Dear RTFH Family,

What a journey! We’ve spent over a month immersed in the High Holy Days—a time of prayer, connection, repentance, and community. Now, we’re ready for the grand finale: Simchat Torah this Monday and Tuesday!

Monday evening at 7:00pm is going to be packed with the best of Jewish tradition and community celebration. We’ll finish reading the entire Torah, and then immediately turn around and start it all over again! We’ll be dancing with our Torahs—both free-style and with Israeli folk dancing. We’ll celebrate our newest Religious School students with Consecration. And we’ll unroll the Torah completely around the entire room!

But this year, we have an incredible addition. We’re officially welcoming a very special new member to the RTFH family: our new Torah! The one we spent the last year writing together will be read for the very first time that night. You absolutely do not want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

We’re excited to share that beautifully designed, personalized commemorative certificates will be distributed after services to all Torah Project donors—from Supporters and Mitzvah Makers to Guardians and Visionaries. Eligible donors will also receive printed photos of their scribing session. These are special keepsakes to remember this meaningful experience!

See you there!

Chag Sameach,

Rabbi Mark

Shabbat Evening Service 

Friday, October 10th at 7:00pm - Chol HaMoed Sukkot

Find strength, spirituality, and community at Shabbat Services as we continue our celebration of Sukkot

Services are live-streamed at rtfh.org/live and youtube.com/reformtempleofforesthills

10/9 - Wine & Cheese Under the Sukkah - 7:00pm

10/10 - Shabbat Evening Services - 7:00pm

10/11 - Bar Mitzvah of Eli Fields

10/12 - No Religious School

10/13 - Simchat Torah Evening Services, Consecration, Welcome New Torah - 7:00pm

10/14 - Simchat Torah Morning Services - 10:30am

10/15 - Drop In Mah Jong Game Night - 6:00pm

10/17 - Shabbat Services - 7pm

10/18 - Bat Mitzvah of Emma Kerr

10/19 - No Religious School

Eli Field's is celebrating his Bar Mitzvah!

Saturday, October 11th at 10:30 am

Mazel Tov to Eli, his Rachel & Phil, and the entire Stern family

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

Eli's Mitzvah Project

For my mitzvah project, I learned how to play mahjong, a game with a long history in Jewish tradition. Then I taught classes to others: grandparents, parents, kids, and fellow temple members — building generational connections through a game that's all about thinking, strategy, and a little bit of luck. I chose this unique approach because I believe Jewish heritage and connection are priceless. Mahjong is more than just a game — it’s a way to connect across generations. It’s something you can play with your grandparents, your parents, or your friends, and everyone brings their own style and strategy to the table. I loved teaching people how to play, especially when someone who thought they’d never understand it suddenly “got it.” Seeing different generations sit around the same table, laughing and learning together, reminded me why this kind of connection matters.

Simchat Torah Evening Services

Monday, October 13 at 7:00pm

One of the highlights of the RTFH year! Celebrate Simchat Torah service as we unroll the Torah all the way and read from throughout the Torah with our recent b’nai mitzvah sharing. Our new RTFH Torah will be welcomed and celebrated at this service. Consecration with our newest religious school students is part of this joyous evening. We’ll dance with the Torah and bring energy and joy into our lives!

Simchat Torah Morning Services with Yizkor

Tuesday, October 14 at 10:30am

Join in the end and the beginning of the Torah at Simchat Torah Morning Services. We will

observe Yizkor and remember our loved ones.

All Services will also be livestreamed at rtfh.org/live

A Kol Nidre gift to Temple is an offer that fulfills the mitzvah of Tzedakah

Please donate to the best of your ability

Kol Nidre Appeal

Sponsor an Oneg after Friday night Shabbat Services!

At RTFH, we embrace the warmth of community and the spirit of togetherness. Our weekly Oneg Shabbat is a time to gather, unwind, and celebrate the blessings of the Sabbath.

Honor a loved one, mark a special occasion, or simply give a heartfelt gesture. Your sponsorship will be deeply appreciated and all names will be read aloud during the Temple President’s announcements.

To sponsor our standard Friday Night oneg, we ask a donation of $54 for a non-life cycle event, or $175 for a life cycle event. 

Multiple people may sponsor an oneg for the same evening!

Use our easy Online Form to Sponsor an Oneg

https://www.rtfh.org/engage/womens-connection/oneg/

FOREST HILLS CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES

Welcome to the new season of the Forest Hills Chamber Music Series with our own Ari Evan and his lineup of internationally recognized musicians.

We are delighted to present the series in our sanctuary with its outstanding acoustics. The repertoire of each concert features an acclaimed work by a Jewish composer.

Join us for three Sundays at 2:00pm

November 2, 2025 ~ January 11, 2026 ~ May 31, 2026

Members $18; $50 for subscription to all three concerts

Non-members $25; $65 for subscription to all three concerts

$36 at the door

Purchase your tickets HERE

Or mail your check to RTFH, 71-11 112 Street, Forest Hills, NY 11375

Free for students with ID and those under 18

To SIGN UP and for more details, please visit the Social Action Team's Current Initiatives page on our website. 

To DONATE funds for food and clothes, please visit here. All donations, large or small, are greatly appreciated. 

Donate Hoodies For Our Unhoused Friends

Hoodies are the #1 item requested by the unhoused individuals we meet—and the most expensive for our Social Action Team to purchase. They are also the most expensive item for the Social Action Team to purchase.

Please bring CLEAN, ADULT-SIZED HOODIES to Temple's Upper Lobby before our Midnight Run on Saturday, November 1st.

Every hoodie helps keep someone warm

Thank you! Your Social Action Team

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! 

Lists of upcoming Birthdays with instructions are available in plastic hanging bins in the lobby of the temple near the coat room or use the links below.

Send Birthday Wishes

Birthday Connection-October

Birthday Connection-November

Birthday Connection-December

Please contact Iintroclass@postpro.net for more information