Monthly Dateline Newsletter |
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Columbus Torah Academy Monthly Dateline |
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This month's Dateline is a little different. To see all of the articles and highlights of our commitment to our students and to Jewish day school education, click on the PDF version. Also, follow us on social media. |
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The first semester of school up until Winter Break held challenges and the implemtation of new protocols and procedures to ensure the health safety of our school community.
What you can see here is the remarkable resilience of our students and teachers. While masks and social distancing can be viewed throughout the pictures, the normalcy of our students engaged in learning and socializing with their peers is overwhelming emotional.
We are a lucky community to have each other to depend on.
Our faith, our heritage and our community are the pillars that CTA stands on. Each student is a precious part of our school and we cherish each one.
Wishing you and your families every opportunity for happiness and a healthy year ahead.
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END OF TAX YEAR GIVING TO CTA |
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As you are wrapping up your charitable giving for calendar year 2020, please consider making a gift to CTA by December 31, the last day for this tax year. You can make a donation online by clicking here or you can mail a check to CTA, 181 Noe Bixby Road, Columbus, Ohio 43213.
Keep in mind the following tax benefits:
Cares Act $300 Charitable Giving Deduction for 2020
Thanks to the CARES Act, you can deduct up to $300 from your federal taxes regardless of whether you take the standard deduction. Click here for more information
IRA Contribution:
If you are 70 1/2 years or older and required to distribute funds from your IRA, any amount given as a charitable contribution to Columbus Torah Academy is non-taxable. The money must be distributed from your IRA fund directly to the school in order to receive this tax benefit.
Click here for more information or contact your broker/money manager.
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM SCHOLARSHIP GALA |
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If you missed the Live Stream of the 2020 CTA Scholarship Gala, you can catch the recording by going to www.torahacademy.org/gala The evening was a wonderful celebration of the partners who have helped CTA to reopen in the fall and to keep educating our students with the utmost care to the health safety of each child, teacher and staff member. Thank you again to Faculty, Staff, Medical Advisory Committee and JewishColumbus.
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KINDERGARTEN PROSPECTIVE PARENTS – TAKE THE TOUR |
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Applications for admission are available for Fall 2021. While a group Open House is not planned, prospective parents are invited to arrange for a private tour on a Sunday or evening or for a virtual tour at a convenient time. Taking the tour is the best way to find out more about CTA and learn more about our kindergarten program, see the classrooms, learn more about the curriculum and ask questions. To find out more, contact [email protected] Kindergarteners should be 5 years old by August 15, 2021. Check out our admissions information at https://www.torahacademy.org/admissions/
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Here are samples of the wonderful learning that took place before going out to winter break:
In 3rd grade, Morah Chen-Li and Morah Ronit integrated a Hebrew unit with Judaic Studies. In Judaic studies, Mrs. Kirschbaum taught about the Jewish Calendar and Hebrew dates. Morah Ronit and Morah Chen-Li integrated the concept of the Hebrew date into a unit focusing on Birthdays and dates. The class discussed and wrote in Hebrew: How old am I? When was I born? Where was I born? What do I eat and drink on my birthday? etc. and they learned Hebrew songs for birthday celebrations.
As a culminating activity to summarize and experience the unit, the class had a Hebrew Birthday Party, while maintaining proper social distancing and protocols. They played common Israeli birthday games, ate a cake, and each student received a goodie bag containing Israeli snacks to take home! It was great to see the joy in the 3rd graders eyes! (see pictures)
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3rd grade students wrote in Hebrew about themselves and the important dates in their lives
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3rd grade students playing Cham/Kar (Hot/Cold) during the final Hebrew Class Birthday Party
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In Morah Ronit’s 9-10th grade class students Talia Sukienik and Emilia Wolff suggested creating the complex interactive game “Among Us”, and Morah Ronit challenged the students to create and write the game in Hebrew, while integrating everything they learned in class since the beginning of this year!
