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Dear RTFH Family,


I wanted to use this space to celebrate all the great things coming up. Shabbat Reshon/New Members Shabbat this Friday at 6:15pm. Opening of Religious School on Sunday. The High Holy Days in just a month.


But my heart is broken with the tragic news of the murder of 6 hostages by Hamas as the Israeli Army was closing in on rescuing them. They are our brothers and sisters. We join with the hundreds of thousands of Israeli people marching in the streets demanding the Israeli government to make a deal to bring the hostages home and end the war. We add Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino to our mourning hearts. In their memory, we must stand strong as a Jewish community. Hersh’s father somehow found the power to say at his son’s funeral, “Od lo adva tikvateinu. Our hope is not lost.” We use that hope to focus on peace, redemption, and togetherness.


Come together with your Jewish family at Shabbat and in our prayers to share hope with each other.


Od Lo Avda Tikvateinu,

Rabbi Mark

Cantor Emily

Thursday 9/5/24 Men's Study at 7:30pm
Friday 9/6/24 Shabbat Evening Services (Shabbat Reshon-New Members) at 6:15pm
Sunday 9/8/24 Religious School Opening Day at 9:00am
Sunday 9/8/24 Welcome Back Parents Association Breakfast at 9:15am
Wednesday 9/11/24 First Night of ToFHY at 6:10pm
Friday 9/13/24 Shabbat Evening Services at 7:00pm
Saturday 9/14/24 Temple Tots at 10:00am
Sunday 9/15/24 Women's Connection Rosh Hashanah Seder at 9:30am
Friday 9/20/24 Shabbat Evening Services (30th Anniversary Service) at 7:00pm
Sunday 9/22/24 Parents Association Challah Making at 12:00pm
Friday 9/27/24 Shabbat Evening Services at 7:00pm
Saturday 9/28/24 Selichot Study & Selichot Service at 7:00pm

Celebrate 30 Years of RTFH

Friday, September 20 at 7:00pm


30 years ago this fall, four Reform synagogues merged to form The Reform Temple of Forest Hills.


During 2024-2025, we will celebrate our three decades of community, commitment, and connection. We will also look forward to building the next thirty years of welcome, learning, social action, and spirituality in our vibrant congregation.


Join us on Friday, September 20th at 7:00pm for a 30th Anniversary Service. Through song, prayer, surprise guests, and a special oneg at this Shabbat service, we’ll honor our whole Temple family,


There will be 30th anniversary events all year long. Mark your calendar for some of the highlights by visiting rtfh.org/30th for updates throughout the year.


Happy 30th, RTFH!


Shabbat Reshon New Member Shabbat & Dinner

Friday, September 6th at 6:15pm


Come join our new members and the Junior Choir for Shabbat Services, food conversation, and fun times!


Service starts at 6:15 pm. A delicious Italian dinner and dessert to follow in the upper ballroom.


Members and Non-members

Adults: $20.00 each

Children 2-12: $15.00 each

Under 2: Free


Registration required by Thursday, September 5th at 5:00 pm.


Please Note: Cancellations cannot be refunded after Thursday, September 5th at 12:00pm.


PLEASE SIGN UP THROUGH THE LINK BELOW:

https://www.rtfh.org/shabbat-dinner/


We'll celebrate all September birthdays at this Friday's Shabbat service.

Come so we can help you celebrate!



We’ll invite anyone with a September birthday to join us up front for a special acknowledgment of August birthdays.

Join your Temple family to celebrate your special birthday month!


Yom Huledet Sameach!  יום הולדת שמח! Happy Birthday!

Join Us for the High Holy Days at The Reform Temple of Forest Hills


Click Here for all information on the High Holy Days at RTFH (tickets, schedule, Book of Remembrance, Children's Services, etc).


More info to come in the coming weeks!

Men’s Study Chat with Rabbi Kaiserman

Thursday, September 5 at 7:30pm

 

Take time to expand your social, cerebral, and soulful nature at Men’s Study. Join us at 7:30pm on September 5. Over Pizza, we’ll explore current events and the challenging world.


