Welcome to the
Reform Temple of Putnam Valley!
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, 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
Robin Bass, Board President
&
RTPV Safety & Security Committee
June 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/
The meeting will begin at 6:30 pm on Zoom.
At the Congregational Annual Meeting, temple members will vote on the nominating slate of temple board officers and trustees, and you will hear the annual reports from several temple committees. We will also confer the annual Lee Joffee Presidential Award for Leadership and Service to Reform Temple of Putnam Valley.
Please RSVP to rtpvinfo@gmail.com to let us know if you plan to attend in person.
Friday, June 5 – in-home Shabbat
Tuesday, June 9 at 7:30 pm – Torah Study with Rabbi Barbara Symons on Zoom.
Wednesday, June 10 at 6:30 pm- Dinner with Rabbi Barbara Symons, hosted by Marge Kaplan at a restaurant in Peekskill. RSVP to rtpvsafety@gmail.com for the location. All are welcome.
Friday, June 12 – Outdoor Shabbat Services at a nearby lake with Rabbi Barbara Symons at 6:30 pm. In-person only. Please bring a dessert to share at our Oneg Shabbat, a chair and other outdoor necessities such as a jacket and bug spray. Please RSVP to rtpvsafety@gmail.com. If you have not attended an RTPV event in the past six months, please register at:
Friday, June 19 – in-home Shabbat.
Tuesday, June 23 at 7:30 PM Jews and the News article discussion on Zoom with Rabbi Barbara Symons. Watch your email a week prior for the article and discussion questions.
Friday, June 26 – Shabbat festivities honoring Robin Bass as she completes her fifth and final year as RTPV president.
Join us for a potluck meat/vegetarian dinner at 6 pm (no dairy, please) followed by a Shabbat service at 7 pm led by Rabbi Barbara Symons with music by Laura Copel. There will be a potluck Oneg Shabbat following the service where congregants will have an opportunity to share their thoughts.
Donations in Robin’s honor can be made to the RTPV Music Fund, the security fund for required upgrades, the RTPV general fund (make Che is payable to RTPV) or the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund (make checks payable to RTPV RDF). Checks can be mailed to RTPV, Box 232 Putnam Valley NY 10579.
SAVE THE DATE –
On October 18-20, 2026, Temple Beth-El of City Island and the Reform Temple of Putnam Valley plus friends and family 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. Participants will walk away understanding why Jews, as people who have known oppression, must care and act when others are oppressed. 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. We encourage you to consider joining us with family, friends, neighbors and colleagues. Rabbi Symons will be sending out more details in the next several weeks, including itinerary, cost, etc. Our goal is to have a group of 20 people. Visit the Etgar 36 website for more information:(www.etgar.org)