|
Weekly Newsletter with Important News & Updates from Columbus Torah Academy
|
|
|
Shabbat Shalom D'var Torah
|
|
|
By Rabbi Zecharia Weitz, Upper School Judaic Studies Coordinator
|
|
Weapons of Mass Construction
An often overlooked and enigmatic episode appears at the tail end of Parshat Noach. 340 years after The Flood, a fiasco known as The Tower of Babel, united and then splintered all of humanity. From the text it is clear that they were up to no good and our Sages piece together that this was nothing short of a rebellion against G-d and Providence. While the premise is hard to fathom, a surprising and powerful message is woven into the text:
The episode opens with the entire inhabited world with “one language and united words”. When Hashem responds to their revolt, the same emphasis appears; “and Hashem said, ‘Behold, they are one people with one language for all, and this is what they’ve initiated?!’” Most poignantly, the consequence chosen for their heresy was the division of the singular language of the time, Hebrew, into the original 70 languages; thereby disabling communication.
A rather deep concept explained by Kabbalistic commentary is that Hashem infused our Holy language with immense power - after all, it was with words that Hashem created the entire universe! This power was intended to enable us the uplift and enhance the World we are to steward. The generation of the Tower of Babel chose to abuse that power in an effort to undermine the purpose Hashem intended for our World and thus forfeited this most powerful tool.
Though the story remains quite enigmatic, a deeper appreciation of the emphasis we place on our words in our davening and learning of Torah emerges: Hashem gave us the lofty task of enlightening and ennobling the entire World. In order to accomplish this colossal task, Hashem empowered us with the very tool He used to create that World. Investing our words into such Holy endeavors will literally uplift the entire universe!
Shabbat Shalom
|
|
Preview of the Week: October 23-27
|
|
|
|
|
Lunch:
Pizza Bagels
Sports:
Activities: Lower School Choir Practice, 4-5 pm
|
|
|
|
|
Lunch:
Hamburgers
-
Volunteer:
L. Hoffman
Sports:
Activities:
3A State Testing
|
|
|
|
|
Lunch:
Pizza
Sports:
Activities:
3B State Testing
PSAT/NMSQT Test - Grades 10 & 11
Garden Club, 4-5 pm
Choir, 4-5 pm
|
|
|
|
|
Lunch:
Chicken Cutlets -
Volunteer:
S. Stanich
Sports:
Activities:
3A State Testing
The Great CTA Challah Bake, K-12, 4-5 pm
|
|
|
|
|
Lunch:
Fish Sticks
Sports:
Activities:
3B State Testing
End of 1st Quarter
|
|
|
Upcoming Dates to Remember
|
|
|
Sun., Oct. 29:
Steak Night, Beth Jacob, 6-8 pm; proceeds benefit 8th Grade Washington Trip and Girls Basketball Team
Thurs., Nov. 2: Fall Sports Award Ceremony, 4:15-5:15 pm
Fri., Nov. 3- Fri., Nov. 10:
Scholastic Book Fair
Wed., Nov. 8:
Parent Teacher Conferences - NO SCHOOL
Fri., Nov. 10:
2:00 pm Friday Dismissal Schedule Begins
|
|
|
Important School Information
|
|
|
There is no Flu Clinic at CTA this year. Please be sure to get a flu vaccine from your health care provider. More details from the school nurse can be found
here.
|
|
|
|
PTO Directory:
The CTA PTO Directory was sent home with the youngest child of
ALL PAID
PTO members this week. 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!
Please make the following corrections to your copy of the Directory:
ADD
to High School Teachers: Sharon Schramm
CHANGE OF ADDRESS:
Rabbi Michoel & Shira Alt, 1233 Medford Rd.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS:
Dan and BatSheva Levy, 2389 Dover Rd.
|
|
|
Basketball Season is underway and there are some important announcements about new coaches. Welcome to Coach Eckmann and Grashin.
Click here for details.
|
|
Thank you to the PTO and the following families who sponsored the Rosh Chodesh Staff Appreciation Lunch for October/Cheshvan: Bar Asher, Emerson, Kopp, Markush, Schwartz, Vilensky and Weinreich. To offer sponsorship for another month, contact parent, Jennifer Schuman
|
|
|
Click on link or icon below to see more.
|
|
|
Steak Night is on
October 29. All proceeds benefit the 8th Grade Trip to Washington DC and the Varsity Girls' Miami Basketball Tournament. More information and to
RSVP here.
|
|
On
Thursday, November 2, the Athletics Department will hold the Fall Sports Award Assembly after school from 4:15-5:15. Students and parents are invited to attend. Athletes will be recognized for their participation and achievements during our season. For more information, contact Matt Bailey.
|
|
|
The Great CTA Challah Bake:
Thursday, October 26 from 4-5 pm. To register, click
here.
|
|
Click icon above for detailed information and ways to fulfill your
Give & Get
.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Masmidim at the Kollel starts this
Sunday, October 22 for grades 2-6. Flyer here.
|
|
|
Kollel Chinese Auction: Tuesday,
October 24
from 7-9 pm at Copious. More info at
www.thekollel.org
|
|
|
Special Membership Offer to CTA families from the JCC ends on
October 31, 2017!
|
|
|
AIPAC Columbus Annual Event -
November 13 at Sheraton on Capitol Square. More Information
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 for Wednesday, October 18, the 28th of Tishrei, was sponsored by
Andrew and Tricia Rosenstein for a Refuah Shlema for Tricia Rosenstein and Haztlacha on her upcoming trip to Eretz Yisrael. Have a safe and productive trip.
CTA's Day of Learning for Friday, October 20, the 30th of Tishrei, was sponsored by
Buddy, Ruth, Andrew and Hannah Adler in memory of father and poppy, Marvin Pack to mark his first yarzheit.
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
