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Dear RTFH Family,
The wildfires in Southern California continue to rage. Thousands have lost their homes, and many thousands more have been evacuated from the area. Businesses, synagogues, and communities have been destroyed. Our hearts reach out in pain. We are thankful for the firefighters from the Los Angeles Area – and many others arriving from across America and the world who put their lives in danger to save others.
While the battle against the fires actively continues, monetary donations are a primary way we can help right now. There are many organizations and ways to support the people devastated by loss. My family, friends, and colleagues in Los Angeles recommend giving through established charities such as the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles.
We embrace the warmth and light of fire, as we recognize its power and danger. May the people of greater Los Angeles find comfort and safety soon, and may we help them at their time of need.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Mark
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The first concert of the 2024-25 Forest Hills Chamber Music Series will take place this Sunday, January 19, at 2pm.
All of the concerts for the series are put together arranged by our own Ari Evan with highly acclaimed performers with whom he has previously collaborated. The performers set the stage by talking about the composers and pieces before and after they play. Our sanctuary, with its wooden back wall, has an amazing acoustic for bringing out the range and power of these pieces. And so, it becomes an incredibly moving and intimate experience.
In gratitude for your support, Torah Project donors ($1,000+) are entitled to complimentary tickets for the 24-25 chamber music series.
Register for Sunday's concert here.
I hope you can join us!
L’shalom,
Cantor Emily
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Add Your Name to Our Legacy: Be Part of the Torah Project
Thank you, Temple Family, for your generous support.
We’re celebrating your contributions with a digital display in the Upper Lobby.
See your name featured on the video loop, on our website, or in person!(Donations as of 12/26/24)
Haven’t joined yet? There’s still time to make your mark!
Make your gift today to help write our very own Torah and ensure a strong, vibrant future for our Temple community.
Add Your Name Now
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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
Sunday 1/26/25-Cantor Emily Wigod Pincus on Music and the Torah at 10:00 am
Friday 1/31/25-Shabbat Evening Services at 7:00 pm
Friday 1/31-2/3/25-RAC Trip
Sunday 2/2/25-PA Monthly Meeting at 9:30 am
Friday 2/7/25-Shabbat Reshon (5th Grade/Shabbat Shira) at 6:15 pm
Saturday 2/8/25-Tu BiShvat Seder & Lunch at 10:30 am
Sunday 2/9/25-Torah Writing Opening Ceremony at 11:00 am
Sunday 2/9-Monday 2/10/25-Torah Scribe Days
Friday 2/14-Shabbat Evening Services at 7:00 pm
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Shabbat Service in Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Friday, January 17 at 7:00pm
Celebrate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Shabbat Services. Our own Rabbi Irwin Goldenberg will share words of encouragement and reflection. The service and music will be filled with inspiration and our imperative to make change.
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Justin O'Brien is celebrating his Bar Mitzvah!
Saturday, January 18th at 10:30 am
Mazel Tov to Justin, his parents Nicole Feder & James O'Brien and his brother Jackson!
The RTFH congregation is invited to join Saturday morning services via livestream at www.rtfh.org/live
Services will also be streaming live at:
youtube.com/reformtempleofforesthills
For his mitzvah project, Justin partnered with the Forest Hills Green Team to present to students at his middle school and at the Temple about global warming and environmental issues. I did this because as a citizen of NYC, I always see trash on the streets and pollution and it makes me wonder why we are so ungrateful for our land and the Earth.
As part of my Mitzvah project, Justin presented to younger students at the Temple about the importance of global warming and gave them examples of little things they can do to help the planet. These things include turning off the water when brushing their teeth or shutting off the lights when they leave the house. While it may not seem like a lot, if everyone did this, it would make a big impact.
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Temple Tots PJ Havdalah
Saturday, January 25th at 4:30 PM.
Come in your PJs for a Temple Tots PJ Havdalah!
As usual, we’ll have song, movement, a craft and snack as together we say goodbye to Shabbat.
We hope to see you there!
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Cantor Emily Wigod Pincus on Music and the Torah
Sunday, January 26 at 10am
In person and at www.rtfh.org/live
How does music enhance our understanding of Torah
and inspire us to live it?
We will look at musical settings for three texts: the source for all our healing prayers; the proof text for God as forgiving and compassionate as we would all aspire to be; and a text for thanksgiving and praise. Some of it we will listen to, some of it will be sung live to us, and some of it we will sing together. I hope you can join me!
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Sunday, March 2
9:00am-4:00pm
Join us for a special day to live our shared values through hands-on acts of kindness!
We'd love your help in making it happen.
To join the Social Action Team, please contact Jerry Strauss at strauss.jerry@gmail.com.
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Frigid weather is here--
there's still time to support the NY Cares Coat Drive!
Please help us reach our goal of $500. (We're close!) Use RTFH's link to contribute by this Friday, January 17.
Thank you to our warm-hearted Temple family for donating 35 coats to keep New Yorkers warm.
For coat drop-off locations and more details, see the Social Action Team's Current Initiatives page on our website.
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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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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 e-blast or contact our Office Administrator Sheryl Hausman at sheryl@rtfh.org.
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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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