CTA Weekly Communicator | February 23, 2018 8 Adar 5778 |
5:59 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 Zecharia Weitz, Upper School Judaic Studies Curriculum Coordinator
The Exterminator 

That’s my vote for best Purim costume. Allow me to explain: We have a mitzva to read the section of the Torah that discusses the commandment to erase the memory of the Nation of Amalek once a year. We do so every year on the Shabbat right before Purim as Haman, the nemesis we overcame, was a descendant of Amalek. It is important to note that this is the only holiday we have that highlights an Amalek crisis. According to Chazal, erasing the memory of Amalek is the primary purpose of the Megilla (see Tractate Megilla, 7a). How is eradicating Amalek in sync with the theme of Purim?

At their essence, Purim and Amalek are absolutely antithetical. The events of Purim serve as our paradigm for G-d’s Providence even in dark times. We were in Exile and had made some rather lousy decisions. Even so, with the help of Mordechai and Esther, we discovered how Hashem, in a concealed way, orchestrated every detail of our miraculous victory. Even what seemed to be our chaotic doom was actually Hashem’s Hand guiding our Destiny. 

In contradistinction, in the aftermath of the greatest miracle in history, the Splitting of the Red Sea, all of Mankind was in utter awe of Hashem and His Chosen People. In that unimaginable climate, Amalek went ahead and attacked us! This deliberate denial of G-d and His Providence even in the face of miracles is the antithesis of Purim and, ultimately, all that we stand for.

So go Exterminator this Purim; look to see G-d’s Hand even in the dark points of life. Shine some light on the Divine path of our history, the hope of our future… and eliminate anything that tells you otherwise (reader’s discretion advised).

Shabbat Shalom & Happy Purim!
Preview of the Week: February 26- March 2, 2018
Lunch: Macaroni & Cheese

Sports:  

Activities:
Lunch: Hamburgers - Volunteer: L. Hoffman

Sports:

Activities:
Lunch: Grilled Cheese

Sports:

Activities: Fast of Esther; Erev Purim
Lower School Tennis, 4:15 pm
Lunch: Purim Seudah for students and staff sponsored by PTO
Chicken Nuggets - Volunteer: S. Stanich

Sports:

Activities: Purim Festivities - 1:00 pm Dismissal
Lunch: Fish Sticks - Volunteer: Y. Sherk

Sports:

Activities:
March 9: 1st Grade Iditarod
March 11: Daylight Savings Time Begins; turn clocks ahead 1 hour
March 11: Baseball Team Fundraising Take Out Dinner, 4-7 pm, Beth Jacob Synagogue
March 16: End of 3rd Quarter; Lower School Dress Down Day
March 20 and 21: Upper School Drama Presents: The Hundred Dresses, 7:30 pm, CTA
March 28: Model Seders
March 29-April 8: Passover Vacation - NO SCHOOL
Purim will be celebrated at CTA on Thursday, March 1. All of the important information about the Purim Seudah lunch, the Lower School Purim Carnival, Upper School activities and Matatanot L'evyonim can be found in this important flyer which can be downloaded here.
Lower school will be holding Spirit Days on February 26-28. Student Council will be collecting $0.25 each day for students who do not dress in uniform and where items to mark the day. The days are designated as:

Monday, 2/26 - Pajama Day
Tuesday, 2/27 - Wear your favorite sport's team
Wednesday, 2/28 - Red Carpet Day

If parents have any questions they can email Allison Mast
amast@torahacademy.org
Miss Chocolate Sales Continue and a NEW opportunity to earn more!

Earn a small prize for every 10 emails you send to family and friends. Turn in the form found at the front desk and you will earn a prize.

And remember, you can invite out of town friends and family to help support the CTA PTO by visiting www.misschocolate.com and clicking on "ONLINE STORE". Select Student/Seller-DASHBOARD and create a seller ID#.  AND, out of town friends can use this link to order directly from Miss Chocolate. Orders over $75 receive free shipping.



Give your student ID# and the school order code: 703241 and follow the online instructions to invite family and friends to shop at your very own personalized home page. You can increase the prize level you can earn!

*ANOTHER GREAT ADDITION THIS YEAR: Your customers can pay online with a credit card by going to www.misschocolate.com/pay. There will be a small processing fee added.  

*Feel free to contact Shana at hazans@rocketmail.com witjh any questions.
Click on link or icon below to see more.
The CTA Baseball team is holding a Take Out Burger Night on Sunday, March 11 from 4-7 pm to help them get new uniforms. Here is a flyer. Drive through pick up and delivery options are available.
SPECIAL RATE FOR CTA PARENTS AND STUDENTS: CTA parents and students are invited to see Side Show on Thursday, March 8 or 15 for a discounted rate of $5.00. The show is appropriate for grades 5-12.

Email Norma Whitmyre at  nwhitmyre@torahacademy.org  or contact Nina Martin at Gallery Players at the JCC at  nmartin@ columbusjcc.org o 614-559-6248  for tickets.
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.
Mister G Concert and Purim Palooza. CTA is a partner with this fun pre-Purim event on Sunday, February 25, from 10:30-12:30 at the JCC on College Avenue. Flyer here.
Click icon above for detailed information and ways to fulfill your Give & Get .
Be sure to join PTO. Click here for more information and here are some ways you can volunteer!
NEW TIME!!! How to Outsmart Our Kids in Technology with Alex Paskie on Sunday, February 25, at 7:00 pm at the JCC on College Avenue. Flyer here.
Mamanet Family Festival on Sunday, March 11 from 12-2 pm at the JCC.
Cole Essay Contest for High School Seniors. Deadline is April 20, 2018. Details can be found here.
Save the Date for the JCC Gala on Saturday night, February 24, 2018. Full flyer here.
Gallery Players presents "Side Show" at the JCC from March 3-18. Purchase tickets at jccgalleryplayers.org or 614-231-2731
Meet Sharon Tal, successful Israeli designer and entrepreneur on Thursday, March 8 at 7 pm at Creekside Event Center in Gahanna. Flyer here.
JCC's new take and Bake Online Ordering can be found at https://columbusjcc.org/about-us/facilities-rental-catering/order-online
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, February 20, the 5th of Adar, was sponsored in honor of Joel Wolff's, z"l, 47th Bar Mitzvah Anniversary this coming Shabbat, Parshat Terumah, by Diana D'Angelo and Emilia Wolff.

CTA’s Day of Learning at the High School Shabbaton for Shabbat Zachor/Parshat Tetzevah on the 9th of Adar, 5778/February 24, 2018 was sponsored by Todd and Eliza Delman and family in observance of the 12th yarzheit of Todd’s mother, Sharon Delman, z”lChaya Sarah Nacha Bat Ze'ev Wolf. May her memory be for a blessing.

 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