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Welcome Nitzan Gavrieli!

We joyfully welcome Nitzan Gavrieli to the Reform Temple of Forest Hills as our new Temple Accompanist! 

 

Since his arrival in NYC in 2007 from Ramat Gan, Israel, Nitzan has established himself as an in-demand jazz pianist and recording artist on the NY jazz scene. His playing has been described as “melodically inventive” (Jam Magazine) and with a “flawless knack for melody and intuitive phrasing” (Rochester News). His

music builds on the traditional format of the jazz piano trio, while incorporating his  influences of classical and Middle Eastern music. Aside from leading his own trio, Nitzan is a sought-after sideman and collaborator who’s been involved in 

dozens of versatile projects over the years, including currently as Musical Director for the Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks. Nitzan has toured 

extensively across the US and Europe, and has played in some of the top venues 

and jazz festivals around the world, including Town Hall, Blue Note, Birdland, Smalls Jazz Club, Mezzrow, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The 55 Bar, The Deerhead Inn, The Sidedoor, Marians Jazz Room in Berne, Jazz Federation in Hamburg, Unterfahrt Jazz Club in Munich, Tel Aviv Jazz Festival, Jazz and Colors Festival, Red Sea Jazz Festival, Sudtirol Jazz Festival, Bern Jazz Festival, Rochester Jazz Festival, Yardbird Suite, and The Rex in Canada and many more.To find out more about him, you can check out his website here: https://www.nitzangavrieli.com/


Please be sure to stop by and say hello at services to welcome him here.

 

Looking forward to a year of making our prayers ever more beautiful,


Cantor Emily

And our prayers continue for Israel.  As the cycle of destruction intensifies, we continue to face the sad fact of destruction both from within and without our beloved holy land.  This week, the unthinkable: the storming of the Sde Teiman army base to protest the detention of reservists for questioning about suspected abuse of an arrested terrorist that left him unable to walk. According to Haaretz, “government representatives, ministers and MKs in suits and button-down shirts,(were) participating in the wild mob and encouraging it to storm an IDF army base.” Defense sources said this event and the storming of another army base reflect "the disintegration of Israeli society," as one put it. "This is more dangerous than Iran and Hezbollah put together".

 

For me, this is worse than January 6th.  This is a total collapse of respect for law and for the IDF, with government ministers openly participating.  The only defense that Israel had against the accusations of the International Court was that it could maintain standards of justice. That concept has been seriously undermined.


Israel needs our help.  There is nothing in Jewish law that supports heinous torture of captives, except possibly in the event of saving a life, which was obviously not the case here. In this awful time, we should not turn our faces away.  We must witness in love, and help, if we can.


L'Shalom,


Cantor Emily

Friday 8/2/24 Shabbat Evening Services at 7pm
Sunday 8/4/24 Mini Mitzvah Day
Friday 8/9/24 Twilight Shabbat Evening Services Outdoors at 6:15pm
Friday 8/16/24 Shabbat Evening Services at 7pm
Friday 8/23/24 Shabbat Evening Services at 7pm
Friday 8/30/24 Shabbat Evening Services at 7pm

Mini Mitzvah Day


Sunday, August 4


10:30 am - 2:30 pm

Women’s Connection and the Social Action Team invite you to the third annual Mini Mitzvah Day THIS Sunday, August 4.


Please register HERE TODAY so we'll have enough homemade food and dessert for everyone. All ages welcome! 


Tikkun Olam

Repairing and healing the world through mitzvot.


Activities include:


  • Get Out the Vote postcard writing party
  • Support Reproductive Rights postcard writing party
  • Birthday in a BoxHelping children in need celebrate their special day*
  • GotSneakers--Recycling athletic footwear for our planet
  • Days for Girls—Assembling sanitary supplies for girls in the US*
  • Elmhurst Hospital —Stuffing hearts to give cheer to pediatric patients
  • Warm Up America—Crocheting squares for blankets
  • Jem Life Church in Jamaica—Beading bracelets as gifts for girls
  • Eagles Up!—Card making to send to our troops
  • Seventh Day Adventist Church Food Bank—Sandwich making
  • The Shiloni Projectcollecting tzedakah for this Israeli grassroots organization



*Please see the Mini Mitzvah Day page on our new website to learn how you can donate items for these projects.


