CTA Weekly Communicator | March 30, 2018 14 Nisan 5778 |
7:36 pm Candle lighting for Shabbat and Yom Tov
CTA Weekly Communicator
Weekly Newsletter with Important News & Updates from Columbus Torah Academy
Shabbat Shalom D'var Torah
By Yona Kimche, Upper School Judaic Studies Teacher
"I will free you from the labours of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and through extraordinary wonders. And I will take you to be my people and I will be your G-d."

These verses include what are known as ‘the four expressions of redemption’ which G-d used to describe to Moshe the way in which He would free the Jews from the Egyptian slavery.

The first 3 expressions describe the freedom being promised appropriately; vehotzeiti - and I will take them out, vehitzalti - I wil save them, vega'alti - I will redeem them. The Sforno explains that each of these phrases refers to the next stage in the process of freedom; starting with the plagues, then leaving the borders of Egypt and finally seeing their enemy drown. However, the fourth expression seems to describe something entirely different. “Velakachti etchem li le’am”- I will take you to Me to be My people. This phrase refers to the Bnei Yisrael becoming G-d’s nation at Har Sinai.

While this of course is a monumental event in our people’s history, why is it included as one of the four expressions of redemption? What does receiving the Torah have to do with freedom?

The answer to this question lies in a fundamental principle which the Sefer Hachinuch presents to us. He explains that counting the Omer, beginning on Pesach until we receive the Torah on Shavuot, is not merely to show our excitement for receiving the Torah. Rather it is because the two events are intrinsically linked. He explains that the main purpose of our freedom from Egypt was in order for us to receive the Torah and become a G-dly nation.

This principle sheds light on what the freedom which we celebrate on Pesach is all about. It is much more than just a celebration of our freedom from Egypt. Pesach is about celebrating the freedom which allowed us to become a Jewish Nation. It is a freedom with an aim and goal - to become Hashem's people. 

Wishing you a Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom!
Preview of the Week: April 9-13, 2018
Lunch: Pizza Bagels

Sports:  

Activities: Twirlers, 4-5 pm
Lunch: Hamburgers

Sports:

Activities: Kindergarten Readiness Screenings
Magazine Sale Kick-Off (for 2018 Washington Trip)
Lunch: Lasagna

Sports:

Activities: Lower School Tennis, 4:15 pm
Robotics Club, 4-5:15 pm
Garden Club, 4-5 pm
Lunch: Sloppy Joes

Sports:

Activities:
Lunch: Fish Sticks

Sports:

Activities:
April 12: Yom HaShoah
April 18: Yom HaZikaron
April 19: Yom HaAtmaut
April 22: Better Together Culminating Program, 3 pm, Bexley Public Library
April 27: LS Dress Down Day
April 29-May 1: Columbus Baseball Invitational
Hebrew Language Books: Check out this special offer for Hebrew books from the Keshet and the Israel American Council. To sign up, go to www.iackeshet.org
Volunteer for Columbus Baseball Invitational: CBI will be held on April 29-May 1 and parent volunteers are always needed to help make the event a success. Earn Give & Get. A list of volunteer opportunities can be found here. Email to alisadk@hotmail.com to get signed up.
HELP CTA EARN KROGER REWARDS: https://www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow to make sure that your rewards card is linked to Columbus Torah Academy. We earn 3% of every sale in donations to support our students. Now is the time to confirm you are enrolled with Passover purchases. More information here.
PTO Social Activity, Axe Throwing: Parents, Teachers and Staff are invited to join PTO for a fun evening Axe Throwing on Sunday, April 22 at 7 pm. Registration required at https://bookeo.com/columbusaxethrowing?devent=
Volunteer to help with CTA Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut activities: The Hebrew Department is planning a series of programs to celebrate Israel’s 70th birthday and could use some parent volunteers.

We need volunteers to assist us on the following dates with the following tasks:

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 from 3:00 - 5:00/6:00 pm, decorating the school and setting up some stations.- 2-3 Volunteers

THURSDAY, APRIL 19 from 9:30 am-12:00 noon - Helping to set up the remaining stations and prep for ceremony. -2 -3 volunteers

THURSDAY, APRIL 19 from 4:10-5:00/5:30 pm - Supplies Clean up and storage after the program. - 2-3 volunteers 

To volunteer, email to sbenatar@torahacademy.org
Click on link or icon below to see more.
Buy tons of items for camp (and every day, too) and support CTA. Columbus Torah Academy receives 10% of every purchase. Be sure to use this link: www.packforcamp.com/cta For more information click here.
Amazon Smile: Make sure you are registered for Amazon Smile and are using your account to help CTA earn money. Use this link to register or take advantage of a special promotion: smile.amazon.com/ch/31-4428025
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
Proposed calendar for 2018-2019 is now available by clicking here. This calendar includes start and end dates for next school year as well as vacation dates. It is called a proposed calendar in case there are minor tweaks.
Be sure to join PTO. Click here for more information and here are some ways you can volunteer!
Gratitude Grams: PTO is now selling Gratitude Grams for teachers and staff. A sheet of gratitude grams are $1 for 4. You can show your appreciation for your favorite teacher or staff person. They can be purchased by emailing to pto@torahacademy.org or using the same email to send payment to Paypal. Orders will be delivered to your child to take home. All completed Gratitude Grams will be returned to the front desk for distribution by the Lower School Student Council. If you have any questions, contact Beth Binsky at beth@2828design.com.
Click icon above for detailed information and ways to fulfill your Give & Get .
Cole Essay Contest for High School Seniors. Deadline is April 20, 2018. Details can be found here.
Young Jewish Artist Music Competition deadline is March 26. Click here for application.
Blood Drive at the JCC College Ave. on Wednesday, April 11th: The need for blood donors is never completely satisfied. New donors must be found when long time donors can no longer give. Please come Wednesday, April 11th, to the JCC between 12:30 pm and 6:30 pm to give the “Gift of Life”. You can arrange an appointment by calling the Red Cross at 1-800-Red Cross or go to the Red Cross website at www.redcrossblood.org sponsor code: tolifecolumbus  
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, March 28, the 12th of Nisan, was sponsored by Drs. Jay and Barrie Zweier and Family in memory of Jay's father, Irving Zweier, Yisrael ben Moshe. May his neshama have an aliya.

 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