A Message from Rabbi

Dear RTFH Family,

Shabbat is the ultimate spiritual reset. In a world that often feels fractured, our time together provides the renewed energy and community we need to stay resilient.

We don't leave the world’s challenges at the door. Instead, we bring them into our prayers—seeking peace for Israel, Ukraine, and here at home, healing for our loved ones, and the strength to work for the common good. Our worship is where our faith meets our current reality.

This February and March, we are putting our values front and center. We kick things off this Friday with Repro Shabbat, connecting the laws of Mishpatim to the modern fight

for reproductive freedom. Our upcoming calendar is just as impactful, featuring Shabbat services dedicated to inclusion, immigration, and social action, as well as services led by our Women’s Connection and ToFHY.

Come recharge your batteries and reconnect with the values that define us.

L’shalom,

Rabbi Mark

Shabbat Evening Service

Friday, February 13 at 7:00pm

Find strength, spirituality, and community at Shabbat Services as we reflect on the values of choice and freedom with guest speaker Meredith Nicholson from the Red Tent Fund.

Services are live-streamed at rtfh.org/live and on our Youtube Channel

Repro Shabbat

Friday, February 13 at 7:00pm

On Shabbat Mishpatim, we read about reproductive rights in the Torah. For this Shabbat, we’ll be joined by Meredith Nicholson from The Red Tent Fund. This fund is a nonprofit national organization rooted in Jewish values and teachings that affirm the right to abortion for all. Meredith will share insights into Jewish history and individual rights to choose.

We hear its your birthday! RTFH would like to celebrate it with you!

This Friday, February 13th, we'll celebrate all February

birthdays at 7:00pm Shabbat services.

We’ll invite anyone with a February birthday to join us up on the bimah to open the ark for Aleinu. No RSVP is necessary. Join with your Temple family to celebrate your special birthday month!

Yom Huledet Sameach! יום הולדת שמח!Happy Birthday!

Rabbi Mark Kaiserman

Cantor Emily Wigod Pincus

Don't Miss Events

Cocktail & Mocktail Making Night

Tuesday, February 17 at 7:00pm

Hi RTFH 20s and 30s community. Do you have a signature cocktail or mocktail that you would enjoy teaching others to make? We will be celebrating the start of the month of Adar, the month of joy, with some cocktails and mocktails. Members of the 20s and 30s group will share how to make their favorite drinks. The best drink will be voted on at the end of the night.

Questions about this event can be sent to Rabbinic Intern Jules Ilian at jilian@rtfh.org.

RSVP Here

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 March 4

Add your name to Queen Esther's Honor Roll today!

Donate

WoCo and PA Bingo Party

Saturday, February 28

6:30 - 7pm Appetizers & drinks

7- 9ish pm Games & prizes

RTFH Bingo is back, and this year we’re gonna Be Kind and Rewind back to the '80s! Enjoy prize rounds valued at $100, a 50/50 drawing, and door prizes. Rabbi Mark is back as our Bingo Caller and Jaime Kinyon is your party host. Don’t miss this fun night of pure '80s nostalgia!

Send us a photo of you in the 1980's for a fun "Guess Who?" display! Email jaime.kinyon@gmail.com!

February 13, 7:00pm	Repro Shabbat Service
February 20, 7:00pm	Helen Keller Shabbat of Accessibility, Inclusion, and Empowerment
February 27, 7:00pm	Shabbat Services with Donation of Torah to Kol Shira in Austin, TX
February 28, 9:00am	Temple Tots Purim
February 28, 6:30pm	WoCo and PA Bingo Party
March 2 , 7:00pm	Purim Megillah Reading
March 8, 11:00am	Encanto Purim and Carnival

It’s time for Purim fun on Monday, March 2 at 7:00pm.

We need some joy in this complicated world. Let’s find inspiration from Esther and Mordecai’s story of dark times and personal bravery. Join us for our Purim Megillah reading.

Come in costume – it’s more fun!

Celebrate Purim with an Encanto Purim on Sunday, March 8 at 11:00am.

Followed by the Purim Carnival at 12pm.

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.

MITZVAH DAY

Sunday, March 22

9:00am - 4:00pm

Save the Date!

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.

Check back next week to register to volunteer and enjoy a delicious lunch with your Temple family.

Thank You For Supporting the New York Cares Coat Drive

Our warm-hearted Temple family contributed nearly $700 and collected 41 coats!

It's still very cold outside--and the need continues.

Just $25 keeps 10 New Yorkers warm. Please use RTFH's link to contribute.

Donate

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-February

Birthday Connection-March

Thank you for supporting RTFH

Visit RTFH.org