CTA Weekly Communicator | Oct. 27, 2017 | 7 Cheshvan 5778 |
6:16 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 Yaakov Greenfeld, Upper School Judaic Studies Teacher
"Mazel tov on the birth of your baby boy!" "Thank you so much." "What did you name him?" "We decided on the name Laughter." Sounds like a funny name, no? 

Yet at the end of this week's Parsha, we find that when the elderly Avraham and Sarah finally have a child together (he was 100, she a youthful 90), they are told to name him Yitzchak, which according to Rashi comes from the word Tzechok, which means laughter. 

How do we understand this seemingly odd name? The answer, says Rav Samson Rafael Hirsch, requires appreciating the nuanced meaning of the word Tzechok, as opposed to other Hebrew words for joy and laughter, such as Sechok,or Simcha. Tzechok implies laughter when viewing a ridiculous contrast, like for example, an old man in baby clothing. After so many years of childlessness, and at such an advanced age, to hear that they would be given a son, not just any son, but one that would be the progenitor of the most important nation, this was an impossible, incongruous idea that left them in the state of laughter called Tzechok. His name bears testimony to the fact that the Jewish nation, from its very inception ran, and continues to run on an order that is nothing less than supernatural, clearly guided by the hand of the Almighty.

Shabbat Shalom
Preview of the Week: October 30-November 3
Lunch: French Toast

Sports:  

Activities: Choir Practice, 4-5 pm
Lunch:  Chicken Nuggets

Sports:

Activities:
Lunch: Grilled Cheese - Volunteer: I. Khozin

Sports:

Activities: 
Garden Club, 4-5 pm
Choir Practice, 4-5 pm
Lunch: Meatball Subs - Volunteer: S. Stanich

Sports:

Activities: Fall Sports Award Ceremony, 4:15-5:15 pm
Lunch: Tuna - Volunteer : Y. Sherk

Sports:

Activities: Scholastic Book Fair opens
Sun., Oct. 29: Steak Night, Beth Jacob, 6-8 pm; proceeds benefit 8th Grade Washington Trip and Girls Basketball Team
Nov. 3-10: Scholastic Book Fair
Wed., Nov. 8: Parent Teacher Conferences - NO SCHOOL
Fri., Nov. 10: 2:00 pm Friday Dismissal Schedule Begins
Nov. 12-16: 8th Grade Washington Trip
Nov. 15: Prospective Kindergarten Parent Open House, 7 pm, CTA
Nov. 16: Prospective Kindergarten Parent Open House, 9:30 am, CTA
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.
Parent Teacher Conferences are on Wednesday, November 8. Please use this link to schedule conferences with your child's teachers. There is no school that day. Click here for more detailed information.
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.
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.
Be sure to join PTO. Click here for more information and here are some ways you can volunteer!
Order fresh oranges, grapefruit and tangelos to benefit the 8th grade trip to Washington DC. Deadline for ordering is November 9. https://www.floridaindianrivergroves.com/ecommerce/498484
‌
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.
Start saving those Box Tops. Lots of promotions! Click here for more information: Box Tops Back to School Promotions - Earn Prizes
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 Tuesday, October 24, the 4th of Cheshvan was sponsored by Joseph and Ruth Weinreich in memory of Perel bas Mendel.

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