Enjoy a full Passover meal and an afikomen search!
Celebrate the Passover Story at an inspiring, engaging Seder led by Rabbi Mark Kaiserman and Cantor Emily Wigod Pincus. This event is open to the public.
Donate blood, and your life-saving gift can save up to three lives! Most everyone 16+ is eligible.
The drive is open to the public, so invite friends and family. Advanced registration is preferred, but walk-ins are welcome.
Movie Screening
TORN: The Israel-Palestine Poster War
Sunday, March 15
2 pm Doors Open
2:15 Movie Begins
Featuring artists, activists, students, rabbis, and hostage families, TORN captures the emotional fallout of the “KIDNAPPED” poster campaign – a grassroots act that became a flashpoint, igniting fierce confrontations between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian New Yorkers.
Screening includes a discussion with filmmaker Nim Shapira.
Bring your groggers and prepare for another creative and enthusiastic RTFH Megillah interpretation, featuring this year’s production of “Encanto! We Don’t Talk About Haman”. Afterward, head over to the ballroom for our Purim carnival for games, treats, and lots of Purim fun!
The Whole Megillah!
Monday, March 2
7 pm
Find inspiration and joy together from Esther and Mordecai’s story of dark times and personal bravery at our annual Purim Megillah reading.
Purim Bingo Night!
Saturday, February 28
6:30 – 7 pm Appetizers & drinks
7- 9:30 pm Games & prizes
RTFH Purim Bingo is back, and this year we’re gonna Be Kind and Rewind to the ’80s! Enjoy prize rounds valued at $100, a 50/50 drawing, and door prizes.
Some of our most favorite members and guests are aged 5 and under! Bring your little ones in to celebrate Purim together in this interactive session of Temple Tots. Learn More
Join in the warmth and unity of Purim! This year, Women’s Connection invites you to perform the mitzvah of shalach manot giving by making a donation. Half of your donation will go to the Commonpoint Queens food pantry, and half to the RTFH Building Fund.
The 20’s and 30’s group is celebrating the month of Adar, the month of joy, by sharing how to make their favorite cocktails and mocktails! The best drink will be voted on at the end of the night. Ages 21-39 only, please!
WoCo and Men’s Study enjoyed a fun study session featuring “Hair” throughout Jewish history, with Rabbi Mark Kaiserman. From Samson’s locks to modern-day Jewish curls, participants explored how hair impacted Jewish history, religion, and identity.
Family Friendly Seder
In February, we celebrated a New Year for the trees with fruit, wine, grape juice, and games during an interactive and intergenerational seder.
Charlie Shereff Memorial Music Fund
The RTFH Music Fund and Piano Fund have been renamed the Charlie Shereff Memorial Music Fund, in loving memory of our dear choir member, reflecting Charlie’s deep commitment to the Adult Choir and ensuring that his passion will continue to influence our temple community.
Be part of the new Men’s Group at RTFH for all adult men! To kick things off, we’re throwing a Games Night led by Temple member Barry Joseph, drawing from his new book, Matching Minds With Sondheim. Optional pizza dinner ($5 cash) will be served.
RTFH celebrated the sixth night of Chanukah with our family-friendly Chanukah Shabbat service, followed by a fun dinner night filled with brisket, latkes, hot chocolate, donut decorating…and of course, sufganiyot!
Community Menorah Lighting
Several RTFH groups and congregant families were honored to light our outdoor menorah throughout our Chanukah observances. We look forward to several fun and festive Chanukah celebrations throughout the week!
Enjoy some friendly competition with mahjong or bring a game to share. All are welcome!
Movie Screening
In November, we joined Director Daniel Solé and producers Adam Chitayat and Marlena Skrobe for a screening and discussion about their compelling short film, Say As I Say, which tackles the issue of Antisemitism and synagogues, and used our Temple as a filming location!
Forest Hills Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
In November, RTFH hosted this annual community gathering of neighbors and friends. A reception followed the service and attendees brought a non-perishable food item to donate to our neighbors in need.
A Festival of Lights
Each year, our Religious School community gathers to see our children shine as we celebrate the miracle of Chanukah through songs old and new, accompanied by our Adult and Junior Choirs.
Midnight Run
Our annual drive to donate, sort, and/or distribute food and supplies for the unhoused in Manhattan was an opportunity to build and give back to our community and tzedakah.
The first concert in Season Five of our elite Chamber Music Series highlighted the versatility of the string trio and the three distinct duo combinations it offers. Our season resumes again on:
In November, RTFH hosted an Israeli-style holiday Market with 40 talented artisans, crafters, jewelers, authors, and specialty sellers! Over 400 people attended this joyful community event of light, love, and shopping.
Enjoy some friendly competition with mahjong or bring a game to share. All are welcome!
Selichot
In September, we met to watch and discuss the powerful film noir, Crossfire (1947), one of the first movies to discuss antisemitism and nominated for 5 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Our special family-friendly services, which do not require tickets, were an enjoyable way for children to engage with Judaism during the High Holy Days. We celebrated Rosh Hashanah, performed Tashlich together at the park, and observed Yom Kippur with services that were accessible for young families.
RTFH Religious School is the place to be for every Jewish kid, from Pre-K through the 7th grade! We also offer classes for grades 8-12 on Wednesday evenings, including a Confirmation program.
Summer Mitzvah Day
In July, RTFH members celebrated the joy of doing mitzvot together.
Congregants were able to participate in many initiatives that positively impacted our local community.
Religious School
Year-End Picnic
In May, RTFH religious school students and families celebrated the end of our school year with a picnic at Cunningham Park, featuring grade-specific ceremonies, field games, and a BBQ lunch!
Each year, all RTFH members are welcome to cast their votes and receive updates on the many ongoing projects, plans, and committees in our thriving Temple community.
In June, our community gathered to watch this powerful film at RTFH, which explored the emergence of anti-Semitism on college campuses, social media, and on the streets since the October 7th attacks.
Torah Scribe Day
In May, we concluded our Torah scribing sessions. RTFH commissioned our very own Torah and ensured a strong, vibrant future for our Temple community.
30th Anniversary Concert
In April, RTFH celebrated with songs selections from musical theater; Yiddish, Sephardic and Mizrachi traditions; and contemporary choral repertoire; accompanied by Nitzan Gavrieli and our house musicians.
Vote for Reform Judaism!
We encourage all Jews to vote for a democratic and secure Israel and the rights of Reform Jews.
In March, we defied gravity and defined popular in this year’s pop culture RTFH Purim production of the Book of Esther, followed by our annual Purim Carnival.
The Whole Megillah!
During Purim, RTFH congregants found inspiration and joy together from Esther and Mordecai’s story of dark times and personal bravery at our annual Purim Megillah reading.
Purim Bingo Night
In March, we brought the RTFH ballroom back to the heyday of the 60s and 70s game show era, with fun night of games and prizes! Over 100 people attended this event.
Torah Scribe Day Two
With joy dozens of Temple families joined in celebration of Torah and RTFH’s 30th anniversary! Working with our scribe, each family group wrote a letter in our new Torah.
Torah Scribe Day One
Our inaugural Torah writing days produced some meaningful moments and incredible visuals.
RTFH welcomed guest speaker, Rabbi Leah Berkowitz, to share how the stories of our tradition enable us to connect with Judaism, with each other, and with ourselves.