Candle Lighting 5:36 PM 14 Cheshvan 5778/ November 3, This week's Kol Torah is generously sponsored by

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1 This weekly publication is ed to all of our subscribers. The newsletter recaps the week's events at Caskey Torah Academy and informs readers of upcoming programs and events. A printed copy is sent home on Fridays to each CTA family. Happy reading and have a Good Shabbos! Candle Lighting 5:36 PM 14 Cheshvan 5778/ November 3, 2017 This week's Kol Torah is generously sponsored by Caskey Torah Academy in appreciation of The Law Office of Evan Aidman For awarding the school a Professional Development Grant If you would like to sponsor an issue of Kol Torah in honor or in memory of a loved one, please contact Rachel Mazurek at rmazurek@taphila.org. PICTURE OF THE WEEK

2 MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL In this week's parsha, Avraham speaks to Hashem, and declares "I am but dust and ash." The great Chassidic master, Rav Simcha Bunim of Peshisca, contrasts this declaration of humility with the Talmud, which states that one should perceive B'shvili Nivra HaOlam that "The world was created for me." He concludes that man must live life with "two pockets" --- one from which to draw humility and one from which to draw pride. There is a time and place for each, Rav Simcha Bunim said, but all too often, we use these two pockets at the wrong times. In a recent article, noted child psychologist John Rosemond writes a challenging thought that I would like to share: Here's something you already know, but don't know you know: Children love to be ignored. Mind you, I'm not talking about neglect. I'm talking about ignored, as in being seen and not heard, out from underfoot, free to do their own thing without adults hovering neurotically over them making sure everything in their lives is all right and meaningful from moment to moment. These days, the problem is that the overwhelming majority of American children have never experienced the benefits and blessings of being ignored; therefore, they don't know that being ignored is the preferable state of affairs. These children have been the center of attention in their families from day one. So, having learned that being the center of

3 attention is essential to their well-being, they can't tolerate being ignored; therefore, they clamor in various ways for attention. In this regard, appearances can be deceiving. Some attention-addicts clamor for attention by being boisterous, interrupting conversations, and the like. Other attention-addicts clamor for attention by acting like they are pitiful. The latter get adults to hover over them, asking solicitous questions like, "Is everything all right?" and "Is there something you need to talk about?" I asked a recent audience, "Raise your hand if, according to my meaning, you were ignored as a child." More than half the folks in attendance raised their hands. I then said, "Keep your hand up if you feel blessed to have been ignored." I didn't see any hands go down. The folks who did not raise a hand did not disagree. As kids, they simply had not been so benefited. One reason today's parents experience the simple responsibility of raising children as stressful is they feel obligated to be giving their children nearconstant attention. The more attention they give, the more attention their children want, and the more stressful parenting becomes. Not so long ago in America, children were not given a lot of attention and they were generally expected to not attract attention to themselves. I can attest, being a child of such expectation, that this is very liberating to a child. It is also very liberating to the child's parents. Today's parents can only imagine what it must be like to be able to read a book, do a crossword puzzle, carry on a conversation, fix a cup of tea, putter in the garden, or just sit back and close one's eyes for an hour without being interrupted.... In this case, the harm is done by giving too much attention for too long. The distress of suddenly discovering that the entitlement program is over will be short-lived, after which everyone's quality of life will improve considerably. Freedom from hovering is every bit as wonderful as freedom from the compulsion to hover. I'd like to contrast this negative use of B'Shvili Nivra Olam with a positive use. This past Sunday, nearly 100 talmidim came into school, many with their fathers, for Sunday school. To drag oneself out of bed on a Sunday morning to go and learn Torah is truly outstanding and it comes from the recognition that we have a calling, and a responsibility, to be the Am HaTorah. THAT is the proper use of B'Shvili Nivra HaOlam - to take responsibility and leadership. Yasher Kochachem! Good Shabbos, Rabbi Isaac Entin RABBI ENTIN'S RECOMMENDED READING To read Rabbi Entin's recommended reading, CLICK HERE! Hat tip to Dovi Goldschmidt! MAZAL TOV To Michal and Arno Weinstein and Family on Sa'adia's Bar Mitzvah!

4 To Rabbi Ephraim and Flora Levin and Family on Dov Ber's Bar Mitzvah! UPCOMING EVENTS Monday-Monday, October 3 0 -November 6: Scholastic Book Fair Sunday, November 5: Wandering Que at CTA Sunday, November 12: Messibat Chumash Monday, November 13 : Parent Teacher Conferences, 6-9 PM Tues day, November 14: Parent Teacher Conferences, 9AM-5PM, No School Thursday, November 16: Math in Focus Parent Night (Grades K-3) Sunday, November 19: ECP Open House

5 This week, we used Play Doh to illustrate some of the vocabulary words we learned. The creative results can be seen in the following pictures. INSIDE THE CLASSROOM - IVRIT One of my Ivrit classes this year is the 3 rd grade. Up until the Sukkot vacation we worked in "Hamikra'ah Migdalor - Holidays and Shabbat". We learned holiday vocabulary and the b'rachot related to each holiday. Now that the holidays are over, we are using another book from the "Hamikra'ah Migdalor" series.

