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

 

 

 

October 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

Friday, October 2 – Sukkot continues. Simchat Torah service with Rabbi Symons and the RTPV choir- hybrid. Starts at 7 pm. Nina is our Oneg Shabbat sponsor. 

Sunday, October 4 – 10:00 am -11:00 am – Children’s Program with Rabbi Symons at the temple. In person only. Registration is required. No walk-ins. See flyer for all of the details. All are welcome. 

Tuesday, October 6 – 7:00 pm – Board of Trustees meeting.

Wednesday, October 7 – 6:00 – 8:00 pm – Mahjong at the temple.  RSVP is required. No walk-ins. Please email rtpvinfo@gmail.com. 

Thursday, October 8 – Sisterhood meeting on Zoom at 7:30 pm 

Sunday, October 11 – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Mahjong at the temple.  RSVP is required. No walk-ins. Please email rtpvinfo@gmail.com. 

Wednesday, October 14 –Torah Study from 7:30 – 8:30 pm with Rabbi Symons on Zoom. We will be studying The Tower of Babel: Genesis 11:1-9 found here: https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.11.9?lang=en&aliyot=0

Our question will be: what’s so wrong with people working together??

Wednesday, October 21 – 6:00 – 8:00 pm – Mahjong at the temple.  RSVP is required. No walk-ins. Please email rtpvinfo@gmail.com. 

 Sunday, October 25 – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Mahjong at the temple.  RSVP is required. Please email rtpvinfo@gmail.com. 

Tuesday, October 27 – 7:30 – 8:30 pm – Jews and the News article discussion on Zoom with Rabbi Symons 

Friday, October 30 – Shabbat Service at 7:00 pm with Rabbi Symons. Hybrid. The Oneg Shabbat is sponsored by Ken and Leslie.

 

Things of Interest:

Sunday, October 4 at Noon – New Middle Class Album Release Party at Daryl’s House. Join temple members Barbara and Mike Borok for an acoustic brunch and the release of their new album, Conspiracies. There is no cover charge. Daryl’s House is located at 130 Route 22 in Pawling, NY.  845-289-0185.

Here is a link to the preview for the new album, Conspiracies.  https://youtu.be/fd1P1L5lQ6U 

https://newmiddleclass.com/about-us

 

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.