Monthly Dateline Newsletter |
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Columbus Torah Academy Monthly Dateline |
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STARTING THE NEW YEAR RIGHT |
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We are happy to be together!
The start of the new school year brings shiny new shoes, new uniforms, unsharpened pencils, new teachers and friends, and a lot of new experiences.
We also start the new school year getting ready for another new year as we welcome Rosh Hashanah!
While this year brings new protocols and more transitions as we come back into the building after a long spring and summer, we are no less excited to learn and grow in our Jewish faith and traditions.
Our monthly CTA Dateline is just the start of what this year will bring and how warmly and professionally our teachers engage our students.
Wishing each of you a happy and healthy new year full of sweet moments with your families.
As we prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur during the current month of Elul, we blow the shofar (almost) every day of the month. Rabbi Savage has been coming around the building for shofar-blowing after morning services. Loved catching the 1st graders during recess as they stopped in their tracks with respect to hear the shofar being blown.
Enjoy the sounds at https://youtu.be/Alh59ZN5cck
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REOPENING FOR OUR STUDENTS |
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After 164 days out of the building, CTA reopening with a staggered start on Monday, August 24. Half of the student body attended on Monday and Tuesday and the other half on Wednesday and Thursday, giving teachers the opportunity to teach students new protocols and make the transition back to school easier.
Students are divided into pods to mitigate risk for Covid-19 and precautions as indicated by the CDC and our Medical Advisory Committee have been implemented throughout the building.
Our Reopening Road Map introduced the school community to our expectations with the priorities of Learning, Health and Safety, and Community Responsibility.
New purchases of Personal Protective Equipment, personal devices for all students, classroom Zoom stations for e-Learners, and plexiglass dividers are some of the new equipment to comply with social distancing for everyone and ensure that student’s educational needs are met.
A short-animated video reminds the school community of what Health and Safety protocols are in place each day. See the video at https://youtu.be/toSLjfaZLEs
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CREATING VIRTUAL BOARDS IN HEBREW |
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Our Hebrew teachers spent many hours during the summer for professional development about foreign language instruction and new technology tools for teaching, which they were eager to start using. Teachers and students were very happy to see each other again after months of isolation and delved into Hebrew activities. Here are glimpses of the first week of school in Hebrew.
In Morah Ronit and Morah Chen-Li’s High School Hebrew Classes, we began the year very excited to see each other. Our first Bishvil HaIvrit Unit is about the Four Seasons. We will focus on descriptions of the seasons, reasons for our preferences to a particular season, and we will learn about the characteristics of every season in Israel.
As an opening activity for the year, each student had to write their name, the season they prefer, share a picture, and the reason for their preference. We used Padlet, a new virtual board tool, as our sharing format.
Students described in detail their love of different seasons, and the activities they like. They wrote about Summer, pools, and cutting grass; Fall for the beautiful leaves, moderate weather, and a birthday; Winter, for playing basketball, snow, Hanukkah, and drinking hot chocolate; or Spring with beautiful flowers and great weather.
We are so proud to share our students’ work please click on these links to see their beautiful displays:
Morah Eva’s Hebrew High School Class, also used the Padlet tool to answer the question in class “Why is it important for me to learn/speak Hebrew?”. Their answers included: because it is the language of Judaism and Torah, because I want to go to Israel and speak, because my family speaks at a high level of Hebrew and I want to understand.
You can see their posts and pictures in this link:
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HELMETS OFF TO THE BICYCLE BRIGADE |
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CTA High School students were able to put their chessed muscle to help this summer by partnering with Jewish Family Services and the CTA Garden to deliver fresh produce.
Due to increased need, Jewish Family Service’s had more than doubled the number of weekly deliveries of meals to clients in the area and were in need of help. High School students are always looking for ways to fulfill their community service hours in meaningful ways were able to fill the need. Over the ten weeks of summer the CTA Bicycle Brigade delivered packages of fresh produce (from JFS as well as the CTA garden) to over 14 households in the Bexley, Berwick and Eastmoor areas.
