Dear RTFH Family,

In times of change, we need community. This is an inflection point, and many of us are facing a cascade of emotions, concerns, and anxiety about the future. If this is how you feel, please remember that you are not alone. 

We invite you to gather with us tomorrow night, Thursday, November 7, at 7:30pm, at Temple for an hour of song and personal reflection. Together, we will affirm our connection with one another as a kehilla kedosha, a sacred community.

Then, we’ll join for Shabbat Services on Friday, November 8, at 7:00pm for prayer, community, and wisdom from our history and tradition.

We are both here for you and available to meet personally as well.

Wishing you resilience, blessing, and, above all, peace.

L’shalom,

Rabbi Mark and Cantor Emily

A Prayer for These Times

By Steven Charleston



When they hate, I will love.

When they curse, I will bless.

When they hurt, I will heal.

I am a servant of the light.

I am not afraid of darkness.

I will carry on with my work as a steward of this Earth and of all her children.

When they divide, I will unite.

When they rage, I will calm.

When they deny, I will affirm.

I will simply be who I am: for that is what Spirit created me to be.

RTFH Town Hall Meeting: Wednesday, November 13 at 7:30 PM

Join us for an important Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, November 13, at 7:30 PM in the sanctuary.  This is your chance to hear the latest updates on two exciting projects that are important to the future of our community: the redevelopment of our Temple space and the Torah project, where we come together to write a new Torah.

This is your chance to hear from Seth Diamond, our Temple President, and other Temple leaders. Come with your questions, ideas, and feedback, and be part of the conversation. Your voice and support are essential as we navigate these meaningful next steps.

The Town Hall will also be live-streamed at www.rtfh.org/live. You will be able to ask questions on the livestream through the chat

We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us in Celebrating 30 years of RTFH and be a part of the exciting next phase of our journey as a community!

Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of our Torah Project -- learn more about it at RTFH.org/torah

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

Make your Dedications now! 

Thursday 11/7/24-Congregational Gathering at 7:30 pm

Friday 11/8/24-Shabbat Evening Service at 7:00 pm

Wednesday 11/13/24-RTFH Town Hall Meeting at 7:30 pm

Friday 11/15/24-Shabbat Evening Service with Rich Orloff at 7:00 pm

Sunday 11/17/24-2nd & 3rd Grade Chat & Chew at 9:00 am

Sunday 11/17/14-Women's Connection Fall Luncheon at 12:00 pm

Sunday 11/17/24-ToFHY Day Trip #1 at 1:00 pm

Friday 11/22/24-Shabbat Evening Service at 7:00 pm

Saturday 11/23/24-Temple Tots at 10:00 am

Sunday 11/24/24-Interfaith Thanksgiving at 4:00 pm

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

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

Shabbat Evening Services

Friday, November 8 at 7:00 pm

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

Special Shabbat with Poet Rich Orloff

Friday, November 15 at 7:00pm

Rich Orloff’s beautiful poems have become part of almost every RTFH Shabbat service. On Friday, November 15, we’ll hear directly from the poet himself! Rich is a fantastic poet and playwright. He’ll be joining us in person during our 7:00pm service to share the poetic story. Check out Rich’s works at richorloff.com.

Women's Connection Annual Fall Luncheon

Sunday, November 17 at 12 noon



Enjoy an afternoon of good food, good conversation and good friends

Raffle prizes, getting to know the dynamic women of WOCO, and fun await you!

RSVP by Wednesday November 13 to Phyllis at phylma122@gmail.com

2nd & 3rd Grade Parents' Association Chat & Chew

Sunday, November 17 at 9:00am

Enjoy some breakfast and meet parents and guardians from our 2nd/3rd grade class. PA members and Religious School faculty will be available for introductions and questions

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Sunday, November 24th at 4:00pm

Church-in-the-Gardens Community House – 15 Borage Place

Join our Forest Hills community at the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service. Come for this powerful and celebratory event of singing, socializing, and community! Rabbi Kaiserman, Cantor Pincus, and the Adult and Junior Choirs will be part of the service along with the clergy and choirs of the houses of worship of our neighborhood. Feel the warmth of community and faith at this annual gathering of neighbors and friends.

Parents Association December Meeting

Sunday, December 8 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.

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

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.

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

This 20-session class meets Thurs eves, 7:00-9:00 pm in-person (w/hybrid option)

or Sun eves, 7:30-9:30 pm on ZOOM

Class begins: Sun Nov 10 // Thurs Nov 14, 2024

For registration & questions,

contact Rabbi Sue Oren at introclass@earthlink.net or 1.917.539.1334

This class is co-sponsored by: 

BROOKLYN

Brooklyn Heights Synagogue, B’ShERT: Beth Shalom v’Emeth Reform Temple, East Midwood Jewish Center, Flatbush Jewish Center, Kane Street Synagogue, 

Kolot Chayeinu/Voices of Our Lives, Park Slope Jewish Center, Temple Sholom of Flatbush

QUEENS

Malkhut: progressive Jewish spirituality in Queens, The Reform Temple of Forest Hills, West End Temple-Sinai Congregation

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.