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Dear RTFH Family,
There are many different perspectives on how to respond to the current conflict in Iran and the paths that led us here. But we are united in our concern for human life. Our hearts are with the families – including many in our own congregation – whose loved ones are living in Israel under the constant threat of sirens and seeking safety in bomb shelters.
We pray for the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel, for the subjugated people of Iran, and for the American and Israeli soldiers in harm’s way. May this conflict result in a more secure world for all.
We hold fast to the hope that the time will soon come when the prophecy is fulfilled: “And they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not take up sword against nation; they shall never again know war, but every family shall sit under its own vine and fig tree, with no one to make them afraid” (Micah 4:3-4).
L’shalom,
Rabbi Mark
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Shabbat Reshon Service
Friday, March 6 at 6:15pm
Join our 2nd and 3rd Graders and Junior Choir for Shabbat Services, food, conversation, and fun times!
Service starts at 6:15 pm. A delicious Italian dinner and dessert to follow in the ballroom.
Services are live-streamed at rtfh.org/live and on our Youtube Channel
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Torah Donation to Kol Shira
This past Friday during Shabbat Evening Services, we celebrated the donation of a Torah to Kol Shira in Austin, Texas. We were honored to have Cantor Abby Gostein join us in co-leading the service, while the Kol Shira community participated via lively
watching parties in Austin.
Our extra Torah has found a beautiful new home within a vibrant, growing community. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this meaningful mitzvah possible.
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Celebrate Purim with an Encanto Purim on Sunday, March 8 at 11:00am.
Followed by the Purim Carnival at 12:00pm.
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Join in the warmth and unity of Purim! This year, Women's Connection invites you to perform the mitzvah of shalach manot giving by making a donation. Half of your donation will go to the Commonpoint Queens food pantry, and half to the RTFH Building Fund.
Last day to participate is today, March 4
Add your name to Queen Esther's Honor Roll today!
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Join us on 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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Men’s Study Chat with Rabbi Kaiserman
Thursday, March 5 at 7:30pm
Take time to expand your social, cerebral, and soulful nature at Men’s Study. Join us at 7:30pm on March 5. Over pizza, we’ll explore current events and the challenging world.
Men’s Study meets on the first Thursday of each month and is open to the congregational community.
Plan Ahead: Our April 9 and May 7 sessions will be our annual Book Club as we read The World to Come by Dara Horn.
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It’s the Perfect Time to Join Torah Study
Our Torah Study class completes the Book of Samuel this Saturday with a special siyyum (celebration)!
This is the perfect time to join our weekly Bible Study on Zoom each Saturday from 9-10am.
March 7 – Siyyum of Samuel (In the Garden Room or on Zoom)
March 14 – Beginning of the Book of Kings
No previous reading or knowledge needed. Join any time.
Study with us on Zoom
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Death Café
Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00 PM
Join clergy and experts from RTFH, St. Luke’s, and Greenwood Cemetery for a Death Café, an international movement dedicated to discussing mortality in an open, supportive environment.
This non-sectarian community space provides an opportunity to discuss grief, loss, and end-of-life planning with guidance from clergy (including Rabbi Kaiserman), trained Death Educators, and funeral directors. All are welcome to join these sensitive and
profoundly important small-group conversations.
- Location: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (85 Greenway S, Forest Hills)
- Cost: Free to attend
- Register Here
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Yahrzeit Update
Remembering our loved ones is a sacred part of our tradition. To better serve our members, we will be transitioning to email-only notifications for upcoming Yahrzeits beginning in April 2026.
This new system will allow the Temple to send reminders closer to the actual date of remembrance and will enable you to request honors or share updates more easily via email.
What you need to do:
- Verify Your Data: Letters were recently mailed to each member listing the email address we have on file and your family’s current Yahrzeit records.
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Update Your Information: To ensure our records are accurate, please contact Nicquana at 718-261-2900 or email nicquana@rtfh.org to update your family’s names or email address.
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Yellow Ribbon Collection
For over two years, our community has worn hostage tags and pins as symbols of hope, strength, and unity.
Now, UJA and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum invite you to participate in a powerful project: Drop off your ribbons, dog tags, and pins — so that these symbols of our collective activism will be transformed into a public, commemorative art installation.
A collection box is in the upper lobby by the Sanctuary.
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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.
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