The object of the game is to complete “missions” and find the “imposter among us” by debating and asking many questions. After each student created their mission, the class collaborated to build the entire game. Finally the class played the game. Eliezer Kohn created a map of the school with areas labeled in Hebrew. Students were allowed to speak only in Hebrew during the game. This was a great way to review and summarize the material and so much fun too! See pictures.
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9th-10th Hebrew students are working on the ‘missions’ that their peers created, in the game “Among Us"
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9-10th Hebrew students debating, speaking Hebrew, who is the “Imposter” while playing the game “Among Us”, which they created in Hebrew class.
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DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP IN THE LOWER SCHOOL |
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With the increased use of technology in the classroom, digital citizenship workshops have become a big part of the fall curriculum. For students in grades kindergarten-6th grade, some of the increased use of devices in the classroom has been new and the importance of how to be safe, responsible, and respectful online aligned with the Middot of our school culture.
Topics ranged based on grade level:
Kindergarten: How do we balance media? We discussed choosing to play outside versus being on a device, showing eye contact when we talk to one another, playing with a friend over watching a show, listening to our parents and teachers when they say it is time to get off the device, setting healthy media limits, asking permission to get online and to go on websites, and how technology can make us feel. The students enjoyed talking about balance by seeing if we can balance our bodies by standing on one foot and hopping.
1st Grade: We talked about how we should pause and think before we act online. Do we need a break? Do we have permission? Are we being kind to others?
2nd Grade: We discussed how to be a SUPER digital citizen who is safe, responsible, and respectful online.
3rd Grade: We learned about the rings of responsibility. Students talked about how our actions online impact ourselves, others, and the world around us. We need to make sure that we make good choices with parental and other adult guidance.
4th Grade: We explored scenarios on how to make good digital citizen decisions. Students talked about not sharing passwords, not interacting with people they do not know, not sharing information without permission, and how to give ourselves healthy limits. We also talked about how at indoor recess our brains need breaks from the media.
5th & 6th Grade: As students mature and get older, the topic of digital citizenship changes. Students have more responsibility and more freedom in some households. We talked about how to balance our media life and that many times no media is a good choice. We discussed how the media can make us feel upset or sad if we are oversaturated with news or social media. These feelings can come out through different online chats that students are exploring outside of school hours as well. We encouraged students to talk to their family about their expectations and their advice in this arena.
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To celebrate Chanukah during the school day means lots of fun and noshing! In Lower School, classes had the opportunity to bake Chanukah cookies, participate in a cooking challenge, make latkes, Greek Gauntlet Challenge, make sufganiyot, hear a story from Rabbi Rifkind and more.
Upper School held pottery painting, a Chanukah Jeopardy game, a Chanukah TikTok challenge, Wiffle Ball tournament, menorah “wars” and a gelt rush.
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Although not in the usual way, 2nd graders received their first Chumash at a ceremony held at school. The students dressed up for the special day and came into the shul to walk one by one onto the stage and receive their Chumash. Following there were fun activities throughout the day. The students played a Kahoot review game of פֶּרֶק ב which also included funny class trivia questions. They had a special Zoom class with visiting artist, Andrew Galitzer who is studying in Yeshiva in Israel for the year and has been teaching how to draw Parsha Comics. He taught the students how to draw 3 types of Torahs. The students ended the day receiving a special cupcake from Matt’s Bakery! It was a great day! Mazel Tov! To find out more about Andrew’s virtual art classes, go to http://andidrew.com/sunday/
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USING OUR CAMPUS AS A CLASSROOM |
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Dr. Park’s 7th grade Science class had the joyful experience of collecting samples from CTA’s property for their microscopy unit. They collected moss, lichen, water from the stream, and other specimens that could be really interesting to see magnified. They will be learning to use compound light microscopes to examine their collected samples for protists, rotifers, daphnia and tardigrades. They were fortunate to get absolutely beautiful weather and the students were thrilled to spend time down there. |
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Principal for the Day: Eliana L. claimed her Lower School Principal for the Day prize from the 2019 Scholarship Dinner by shadowing Mrs. Nicole Miller. It was an interesting day filled with meetings, a staff lunch, learning opportunities and even a practice lock down. Afterwards, Eliana reported to her mom, “the lock down and the video project and talking to the staff and lunch and.... everything!”