The Brigade included students who pedaled in partnership, one person pulling a trailer with produce and the other trying their best to navigate the local streets. Pairs of students met up at Jewish Family Service on College Avenue, were given a list of names and addresses of local Holocaust survivors or elderly and shopping bags to deliver. As they arrived at their “delivery site” one person would call to let the recipient know they were about to make a delivery. Keeping up with rules of social distancing, masked students would knock on the door, leave the package on a porch and wait for it to be picked up by the recipient. Through rain, heat or fatigue, the Brigade never failed to make their deliveries.
Delivery packages included fresh produce harvested from the CTA Garden. One week, all 80 deliveries included either a bag of Sage, Basil, Kale or Spinach. Early in the season some 40 gallon bags were delivered of Kale and Spinach. Later in the season deliveries included cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs and green beans from the garden.
Since school reopened on August 24, the weekly deliveries began by the Brigade has continued, but led by alumni and other CTA school community members.
If you are interested in helping with a weekly route (by car, Tuesdays 2 - 3:30pm) or with the fall harvesting at the CTA garden, please contact Morah Dina [email protected]
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NEW SOUND ABSORPTION PANELS IN LOWER SCHOOL GYM |
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Over the time that we were not in the building, new noise reduction panels were installed in the Lower School gym to absorb sound and make the room a more user-friendly space. Funding in part came from the Moritz Mayer Fund at the Columbus Jewish Foundation and also from a private donor. |
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LIGHTING FIXTURES CONVERTED TO LED |
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Lighting in the Upper School hallways on both floors and in both gymnasiums have been replaced with LED fixtures. This saves us 75% in energy use, cuts our maintenance costs, and reduces our carbon footprint. |
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Kindergarten Car Parade and Porch Visit: While the incoming kindergarten class didn’t have the regular opportunities to meet the teacher in advance of school starting, the kindergarten teaching team went to each students home for a porch visit to bring a small gift and some big smiles. This really helped with the transition for our youngest learners.
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Chag HaSiddur: Spring is the typical season for when the 1st graders get their siddur, however with this spring setting some of activities back, our incoming SECOND GRADERS started the year with special Chag HaSiddur Box deliveries.
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1st grade playdough: What better way to get some hands-on learning and get to know each other and make new 1st grade friend than by getting some magical playdough they could color just the way they wanted.
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2nd grade Chumash: Using a Smartboard interactive program, the 2nd graders are learning the parts of the Chumash as they begin to learn in the original text. |
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3rd grade Science: Situated in their dedicated outdoor learning space, the 3rd graders were able to sit socially distanced and read about natural resources in their Science Fusion book. All grade levels have dedicated outdoor learning space to provide extra opportunities for mask breaks
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4th grade Superheros – As the students work on their writing skills, they had their first Superheroes Writing Workshop where they identified and described their our own powers (for example: kindness, good at sports, good at reading, good at math, etc.) and selected 2 superhuman powers to add to our superhero character. Next session - we will start writing our superhero origin stories.
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5th grade Get ready for Rosh Hashanah: Students started Rosh Hashana learning with a focus on “Dan l’kaf zechut” - judging favorably. The class discussed how it is even more important this year since we can easily misunderstand the words or facial expressions of others with masks on. The class read stories from the book “The Other Side of the Story” to exercise our ability to judge favorably.
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6th grade visits the Garden: Our large campus offers so many areas to explore during recess. 6th graders were able to head out to the garden with Mrs. Miller. The garden continues to harvest as we head into Fall.
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Lion Note Fun: Lower School’s focus on the middot of Respect, Honesty and Friendship continue this year. Classes can earn middot money and students receive Lion Notes for their outstanding display of the middot. Each Friday, Lion Note raffle winners are pulled and students can pick prizes.
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Mrs. Jones 10th Grade Geometry class headed outside for a bridge crossing activity. With a little creativity and physical activity, they crossed the “bridge” showing that the problem solving in math is acutely related to becoming a problem solver as a strategy for life.
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Mrs. Claman’s High School Chumash class is focused on their chavruta learning and are certain to be LOUD and clear in our class (as students learn 6 feet apart!)