Men’s Study meets on the first Thursday of each month and is open to the congregational community.

Religious School Parents' Association Opening Breakfast

Sunday, September 8 at 9:30am


Enjoy some breakfast and meet fellow parents as we welcome families back to Religious School. PA members and Religious School faculty will be presenting important information for the academic year and available to answer questions

Join Us for Temple Tots this Year!


Temple Tots is a monthly interactive Shabbat for children 5 years & younger and their families. Join Cantor Emily, Rabbi Mark, and the Temple Tots team in creating meaningful Shabbatot and lifelong friendships. 


First Temple Tots is September 14th!


You can find out more here:

www.rtfh.org/engage/temple-tots

Women's Connection-Sephardic Rosh Hashanah Seder

Sunday, September 15 at 9:30am


This special seder, led by RTFH & WoCo member Trudy Turk, features unique songs and stories. "It's one of my most favorite things we do every year and the kids love it!" Together, we'll venture beyond apples and honey to explore the foods and traditions shared by Jews around the world as they celebrate the New Jewish Year! 


Trudy and her husband, Aaron Yavelberg, enjoy this annual meal with Aaron's aunt, Rahel Musleah, a Jewish educator, award-winning journalist, and author of several books including "Apples and Pomegranates". Rahel was born in Calcutta, India, and is the seventh generation of a Calcutta Jewish family that traces its roots to 17th-century Baghdad. 


A light vegetarian brunch will be served during our business meeting, followed by the seder. This event is open to RTFH members only, who also identify as women. Cost is free


RSVP by 9/12 Here: https://forms.gle/A41feJSY98v4XexD8

Shana Tova!


To celebrate the joy of connecting with each other, Women’s Connection invites you to participate in our Temple’s long-standing tradition of sending New Year’s cards to our Temple family. Every congregant, clergy and staff member, as well as the Religious School and custodial staff will receive a customized card with a warm Rosh Hashanah greeting.

 

For a donation of $18, we will list your name in the lovely, thoughtful card, to let our Temple family know that you are thinking of them during this upcoming holiday season.

 

Please register by September 11, 2024 to be sure that your name appears in the card. 

https://www.rtfh.org/new-year-s-card/

A Time for Reflection to Prepare for the High Holy Days


Selichot, Saturday September 28, 2024

Movie and Discussion at 7:00pm

Selichot Services at 10:00pm


Prepare our souls and hearts for the High Holy Days on Selichot.


At 7:00pm, join us to watch and discuss the short film The Last Repair Shop, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film in 2024. We will also view a couple comedic shorts including God starring Melissa McCarthy. Popcorn will be served!


At 10:00pm is our memorable Selichot service where we change the Torah mantles and have the first sounding of the Shofar.

This service will also be available on our livestream at rtfh.org/live.

Drop your donations in the Upper Lobby at Temple now until September 13th.

Sponsor a Shabbat Oneg for $54! Honor a loved one, mark a special occasion, or simply give a heartfelt gesture. We recognize all of our Oneg sponsors during Friday night services. Sign up using our fast and easy online form! Birthdays Anniversaries, and Graduations are popular occasions to honor with one of our Friday night Onegs.


For questions or other information, please contact: Jane Pinkett at janepinkett28@aol.com or Kathy Francos at kalafrancos@yahoo.com


Register here: https://www.rtfh.org/engage/oneg/

Join with our Social Action Team and Women’s Connection

 

DO SOMETHING!


Order your postcard writing kits today


Get Out the Vote! 

Postcard Kit Request Form

Order kits by 9/22 for Pennsylvania


Protect NYers Rights and Reproductive Freedom

NY ERA Postcard Kit Request Form

Order by 9/16


Protect and Expand Reproductive Freedom in Florida

FL Postcard Kit Request Form

Order now to mail ASAP


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

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

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. 

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 or use the link below.


Send Birthday Wishes

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!

 

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