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Dear RTFH Family,
Who are we? In different places, we might highlight parts of our identity – our family, profession, background, hobbies, fandom, and so much more. But really, we are a mixture of everything at all times.
As Jews, we carry our history, community, and connection throughout our lives. When Jews are attacked because they are Jews, it rips our hearts. In the coming days and weeks, we have particular opportunities to stand proud as Jews in the world.
In response to the vicious murders of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim last week, the Reform and Conservative synagogues of Queens are gathering in solidarity tomorrow night, Thursday, May 29 at 7pm. Join with other Jews and our local leaders to gather strength. (Note: This is at the same time as our Congregation’s Annual Meeting. Please watch the annual meeting recording afterward if you attend the gathering).
This Friday at 7pm Shabbat services, we highlight our emerging Jewish leaders at
RTFH. We’ll celebrate our graduating 12th Graders and install our ToFHY Board. Then we celebrate our 10th Grade Confirmation Class on Sunday at 7pm Shavuot services.
Plan ahead for June 10 for our showing of the film October 8th as we explore the rise of antisemitism in America following the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas. Advance registration is a must.
We are each a complicated mixture of so many things. But we are always Jews. Let us gather together in solidarity, celebration, and community as we share our faith and pride.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Mark
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Shabbat Evening Services
Friday, May 30 at 7:00pm
We will celebrate our 12th Grade Graduates and the Installation of the ToFHY Board as part of our services.
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
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Mazel Tov to our Graduating 12th Graders
Jacob Alexander, Henry Drangel, Ziv Goldenberg,
Henry Reinhart, Solomon Schneider, and Alex Turner
Mazel Tov to our new ToFHY Board
President – CJ Cabonargi
Programming Vice-President – Liv Kingsley
Communications Vice-President – Nathaniel Pincus
Religious & Cultural Vice-President – Hannah Wolman
Membership & Engagement Vice-President – Zeke Siff
Social Action Vice-President – Ruby Macklin
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Please join us on May 29th for our Annual Meeting. We’ll hear reports from Temple leadership, vote on Board Members and Officers for the upcoming year, and receive updates on our building plans, finances, and the success of our Torah Project. There will also be time for you to ask questions of our Temple leadership and to share feedback.
The meeting will also be Livestreamed and you can join by clicking the link . You'll also be able to ask questions by placing your questions in the chat. If you are unable to attend the meeting in person please return the proxy that was mailed to you by Tuesday, May 27, 2025,
We'll start the evening with a brief reception at 7PM and the meeting will start at 7:30PM.
We look forward to seeing you on May 29th!
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Celebrate Confirmation at Shavuot Services
Sunday, June 1 at 7:00pm
Celebrate the giving of the 10 Commandments and celebrate with our 10th Grade Confirmation Class and their families. In-person and online.
Ash Joseph, Liv Kingsley, Olivia Lam, Aaron Levinson, Nathaniel Pincus, Zoe Shekhtman, Michael Solomon
Shavuot Morning and Yizkor
Monday, June 2 at 10:30am
Climb for the mountaintops on this essential, but overlooked Jewish holiday. We’ll visit Mount Sinai, the gathering place of every Jewish person, and reflect on the Ten Commandments and our Jewish journey in this morning festival service that includes Yizkor.
Join us in person or online
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Food Drive at June 6 Shabbat Reshon
As a part of this month’s Shabbat Reshon, RTFH 10th Graders Ash Joseph and Liv Kingsley will be running a food drive to help deal with food insecurity in NYC.
We are doing this as a final project for our RAC Teen Justice Fellowship, which allowed us to learn advocacy and communication skills. We would love to take these skills and use them to make a change in our community, so we decided that a food drive was the most effective way to do that.
Please bring canned and other non-perishable foods to this month’s Reshon to help make a difference in our community. Food will be collected at a table outside of the sanctuary and brought later to the Central Queens Y for donation. Thank you so much for your support and we hope to see you at services!
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Pride Shabbat
Friday, June 14 at 7:00 pm
With Special Guest JessAnn Smith
Our 9th annual Pride Shabbat is a gathering of the LGBTQ+ community, family, friends, allies, and everyone! Our special guest speaker is JessAnn Smith. JessAnn is part Thank You For Coming Out as an improviser and facilitator since 2015. She is very active in developing work that serves her Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities.
JessAnn also performs and teaches with the National Chorale and plays trombone in the Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps. As a Jew, as part of your family, friends, or everywhere in the world – stand up for LGBTQ+ rights and show your pride!
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Show Your Pride!
March with RTFH in the Queens Pride Parade on Sunday, June 1 at noon in Jackson Heights, Queens - 37th Avenue from 89th Street to 75th Street.
Wear your best pride and rainbow clothes as we show the world that LGBTQ+ people and issues matter! A great event for adults, teens, kids, families, friends, allies, and everyone.
Register today!
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Thursday 5/29 - Annual Meeting 7PM
Friday 5/30 - Shabbat Evening Services with 12th Grade Graduation and ToFHY Installation 7PM
Sunday 6/1 - Queens Pride Parade 12PM
Sunday 6/1 - Shavuot Evening and Confirmation Services 7PM
Monday 6/2 - Shavuot Morning and Yizkor Services 10:30AM
Friday 6/6 - Shabbat Reshon and Dinner 6:15PM
Tuesday 6/10 - Showing of film October 8th
Friday 6/13 - Pride Shabbat 7pm
Tuesday 6/17 - Adult Ed with Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg - Torah Through the Lens of Kabbalah - 7:30PM
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Welcome to Our
Spring Temple Tots Season!
Saturday, June 21, 10:00 am.
Join your friends! As usual, we’ll celebrate Shabbat together with song and story, movement, a craft, and snack.
If not already registered, you can register HERE.
We hope to see you there!
Cantor Emily, Rabbi Mark, and the Temple Tots Team
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King David Comes!
Torah Study has arrived at the fascinating stories for King David. This is the perfect time to join in! 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.
Study with us on Zoom:
https://zoom.us/j/703706086?pwd=empYdzZNVWU3cGtuQTRkVTU3d1huZz09
Phone Dial-in: 1-646-558-8656
Member ID: 703-706-086
Password: Numbers36
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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
Birthday Connection-June
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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 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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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
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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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