If you have questions, please contact Lois Silverman

at lois.h.silverman@gmail.com.  


To support Mini Mitzvah Day, please donate HERE.

Your contributions, large or small, are greatly appreciated. 


We are excited to share this event-filled day with you!

Shabbat Evening Service

Friday, August 2 at 7:00 p.m.


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


Please note that next Friday's (8/9) service will be held at 6:15 p.m.

Twilight Shabbat Outdoors Shabbat Service

Friday, August 9 at 6:15pm


Join us in the backyard of Temple for an outdoor Shabbat service on Friday, August 10 at 6:15pm. If weather is not permitting, we will move the services into the sanctuary.


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


Please note that this Friday's (8/2) service will be held at 7:00pm.

We're collecting for Mini Mitzvah Day!


Declutter your closets and donate

your old, gently worn, or new sneakers*

to help the earth...and RTFH!


Bring your pre-loved sneakers of ALL SIZES to the Temple's upper lobby through Mini Mitzvah Day, Sunday August 4th.


*Soccer, baseball, and golf cleats with rubber or plastic bottoms (not metal) are also accepted.


Any questions, please see these FAQ's or contact Scott Sheidlower at ssheidlower@york.cuny.edu.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE!


You're invited to a postcarding party at Mini Mitzvah Day on August 4th! We'll supply the postcards and stamps!


ORDER POSTCARDS FOR VOTERS IN COMMUNITIES

 IMPACTED BY BARRIERS TO VOTING


Join with members of our Social Action Team to participate in the Reform movement's Every Voice, Every Vote nonpartisan postcarding campaign to Get Out the Vote!


Postcard Kit Request Form


Texas: LAST DAY to order kits!

Georgia: order kits between 8/1 and 8/26

______________________________________


ORDER POSTCARDS TO ENCOURAGE VOTERS 

TO PROTECT AND EXPAND

REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM IN FLORIDA


Join with members of our Social Action Team and Women's Connection to educate voters about what is at stake for reproductive freedom in Florida. 



Reproductive Freedom Postcard Kit Request Form


See the Social Action Team's Current Initiatives page on RTFH's new website for complete details.


Please contact Social Action Team member Rabbi Irwin Goldenberg at irwingoldenberg2@gmail.com to let him know how many postcards you will be mailing and for any questions.

We're thrilled to have RTFH as our newest school base offering full time childcare education for children aged 2-5 years old.

NOW OPEN FOR SUMMER CAMP

For more information

please call 718-569-5902,

E-mail melvillemontessori@gmail.com

or click here www.melvillemontessori.com

Help Make the Jewish New Year Sweet for Everyone!


Make 2024 the sweetest year ever by purchasing a Rosh Hashanah gift of honey for you, your family, or friends!


Please note the following deadlines to ensure your gift will arrive in time for the holiday:


All purchases help our Women's Connection fund and support vital Temple programs throughout the year. 


Please see the Women's Connection Honey from the Heart page on our new website for more details and instructions.


Any questions, please email Chairperson Shelley Radbel at anniesarmada@gmail.com


With Sweetest Regards,

The Women's Connection Honey Team

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. 

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 in plastic hanging bins in the lobby of the temple near the coat room. There are also printable versions of the lists attached below.


Send Birthday Wishes


Birthday Connection-September


Torah Study on the Book of Judges -

Saturdays at 9am


Enrich your Jewish self with our Jewish story and text as we continue our fascinating, fun, and unpredictable study together online. Join any time. We are currently exploring the book of Judges. 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. 

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

 

Learn more at www.rtfh.org and 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!

 

·Tax benefit letters will be provided by the Temple Office after the end-of-the-year fully detailing your donations.