Rabbi’s Message

President’s Message

Dear congregants, families and friends. 

Due to recent events, the RTPV security team, along with the Temple Board, has been working to enhance our safety protocols.

Many are categorizing the fact that no one was killed or seriously injured in the attack on the Reform Temple outside of Detroit as a miracle. While miraculous, it was also the result of the synagogue taking security seriously and implementing proactive protective measures.

At this time, there are currently no specific, credible threats directed at Jewish institutions in our region. However,  the overall security environment remains heightened. Attacks such as this one can serve as inspiration for copycat actors who mobilize quickly and without warning. As a result, institutions should remain vigilant and reinforce core protective measures.

As part of our enhanced safety procedures, we are:

• working closely with the Putnam Sheriff’s office and have now gotten connected to the NY State Police for extra protection
• tightening our entry protocols to mandate:            

               RSVP for all events 

     Pre-registration…there will be no registration at the door. 

     No walk-ins allowed at this time

• Be prepared to show ID at the door. Even regular members may be asked, as some of the security team are new to the temple and do not know everyone

We are working hard not to make this an onerous procedure and to remain welcoming to the stranger. We believe that putting security first will allow everyone who visits RTPV to feel safe and comfortable in our building.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

L’Shalom

RTPV Safety & Security Committee

 

 

November 2026 At a Glance

Registration for all of our events is required at rtpvsafety@gmail.com or if you are new to the temple, please complete this form: forms.gle/Pwajg8mQKCUxmCk88

Sunday, Nov. 1 – Children’s program from 10 am -11 am at RTPV – please contact Robin Bass at rbass.rtpv@gmail.com if you would like to register for a trial class or join the remainder of the sessions. 

Sunday Nov. 1 – Movie – Unorthodox Education at First Hebrew Congregation – at 10:30 am  Link to sign up: ShalomCloud

Unorthodox Education is a 60-minute documentary that exposes a shocking truth — that tens of thousands of Jewish schoolchildren graduate from ultra-Orthodox Brooklyn “yeshiva” high schools without knowing who George Washington was or that the Earth moves around the Sun

Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 11 am – Board of Trustees Meeting

Wednesday, Nov. 4 – Mahjong at RTPV 6 pm – 8 pm. RSVP to rtpvinfo@gmail.com 

Friday, Nov. 6 at 6 pm – Potluck Dinner & Shabbat Service with Rabbi Symons featuring the RTPV Choir. We will also be wishing Tia & Scott Levinson a fond farewell as they relocate to Michigan. Oneg hosted by Robin Bass 

Saturday, Nov. 7 – RTPV Movie Night – Join us for Dinner and a Movie at 6:30 pm. We will enjoy Bad Shabbos, a dark comedy starring Kyra Sedgwick and a talented and versatile ensemble cast. 

Sunday, Nov. 8 – Mahjong -11 am -1 pm RSVP to rtpvinfo@gmail.com 

Tuesday, Nov. 10 – Torah study with Rabbi Symons at 7:30 PM. For a Zoom Link please email RTPVinfo@gmail.com

Wednesday, Nov. 11 – Dinner with the Rabbi at 6 PM in Mohegan Lake, sponsored by Dan & Jil. This is a fundraiser. The restaurant is donating 20% of each dinner check to RTPV. Please attend and invite your friends! RSVP to Sussman444@optonline.net 

Friday, Nov. 13 – In home Shabbat

Wednesday, Nov. 18 – Mahjong – 6 pm-8 pm  RSVP to rtpvinfo@gmail.com 

Friday, Nov. 20 – Shabbat Service – at 7 pm. Oneg Shabbat hosted by Phil & Debbie 

Saturday, Nov. 21 – 4pm- Civil Rights and Wrongs: RTPV travelers will share stories of their recent journey to the southeast followed by southern snacks and Havdalah. In-person only.

Sunday, Nov. 22 – Mahjong -11am-1 pm  RSVP to rtpvinfo@gmail.com

Tuesday, Nov 24 – Jews and the News with Rabbi Symons– at 7:30 PM – for a Zoom link, please email RTPVinfo@gmail.com

Friday, Nov. 27 – In home Shabbat

 

Things of Interest:

Wednesday, October 7: Haftarah: Judaism’s Prophetic Voice – Wednesdays at 3:00 pm on Zoom, beginning October 7 with Rabbi Barbara AB Symons.

Explores the prophetic voices of our tradition, as well as modern voices that compel us to act. The haftarah is a weekly encore—a second sacred text that complements, challenges and expands upon the Torah portion or the holiday cycle. Chosen from amongst the books of the prophets, these selections offer a moral imperative and a sacred social critique. Some of them still stir us to this day, while others feel distant, inaccessible or unrelatable. In this weekly study group, we’ll explore the prophetic voices of our tradition, talk about what the haftarah was meant to do—and ask what voices today might stand beside Torah, demand to be heard, and compel us to act. 

Register at https://laasok.org/studygroups/ Friends of Rabbi Barbara receive a discount on the first month, bringing the cost down to $18. Use discount code RABBI.