Weekly Newsletter with Important News & Updates from Columbus Torah Academy |
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Shabbat Shalom D'var Torah |
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By Rabbi Chaim Davies, Upper School Judaic Studies Teacher |
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As we move closer to the end of the final book of the Torah, Moshe’s messages to the people seem to grow in urgency. In this week’s Parasha, Ki Tavo, Moshe urges the nation to take a step back and consider the overall roles of each party in the relationship between God and the Jewish people.
“You have designated God today to be your Lord; to walk in His ways, keep His Mitzvot, and listen to His voice. And God has designated you to be His treasured nation, just as He told you, and to keep His Mitzvot; to raise you high above the other nations in fame, renown and glory; and to be a sacred people unto God, as He said.” (Devarim 36:17-19)
When beginning something new, we are naturally filled with energy and excitement. However, as time passes, we often get caught up in the details and lose sight of the larger picture – why we started in the first place. If we can look beyond the details and see the broader picture – Moshe tells the people – we will recognize that, at the bottom of things, what we share with God is a loving relationship. God has asked us to walk alongside Him through life, sharing our highs and lows with His Presence. We have been offered the opportunity of the lifetime: the gift of the Almighty’s loving guidance in living lives of greatness, in exchange for our faithfulness and commitment to those ends.
Rosh Hashana is a time where we refocus our attention on what matters most in our lives, who we are, and who we wish to become. At the heart of things, we must ask ourselves whether we are giving enough room to our eternal partner, the One who has supported each of us along our journeys and brought us to this day. If we take the opportunity to connect back to our Source and reaffirm our commitment to being God’s treasured people, crowned with His Mitzvot, we open ourselves to the chance for another year of growth, renewed excitement and an ever-deepening relationship with the Almighty.
Shabbat Shalom
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Preview of the Week: September 7-11, 2020 |
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Lunch: Chicken Nuggets
Activities:
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Lunch: Pizza
Activities: 12th Grade College Night, 7 pm (virtual)
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Lunch: Sloppy Joe
Activities:
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Lunch: Fish Sticks
Activities:
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Important School Information |
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Appropriate Face Masks: Please be sure that your child is wearing a face mask as approved by the CDC. This image should help you. REMINDER: Wear clean and washed masks every day to ensure the effectiveness of wearing a face mask.
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Buses: If your child is a bus rider, you should've received your bus stop information from your respective district - Columbus Public Schools or Bexley Schools. There is little CTA can do to make changes to bus routes. If you need to confirm your stops or any information about the bus, contact Kaley Rosenthal at krosenthal@torahacademy.org
Only registered riders can ride the bus.
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After School Transportation Plans:
Lower School parents have been asked to complete a form to let us know how your child is typically taking the bus, parent pick up or car pool. Even if you filled this form out the first week of school, we ask you please complete it again - one for each child in grades K-6. If you have a change in your transportation plans, we ask that you contact your child's teacher and the Front Desk, preferably by email, before 3 pm or we will plan to send your child home the way you have indicated on the form.
Questions regarding Lower School students to Mrs. Miller and questions regarding Upper School students to Mr. Staffilino. General questions about transportation to Kaley Rosenthal at krosenthal@torahacademy.org
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Covid-19 Symptom Tracking: Please review our policies for tracking individuals who have symptoms of Covid-19. These have been established to recognize a potential risk to our community as quickly as possible and to keep everyone safe.
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Pick Up/Drop Off Car Lines: Thank you for patience with the pick up and drop off protocols as we incorporate social distancing at both and temperature taking in the morning.
Reminder about the following:
- Students are expected enter and exit through designated entrances
- Parents should remain in their car until temperatures are taken.
- Drivers should follow CTA staff directions to maintain safety.
- At drop off, please watch for other drivers leaving temperature stations.
- At drop off, Upper School students can exit the car towards the top of the hill and enter the building to have their temperature taken at the Main Entrance.
- At pick up, drivers with Upper and Lower School students should pull safely into a parking spot after their younger child gets into the car.
