Dear RTFH Family,

As Yom Kippur comes, we also recognize what is just ahead of us in the days that follow. The seriousness of Yom Kippur transitions into the joy of Sukkot. We’ll hold Sukkot services on Monday and Tuesday with a fun night of Wine and Cheese in the Sukkah on Thursday, October 9th.

As October comes, so does the anniversary of the October 7th attack in Israel. We’ll share prayers of reflection during our Sukkot services, but we encourage you to join the wider Jewish community for events on Sunday, October 5th in Queens and Manhattan. See below for details.

I am honored to share in the power of Yom Kippur this week. And I look ahead to celebrating the joy and community of Sukkot in the days that follow.

G’mar Chatima Tova,

Rabbi Mark

Shabbat Reshon Service 

Back From Camp Service 

Friday, October 3rd at 6:15pm

Wear your camp shirt and join us as we celebrate the many wonderful summer camps of our community along with the Junior Choir.

Service starts at 6:15pm.

There is NO Shabbat dinner after services this month.

Services are live-streamed at rtfh.org/live and youtube.com/reformtempleofforesthills

The Reform Temple of Forest Hills

High Holy Days Schedule

5786/2025

Tickets and other information regarding the High Holy Days are available on our website

+Tickets not required for these services

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur Evening – Wednesday, October 1st

Kol Nidre Service at 8:00pm

Yom Kippur Day – Thursday, October 2nd

Morning Service at 10:00am

+Layperson’s Hour at 12:30pm

*+Adult Study Session at 2:00pm

+Children’s Service (K-6th Grade) at 2:00pm

*+Young Family Yom Kippur (Ages 5 and Under) at 2:15pm

+Healing/Afternoon Torah Services at 3:15pm

+Yizkor/Neilah Services at 4:30pm

Sukkot

+Sukkot Evening Service - Monday, October 6th at 7:00pm

+Sukkot Morning Service – Tuesday, October 7th at 10:30am

Simchat Torah

+Simchat Torah Evening Service– Monday, October 13th at 7:00pm

+Simchat Torah Morning & Yizkor Service – Tuesday, October 14th at 10:30am

All services (except those denoted with an *) will be broadcast online for anyone to view anywhere in the world. To join us online, go to rtfh.org/live or our YouTube channel. Livestream service are free and does not require registration. All are welcome.

10/1-2 - Yom Kippur

10/3 - Shabbat Reshon Back From Camp - 6:15pm

10/3 - ToFHY Shul-In

10/4 - Temple Tots - 10:00am

10/5 - Remembrance & Resilience

October 7 Program at Commonpoint - 2:00pm

10/6 - Sukkot Evening Services - 7:00pm

10/7 - Sukkot Morning Services - 10:30am

10/9 - Wine & Cheese Under the Sukkah - 7:00pm

10/10 - Shabbat Evening Services - 7:00pm

10/13 - Simchat Torah Evening Services, Consecration, Welcome New Torah - 7:00pm

10/14 - Simchat Torah Morning Services - 10:30am

Someone has a birthday coming...

If your/your child's birthday is in October, RTFH would like to celebrate it with you!

On Friday, October 3rd, we'll celebrate all October birthdays Shabbat Reshon at 6:15pm. 

On Friday, October 17th, we'll celebrate all October birthdays at 7pm Shabbat services.

At both services, we’ll invite anyone with an October birthday to join us up on the bimah. No RSVP is necessary. Join your Temple family to recognize your special birthday month!

יום הולדת שמח! Yom Huledet Sameach! Happy Birthday!

Birthday Connection

Acknowledge someone's special day by sponsoring a birthday greeting! 

Each month, a list of Temple members celebrating birthdays is posted to the RTFH Birthday Connection. Simply click on the link, create or login to your Member's Account, and fill out the online form.

Women's Connection will send that person a personalized Happy Birthday greeting to everyone who donated in their honor. At only $1 per greeting, Birthday Connection is an easy way to manage a monthly mitzvah for everyone on your list! 

Lists of upcoming Birthdays with instructions are available in plastic hanging bins in the lobby of the temple near the coat room or use the links below.

Send Birthday Wishes

Birthday Connection-October

Birthday Connection-November

Birthday Connection-December

Children’s High Holy Day Services

Thursday, October 2nd (Yom Kippur) at 2:00pm

Don’t miss Yom Kippur services specifically designed for kids. Children’s Services (K-6th Grade) are at 2:00 pm. Open to the community - bring a friend!

