Rabbi’s Message

President’s Message

A message from temple president, Robin Bass

Please mail your tax-deductible donation to:

Reform Temple of Putnam Valley

Box 232

Putnam Valley, NY 10579

Dear Congregants, friends and family,

In these perilous times, our safety committee has been working with safety organizations,
other congregations in our area and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department to develop
safety initiatives while remaining welcoming.

Some of the initiatives include;

• RSVP for all events. Contact rtpvsafety@gmail.com to rsvp.
•If you are new to the temple we request that you complete a registration form online in advance or at the door before entering. To fill out the form online, use this link: 

https://forms.gle/Pwajg8mQKCUxmCk88

Please be prepared to show photo ID at the door.

• We discourage walk-ins, but we understand that may happen occasionally. All
walk-ins must fill out the registration form with photo ID and be vetted by 2
members of the security team before entering the temple.
• An evacuation plan for fire or other dangerous events. Everyone should know where
all our exits are and be prepared to follow the directions of members of the safety
team to evacuate safely.

We hope that everyone understands that these extra security measures are in place to keep
everyone safe.

Sincerely,
Safety and Security Committee

There are two online projects that RTPV is doing in conjunction with Rabbi Symons other congregation at Temple Beth El in City Island, NY:

Etgar 36: Southeast Civil Rights Journey
Online Information Session: Wednesday, February 25 at 7:30 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3476466955#success

During this 3-day, 2-night trip, participants will learn about the struggles of African Americans to gain equality in the 1950s & 60s as well as discover how Jews were involved in the Civil Rights struggle. The journey can include Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham. Visits include the Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Museum and Memorial to the victims of lynching, Freedom Park, the site where Leo Frank was lynched, the Rosa Parks Museum, the Martin Luther King Center/Auburn Ave. district, Ebenezer Baptist Church, walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and the 16th Street Baptist Church. For more information about the trip: https://www.etgar.org/ Please reach out to family and friends who are welcome to join. Former RTPV Congregant Jackie Shayer took this trip several years ago and shared that it was extremely meaningful for her.

From Belief to Burial to Bequest: A Four Part Online Series
How do our rituals reflect Jewish beliefs? Why do people wash their hands upon returning from a cemetery? Is it “kosher” to donate organs? What about assisted suicide? What decisions can I make now regarding my funeral? Where can I and my non-Jewish family members be buried together? What are burial shrouds? Do I need a will? What is the difference between a will and a trust? How hard is it to change my will? How do I balance leaving assets for my loved ones and giving a legacy gift to an organization I care about?

These questions plus the questions you bring forward will be addressed in this series of four one-hour sessions. All sessions will begin at 7 PM. RTPV Congregants and guests are asked to register and make a $36 donation which will cover all four classes.  Once registered link will be sent via email.

Click here to register

Here is the online class schedule:

February 12: Jewish Beliefs and Rituals at End of Life
Rabbi Barbara Symons

February 19: What Does Judaism Say About Organ Donationand Other Timely Questions
Rabbi Joshua Rabin, Community and Public Affairs Liaison for LiveOnNY

February 26: Jewish Funeral and Burial Practices: Traditional, Green, Interfaith and More
George Farr, Funeral Director, Shalom Funeral Home, Bronx

Rev. Keely Rakushin Garfield
Director Spiritual Care and Palliative Care Chaplain at Phelps Hospital
How does palliative care compare and contrast with Hospice?

March 5: Wills, Estate Planning and Legacy Gifts: Why and How?
David Stark, Financial Advisor, Wells Fargo
Robert D. Howard, Esq., Romer Debbas LLP