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First Responders: Our students are used to the uniformed and plain clothed officers that keep our building safe every day. (Thanks to the generosity of JewishColumbus.) Office Poole from the Columbus Division of Police has been spending some time in our classrooms. He enjoys reading with the students, talking about the value of a good CTA education and answer the student's questions about our first responders. Our students love to say Thank You!
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7th grade Slushy Party: Dr. Park treated her class to a Slushy Party while she was out for surgery. She won the part at the CTA Scholarship Gala and wanted to thank her class for working so hard during their first semester as Upper School students.
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Snow!! So much excitement as the first few flakes fell this year during the school day. Let’s hope students can keep up with the joy through the winter months. It will give the teachers inspiration! |
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Art Chanukah Contest: Congratulations to the students who won the Chanukah design contest led by Ms. Neiwirth. |
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Kindergarten and Senior Buddies have story time: Buddies joined together to celebrate parsha Lech Lecha. While they couldn’t enjoy their cupcakes at the same table, the virtual story time reading Miss Spider’s Tea Party was a lot of fun. |
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Exploring Matter: 1st graders have been spending the last few weeks learning about solids, liquids, and gasses! Through many hands on experiments, Ms. Tanenbaum took the students on an exploration of the subject. They culminated the unit Grand Experiment Day. Headed to the lunchroom, the experiment involved taking a solid, added it to a hot liquid, mixed it until it dissolved, and then put it into the refrigerator to change the temperature. Did you guess what we made? It was jello! Delicious!
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3rd grade takes trip to landfill: As part of their unit learning about soil erosion and reuse, the 3rd grade took a virtual field trip to the landfill. The tour, led by SWACO Educational Specialist, Amy Densborn, the students also had the chance to ask Ms. Amy questions, listen to her discuss the landfill, and watch a video as if they were driving through it.
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5th grade’s 8 ways for 8 days: Looking to apply their learning of tzedaka and chessed, the 5th grader’s "8 ways for 8 days" gave them the opportunity to bring light and joy to others over Chanukah. The class brainstormed and voted on 8 acts of kindness to carry out on each day of Chanukah. They included: A fundraiser for Kfar Yeladim David by putting aside a quarter for each candle you light, a holiday food drive, making gifts at school and giving to family and friends, holiday treat bags and cards for senior citizens or those who live alone, thank you gifts to first responders and medical personnel, pay it forward campaign by doing an anonymous act of kindness at school with a request to pay it forward to see how far their kindness can have ripple effects, prepare and deliver treats to their own teachers and staff, making activity bags for children who are sick and delivering them to the Bikur Cholim room at Nationwide Children's hospital.
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Teaching from Home: 6th grader Noah Blumberg was able to virtually teach his classmates about origami with a how to explanation and he led the lesson in Hebrew!
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Even during the Pandemic, CTA high school students find ways to help others. 12th grade student, Sahar Import has been writing cute cards to residents at Wexner Heritage Village to brighten their days
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Backyard Davening: Upper school students join together at a classmate’s home for Shacharit even when school was closed. |
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Acorn Trail dedicated: All of the hard work from the 3rd and 4th graders renovating the wooded trail and naming it the “Acorn Trail” culminated with a visit from a forester and the erecting of name markers of along the trail. Thank you, art teacher, Ms. Neiwirth, for helping the students to paint their art stakes.