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Rabbi Drandoff Out of Office: Rabbi Drandoff will be out of the office for a medical procedure beginning August 28. During this time he will not be checking emails. If you have a matter that requires immediate attention, please email our Executive Secretary Kaley Rosenthal at krosenthal@torahacademy.org who will connect you to the appropriate person.
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Upcoming Dates to Remember |
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September 7: Labor Day, NO SCHOOL
September 9: 12th Grade College Night, 7 pm
September 18: Erev Rosh Hashanah, NO SCHOOL
September 28: Yom Kippur, NO SCHOOL
October 16: Friday Early Dismissal Begins, 2 pm
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Let’s keep our community strong! While learning isn’t happening in our building, there are many ways we can share what we are doing to stay busy, active and engaged.
Your submission could be featured in an upcoming CTA communication!
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Join PTO today: Get involved and support our Parent Teacher Organization by joining PTO. $25 yearly or $210 for a Lifetime Membership. Every member receives a PTO directoy with class lists, addresses, emails and phone numbers. Membership fee checks can be sent to the front office, PayPal directly to pto@torahacademy or click here for a credit card payment link. Questions can be directed to PTO president, Beth Binsky at beth@2828design.com
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Uniform Gemach: The Uniform Gemach with second hand uniform items is now at CTA. There are available times to come to school to look at the inventory Monday-Thursday after 4 pm or on Sundays. Times must be pre-arranged by contacting Shari at sherszage@torahacademy.org
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Uniform Logo Deadlines: Logos can be applied to CTA polo or collared shirts throughout the school year. Items can be dropped off to the front desk with payment of $7 per logo via cash, check or credit card. Deadlines are the first Friday of each month. The next deadline is October 8 (due to holiday schedule). If you have any questions, contact Shari at sherszage@torahacademy.org
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Save this important Covid-19 Symptom List |
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We will continue Days of Learning during the At-Home learning. 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 on Fridays in the CTA Weekly Communicator and each month in the CTA Dateline. All proceeds directly support CTA.
CTA's Day of Learning for Tuesday, September 1 is sponsored by Dr. Bob, Patti, Josh and Rachel Wolf in honor of Rabbi Drandoff and wishing him a refuah shelaima.
CTA's Day of Learning for Wednesday, September 2 is sponsored by Naomi Myers and Family in appreciation of Rabbi Drandoff and wishing him a refuah shelaima.
CTA's Day of Learning for Thursday, September 3 is sponsored by the following CTA Board of Trustees and their families: Victoria Ilin, Marcia Hershfield and Rabbi Avrohom Goldstein with gratitude to Rabbi Drandoff and wishing him a refuah shelaima.
CTA's Day of Learning for Friday, September 4 is sponsored by the following CTA Faculty and Staff to wish a speedy recovery and with much appreciation to Rabbi Drandof. Sponsors include: Shirly Benatar, Cheri and Tod Friedman, Shari Herszage, Jenny Jones, Tamalynn Lerner, Nikki Miller, Donna Onesto, Dr. Park, Amy Rahav, Joni Schottenstein, Sharon Schramm, Karan and Paul Tanenbaum, Diana Wolff
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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 are listed in our monthly CTA Dateline. Check here to see our most recent issue.
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CTA is a member of the JewishColumbus Life & Legacy cohort. The Life & Legacy Initiative is a partnership of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and JewishColumbus that promotes after-lifetime giving to benefit local Jewish agencies, day schools, and synagogues. Since 2012, LIFE & LEGACY has raised $960 million in new planned gifts in Jewish communities across North America.
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. Expect to see more information in the next few months about the Life & Legacy Initiative and how you can make your planned gift to CTA.
Questions about Life & Legacy can be directed to Rabbi Drandoff or Shari Herszage or Board President, Bob Wolf.
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Columbus Torah Academy is on INSTAGRAM! Follow us at:
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Click below to become a subscriber to the CTA YouTube Channels
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Columbus Torah Academy | (V) 614-864-0299 | (F)614-864-2119 | info@torahacademy.org | www.torahacademy.org |
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