We welcome Yelena Goltsman of Qaravan, a New York City, community-based nonprofit organization of Eurasian LGBTQ+ people, women, and other people, as our guest speaker.
As a Jew, as part of your family, friends, or everywhere in the world – stand up for LGBTQ+ rights and show your pride!
March with RTFH in the Queens Pride Parade in Jackson Heights, Queens – 37th Avenue from 89th Street to 75th Street.
Wear your best pride and rainbow clothes (or buy an RTFH Pride t-shirt!) as we show the world that LGBTQ+ people and issues matter! A great event for adults, teens, kids, families, friends, allies, and everyone.
Our ToFHY Spring trip will be to the Crayola Experience and Hershey Park! Spaces for this event are limited, so please sign up your teen before May 10th. For more details about the trip, including itinerary and what is included, please contact the office.
All RTFH members were invited to meet RTFH’s newest Trustees and hear updates on issues affecting our congregation from Seth Diamond, President of the Board of Trustees.
The Reform Temple of Forest Hills (RTFH) welcomed Ari Evan and the Forest Hills Chamber Music Series! The series highlighted pieces written by Jewish composers paired with works of the same instrumentation, performed by world-class musicians. We are proud to share live, top-quality chamber music with the Queens community in our sanctuary.
In honor of Shavuot, RTFH 20s & 30s coordinated a cheese tasting in MacDonald Park with fun and obscure cheese flavorsand explored Shavuot rituals.
Shavuot and Confirmation Service
May
In May, we celebrated our newest confirmation class!
Women's Connection Meeting
May
RTFH Women celebrated Shavuot with a fun, educational, and interactive Shavuot Seder, celebrating the wheat harvest and the “first fruits” (Bikkurim) in ancient Israel.
Concert and Havdalah
May
For the cantorial concert this year, RTFH hosted composer, multi-instrumentalist, and prayer leader, Elana Arian, one of the most influential voices in contemporary Jewish music! Elana’s music is an important part of Jewish life across the globe, and we sing many of her songs in services, such as I Have A Voice.
Spring 2026
April
Cantor Emily, Rabbi Mark and the Temple Tots Team met with our favorite group of little ones for story time, music, and crafts, observing Shabbat with songs and joy. !
RTFH’s 20s & 30s group explored Torah that your Hebrew School teacher probably left out of the curriculum. This event was open to both RTFH members and community members in their 20s & 30s.
Annual Community Seder
April
Our annual Passover meal and an afikomen search was a big success with almost 180 guests in attendance!
Together, we celebrated the Passover Story at an inspiring, engaging Seder led by Rabbi Mark Kaiserman and Cantor Emily Wigod Pincus.
Mitzvah Day
We thank everyone who joined us for an uplifting day of kindness and community.
We participated in hands-on activities and meaningful projects to help our neighbors in need and the planet.
Volunteers also enjoyed a delicious lunch with the Temple family.
NY Blood Center Drive
Mitzvah Day
During our annual day of kindness and community giving, RTFH congregants and friends donated blood to save lives.
The drive was open to the public, friends, and family.
Movie Screening
March
RTFH invited the community to a screening of TORN: The Israel-Palestine Poster War, that included a discussion with filmmaker Nim Shapira.
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.
Encanto Purim and Carnival
March
RTFH Religious School enjoyed another creative and enthusiastic RTFH Megillah interpretation, featuring this year’s production of “Encanto! We Don’t Talk About Haman”. Afterward, we headed over to the ballroom for our Purim carnival for games, treats, and lots of Purim fun!
The Whole Megillah!
March
Congregants found inspiration and joy together in Esther and Mordecai’s story of dark times and personal bravery at our annual Purim Megillah reading.
Purim Bingo Night!
February
We celebrated Purim together with a nostalgic 80’s bingo party! We enjoyed appetizers, drinks, prize rounds valued at $100, a 50/50 drawing, and door prizes.
Temple Tots Purim
February
Some of our favorite members and guests are aged 5 and under! Our little ones celebrated Purim together in this interactive session of Temple Tots.
Congregants joined in the warmth and unity of Purim by performing the mitzvah of shalach manot giving with donations to the Commonpoint Queens food pantry and the RTFH Building Fund.
20's & 30's Night
February
The 20’s and 30’s group celebrated the month of Adar, the month of joy, by sharing how to make their favorite cocktails and mocktails! The best drink was voted on at the end of the night.
WoCo and Men's Study Session
February
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
February
RTFH 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
January
The RTFH Music Fund and Piano Fund were 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.
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
December
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!
A Festival of Lights
December
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.
Movie Screening
November
RTFH welcomed 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
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.
Chanukah Shuk
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.
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.
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.
Members enjoyed some friendly competition with mahjong or brought a game to share. All are welcome!
Selichot
September
RTFH members 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.
Children's Services
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.