CTA Weekly Communicator | Jan. 12, 2018 25 Tevet 5778 |
5:10 pm Candle lighting for Shabbat
CTA Weekly Communicator
Weekly Newsletter with Important News & Updates from Columbus Torah Academy
Shabbat Shalom D'var Torah
By Elana Katz, 5th and 6th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
"Hashem spoke to Moshe and Aharon, and He commanded them concerning the children of Israel and concerning Pharoah, the king of Egypt, to let the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt." (Chapter 6: Verse 13)

Given that this is the sixth chapter of the Book of Exodus, the reader is already familiar with Pharoah and is aware that he is the king of Egypt. Why then is he referred to as both Pharoah and the king of Egypt? Rashi explains that Hashem specifically referred to Pharoah as the king of Egypt to impress upon Moshe and Aharon that they needed to speak to Pharoah with respect. Despite the fact that they were being sent to threaten him and command him to send out the Jewish people, they were to treat him as one treats a king.

It is important to note that despite Hashem's distaste for Pharoah's actions and impending punishments, Hashem still required of Moshe and Aharon to interact with Pharoah in a respectful and dignified matter. It did not make a difference who he was, for the fact that he was, earned him the right to be treated with respect.

This Monday, when the country is honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it is important to recognize that the values that Dr. King embodied are the very values expressed in this week's parsha. Regardless of race, religion, actions or word, Hashem expects each person to treat another with
the utmost respect at every available opportunity.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Shabbat Shalom
Preview of the Week: January 15-19, 2018
MLK Day - NO SCHOOL

Sports:  

Activities:
Lunch: Chicken Nuggets - Volunteer: M. Lessnick

Sports: MSG AWAY vs. St. John's Lutheran, 5:30 pm
MSB AWAY vs. St. John's Lutheran, 6:45 pm
VG HOME vs. Linden Academy, 6:00 pm
VB HOME vs. Urban Scholars HS, 7:30 pm

Activities: 7th Grade Shakespeare Festival all week
Lunch: Lasagna - Volunteer: I. Khozin

Sports: VG HOME Franklinton Prep Academy, 6:00 pm

Activities: Lower School Tennis, 4:15 pm
Lunch: Chicken Cutlets

Sports: VB HOME vs. Oakstone Academy, 6:30 pm

Activities: 7th Grade Shakespeare Performance, 7:30 pm, JCC
Lunch: Tuna - Volunteer: J. Vilensky

Sports:

Activities:
Jan. 22: 1st Grade Night at the Games, 5:30 pm
Jan. 23: Kindergarten Preview Day, 9:30 am
Jan. 25: 3rd Grade Night at the Games, 5:30 pm
Jan. 26: LS Dress Down Day
Jan. 30: Parent Cafe with Nicole Miller, 7:30 pm, Home of Jeff and Meagan Buren
Feb. 2: LS Dress Down Day
Feb. 7: 5th and 6th Grade Parent Informational Meeting about Jr. High, 7:30 pm, CTA
Feb. 16: Faculty Professional Development Day, NO SCHOOL
Feb. 19: President's Day - NO SCHOOL
Proposed calendar for 2018-2019 is now available by clicking here. This calendar includes start and end dates for next school year as well as vacation dates. It is called a proposed calendar in case there are minor tweaks.
Important Message from Nurse Chris: Remember, the flu is here! Please start with a good example at home: If you are sick – STAY HOME! Drink water. Wash your hands. Cover coughs or sneezes. Rest. Click here for a great PDF to print to remind you of tips to tell if you have a cold or the flu.

If you have any questions, please contact Chris Morford, BSN, RN, School Nurse.
She is at CTA: Monday & Tuesday Phone: (614) 864-0299 ext.211 or cmorford@torahacademy.org
We are Going Out For Recess. Wear Boots.

Mrs. Miller wants Lower School parents to know the outdoor recess policy. Students will go outside for recess when the temperature is 20 degrees or above and it is not raining. The quality of the fields will also be a determining factor to make sure they are safe for students.

Students love being outside as much as possible. We want to give them this opportunity for free play.

As we continue this year, if it has snowed, the fields may be wet. Please make sure your child has boots or shoes that they might get wet in at school. You may also want to have your child pack an extra pair of socks or shoes. 

We may also offer indoor and outdoor activities if there are enough staff to supervise the students.
Tennis lessons at CTA will start January 17 and run through May for students in grades K-6. Lessons will be after school led by tennis pro Marc Wurtzman. For more information click here or to register directly, click here. Any questions to arahav@torahacademy.org
DON"T LOSE IT. LABEL IT. PLEASE label your child's clothing!!! With everyone wearing uniforms, we have a large number of navy, blue and white shirts and gray, black and navy sweatshirts that have no known owners. If you need labels, go to Name Bubbles using this link: https://fundraising.namebubbles.com/f/96566 . CTA earn 20% of every order.
Click on link or icon below to see more.
Kindergarten Preview Day at CTA is on Tuesday, January 23 from 9:30 am - 12 noon. The day is a special opportunity for preschoolers who will be ready for Kindergarten for Fall 2018 to spend the morning at CTA. The morning will give the children a chance to experience kindergarten and for educators to meet them. RSVP for preview day is required. So please RSVP to sherszage@torahacademy.org or call at 614-864-0299, ext 218.
Come Tu B'Shevat - the Birthday of the Trees with PJ Library on Sunday, January 28 at 10 am.
Where: Franklin Park Conservatory,
1777 E Broad St, Columbus, 43203
When: Sunday, January 28th @ 10:00 am
Details: Celebrate the Birthday of the Trees -
Tu B'shvat - with PJ Library, Columbus Torah Academy and CJDS! We will have storytime, a scavenger hunt, and arts & crafts. 
Order magazines for your office or home. 40% profit goes to benefit the 8th grade trip to Washington DC. Click on this flyer or this link and use the school code: 2522449. Any questions, ask an 8th grader or Norma.
Start saving those Box Tops. Lots of promotions! Click here for more information: Box Tops Back to School Promotions - Earn Prizes
The next Parent Cafe with Nicole Miller will be on Tuesday, January 30, at 7:30 pm at the home of Jeff and Meagan Buren.

