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Dear RTFH Family,
This Sunday night marks the Academy Awards, one of my personal favorite nights. This year’s nominees include several films that touch upon Jewish identity—such as Marty Supreme, the story of a Jewish ping-pong legend from NYC—or feature the incredible work of Jewish directors, actors, and writers.
Several nominated short films are specifically centered on Judaism and Israel:
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Butterfly (My personal pick for Animated Short): A true story about a French Jewish Olympic swimmer and Holocaust survivor.
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Children No More (Documentary Short): An Israeli film capturing a silent vigil in Tel Aviv by activists holding photos of children killed in Gaza.
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Butcher’s Stain (Live-Action Short): An Israeli film following a Palestinian butcher in an Israeli supermarket who is falsely accused of tearing down hostage posters.
However, you don’t have to wait for the Oscars to see a powerful film about Jewish identity, antisemitism, and the complexities of the current moment. Join us at RTFH this Sunday, March 15 at 2:00pm for a screening of TORN: The Israel-Palestine Poster War. Featuring a diverse group of New Yorkers, this moving film (1 hour and 15 minutes) forces a reckoning with identity, free speech, and empathy in an age of polarization. We are honored to have the director and creator, Nim Shapira, with us to discuss the film.
Join us by registering today. Free for college students and teens.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Mark
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Shabbat Service
Friday, March 13 at 7:00pm
Join ToFHY to find strength, spirituality, and community at Shabbat Services.
Services are live-streamed at rtfh.org/live and on our Youtube Channel
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Death Café
TONIGHT - Death Café at St. Luke’s
Wednesday, March 11 at 7pm
Join St Luke’s, The Reform Temple of Forest Hills (including Rabbi Kaiserman), and the Death Education team of Green-Wood Cemetery, for a Death Cafe on March 11. Together we will engage in small group conversations surrounding these sensitive yet profoundly important topics. All are welcome to this non-sectarian event.
Please register here at no cost
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Join us this Sunday, March 15 at 2:00pm at RTFH, for a screening of TORN: The Israel-Palestine Poster War.
Featuring artists, activists, students, rabbis, and hostage families, TORN is an unflinching portrait of empathy under siege. After Hamas kidnapped 251 people from Israel on October 7, a conflict thousands of miles away erupted on New York’s walls. The film captures the emotional fallout of the “KIDNAPPED” poster campaign – a grassroots act that became a flashpoint, igniting fierce confrontations between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian New Yorkers.
Screening includes a discussion with filmmaker Nim Shapira.
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Purim Continues with ToFHY Silent Auctions!
We had such fun all last week at various Purim events. But the fun keeps going – bid on the Silent Auctions supporting ToFHY. Items including: Rabbi and Cantor for the Day, a NBC Behind-the-scenes Tour, and much more. This is a great opportunity to learn something new and also support our youth group teens.
The bidding ends on Mar 15, 2026 at 8:00 pm. Use this link to place your bid.
| | | March 11, 6:15pm | ToFHY Chocolate Seder | | March 13, 7:00pm | ToFHY Shabbat | | March 15, 2:00pm | Torn: Movie Screening | | March 20, 7:00pm | Shabbat Services | | March 22, 9:00am | Mitzvah Day | | March 27, 7:00pm | Social Action Shabbat | | April 2, 10:30am | 1st Day Passover Services | | April 2, 5:30pm | 2nd Night Passover Seder | | | |
Torah Study Moves to I Kings
With great joy, the RTFH Torah Study class celebrated completing the book of Samuel last Saturday. The class presented a beautiful piece of art to Rabbi Kaiserman in appreciation for his teaching.
This is the perfect time to expand your mind and Jewish learning as we begin the book of Kings on Saturday.
No previous reading or knowledge needed. Join any time.
Study with us on Zoom.
| | The RTFH 20s and 30s group is celebrating Passover on March 19 at 7pm with an escape-room-style event featuring games that challenge and engage you. There will also be fun drinks to celebrate our collective freedom as a Jewish people. | |
RTFH Birthday Connection
Acknowledge someone’s special day by sponsoring a birthday greeting! Each greeting is $1 and Women’s Connection will send each person a personalized Happy Birthday greeting in the mail, which lists everyone who donated in their honor. Exciting for adults and kids!