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Jan. 4: School Resumes - At Home Learning
Jan. 8: CTA Uniform Drop Off
Jan. 11: Tzedakah Box Turn in Day
Jan. 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, NO SCHOOL
Jan. 25: Amy Greenberg Writing Workshop for 8th and 10th begins
Jan. 28: Tu B'Shevat
Jan. 29: Applications for Admission for Fall 2021 due
Feb. 3: Kindergarten Siyum (virtual)
Feb. 12: Faculty Professional Development Day, NO SCHOOL
Feb. 15: President's Day, NO SCHOOL
Feb. 25: Purim, 12 noon dismissal
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SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES |
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January 1: 5:01 pm
January 8: 5:07 pm
January 15: 5:15 pm
January 22: 5:23 pm
January 29: 5:31 pm
February 5: 5:38 pm
February 12: 5:40 pm
February 19: 5:48 pm
February 26: 5:56 pm
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Aharon Rosenberg (8th grade class of 2004) on his engagement to Shoshi Charles of Los Angeles and to parents Rabbi Jonathan (8th grade class of 1979) and Aviva Rosenberg
Molly Dolinger (Class of 2012) on her engagement to Phil Seper of Wilton, Connecticut and to parents Ron and Beth Dolinger
Chaya Andrusier (8th grade class of 2011) on her engagement to Mendy Boyarsky of Montreal and to parents Rabbi Levi and Aviva Andrusier
Aharon Rosenberg (8th grade class of 2004) on his engagement to Shoshi Charles of Los Angeles and to parents Rabbi Jonathan (8th grade class of 1979) and Aviva Rosenberg
Alec Salutsky (Class of 2013) on his engagement to Shaina Kirshstein of Charleston, South Carolina and to parents Fred and Shelly Salutsky
Rabbi Pinchas and Eliana Weinreich on the birth of a daughter
Laurie Alexander on the birth of a great grandson to Rivka and Moshe Sigala
Mirav (Hazan) (Class of 2013) and Avi Hollander on the birth of a daughter and to grandparents Arie and Shana Hazan
Rivkah Cherney (8th grade class of 2000) on her engagement to Shaked Raibi and to her mom Dina Cherney
Aleeza Hartstein (Class of 2014) on her engagement to Elisha Gerson of Hashmonaim, Israel and to parents Jon and Agi (8th grade class of 1975) Hartstein
Agi (8th grade class of 1975) and Jon Hartstein on making Aliyah to Israel
Alison (Class of 2006) and Matan Gutwaks on the birth of a son and to grandparents Rick and Terri Barnett
Max Kalef (8th grade class of 2010) on his engagement to Lily Kleinman of Chicago, IL and to parents Jeremy and Liz Kalef and to grandparents Irv and Francine Szames.
Benjamin Epstein (Class of 2007) on his marriage to Eva Dubinsky and to parents Dr. Avrom and Marcia Epstein
Josh Kopp (8th grade class of 1992) on his marriage to Jessica Topolosky and to parents Chuck and Dora Kopp and Randy and Rochelle Topolosky
Jonathan (8th grade class of 1996) and Nicole Schottenstein on the birth of a daughter and to grandparents Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein and great grandmother Geraldine Hoffman
Frank Joseph (8th grade class of 2006) on the birth of a son and to grandparents Rob and Elaine Joseph
Michelle (Vinar) (8th grade class of 1986) and Paul Schlanger on the marriage of their son Kevin to Tzippy Kilstein in Jerusalem and to grandparents Barbara and Marvin Vinar
Hadar Karavani (Class of 2018) on her engagement to Zev Lafer of Chicago and to parents Dror and Irit Karavani
Rabbi Chaim and Devora Leah Gourdji , former faculty member of CTA on the engagement of their son Yosef
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Susan Goodman, Cyd (Goodman) McCray (Class of 1996), Martin Goodman (Class of 1996) and Dr. Jamie Goodman (Class of 1998) and family on the loss of husband, father and grandfather Gerald Goodman
Nancy and Ken Supowit, Ben Supowit (8th grade class of 1997), Corinne (Supowit) Aghion (8th grade class of 2000) and Emily Supowit (8th grade class of 2006) on the loss of father and grandfather Herbert Freeman
Amy and Josh Greenberg and family on the loss of mother and grandmother and Ruth Schildhouse
Steve and Cherie Winter, Ben Winter (Class of 2009) and Nadia (Winter) Schmitz (Class of 2009) on the loss of mother and grandmother Marilyn Winter
Miriam and Bernie Yenkin and the Schottenstein family on the loss of sister Rosalie Schottenstein
Rabbi Zvi and Sara Beth Kahn, Avi Kahn (Class of 2015), Shmuel Kahn (8th grade class of 2013), Rena Kahn (8th grade class of 2014) and Adira Kahn on the loss of mother and grandmother Natalie Frager
Rabbi Henoch and Dr. Rochelle L. Millen on the loss of brother Rabbi William Millen
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Thank You to the following volunteers who helped to prepare Chanukah gift packs to be distributed to CTA families for the holiday: Shulamit and Shoshana Ginsburg, Elaine Shindel and Jakey Morcos, Karan and Deena Tanenbaum. While it wasn't a large group that could join together to help in the school's gym, it was great to have people help from their homes to make sure everyone had what they need to celebrate.