Have you ever wondered what the Common Core State Standards mean to your child? How can you best understand them and support your child? 

At this Parent Cafe, Mrs. Miller will discuss the fundamental instructional shifts that took place in English Language Arts and Math's Ohio Learning Standards also called Common Core State Standards. She will also share a few strategies that you can use at home to support these shifts. 

Address furnished by emailing RSVP to info@torahacademy.org
Mister G Concert and Purim Palooza. CTA is a partner with this fun pre-Purim event on Sunday, February 25 from 10:30-12:30 at the JCC on College Avenue. Flyer here.
Click icon above for detailed information and ways to fulfill your Give & Get .
Be sure to join PTO. Click here for more information and here are some ways you can volunteer!
PTO Directory: The CTA PTO Directory has been sent home with the youngest child of ALL PAID PTO members. Don’t miss out on this important booklet. Become a member of PTO for just $25 ! Please send your check, made out to CTA PTO, to the school office or pay directly through Paypal at pto@torahacademy.org.  We’ll send the Directory right away!  
Summer Camp Fair on Sunday, January 14 from 1-4 pm at the JCC, 1125 College Avenue. The Columbus Jewish Federation is also offering Jewish Overnight Camp Scholarship. Applications can be submitted online at JewishColumbus.org/campfund 
All applications must be received by Feb. 1. First-time campers are eligible for a One Happy Camper incentive grant. The incentive offers need-blind grants of up to $1,000. Visit the One Happy Camper
Join the Winter/Spring League of Mamanet. For more information, click here or download PDF of flyer. Registration begins January 17.
70 Faces of Israel events featuring Mehereta Baruch Ron who will speak on: “The challenge of equal opportunity in Israel”.

Sunday, January 28th @ the JCC, 7:00pm including dessert reception.  

For more information contact Merav Livneh- Dill, Senior Shlicha: meravld@tcjf.org or Justin Shaw, Director, Jewish Community Relations: jshaw@tcjf.org

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/157671834866692/?active_tab=about
Ahavas Sholom Cholent Cook Off on February 17. RSVP to ahavas-sholom.org
Special offer this Sunday for JCC Summer Camp Registration. Flyer here.
Technology Awareness Event featuring a screening of the movie SCREENAGERS on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at the JCC. For children in grades 6 and older and their parents. Click here for detailed information or to register for this FREE event.
Gan Ephraim Speaker Series: E verything You Always Wanted to Know about GI But Were Afraid to Ask - a lecture by Dr. Jonathan Gisser on Tuesday, January 23 at 7:30 pm at Gan Ephraim at Ahavas Sholom, 2568 E. Braod Street.
I MATTER on February 4th for teen girls, moms and mentors. It will be an afternoon of empowerment, motivation and inspiration with some food, fun and gifts thrown in there, too. The topic is teen dating violence awareness and education surrounding healthy relationships which will include promoting self confidence, self respect and inner beauty. A complete flyer can be found here.
Save the Date for the JCC Gala on Saturday night, February 24, 2018. Full flyer here.
Consider sponsoring  a Day of Learning in memory or honor of a loved one or to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, b'nai mitzvah or other life cycle event. A Day of Learning is a $180 donation and dedications are listed in both the CTA Weekly Communicator and the monthly CTA Dateline.

CTA's Day of Learning on Monday, January 8, the 21st of Tevet is sponsored by Henry and Candis Schwarz in memory of Henry's father, Abraham Ben Yosef, a Holocaust survivor, on his 10th yahrzeit. May his memory be for a blessing.

CTA's Day of Learning for Tuesday, January 9, the 22nd of Tevet, is sponsored in memory of Bob Lane, Hillel Reuven Ben Abraham by the following friends in the community: Devorah & Dr. Justin Weprin, Dr. Adina Bitton & Rabbi Michael Emerson, Rachel & Rabbi Ben Berger, Elana & Dr. Joel Katz, Tali and Robbie Friedman, Naomi Brenner & Ari Berger and Meagan & Jeff Buren. May his neshama continue to have an aliya.

CTA's Day of Learning for Wednesday, January 10, the 23rd of Tevet, is sponsored by Dr. Adina Bitton and Rabbi Michael Emerson in memory of Rabbi Emerson's grandmother, Elaine Plaskow, Zelda Bat Ze'ev Dov, one day before her yarzheit. May her neshama have an aliya.

CTA's Day of Learning for Thursday, January 11, the 24th of Tevet, is sponsored by Gloria Fettman in observance of the end of shloshim for Bob Lane, Hillel Reuven Ben Abraham . Bob is greatly missed by family and friends. May his neshama continue to have an aliya.

To choose your Day of Learning, contact Shari at  sherszage@torahacademy.org. 
Give to CTA
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. Check  here to see our most recent issue.
Columbus Torah Academy | (V) 614-864-0299 | (F)614-864-2119 | info@torahacademy.org | www.torahacademy.org