Dear RTFH Family,

At times, we can feel very isolated as a Jewish community, given the upsurge of antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric surrounding us.

But then there are moments when we find our extended community's strength and joy. Over 250 people gathered for the Forest Hills Interfaith Thanksgiving Service this past Sunday. With our own Adult and Junior Choirs joined by clergy and choirs throughout our neighborhood, the deep human connection we felt filled the room and our hearts. This Thanksgiving weekend, we are thankful for our bonds with each other.

Thanks to Steve Silberberg for these photos, giving a glimpse of this beautiful get-together.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Rabbi Mark

Mark your calendars for an unbelievable family experience to write in RTFH's very own Torah on:

Sunday February 9^th and Monday February 10^th

Sunday March 23^rd and Monday March 24^th

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.

Friday 11/29/24-Shabbat Evening Service at 7:00 pm

Thursday 12/5/24-Men's Study at 7:30 pm

Friday 12/6/24-Shabbat Reshon (7th Grade) at 6:15 pm

Sunday 12/8/24-Parents Association December Meeting at 9:30 am

Sunday 12/8/24-Chanukah Concert at 12:00 pm

Tuesday 12/10/24-WoCo Chanukah Jewelry Workshop with Ariel Tidhar at 6:30 pm

Sunday 12/15/24-Chanukapalooza at Religious School at 9:00 am

Friday 12/20/24-Shabbat Evening Service at 7:00 pm

Saturday 12/21/24-Temple Tots at 10:00 am

Sunday 12/22/24-Thursday 1/2/25-Religious School Closed

Friday 12/27/24-Shabbat Evening Services (Chanukah 3rd Night) at 6:15 pm

Friday 12/27/24-WoCo Chanukah Dinner at 7:15 pm

Thursday 1/2/24-Women's Connection Meeting at 7:30 pm

Thursday 1/2/24-Men's Study at 7:30 pm

Friday 1/3/25-Shabbat Reshon (6th Grade) at 6:15 pm

Shabbat Evening Services

Friday, November 29 at 7pm

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

Parents Association December Meeting

Sunday, December 8 at 11:00 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.

Join us at our annual Chanukah lunch and concert on Sunday, December 8th, 2024!

All Religious School classes will sing Chanukah songs old and new, together with our Adult and Junior Choirs. Let’s watch our children shine as we celebrate the miracle!

All proceeds go to cover the cost of just the concert itself and the musicians. As promised, there will be no sponsors, baskets, or raffles. The Torah project is our only fundraiser this year. So just come and enjoy yourself!

 Lunch at 12:00 PM (pizza, latkes, drink)

Concert at 1:00 PM

To purchase tickets for concert and lunch click here: 

https://rtfh.shulcloud.com/form/chanukah-concert-2024.html

December Women's Connection Meeting: Chanukah Jewelry Workshop w/ Ariel Tidhar!

Date: Tuesday, December 10 

Time: 6:30pm-9:30pm RTFH Ballroom

RSVP HERE

Cost: $30 per Women's Connection member/$65 non-members and guests

On Tuesday, December 10th, we've invited a Jewish American-Israeli artist, Ariel Tidhar, to lead a jewelry workshop in celebration of Chanukah! Ariel will help you select and create a charm necklace with specialty crafted Judaic themed pieces. Thanks to a generous donation, WoCo members only pay $30 to participate. The value of each necklace is over $80. This is a wonderful gift for yourself or someone special, just in time for the holidays!

As you all know, Jewish artists in every field have faced increasing levels of discrimination and antisemitism in the last year. If we have the ability to promote and support the endeavors of people like Ariel, we should take pleasure in doing so. 

More information about Ariel's materials and jewelry can be found HERE.

Please bring a snack to share!

Chanukapalooza

Sunday, December 15 at 9:00 am

Volunteer to run a fun activity as the PA takes over Religious School in its annual Chanukah-themed events! Contact Jason Schechter at pa@rtfh.org.

Help warm up New York by donating money, coats, or both to the 

36th Annual New York Cares Coat Drive!

Every $25 donation keeps 10 New Yorkers warm and also provides essential programs that help break the cycle of poverty.

Please help us reach our goal of $500. Use RTFH's link to contribute and spread warmth to our city.

Financial contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated.  Please participate by December 31st.

We are also collecting new and gently-used, laundered coats in the Temple's upper lobby until December 20th.

Thank you to our generous, warm-hearted Temple family.

Any questions, please see the Social Action Team's Current Initiatives page on our website or contact Marcia Parness at mhpisme@aol.com.

Meditation Sit with Cantor Pincus

Fridays at 1:30pm

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. 

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. 

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

We're thrilled to have RTFH as our newest school base offering full time childcare education for children aged 2-5 years old.

For more information

please call 718-569-5902,

E-mail melvillemontessori@gmail.com, 

or click here www.melvillemontessori.com

See the Social Action Team's Worldwide Efforts page of our new website for ways you can help support Ukraine. 

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

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.