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Meet the Teacher: Held virtually instead of live, Lower School parents had the opportunity to Zoom in to grade level programs to hear about classroom expectations and goals. While it wasn’t the same as being able to sit in their child’s seat or leave a note in a desk, the teachers were prepared to help the parents learn more about their child’s classroom and open up the lines of communication in the school-parent partnership of educating our students. Meet the Teacher links for Lower School can be found at https://www.torahacademy.org/lowerschoolmeettheteacher/ Meet the Teacher links for Upper School can be found at https://www.torahacademy.org/upperschoolmeettheteacher/
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Music: Morah Cheri is “on the road” with her wagon and going into classrooms for music. While singing isn’t the primary activity in music class, there are many other fun ways to learn about and enjoy music. Love seeing these ribbons flying as the students dance to the music.
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8th grade - Selfie Stick Time!
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SHABBAT CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES |
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September 11: 7:25 pm
September 18: 7:14 pm
September 25: 7:02 pm
September 27: 6:59 pm
October 2: 6:51 pm
October 9: 6:40 pm
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Elana and Joel Katz (former teacher) on a birth of a daughter
Michalle Goldish (8th grade class of 2010) on her marriage to Avry ben Dov of Scranton, Pa. and to parents Dr. Matt Goldish and Betty Goldish
Julie Chase (Class of 2017) on her engagement to Yari Garner of Houston, Texas and to parents Drs. Dan and Leslie Chase
Rabbi David and Shira Claman on the birth of a daughter
Sarah and Aharon Weinstein and family on the birth of a baby boy
Sarah (Nutis) Brody (Class of 2013) on the birth of a son and to grandparents Ira and Laura Nutis
Dr. Hannah Polster (Class of 2011) on her graduation from Wright State University and the start of her residency at Lenox Hill Hospital and to parents Jeff and Lori Polster
Alex Shats (Class of 2001) on his engagement to Annie Shmookler and to mother Svetlana Shats
Max Herszage (Class of 2013) on his marriage to Gabi Silbiger of West Orange, New Jersey and to parents Dotan and Shari Herszage and grandmother Cheryl Miller
David Wolfson (Class of 2015) on his marriage to Sarah Zilberman of Oceanside, NY and to parents, Chaim and Silvia Wolfson
Noah Hazan (Class of 2014) to Sarah Schwartz of Edison, NJ and to parents Arie and Shana Hazan
Rabbi Reuven and Sherri Greenberg (former faculty members) on the marriage of their daughter
Basya to Shimshy Levovitz of Brooklyn, New York
Susie (Chana Tzirel) Wilhelm (Class of 2015) on her marriage to Yosef Warren of Israel and to mother Esther Wilhelm
Ellie Chase (Class of 2014) on her marriage to Justin Hod of Teaneck, NJ and to parents Drs. Dan and Leslie Chase
Rabbi Areyah and Esther Kaltmann on the marriage of their son Mendy to Devora Lea Serraf
Joel and Stacey Greff on the Bar Mitzvah of their son Josh
Marc Romanoff (8th grade class of 1986) on the marriage of his son David Leib to Noey Malkin and to grandparents Sonny and Ellen Romanoff
Perle BenMoshe and Miriam Schulman and families on the marriage of their brother Tzvi Yosef Jacobs of Miami, Florida to Michelle Ben Reuven
Ben Epstein (Class of 2007) on his engagement to Eva Dubinsky of Giv'at Shmuel, Israel
and to parents Dr Avrom and Marcia Epstein
Michelle (Vinar) Schlanger (8th grade class of 1986) on the engagement of her son
Rabbi Kevin Schlanger to Tsippy Kilstein and to grandparents Marvin and Barbara Vinar
Judah (Yehuda) Kay (Class of 2001) on the birth of a son and to grandparents
Dr. Bruce and Nancy Kay and to great grandmother Mrs. Esther Schwartz
Dr. Avi and Karen Mikalov and Natanielle (Mikalov) Cooper (Class of 2007) and families on the engagement of son and brother, Jacob Mikalov to Julie Ecker, daughter of Debbie and Dr. Bob Ecker of Columbus, Ohio
