 
B'ruchim Habayim to Riverdale Temple
Riverdale Temple is located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. It is the oldest and the only congregation in the community affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. Our members come from the New York City area and lower Westchester. At Riverdale Temple everyone is welcome to participate in temple life, no matter what their approach to Judaism or degree of
Jewish literacy. The temple is founded on the principles of faith, mitzvot and tikkun olam "and the study of Torah leads to them all." Riverdale Temple offers commmunal support for your laughter and tears. We are an inclusive, welcoming community of Jewish and interfaith families, young and old, married and single. We are also welcoming to all lifestyle choices.
Come and join us in our beautiful sanctuary which sets a peaceful, meditative tone for worship. We have a rich, diverse and evolving musical tradition that embraces different styles. We are egalitarian in our approach to leadership and worship. Children are welcome at all services. Most of all, we are a caring congregation, small and intimate yet not intrusive.
COME GROW WITH US! NOW MORE THAN EVER!
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YOU CAN NOW MAKE MEMBERSHIP AND DONATION PAYMENTS TO RIVERDALE TEMPLE.
You may also pay for T'hillat Shabbat Dinner, or any program which requires payment.
ON THIS WEB SITE, USING A SECURE SITE. click on the red pay now link.
Pay Now
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Last night four men were arrested and are accused of planting what they thought were explosives in front of our synagogue, Riverdale Temple, and at our neighbor the Riverdale Jewish Center.
We want to assure everyone who attends services, classes and events here at Riverdale Temple that at no time was anyone or anything at temple in any kind of danger. Those of us who were in the sanctuary preparing for the Adult B’nai Mitzvah ceremony next Saturday, May 30th at about the time that the arrests took place, were completely unaware of anything out of the ordinary until we left the sanctuary and found two plainclothes police officers waiting for us in the lobby. The officers assured us that it was a routine stakeout and that they were there as a precaution for our safety. Those who remained in the building for adult education were equally unaware of any unusual activity. It was only when we exited the parking lot at about 9:15 that we became aware of massive police presence. We learned that the cause was a threat to Riverdale Temple from the news media as we drove home.
No one at the temple, administration, clergy or trustees, had been informed of this event prior to its occurrence, but we want to thank the F.B.I., the New York City Police Department including our local precinct, and other authorities for taking great precautions to insure our safety in ways now known, and some still unknown to us. We are very grateful for their attentiveness.
The most important response we can offer is to continue to fulfill our spiritual mission with as much devotion as ever. Please join us here at Riverdale Temple for Sabbath worship tomorrow evening at 7:30. We will be celebrating the conversion to Judaism of two devoted and involved members of our community. When I asked them, this morning, if they were really sure they still wanted to bind their fate to the fate of the Jewish people, after what they witnessed in the neighborhood last evening, they responded, "even more so than ever." Let us take our inspiration from that sentiment. It is even more important than ever for us to share together as a community.
Riverdale Temple has been receiving an outpouring of supportive telephone calls and e-mails. As the only Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) affiliated congregation in the Bronx, our regional director called us with the support and offers of assistance from the URJ and our fellow Reform congregations. We are thankful to everyone for standing with the entire Jewish Community of Riverdale at this time.
Rabbi Judith Lewis
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GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES MONETARY GRANTS FOR SECURITY TO TWO RIVERDALE SYNAGOGUES TARGETED IN TERRORIST PLOT
Each Synagogue Will Receive $25,000 to Upgrade Existing Security Systems
Governor Sends Letter to Congress Requesting Additional Homeland Security Funding For Other Not-for-Profits Including Synagogues
In a news conference, Sunday May 31, Governor David A. Paterson announced that Riverdale Temple and Riverdale Jewish Center will each receive a $25,000 grant to upgrade their security systems. The New York State Office of Homeland Security (OHS) will work with these synagogues to craft and submit a security plan to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In addition, Governor Paterson sent a letter to Congress, requesting an increase in homeland security funding for not-for-profits, including synagogues.
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Me'ah is a two-year intensive adult Jewish learning program of Hebrew College and Combined Jewish Philanthropies' Commission on Jewish Continuity & Education.
