Dear RTFH Family,


“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”


Helen Keller’s words inspire us and speak to our world today. This weekend, we have opportunities to live out her inspiration.


On Friday night, we hold the annual Helen Keller Shabbat of Inclusion and Empowerment. As many of you know, RTFH is built on the site of Helen Keller's home (pictured above along with a photo of Helen Keller in her home) at 93 Seminole Avenue.


Our member, Karen Eisenstadt, will speak about the power and blessing of guide dogs. You’ve likely seen Karen and Julep at Temple. She’ll share her personal story with us.


On Sunday, our annual Mitzvah Day creates opportunities for all ages to make a difference. Rabbi Tarfon taught us that it is not our duty to complete the work, but we must get started somewhere. Join us any time from 9am-4pm for activities and programs for all ages. Learn more at our website.


Make a difference this weekend at RTFH,

Rabbi Mark

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 at 6:30 pm
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
Friday 3/21/25-ToFHY Shabbat at 7:00 pm
Friday 3/21-3/22/25-ToFHY Shul-In #2
Sunday 3/23-Monday 3/24/25-Torah Scribe Days


Sunday, March 2


9:00am - 4:00pm


Register to volunteer and for lunch TODAY!  
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.
What will you do to bring Torah to life?
Choose from a wide range of impactful activities—and enjoy a delicious community lunch!

Check out the full schedule for the day, including Religious School programming and all the activities for adults, teens, and families.


Our opening program, "The Mitzvah of Organ Donation," presented by Rabbi Joshua Rabin of LiveOnNY, will be available by livestream and YouTube.


To further support our MD25 programs, please donate. Your contributions, large or small, are greatly appreciated.


Interested in getting involved with the Social Action Team? Contact Jerry Strauss at strauss.jerry@gmail.com.


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.

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.

Opportunities to learn about and give tzedakah to two impactful organizations:



The Seeing Eye®



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)

Shabbat Evening Services-Helen Keller Shabbat of Inclusion & Empowerment

Friday, February 28 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


Celebrating February Birthdays!


This Friday night, we’ll celebrate all February birthdays at Shabbat services!


We’ll invite anyone with a February 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!


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

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. 


Meditation Sit with Cantor Pincus

Fridays at 1:30 pm


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 e-blast 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


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.


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.