6 INSIDE THE CLASSROOM - KINDERGARTEN The excitement of the Kindy A children is palpable every single day! In just these past few weeks since the Chagim, we had a stuffed animal exhibition, a mock mabul, and a marching band to celebrate the start of our Kriah program. learning of the letters. We created a candy Alef, played with Bais balloons, and used Play Doh, Wiki Sticks, Clix, Magna Tiles, blocks and other mediums to reinforce the We re-enacted the argument between Avram's shepherds and Lot's shepherds and discussed the importance of Shalom, peace, between people. The yeladim love the exciting stories of Torah values that Morah interweaves into the learning of the weekly Parshah.

7 In conjunction with this week's parshah, Vayaira, we are making a Bikur Cholim and Hachnosas Orchim telephone directory. We enjoyed eating snacks in our "ohel" just like Avraham Avinu's guests. In honor of the birth of "tinok" Yitzchak, we are learning Hebrew vocabulary words associated with the family and starting a "mishpacha gallery" in our classroom. We even tasted salty rocks from Yam hamelach! ם ר שׁ ע ע שׁ Please come see our stav-fall bulletin board decorated with colorful, sponge-painted leaves and autumn scenes that we drew with oil pastels. Shabbat Shalom! Morah Miriam L. STUDENT DVAR TORAH - DAFNA ERLBAUM ו יּ גּ אַב ם ה ר ו יּ א ר מ אַף ה ה פּ ס תּ דּ צ יק Avraham approached (G-d) and said, "Will You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? A classic question on this verse is what is meant by the word "vayigash"? If it were just meant as the literal definition of the word "approach" - i.e. that Avraham went from one place to another to interface with Hashem - Rashi wouldn't have seen the need to comment on it. But, as the prior verse states Hashem was still present before Avraham at that moment, and Avraham didn't need to go anywhere in order to communicate with Hashem. And so, Rashi concludes that there is a meaning to "approach" here beyond the literal one. Rashi explains that "vayigash" in this instance means that Avraham prepared - that he fortified himself mentally for his forthcoming encounter with Hashem. Rashi says the ensuing interaction included three elements - 1) to speak harshly, 2) to appease and 3) to pray - and Avraham needed to prepare himself in order to be most effective. Rashi cites three other instances where the word "vayigash" is used to mean preparing oneself for an encounter to further support that interpretation of the word in this case. In volume 10 of Likutei Sichos, the collected talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Rebbe notes that because Avraham is known to display constant

8 respect and courtesy, it is fairly surprising that Avraham "speaks harshly" towards Hashem. That's probably why Avraham so needed to prepare. This teaches that one is required to overcome his natural disposition in order to save a life. Avraham, who is accustomed to always being polite and respectful, had to go beyond the bounds of his natural characteristics and gather the courage to speak harshly - to Hashem, no less - in an attempt to save lives. While in this case, saving lives is meant in the physical sense, the Rebbe points out that it carries through to the spiritual sense of saving lives. If one sees another Jew spiritually "falling," it is his responsibility to make every effort to help this Jew regain his spiritual footing, even if it entails going completely outside his comfort zone. Shabbat Shalom! ECP SPOTLIGHT DERECH ERETZ INITIATIVE Mazel Tov to this week's Derech Eretz raffle winners:

9 Shoshana Schechter, 1st Rachel Krispin, 3rd Max Frager, 4th Shayna Silver, 5th READING RAFFLE Mazel Tov to Meira Barnett and Yisroel Hoffman on winning the Reading Raffle at the Scholastic Book Fair! ENRICHMENT PROGRAM Upcoming Discovery Lunch- Thursday, November 9, Grades 4-5, and 6-8 Meet Ezra Obs tfeld Ezra Obstfeld is a Structural Design Engineer for The Boeing Company. He helps design helicopters for the US Army and for the militaries of other countries as well. Come find out how Ezra makes sure the helicopter is safe to fly, moves quickly, and is strong enough to carry heavy loads. EXCITING PTO EVENTS

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13 PTO NEWS Ongoing PTO free FUNdraisers make a big difference!!! Please save the following items on behalf of CTA PTO...and urge friends and family to participate in these easy, no cost programs. Currently, we are collecting Box Tops for Education logos (go to for a complete product listing and for offers and sweepstakes) and Brown's Shoprite and Fresh Grocer receipts (must be current...within the last 5 months). A collection box for these items is at the front security desk. Please register your Giant Bonus Cards ( to benefit CTA PTO (use CTA id # 23875)...anyone with a Giant card can participate in this program and you can support up to 2 schools. Once you have registered, there is no need to reregister for the new school year.

14 CTA also participates in the Amazon Smile program and in the and programs, so keep CTA in mind as you shop online. For any questions about these programs, please contact Host our B'not Sherut for a meal Click here to view and sign up for the meal schedule. TA Text Messaging Stay informed with important TA information such as emergency announcements, school closings and event reminders. To opt in - click here CTA SNAPSHOTS

15 Click Here for the School Calendar Kol Torah is for Grandparents too! Would your parents like to have a window into their grandchildren's Torah Academy's world? To receive Kol Torah, please send addresses here.

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