Message From Rabbi

Dear RTFH Family,

When I recently visited Charleston and Savannah, I noticed language choices during tours and from docents about the Revolutionary War and Civil War. On a positive note, “Slaves” were now called “Enslaved people,” highlighting that enslavement wasn’t their identity but something thrust upon them. But when I saw the phrase “The War Between the States,” I knew I was going to get a very particular version of history—one that minimized the rebellion of the South, downplayed the horrific treatment of Black people, Native Americans, and others, and generally painted a picture that there were “good people on both sides.”

Context is powerful, and the choices we make matter. This is starkly evident in this week’s portion of Naso, which forces us to confront a narrative that is deeply uncomfortable: the ordeal of the Sotah (Numbers 5). Here, a married woman is subjected to the horrific trial of drinking bitter water, driven entirely by her husband's suspicion. Similar to the witch trials in Salem, even if she is innocent, she suffers. The Torah legitimizes the husband's suspicion without requiring a shred of evidence, subjecting the wife to a degrading trial. Yet, there is no punishment for the husband if his wife is cleared; his jealousy is allowed to stand without repercussions. In the end, the text implies that both the wife (who was innocent) and the husband (who was just

checking) are fine to carry on as they were.

We can do better. We can call out hateful or wrongful behavior in the past and among those around us. Wrong was wrong back then, it is wrong in American history, and it is wrong now.

L’shalom,

Rabbi Mark

Shabbat Evening Service 

Friday, May 29 at 7:00pm



Find strength, spirituality, and community at Shabbat Services.

We will be celebrating the ToFHY Board Installation during this service.



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

Note Shabbat Service Times in June

June 5 - Pride Shabbat at 7pm

June 12 - Shabbat Reshon for All Grades at 6:15pm followed by Dinner

Hannah Stein is celebrating her Bat Mitzvah!

Saturday, May 30th at 10:30am

Mazel Tov to Hannah, and her parents Miriam and David, and brother Sam.

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

Hannah's Mitzah Project

Every other Sunday in March and April, I cleaned out and stocked up the little free food pantry outside the church down the block. The pantry is run by the Central Queens Mutual aid group. This group cares deeply about our community and the world. 

I chose this as my mitzvah project because I know that not everyone is as fortunate as my family and I to be able to eat three meals a day and snack as well. Even though my efforts only reached a teeny tiny corner of the world, I am happy to say I helped people eat. 

You can help by donating shelf stable foods such as beans, pasta, rice, peanut butter, and soup. (Please try to get cans with pull-tops only: some people don’t have access to can openers.)

Don't Miss Events

You're invited to a WoCo dinner celebration! Judy Hendelman is being honored for her years of service to Women's Connection and our congregation.

Forest Hills Chamber Music Series

Piano Quartets

Sunday, May 31 at 2:00pm

Concluding Concert in the 2025-2026 Series

State of global affairs got you down? Take a load off!

Join us for an afternoon of carefully curated chamber music by Mahler, Copland, and Dvořák. Performed by exceptionally talented musicians, led by cellist Ari Evan, who grew up in our Temple, this program promises to delight your senses and elevate your spirits. Thanks to memorable pieces and superb musicianship, the notes will linger long after the program ends. 

We hope to see you there!

L’shalom,

The Forest Hills Chamber Music Series Committee:

Cantor Emily Wigod Pincus

Linda Freitag

Susan Friedman

Amy Geffen

Susan Jolles

Micky Josephs

Marilyn Reichstein

Lois Silverman

Israel Day Parade

If you missed our earlier sign-up for the Israel Day Parade, there are still spots available!

Register below with our own Eden Ezra, Religious School Teacher and Israeli Sh'licha, and march with Commonpoint and UJA Federation. There will be no meet up in Forest Hills: the group will gather in Manhattan at the Parade, and information about this will be available later this week.



Let's keep the hope of 2000 years alive!

Congrats to the 2026-2027 ToFHY Board

President - Liv Kingsley

Programming VP - Ruby Macklin

Communications VP - Nava Birnbaum

Religious & Cultural VP - Hannah Wolman

Membership & Engagement VP - Zeke Siff

Social Action VP - Nathanial Pincus

Trip Coordinator - Eli Fields

Mazel Tov to the 2026 Confirmation Class and their Families

Nava Birnbaum, Winter Krosney, Ruby Macklin, Zeke Siff, Noa Spevack, Maya Waskow, and Hannah Wolman

Queens Pride March

March with RTFH in the Queens Pride Parade on Sunday, June 7 at noon in Jackson Heights, Queens - 37th Avenue from 89th Street to 75th Street.

Wear your best pride and rainbow clothes (or buy an RTFH Pride

t-shirt!) as we show the world that LGBTQ+ people and issues matter! A great event for adults, teens, kids, families, friends, allies, and everyone.

Pride Shabbat

Join our community on Friday, June 5 at 7pm for Pride Shabbat. We’ll be joined by Yelena Goltsman of qaravan a New York City community-based nonprofit organization of Eurasian LGBTQ+ people, women, and other people as our guest speaker.

As a Jew, as part of your family, friends, or everywhere in the world – stand up for LGBTQ+ rights and show your pride!

Get Your RTFH Pride Shirt

Stand proud with RTFH all year long. Get your own RTFH Pride Shirt designed by Temple member Jackson O’Brien. It’s the hot trending fashion item for everyone standing up for equality and inclusion.

Click here to purchase yours

Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah in 2026!

Did you never have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah when you were a kid?

Did you have one but didn’t read Torah or lead the service and want a redo? Do you want to be part of engaging community learning with Rabbi, Cantor, Rabbinic Intern Jules, and more?

Sign up for Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah for 2026-2027. Classes will be on Sunday morning during Religious School with the service in October 2027. Email Rabbi Mark Kaiserman at rabbikaiserman@rtfh.org if you want to be part of the learning and joy!

Thank you for supporting RTFH