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Dear RTFH Family,
It is a new year. While we remain in 5785 on the Jewish calendar, 2025 brings both anxiety and hope, struggles and blessings.
Each Friday night, when we share simchas at services, our kids are full of blessings to offer. Adults are usually silent. Let’s make 2025 a year where we all seek out blessings. Amid the difficulties that come in every year, each of us should intentionally find moments and connections that celebrate our lives.
Make 2025 a year of intentional blessings. They will give us the strength and support to weather the storms together.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Mark
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Save the Date – Rabbi Leah Berkowitz
January 10-12, 2025
In honor of our 30th anniversary, special guest teacher Rabbi Leah Berkowitz will be joining us at RTFH in January.
Friday, January 10 at 7pm Services – The Sacred Story
Saturday, January 11 at 9am – One Midrash, Two Midrash, Old Midrash, New Midrash
Sunday, January 12 – Special programming with our Religious School, 7th Grade Families, and Confirmation
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Mark your calendars for an unbelievable family experience to write in RTFH's very own Torah on:
Sunday February 9th and Monday February 10th
Sunday March 23rd and Monday March 24th
Your meaningful contribution can make a significant impact on the Temple’s financial health and its ability to serve our community.
Please give generously—every gift counts.
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Thursday 1/2/24-Men's Study at 7:30 pm
Friday 1/3/25-Shabbat Reshon (6th Grade) at 6:15 pm
Friday 1/10/25-Sunday 1/12/25-Rabbi Leah Berkowitz at RTFH
Sunday 1/12/25-4th Grade Family Education at Religious School at 9:30 am
Monday 1/13/25-WoCo General Meeting via Zoom-Book Discussion of Mitch Albom's "The Little Liar" at 7:30 pm
Friday 1/17/25-Shabbat Evening Service (MLK Jr. Shabbat) at 7:00 pm
Sunday 1/19/25-Forest Hills Chamber Music Series at 2:00 pm
Friday 1/24/25-Shabbat Evening Services at 7:00 pm
Saturday 1/25/25-Temple Tots at 4:30 pm
Friday 1/31/25-Shabbat Evening Services at 7:00 pm
Friday 1/31-2/3/25-RAC Trip
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Men’s Study Chat with Rabbi Kaiserman
Thursday, January 2 at 7:30pm
Take time to expand your social, cerebral, and soulful nature at Men’s Study. Over pizza, we’ll explore current events and the challenging world. This Thursday, we are exploring interfaith marriage and Reform Judaism.
Men’s Study meets on the first Thursday of each month and is open to the congregational community.
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Shabbat Evening Services-Shabbat Reshon (4th Grade)
Friday, January 3 at 6:15pm
The RTFH congregation is invited to join Friday evening services in-person or via livestream at www.rtfh.org/live
Services will also be streaming live at:
youtube.com/reformtempleofforesthills
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Celebrating January Birthdays!
This Friday night, we’ll celebrate all January birthdays at Shabbat services!
We’ll invite anyone with a January birthday to join us up on the bimah. No RSVP is necessary. Join your Temple family to celebrate your special birthday month!
Yom Huledet Sameach! יום הולדת שמח! Happy Birthday!
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Parents Association January Meeting
Sunday, January 5 at 9:30 am
Learn about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Raise questions or concerns for the PA to discuss. Mandatory attendance for Class Parents. Optional attendance for all other PA members. Breakfast will be served.
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Forest Hills Chamber Music Series
Sunday January 19th at 2PM: The Art of Duo
Performers:
Ari Evan (cello)
Mari Lee (violin)
The Forest Hills Chamber Music Series will open its third consecutive season with chamber music in its most intimate form: the string duo. A not-so-often medium of composition, the string duo did not rise in prominence until the 20th century. This concert will highlight Erwin Schulhoff, a Jewish Czech composer whose life and career was prematurely ended by the Nazi regime, pairing his duo with that of renowned French composer Maurice Ravel.
Program:
Erwin Schulhoff: Duo for Violin and Cello
Maurice Ravel: Duo for Violin and Cello
With selections from Bach, Jorg Widmann, Benjamin Goddard, and Xenakis
Members: $18
Non-members: $25
Door: $36
Students with ID or 18 and under: free
BUY TICKETS
Concert will be live-streamed at RTFH.org/live
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Help warm up New York by donating to the
36th Annual New York Cares Coat Drive!
1 DAY LEFT! Please help us reach our goal of $500 to spread warmth to our city. Use RTFH's link to contribute by December 31st.
Thank you to our generous, warm-hearted Temple family for donating coats, money, or both!
For more details, please see the Social Action Team's Current Initiatives page on our website or contact Marcia Parness at mhpisme@aol.com.
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It’s the Perfect Time to Join Torah Study
This is the perfect time to add that “10% more Judaism” to your life. Join Torah Study on Zoom each Saturday from 9-10 am as we begin the Book of I Samuel.
Friendship. Romance. Lust for power. Infidelity. Betrayal. God.
The Book of Samuel beats any contemporary soap opera in its intrigue and emotion. Explore the richness of these tales that shaped the Jewish people in one of the most memorable parts of the Tanakh.
No previous reading or knowledge needed. Join any time.
For the Zoom link, please see your most recent eblast or contact our Office Administrator Sheryl Hausman at sheryl@rtfh.org.
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Meditation Sit with Cantor Pincus
Fridays at 1:30 pm
Get ready for Shabbat with some quiet relaxation time! This 30-minute Meditation Sit with Cantor Emily will incorporate Jewish text, music, and, of course, silence.
For the Zoom link, please see your most recent eblast or contact our Office Administrator Sheryl Hausman at sheryl@rtfh.org.
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Birthday Connection
Acknowledge someone's special day by sponsoring a birthday greeting!
Each month, a list of Temple members celebrating birthdays is posted to the RTFH Birthday Connection. Simply click on the link, create or login to your Member's Account, and fill out the online form. Women's Connection will send that person a personalized Happy Birthday greeting to everyone who donated in their honor. At only $1 per greeting, Birthday Connection is an easy way to manage a monthly mitzvah for everyone on your list!
Hard copies of Birthday Connection lists with instructions are available below and in plastic hanging bins in the lobby of the temple near the coat room or use the link below.
Send Birthday Wishes
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We're thrilled to have RTFH as our newest school base offering full time childcare education for children aged 2-5 years old. | |
Spearheaded by the Israel Support and Action Committee (ISAAC), our congregation supports Israel by giving to The Shiloni Project, a grassroots organization formed to meet the needs of displaced families and soldiers.
Please give generously by clicking here.
See the Israel page of our new website for more details.
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Music Together at RTFH!
We are so thrilled to be in our RTFH home with our beloved
Music Together®️program! for Babies through 8 yr olds
Enroll Today!
MusicTogetherwithMusicandMe.com
718-229-0033
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Thank you for your support of
The Reform Temple of Forest Hills
We welcome you to learn more about our Temple at our new website www.rtfh.org
To donate, click “Donate" at the top of the page or go directly to rtfh.org/donate
·Choose to make a donation in honor or in memory of a friend or family member, and the recipient will immediately receive a warm email notifying them of your donation.
·Yahrzeit Fund: send a donation in memory of loved ones, and a private note is instantly sent to the recipient!
· The Temple Office will provide tax benefit letters after the end of the year fully detailing your donations.
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