CTA Weekly Communicator | Jan. 5, 2018 18 Tevet 5778 |
5:03 pm Candle lighting for Shabbat
CTA Weekly Communicator
Weekly Newsletter with Important News & Updates from Columbus Torah Academy
Shabbat Shalom D'var Torah
By Rabbi Dovid Kimche, Upper School Judaic Studies Teacher
“A new king arose over Egypt, who did not know of Joseph.”

This remarkable phrase, from this week's parsha, sets the scene for the horrific abuse the Egyptians were to subject the Jews to for the next two centuries. But the question must be asked: is it possible for anyone - let alone the king himself - to forget such a central figure in Egyptian history as Joseph? He was not only the mastermind behind their very survival during the years of famine, but was the economic genius who had catapulted Egypt to the ancient world’s superpower. How could any individual at the time not know of Joseph?

The strength of this question forces us to reinterpret. It was not so much that they didn’t know Joseph, but rather all that he had done for Egypt had all but faded from people’s minds. No doubt that Joseph had single-handedly navigated the country through rough times - at the time he was surely widely known. As soon as he was not ‘needed’ any more, the appreciation of Joseph also waned. When the pain of Egypt’s experience ended so did their memory of Joseph. 

This tells of an unfortunate flaw in the human condition. We have no time appreciating people when they are needed; but when times are good and convince ourselves of our independence we tend to forget those who helped us. Let this be a lesson for all of us in our lives, always to display appreciation, and never forget people’s kindness. 

Shabbat Shalom
Preview of the Week: January 8-12, 2018
Lunch: French Toast - Volunteer: R. Schwartz

Sports:   MSG AWAY at Polaris Christian, 5:00 pm
MSB AWAY at Polaris Christian, 6:15 pm
VG AWAY at Northside Christian, 6:00 pm

Activities: 7th Grade Shakespeare Festival begins
Lunch: Hamburgers - Volunteer: L. Blumberg

Sports:

Activities:
Lunch: Grilled Cheese - Volunteer: D. Weprin

Sports:

Activities:
Lunch: Meatball Subs - Volunteer: D. Kopp

Sports: MSG HOME vs. Cypress Christian, 5:00 pm
MSB HOME vs. Cypress Christian, 6:15 pm
VG AWAY at New Hope Christian, 6:00 pm
VB AWAY at New Hope Christian, 7:30 pm

Activities: Kindergarten Night at the Games, 5:00 pm
Lunch: Fish Sticks

Sports:

Activities:
Jan. 15: MLK Day - NO SCHOOL
Jan. 18: 7th Grade Shakespeare Performance, JCC, 7:30 pm
Jan. 23: Kindergarten Preview Day, 9:30 am
Jan. 30: Parent Cafe with Nicole Miller, 7:30 pm, Home of Jeff and Meagan Buren
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
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.
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
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
‌
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!  
Camp Stone Open House this Sunday, January 7 at 7:30 pm at the Home of Rachel and Ben Berger.
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.
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.
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. 
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.
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.

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