CTA Weekly Communicator | Nov. 17, 2017 | 28 Cheshvan 5778 |
4:55 pm Candle lighting for Shabbat
CTA Weekly Communicator
Weekly Newsletter with Important News & Updates from Columbus Torah Academy
Shabbat Shalom D'var Torah
By Oded Karavani, Hebrew Language Teacher
There's a very interesting Pasuk in this week's Parsha:
 
"And Itzchak returned and he dug up the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Avraham his father..and he called them by the same names that his father had called them " (Bereshit 26,18)

Honestly, who wants to do the same thing that your father did? Where's the creativity in naming the wells the same names as before? Why copy-paste the last generation's actions? Are we not at an era that demands innovation?

Maybe, but not for Yitzchak. This is exactly what he wanted. 

After Avraham's revolutionary message to the world, it was up to the second generation to continue and walk down that same path. 

A lot of times this is no less difficult than creating and pronouncing a new idea. It's much more desirable and satisfying being the first to do something. To be the one who can write in his resume "founder of". In Israel there’s a saying: “No one remember’s Bar Kochva’s assistant.” We complement each other by saying “Number 1!” No one likes being number 2.

In our fast and ongoing "wow" culture, this Parsha come to teach us a very important lesson. Hard labor, dedication, perseverance and un-spotlighted actions are the very core of our essence. After all, without Yitzchak there would be no meaning to what Avraham, his father, did. How much gratitude must we give to the “Yitzchaks” of every generation? Jews who refused to give up on their father’s teaching and Torah no matter how outdated and “irrelevant” it seems. Those who the ones who fight hard to just pass on what they themselves receive - father to son, parent to child.

How difficult it is for us, in our lives to be that Yitzchak and not Avraham. Maybe this is why the Torah states only with by Yitzchak , that “and he named it Shibah; therefore the name of the city is Beer-sheba until this very day”. Although both Avraham and Yitzchak named it the same, only the latter made it eternal.

From this we learn that only when we commit ourselves to what our forefathers started do we make sure it will stay forever in our consciousness and reality.

Lastly, I would like to ask you. How do you view Judaism? How do you go about living life? How much of it is like Avraham and how much is like Yitzchak?
 
Shabbat Shalom
Preview of the Week: November 20-24
Lunch: French Toast

Sports:  

Activities: Choir Practice, 4-5 pm
Lunch:  Hamburgers - Volunteer: M. Lessnick

Sports:
VGB AWAY Scrimmage vs Madison Christian, 6 pm
VBB AWAY Scrimmage vs Madison Christian, 7:30 pm

Activities:
Lunch: Pizza

Sports:

Activities: Thanksgiving Show, Grades K-4, 9:30 am
2:00 pm Dismissal
Lunch: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving

Sports:

Activities:
Lunch: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Vacation

Sports:

Activities:
Nov. 19: Scholarship Dinner Tribute Journal Phone-A-Thon, 10 am - 1 pm, CTA
Nov. 21: Spirit Wear Store Order Deadline
Nov. 29: 11th Grade College Night, 7:30 pm
Dec. 10: CTA Scholarship Dinner, 5:30 pm
RSVP for the Scholarship Dinner and purchase ads in the Tribute Journal. All proceeds benefit the Scholarship Fund and support a CTA education. Deadline for ads has been extended to November 26.

Spirit Wear Store Deadline EXTENDED to November 21!

New Lion! Louder Roar!

You can check out the CTA Spirit Wear store  here . The first deadline to order has been extended to November 21  which will bring a delivery in time for Chanukah! Shipping will be waived and all Items will be delivered to CTA.

The CTA Uniform and Dress Code Policy has been updated to account for Spirit Wear. The new lion logo does not replace the uniform logo. The policy can be found  here.

A logo usage guide can be found  here for student groups interested in using the new logo.

Holiday Gift Fund

Participate in PTO Holiday Gift Fund to show your appreciation for our staff with a gift. Each staff member receives the same amount based on full or part time status. The cost is $4 per person.

Deadline to turn in forms is December 11. Click here for all of the information and to print out a form.
Click on link or icon below to see more.
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
Shop the CTA Spirit Wear Store. Deadline for ordering in time for delivery by Chanukah is November 21!
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!  
The Columbus Jewish Film Festival ends Monday, November 20. To see a complete line up of films and times, go to https://columbusjcc.org/cultural-arts/film-festival/schedule/
Celebrate Chanukah with JCC Seniors on November 22. Flyer Here.
J-Talks Lunch and Learn on November 27. Click here for full flyer.
Pick up Fried Chicken on December 15. Flyer Here.
Black Friday Fitness Open House at the JCC on November 24. Flyer here.
JCC Adult Education Speaker Series on Monday, December 4 with Rabbi Alan Ciner of Touro College. Flyer here.
Gallery Players presents Oliver! Dates are December 2-17. Flyer Here.
JCC Annual Kosher Chinese on December 19. 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