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Dear RTFH Family,
Shabbat is a time to break from the stresses and anxieties of the week around us. Through song, prayer, community, and a nosh, we recharge our spiritual batteries to strengthen us for all the lies ahead.
Being at Shabbat doesn’t mean pretending the world around us doesn’t exist. Our values and essence remain at the heart of all we pray or do. Our prayers for peace extended to Israel, the Middle East, and Ukraine. Our prayers for healing are for friends and family and for our fractured world. Our prayers of memory are for our loved ones and for those who defend democracy and justice everywhere.
In the weeks of February and March, we will highlight Jewish values in our Shabbat services. Last Friday, we spoke about our connection as a wandering Jewish nation to immigrants and refugees today. This Friday, we’ll match this week’s Torah portion of Mishpatim to our support for reproductive freedom on Repro Shabbat. In the coming weeks, we’ll highlight the inclusion and empowerment of those who are disabled, our social action Shabbat, and Shabbats led by our Women’s Connection and ToFHY (our youth group).
Join us for Shabbats that speak to our internal batteries and the values we hold close in our Jewish souls.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Mark
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Sunday 2/16-Sunday 2/23/25-Religious School Closed for Winter Break
Friday 2/21/25-Shabbat Evening Services (Repro Shabbat) at 7:00 pm
Sunday 2/23/25-Forest Hills Chamber Music Series at 2:00 pm
Friday 2/28/25-Shabbat Evening Services (Helen Keller Shabbat of Inclusion & Empowerment)
Sunday 3/2/25-PA Monthly Meeting at 9:30 am
Sunday 3/2/25-Mitzvah Day 9:00am-4:00 pm
Tuesday 3/4/25-Women's Connection General Meeting-7:30 pm
Thursday 3/6/25-Men's Study Group at 7:30 pm
Friday 3/7/25-Shabbat Reshon (4th Grade) at 6:15 pm
Saturday 3/8/25-WoCo/PA Bingo Event
Sunday 3/9/25-2nd/3rd Grade Family Education at 9:30 am
Wednesday 3/12/25-Religious School in Person at 4:10 pm
Thursday 3/13/25-Purim Evening Service/Megillah Reading at 7:00 pm
Friday 3/14/25-Shabbat Evening Services (Social Action Shabbat) at 7:00pm
Saturday 3/15/25-Temple Tots (NEW DATE) at 10:00 am
Sunday 3/16/25-Religious School Purim Shpiel at 11:00 am
Sunday 3/16/25-Purim Carnival at 12:00 pm
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Shabbat Evening Services
Friday, February 21 at 7:00 pm
The RTFH congregation is invited to join Friday evening services in-person or via livestream at www.rtfh.org/live
This Friday, we’ll connect our Torah portion, Mishpatim, to the values of reproductive freedom at Repro Shabbat.
Services will also be streaming live at:
youtube.com/reformtempleofforesthill
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Add Your Name to Our Legacy: Be Part of the Torah Project
Haven’t joined yet? There’s still time to make your mark!
Make your gift today to be part of the March 23-24 Scribe visit! Help RTFH write our very own Torah and ensure a strong, vibrant future for our Temple community.
Add Your Name Now
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 1/31/25)
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Calling all adults for an over-the-top Purim Bingo experience! We’re taking the RTFH ballroom back to the heyday of the 60s and 70s game show era, complete with palm leaves and umbrella drinks. Costumes are encouraged, and each game ends in a thrilling prize! Rabbi Mark is on the mic as our Bingo Caller, and Jaime Kinyon is your party host. Don’t miss out on a night of fun, surprises, and plenty of laughs!
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER BY MARCH 1
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Sunday, March 2
9:00am - 4:00pm
Join us for a special day of helping our neighbors in need and the planet!
Live our shared values through hands-on acts of kindness.
Choose from a wide range of activities and impactful projects—and enjoy a delicious lunch with your Temple family!
Click HERE to register to volunteer and sign up for lunch by Thursday, February 27. Advanced registration is very helpful.
To further support our MD25 programs, please donate HERE. Your contributions, large or small, are greatly appreciated.
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Eyeglass Drive
Give the Gift of Sight
Bring your gently used eyeglasses to Temple, now through Mitzvah Day, and drop them in the collection box in the Upper Lobby marked “Eyeglass Donations.”
Please donate:
*All prescription glasses—weak and strong
*Nearsighted, farsighted, monovision or bifocal
*Sunglasses—prescription or non-prescription
*Over the counter “readers”
Please drop off the eyeglasses in a case, if available, or wrap the eyeglasses in bubble wrap, paper towel or tissue, and secure with tape or a rubber band to prevent scratching.
Any questions, please contact Social Action Team member Shari Lewis-Veltre at slewisveltre@gmail.com.
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Kick Start Your Spring Cleaning!
We're Collecting Gently Used Plastic and Wood Toys,
Electronics, and Children's Books
See here for suggested items you can donate and how to prepare them for drop off in the RTFH upper lobby on or before Mitzvah Day.
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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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