A Message from Rabbi

Dear RTFH Family,

We often feel powerless against the chaos of the world. With war, antisemitism, and disruption, what can one person actually do?

Start small. The Talmud teaches us that helping a single person is as if we saved the entire world. This Sunday, you can save many worlds at Mitzvah Day.

From on-site projects and collections of toys, books, and electronics, to our blood drive and stem cell swabbing, Mitzvah Day is your chance to feel the strength of our community and reclaim the power of doing good.

Read below for all the ways you can participate and make a tangible difference this week.

L’shalom,

Rabbi Mark

Shabbat Service

Friday, March 20 at 7:00pm

Find strength, spirituality, and community at Shabbat Services.

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

Reed Sisolak is celebrating his Bar Mitzvah!

Saturday, March 21st at 10:30am

Mazel Tov to Reed, his parents Ilyse and Michael, and siblings Zoie and Mackenzie.

The RTFH congregation is invited to join Saturday morning services via livestream at rtfh.org/live

Reed's Mitzvah Project

For my mitzvah project, I donated to an organization called Board Games for the Better. Board Games for the Better collects board games to give them to mental care facilities, foster homes, and people in insecure housing situations.

They also pass the games on to other groups like New York City Children’s Center, The Child Center of NY, and Children's Aid. Additionally, they run a Game Day Program. This program brings a large library of games and helps provide enjoyment for everyone involved.

They organize the Game Day Program with elder care facilities, daycares, and other similar groups that are in need of mental and social engagement.

Through this and their other programs, Board Games for the Better hopes to improve mental health, relieve stress, and provide opportunities for social engagement.

To donate to this organization, I collected board games, hosting a donation event to gather board games from members of the temple and community.

I chose to collect and donate games because I enjoy playing them. I understand I am extremely privileged to have access to so many opportunities to play and appreciate games. I hope by donating these games, I can give people who would not have the opportunity a chance to enjoy them.

Don't Miss Events

Join the RTFH 20s & 30s group this Thursday, March 19th, at 7:00pm in the ballroom, as we explore Passover traditions and share our own perspectives on what we find meaningful about the holiday. Come for snacks and good conversation.

This event is open to community members and congregants in their 20s and 30s.

MITZVAH DAY

Sunday, March 22

9:00am - 4:00pm

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 out the full MD26 schedule, including Religious School programming and all the activities for adults, teens, and families.

Volunteer and enjoy a delicious lunch with your Temple family. Register by Thursday, March 19.

Please donate to further support our MD26 programs.

Learn More and Register

Donate

March 19, 7:00pm	20s & 30s - Preparing for Passover
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
April 3, 6:15pm	Shabbat Reshon (No Dinner)
April 8, 10:30am	7th Day Passover Services and Yizkor

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.