(Birthday Connection can be found under your MEMBERS tab on the front page of the RTFH website.)
Birthday Connection April
Birthday Connection May
Birthday Connection June
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Welcome to Temple Tots Spring!
Join us in an interactive Shabbat for
children ages 0-5 and their families.
Spring 2026 Session
Saturday, March 28th at 9:00am (Passover)
Saturday, April 18th at 9:00am (Yom Ha-atzma-ut)
Saturday, May 16th at 10:00am (Shavuot)
Saturday, June 13th at 10:00am
Cantor Emily, Rabbi Mark and the Temple Tots Team invite you and your family to a fun and interactive Shabbat full of songs and joy.
We'll share in story time, music, and crafts!
Don't miss out on updates and programming!
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Join us for our annual Community Seder
Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 5:30 PM
The Second night of Passover
We invite your family and friends to celebrate the Passover Story at an inspiring, engaging Seder led by
Rabbi Mark Kaiserman and Cantor Emily Wigod Pincus
Enjoy a full Passover meal and an afikomen search
Please Register by March 27
The caterer will not be able to provide food after this date.
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MITZVAH DAY
Sunday, March 22
9:00am - 4:00pm
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Join us for an uplifting day of kindness and community.
We’ll rise together doing hands-on activities and meaningful projects to help our neighbors in need and the planet.
Volunteer and enjoy a delicious lunch with your Temple family. Register by Thursday, March 19.
Please donate to further support our MD26 programs.
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NY Blood Center Drive
Mitzvah Day, Sunday, March 22
9:30am – 3:30pm
RTFH Garden Room
Donate blood and your life-saving gift can save up to three lives! Most everyone 16+ is eligible.
The drive is open to the public, so invite friends and family. Advanced registration is preferred but walk-ins are welcome.
Schedule your appointment today (use zip code 11375) and please spread the word!
Our annual drive is in memory of Larry Francos and Michele Louis, two beloved congregants who had blood cancer.
Questions, please contact Jane Pinkett at janepinkett28@aol.com.
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Gift of Life Stem Cell
Registration Event
Mitzvah Day, Sunday, March 22
9:30am - 3:30pm
RTFH Lower Lobby
Parents and grandparents, please help us reach the young adults in your life.
Calling all 18-35 Year Olds!
Swab your cheek. You could save a life.
Stem cell transplants are lifesaving for patients with blood cancers. It takes only 5 minutes, and you could help lift someone towards healing.*
Come swab your cheek--and you could be someone's hero!
*About 90% of matches donate blood stem cells and 10% donate bone marrow. After registration, if you are a match, donating is up to you.
Any questions, please contact Jerry Strauss at strauss.jerry@gmail.com
| | Support these Mitzvah Day Projects Starting Now! | | |
Cell Phone and Accessories Collection
Donate your used or broken cell phones and accessories to raise money for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, keep e-waste out of landfills, and clear space in your home.
Support survivors, care for the planet, and declutter—it’s a win, win, win!
To be extra safe, clear the data from your phones and drop them with any accessories in the collection box in the upper lobby now through Mitzvah Day.
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Birthday in a Bag
We’re creating gift bags to bring celebration and joy to children living at the Corona Family Residence.
Each bag includes all the essentials for a birthday party — because every child deserves to feel special on their big day.
Please help by purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List and make a child’s birthday a little brighter!
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Kick Start Your Spring Cleaning!
We're collecting gently used plastic and wood toys, electronics, children's books, and more!
Learn more details about items you can donate and how to prepare them for drop off in the RTFH upper lobby now through Mitzvah Day.
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Tzedakah Opportunities
Yesod Mutual Aid Fund (Twin Cities, MN)
Donate to the Yesod Fund, organized by Reform congregation Shir Tikvah in Minneapolis, to provide mutual aid to families and individuals navigating instability and harm because of ICE in the Twin Cities.
Queens Community House
Donate to Queens Community House to support critical services and life-enriching programs that lift up our Queens neighbors and help them thrive.
| | Thank you for supporting RTFH | | | | |
