CTA Weekly Communicator | Dec. 1, 2017 | 13 Kislev 5778 |
4:49 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 Jon Savage, Upper School Judaic Studies Teacher
In this week's Torah portion we read about the epic showdown between Jacob and Esav. Before Jacob encounters his evil brother, Esav, Jacob divided all that he had into two camps. The Torah states:

"And (Jacob) said 'If Esau will come to one camp and smite it, the remaining camp will be saved' " (Genesis 32:9).

What lesson do we learn from Jacob's action?

Rav Zelig Pliskin, in Growth Through Torah, quotes Rashi -the great commentator - who tells us that Jacob had three strategies to deal with the threat from his brother: (1) he sent gifts to appease him, (2) he prayed for Divine assistance, and (3) he prepared for war.

Rabbi Yeruchem Levovitz points out that Jacob did not rely on his righteousness; he made every humanly effort possible. The forefathers kept to natural laws in dealing with life situations. After all, the laws of nature are the Almighty's laws (He did set up the universe!). This is our goal - to do all that is in our power, but to realize that our success ultimately depends upon the Almighty.

Shabbat Shalom
Preview of the Week: December 4-8
Lunch: Macaroni & Cheese

Sports:   MSGB AWAY @ New Hope Christian, 5:30 pm

Activities: Choir Practice, 4-5 pm
Lunch: Hamburgers - Volunteer: L. Markush

Sports: VGB HOME @ Genoa Christian, 6 pm
VBB HOME vs Genoa Christian, 7:30 pm

Activities:
Lunch: Pizza - Volunteer: I. Khozin

Sports:

Activities: Choir Practice, 4-5 pm
Lunch: Sloppy Joes - Volunteer: S. Stanich

Sports: MSGB HOME vs Grace Christian, 5 pm
VGB AWAY @ Linden Academy, 6 pm
MSBB HOME vs Grace Christian, 6:15 pm
VBB AWAY @ Mason Run High School, 7:30 pm

Activities: Lower School Student Council 4-5 pm
Lunch: Tuna

Sports:

Activities:
Dec. 10: CTA Scholarship Gala, 5:30 pm, at CTA
Dec. 15: Chanukah Carnival, Grades K-6
Dec. 18-21: High School Mid Term Exams
Dec. 21: End of 2nd Quarter; Start of Winter Break, 2:00 pm Dismissal
Dec. 22-Jan. 2: Winter Break
Jan. 3: School Resumes
RSVP for the Scholarship Dinner. All proceeds benefit the Scholarship Fund and support a CTA education. Click here for online payments.
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
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!  
Gallery Players presents Oliver! Dates are December 2-17. Flyer Here. Come support CTA students: Ayala Hazan, Gillian Herszage, Yaakov Newman and CTA Staff: Norma Whitmyre
Blood Drive at the JCC College Ave., Wednesday, December 13.

The need for blood donors is never completely satisfied. New donors must be found when long time donors can no longer give. Please come Wednesday, December 13th, to the JCC between 12:30 pm and 6:30 pm to give the “Gift of Life”. You can arrange an appointment by calling the Red Cross at 1-800-Red Cross or go to the Red Cross website at www.redcrossblood.org sponsor code: tolifecolumbus  
Special Chanukah Masmidim for students in grades K-6 at the Kollel on Sunday, December 10. Flyer here.
JCC Adult Education Speaker Series on Monday, December 4 with Rabbi Alan Ciner of Touro College. Flyer here.
JCC Annual Kosher Chinese on December 19. Flyer Here.
Pick up Fried Chicken on December 15. 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