Thank you to the following families who sponsored PTO's Rosh Chodesh Teacher Appreciation Lunch for the month of Tevet. The teachers enjoyed the individually prepared and wrapped lunch from Arie Catering. The Shindel/Morcos, Emsallem, Zofan, Wolf, Kozberg, Lefkovitz, Kirschbaum, Greenspan, Kohn, Greenberg/Ginsberg, Reitman, Margolis, Shats, and Beigelman families sponsored. If you would like to sponsor another opportunity like this, contact PTO volunteer, Jennifer Schuman at [email protected]
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Have a lifecycle event to share? Opportunities to sponsor A Day of Learning are now available at CTA. For a $180 donation, you can make a donation, in honor, in memory, in appreciation, for a speedy recovery or in celebration of a person, a birthday or an event. To schedule a day, contact [email protected] or [email protected].
The sponsorship will be listed in the CTA Weekly Communicator, the monthly CTA Dateline, posted on the monitor in the school lobby, and announced to the students.
For the month of October, November, December
· For Tuesday, October 13 by Henry and Candis Schwarz in memory of dear friend, Larry Pollak, Shlomo Zalman ben Yisroel on the 9th yarzheit of his passing which was on Tishrei 21.
· For Wednesday, October 14, by Elad & Abby (HS Class of 2001) Cnaan on the occasion of the 9th yahrtzeit of their dear friend, Meira Bresler Riemer - Meira Mindel Bat Moshe which was this past weekend on the 24th of Tishrei.
· For Monday, October 19, the 1st of Cheshvan, by Laura and Ira Nutis and Family in memory of Laura's father, Robert Leitson, Reuven Mendel ben Shmuel on his 30th yarzheit.
· For Thursday, October 22 by Joseph and Ruth Weinreich in observance of the yahrtzeit of Perel bas Mendel on the 4th of Cheshvan and for Yitzchak ben Yehuda Aryeh Halevi whose yahrtzeit was on the 12th of Tishrei.
· For Wednesday, November 4, 17th of Cheshvan, by Sarah Miriam (Ginsburg) Weixelbaum in memory of her grandfather, Professor Gilbert Ginsburg, Gershon Yosef ben Yisroel Moshe, on his yarzheit.
· For Thursday, November 12, the 23rd of Cheshvan, by Dr. and Mrs. Jonathan Gisser & Family in memory of Dr. Gisser's father, Chaim Yisrael Ben Moshe Ben-Zion Halevi - Cantor Hyman Gisser z"l on his 10th yarzheit.
· For Friday, November 13 for a refuah shelaima for Leah Danielle bas Chava by the Weprin and Gisser families.
· For Thursday, November 19, in memory of Irv Baker on his yarzheit - the 3rd of Kislev. Mr. Baker - a CTA Alumni Parent, Past Board President and generous supporter of CTA -- greatly valued CTA and his legacy is the High School which continues to be supported through his endowed giving and generosity of his family.
· For Monday, November 23 by Michael Cutler and Sheila Nutis Cutler in memory of mother, Boots Nutis on her first yarzheit.
· For Tuesday, November 24 by Elana Burak and Family for a refuah shelaima for her father Ariyeh ben Chaya Sara.
· For Wednesday, December 9, by Gary Covel in memory of his wife, Lana Covel, on her birthday. Lana was a CTA parent, an accomplished chef and missed member of the Columbus Jewish community.