No tickets or RSVP needed.

Young Family Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur Services

Come experience the sweetness of Rosh Hashanah

and the significance of Yom Kippur

with age-appropriate activities for children ages 5 and under!

Join us in the Garden Room

ROSH HASHANAH

 Tuesday, September 23rd at 2:15 PM

YOM KIPPUR

Thursday, October 2nd at 2:15 PM

No tickets required

THIS PROGRAM IS RUNNING CONCURRENTLY

WITH OUR HIGH HOLY DAY CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Study and Connection on Yom Kippur Day

Thursday, October 2

Fill your Yom Kippur day with opportunities for your mind and soul. Between morning and afternoon services, join us for two special learning sessions.

Layperson’s Hour at 12:30pm in the Sanctuary

United by Survival, Sustained by Hope: The Story of David and Clara Levy

Join us for a powerful reflection on the intertwined journeys of Clara and David

Levy—two survivors who came from different Jewish backgrounds but built a shared

legacy of hope and resilience. From the forests of Poland to the courage of a small

northern Italian town, their journeys merge in Naples, Italy. Their story reminds us that

moral clarity and human decency can endure across generations.

Speakers: Helene and Seth Diamond

Introduced by Cheryl Kimler

Also available at rtfh.org/live

Afternoon Study Session at 2pm in a classroom

Why Do We Deny Ourselves?

Led by Rabbinic Intern Jules Ilian

We will delve into the texts surrounding Yom Kippur observance and discuss what repentance looks like in our own lives. What remains relevant, and what do we find challenging in these texts?

Come for a thoughtful and engaging discussion.

October 7 Events

On the second anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel, remember,

reflect, and act to bring peace and healing to our world. Here are some programs and opportunities in the coming week.

Remember and Resilience at Commonpoint Queens -

Sunday, October 5 at 2pm

Co-sponsored by RTFH. RSVP is required.

October 7 Community Event – Sunday, October 5 at 5pm

The in-person event is closed, but you can watch online.

Sukkot Services at RTFH

Monday, October 6 at 7pm and Tuesday, October 7 at 10:30am

October 7th will be remembered as part of our Sukkot Evening and Morning services.

Weekly Rally for the Hostages – Sundays at 11am

Held each week at 90th Street and Central Park West

Sukkah of Hope in Washington, DC – October 7th-10th

More information available here.

Sukkot Evening Services

Monday, October 6 at 7:00pm

Bring joy into your Fall Holidays with our inter-generational Sukkot services. We’ll share in

song and story for all ages. There will be a special remembrance of October 7, 2023, during the service. After services, we’ll enjoy a special Sukkot oneg and a chance to shake the lulav and the etrog under the Sukkah.

Sukkot Morning Services

Tuesday, October 7 at 10:30am

Sukkot morning services bring prayer, Torah reading, shaking of the lulav and the etrog, and connecting with the RTFH community in song and connection. There will be a special

remembrance of October 7, 2023, during the service.

Simchat Torah Evening Services

Monday, October 13 at 7:00pm

One of the highlights of the RTFH year! Celebrate Simchat Torah service as we unroll the Torah all the way and read from throughout the Torah with our recent b’nai mitzvah sharing. Our new RTFH Torah will be welcomed and celebrated at this service. Consecration with our newest religious schools is part of this joyous evening. We’ll dance with the Torah and bring energy and joy into our lives!

Simchat Torah Morning Services with Yizkor

Tuesday, October 14 at 10:30am

Join in the end and the beginning of the Torah at Simchat Torah Morning Services. We will

observe Yizkor and remember our loved ones.

All Services will also be livestreamed at rtfh.org/live

FOREST HILLS CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES

Welcome to the new season of the Forest Hills Chamber Music Series

With our own Ari Evan and his lineup of internationally recognized musicians

We are delighted to present the series in our sanctuary with its outstanding acoustics

The repertoire of each concert features an acclaimed work by a Jewish composer

Join us for three Sundays at 2:00pm

November 2, 2025 ~ January 11, 2026 ~ March 29, 2026

Members $18; $50 for subscription to all three concerts

Non-members $25; $65 for subscription to all three concerts

$36 at the door

Purchase your tickets HERE

Or mail your check to RTFH, 71-11 112 Street, Forest Hills, NY 11375

Free for students with ID and those under 18

Please check next week's eblast to sign up, learn more, and donate.