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Dear RTFH Family,
During the winter holiday season, caring for others is highlighted in between the ads for toys and gifts and Santa Claus. It is as if charity only becomes relevant when paired with the height of commercialism. Most religions have at their core the need to support those who are struggling all year long. The Tanakh declares this our responsibility dozens of times.
Even within the plot stories of Genesis, this remains a key theme. In this week’s portion, Vayeshev, Judah seemingly “forgets” about his duty to his widowed daughter-in-law Tamar. She resorts to trickery to force his hand. Similarly, in the Book of Ruth, both Naomi and Ruth are widows and rely on the expanded community for their support.
Rabbi Kari Tuling reflects, “We benefit when we include and affirm the marginalized in our midst. For example, both Naomi and Ruth are part of the lineage of King David. King David, in turn, is our link to the messianic age. By welcoming the stranger, we bring redemption closer. This is why Reform congregations strive to emphasize inclusiveness and belonging. It's not only a biblical imperative, it's the moral thing to do.”
Not just at the winter holidays but all year long.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Mark
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Celebrate with family and friends at our annual RTFH Chanukah Dinner, immediately following our 6:15 pm Shabbat Service.
*More details on our registration page.
This year’s menu includes:
Latke Bar with dairy and gluten free options (kosher-friendly)
Brisket with Gravy
Chicken
Chicken Fingers
Veggie Burgers
Grilled and Steamed Vegetables
Rice Pilaf
Sufganiyot and Donuts
Hot Chocolate
Register for the Chanukah Dinner
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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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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
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
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Celebrating December Birthdays!
This Friday night, we’ll celebrate all December birthdays at Shabbat services!
We’ll invite anyone with a December 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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Temple Tots
Saturday, December 21st at 10:00 am
Cantor Emily, Rabbi Mark and the Temple Tots Team invite you and your family to a fun and interactive Shabbat celebration for children 5 years & younger and their families.
We will celebrate Chanukah with story time, music, and crafts!
If you have not already registered, you can sign up here:
https://rtfh.org/worship/temple-tots/
If you are coming this Saturday, please fill out this very short form.
RSVP for Saturday, December 21
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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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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 coats, money, or both to the
36th Annual New York Cares Coat Drive!
3 DAYS LEFT! We are collecting clean coats in the Temple's upper lobby until December 20th.
Please also 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 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 1:30pm
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.
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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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