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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 received 10/1/20 through 11/30/20
To the Annual Fund· Paulette Kolchin in honor of the Goldstein grandchildren
· Edwin Mellman to the Tzedakah Box campaign
· Yitchak Gold in memory of sister Sonia G. Fesman
· Paul and Karan Tanenbaum with Ho'daah to Hashem
· Sarah Miriam Weixelbaum to sponsor a day of learning in memory of Gershon Yosef ben Yisroel Moshe
· Ron and Laurie Reitman in memory of Batya bat Mordechai
· Dr. Charles Libicki and Penny Wenger in memory of Mara Gales Ryan
· Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Weinreich for a day of learning in memory of Perel bas Mendel and for Yitzchak ben Yehuda Aryeh Halevi
· Jonathan and Agi Hartstein in memory of David Wolf and in appreciation to Dr. Warren and Marlene Sobol
· Daniel Shulman in honor of Ron Reitman
· Anne Shindel for a refuah shelaima to Ron Reitman
· Robin and Larry Garvin’s donation of miscellaneous science lab supplies
· Dr. Justin Weprin and Devorah Lipkind for a day of learning in honor or faculty & staff
· Theodore Jessa for a refuah shelaima to Ron Reitman
· Todd and Eliza Delman in memory of Ruth Schaffer Schildhouse
· Anthony Eidelman in honor of Ron Reitman
· Dr. Bob and Marcia Hershfield in memory of Rabbi William Millen
· Jackson Leonard in memory of Irv Baker
· Dr. Jonathan and Miriam Gisser for a day of learning in memory of Cantor Hyman Gisser and a day of learning for a refuah shelaima for Leah Danielle bas Chava
· Evsey Neymotin in memory of Tsilya Neymotin
· Carl and Shirley Cohen in memory of Herbert Freeman
· Barry and Debbie Hellman for the Tzedakah Box campaign
· Michael Cutler and Sheila Nutis Cutler for day of learning in memory of Boots Nutis on her first yarzheit
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CTA was accepted into the JewishColumbus cohort for Life & Legacy. The Life & Legacy Initiative is a partnership of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and JewishColumbus. Over the next four years, CTA along with 17 other local Jewish organizations will receive training, coaching, and incentives to raise awareness of the importance of planned giving.
Are you interested in finding out how you can leave a lasting gift to CTA? Have you already included CTA in your trust, retirement fund, will or life insurance policy?
If you answered yes to either question or want to find out more about Life & Legacy, contact Rabbi Drandoff, Shari Herszage or Board President, Bob Wolf.
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If you have a CTA Tzedakah Box, don't forget to fill it and empty it often. THE NEXT SCHEDULED DROP OFF (OR MAIL IN) DATE IS Monday, January 11, 2021. You can choose to send in a check with the amount of the contents or put the change and cash into an envelope or baggie and send in with your child. Amounts are counted towards your Give and Get and are a great addition to the donations the school receives. If you need a new or more Tzedakah boxes, contact Shari.
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Tribute Donation: Contact Lesa, Shari or submit donation on-line at www.torahacademy.org for all in honor, in memory or milestone tributes to family and friends.
Kroger Rewards Card: Go to www.kroger.com/communityrewards and register your rewards card. Kroger will donate up to 1% of your purchases from Kroger or Turkey Hill stores.
OFFICE MAX: Max Perks card number is: 207285005
Target RED Card: Go to https://rcam.target.com/ to manage your red card and enroll your card in the Take Charge of Education program to choose CTA. Target will donate up to 1% of your REDcard purchases at Target stores in the U.S and at Target.com.
Amazon Smile: Go to www.smile.amazon.com and register to benefit CTA. When you make a purchase, CTA will receive 1% of that purchase as a donation to our school.
iGive: Register with iGive at www.igive.com and your Amazon purchases and online purchases at close to 1500 retailers will give a kickback to CTA. To date we have raised over $1200.
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Keep Up With CTA Via Social Media |
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