Learning:
Shari and Dotan Herszage to sponsor a Day of Learning in memory of Moishe Herszage, z"l (Moshe Yehuda ben Pinchas)
Buddy and Ruth Adler to sponsor a Day of Learning in memory of beloved father and grandfather, A. Leonard Adler, z"l (Aryeh Leib ben Aaron Yitzchak)
 
To the Library and Literacy Fund in memory of Julie Moskowitz and Susan Zanner:
  Alan and Carol Radnor
Give & Get Info
More info can be found at here
 
Tribute Donation:   Contact Lesa, Shari or submit donation on line at www.torahacademy.org for all in honor, in memory or milestone tributes to family and friends.

Kroger Rewards Card:   Go to www.kroger.com/communityrewards and register your rewards card.  Kroger will donate up to 1% of your purchases from Kroger or Turkey Hill stores.

OFFICE MAX:  Max Perks card number is:  207285005

Target RED Card:   Go to https://rcam.target.com/ to manage your red card and enroll your card in the Take Charge of Education program to choose CTA.  Target will donate up to 1% of your REDcard purchases at Target stores in the U.S and at Target.com.

Amazon Smile:
  Go to www.smile.amazon.com and register to benefit CTA.  When you make a purchase, CTA will receive 1% of that purchase as a donation to our school. 

iGive:   Register with iGive at www.igive.com and your Amazon purchases and online purchases at close to 1500 retailers will give a kickback to CTA.  To date we have raised over $1000. 

Apples for Students at Giant Eagle:  Go to www.GiantEagle.com/AFTS to register for their donation program.  You will need your Giant Eagle Advantage Card number and the CTA School Code which is #4389.

Magazine Sales Help the 8th graders year round when you purchase magazines at www.gaschoolstore.com using their code # 2522449.

Shoparoo Download the app to your smartphone and start earning points by snapping pictures of your receipts.


Do you use a smartphone?  Do you ever go to the store and buy anything?  These are the two things you need in order to help CTA earn money through Shoparoo.  There is no cost to you.  Snap a photo of a receipt from a store you made a purchase at and CTA earns points that are converted to $$$.  Best fun is that your points are posted and you can see who the leaders helping CTA earn money are.  To date, there are 33 supporters and some are very active.  Imagine how much money we could earn if you participated?  For more information or to help out, contact Shari and she can walk you though it. We just hit over the $100 mark.  Thanks to all participants!
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Columbus Torah Academy | 181 Noe Bixby Road | Columbus, OH 43213 
614-864-0299 | info@torahacademy.org
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