Bracha (Hammer) Garfinkel (8th grade class of 2006) on the birth of a son and to grandparents Rabbi and Mrs. Shalom Hammer
Kathe Turiel (8th grade class of 1968) on the birth of a granddaughter
Jeremiah Pollack (8th grade class of 2001) on his marriage to Ida Celiku and to parents Paul and Kathy Pollack
Kaley Rosenthal on her marriage to Yoni Mizrachi and to parents Rick Rosenthal and Susan Rosenthal and Judy and Moshe Mizrachi
Lindsey (Schwartz) Glazer (Class of 2000) on the birth of a daughter and to grandparents David and Cathy Schwartz
Emily Supowit (8th grade class of 2006) on her engagement to Ari Frum and to parents Dr. Ken and Nancy Supowit
Yedidah Schramm (Class of 2004) on the birth of a daughter and to grandparents Dr. Marc and Sharon Schramm
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Sarah Frank, Tal Frank (8th grade class of 1986), Alon Frank (8th grade class of 1988),
Daniel Frank (8th grade class of 1988) and Sharon (Frank) Bramy (8th grade class of 1988) on the loss of sister and aunt Tzipporah Langer
Tatyana Gorelik, Leo (Lena Feldman) Gorelik on the loss of mother and grandmother Genya Melomed
Alan and Sara Shatz, Lisa and Harvey Sukienik, Tonia (Shatz) Levison (Class of 2002), Aaron Shatz (Class of 2007), Gary Sukienik (Class of 2012), Zachary Sukienik (Class of 2015) and Talia Sukienik on the loss of mother and grandmother Ettagail Shatz
Michael Schiff (Past Board President), Scott Schiff and families on the loss of father and grandfather, Robert Schiff
Steve Schottenstein (Past Board President), Robert Schottenstein (Past Board President) and families on the loss of mother Frances “Frankie” Schottenstein
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To the PTO for bringing bagged breakfasts to Faculty and Staff to show appreciation for all of their effort for the start of the school year. |
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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 months of June
- For Wednesday, June 10 is sponsored by Daryl and Beth Binsky and family in honor of the wonderful CTA faculty and staff.
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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 6/1/20 through 8/31/20
To the Annual Fund
• Jackson Leonard in memory of Irv Baker
• Brian and Melissa Zox Feldman in memory of Jerome Wolf from the Melissa and Brian Feldman Family Philanthropic Fund of the Columbus Jewish Foundation
• Nutis Press for Teacher Appreciation Week Yard Signs
• Capital City Restoration LLC for new fencing in the CTA garden
• Yitzchak Gold in memory of Sonia G. Fesman
• Rabbi Ilan and Rebecca Schwartz in honor of the 2020 CTA High School graduates
• Dr. Bob and Patty Wolf & Family in honor of Norma Whitmyre with appreciation and gratitude for her years of service
• Jeffrey and Corrine Covel in honor of Shulie Drandoff's bat mitzvah
• Matthew Block, TTEE and Heather Fineman, TTEE of the Judith Weintaub Fund in honor of Gillian Herszage's graduation
• Rabbi Henoch & Chaya Morris in honor of Sharon Schramm
• Marty and Barbara Winn in memory of Frank Nutis
• Rabbi Pinchas and Eliana Weinreich in honor of incoming 2nd grader, Yonatan and his parents
• Dr. Marc and Sharon Schramm in memory of Naomi Litchman
• Ron and Laurie Reitman in memory of Miriam bat Mordechai, z"l
• The Detwilers in memory of mother and wife, Ettagail Shatz, expressing their good memories
• Yoni, Allison, Avi and Zachary Zofan in honor of Bary and Roni Leeman for their generosity and kindness during "Camp Yaki"
• Naomi Myers to dedicate a day of learning on 9/2/20 for a refuah shelaima for Rabbi Drandoff
• Rabbi Avraham and Miriam Goldstein to dedicate a day of learning on 9/3/20 for a refuah shelaima for Rabbi Drandoff
• Victoria and Roman Ilin to dedicate a day of learning on 9/3/20 for a refuah shelaima for Rabbi Drandoff
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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, October 5, 2020. 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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