If you're like many American Jews, you probably ended your Jewish education shortly after turning 13. Whether you attended Hebrew school or day school, loved it or hated it, you've since lost touch with Jewish learning. You may not have had any formal Jewish education at all. But as you've matured and enjoyed personal and professional achievements, questions about your Jewish identity have surfaced: Who am I? What is my history? How did the Jewish religion and culture develop—and what does it mean to me? Me'ah answers these questions with substance, from multiple perspectives, enabling you to find your place in the continuum of Jewish life.
You'll be immersed in reading core Jewish texts, grappling with concepts representing the historical, cultural and political movements from four eras—biblical, rabbinic, medieval and modern. For approximately 100 hours of class time (Me'ah means "100" in Hebrew) over a two-year period, you'll have a chance to read, think and open your mind to new ideas.
An invigorating journey, Me'ah offers not only an opportunity to grow as a literate student of Jewish life but also a powerful means to join a growing community of learners—bringing knowledge and insight into your personal life and community as you build your understanding of what Jewish texts and ideas meant historically and what they mean for Jews today.
For further information click here
Application to participate in this course may be found on the bottom right of this page
including application for tuition aid and credit card form.
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Invited Speakers, former members and random visitors. To see who has visited Riverdale Temple click here
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In addition to using Amazon through this web site, to raise money for the temple,
you can SHOP online at your favorite stores and make money for Riverdale Temple by registering at www.iGive.com. After registering, whenever you shop at a participating on-line business, a box will pop up telling you what percentage of your purchase will be donated to Riverdale Temple.
There are now almost 700 businesses listed in this program.
Remember, you, your family and your friends can all be Riverdale Temple supporters while making convenient online purchases.
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summer camp opportunity click here
To view photo highlights of past
Temple activities, click here
Adult Education offering:
A taste of ME-AH
Exploring the Passover Ritual from Biblical
Times to the Present.
Hebrew College, in conjunction with four local
congregations Congregation Tehillah, the
Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of
Riverdale, the Sachar Minyan, and
Riverdale Temple is offering a special four‐part
series of adult education classes in Riverdale.
For Further information see study
Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah
A course leading to a Bar/Bat Mitzvah Celebration.
Class meeting has ended for this semester.
Will start again in the fall. October 29
7:00pm -8:00 pm
for more details see Study
Study with the Rabbi series ongoing
from 11:00 until noon. For details see Study
Hebrew blessings and Prayers course designed
to give congregants familiarity and fluency in reading and
speaking the Hebrew prayers that are used in our
services. Instructor Rachel Radna Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
starting October 28. Course is free and open to members
only.
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First Thursdays with Rabbi Judith Lewis
dates tba
11 a.m. to noon
Join Rabbi Judith S. Lewis in an informal
discussion of jewish history, current events
and anything you want to know.
Third Thursdays with Sam Lehrer:
Jewish Survival Strategies
Date To be announced
11 a.m. to noon
Join congregant Sam Lehrer in examining and studying five strategies that Jews have used from biblical times to the present, to survive, develop their institutions and contribute to civilization. All
classes are open to the community at large. |
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Adult Ed./Community Outreach
 Learn the Torah Blessing click here
and then click on the wave file or mp3
Learn the Blessings for Shabbat
COME MAKE RIVERDALE TEMPLE
YOUR SPIRITUAL HOME
ON THE CALENDAR
KRMH Food and Hunger Packing Dates:
May 17 and June 28
July
 *Charity Knitting for Warm Up America
as an ongoing Mitzvah Project. We will also be knitting
Preemie and Chemo Caps to be donated to local
Hospitals. We are back to meeting on the second
Tuesday of the month.
We will meet again July 14 in west lounge.
Come and join us for this social and very rewarding
activity, all you need bring is size 8,9,11 or 13 needles.
Our numbers are growing Come Knit With Us!
A wonderful way to make new friends, build bridges
in our community and participate in the mitzvah of
Gemilut Chasadim (act of love and kindness).
A SPECIAL THANKS TO CAMILLA ROGER FOR A
VERY GENEROUS DONATION OF YARN
* Tot Shabbat
Will start again in the fall
date tba
* Wine, Cheese and Karaoke
Saturday July 18
in the social hall 7:30 pm
BYOB The Temple will provide the snacks.
Come have fun with your friends.
This activity is open to the
community because
we are always looking to make
new friends! $10.00 cover charge
Riverdale Temple joins other
congregations in changing
our lightbulbs to CFLS.
* Kabbalat Shabbat
This service will
return in the fall
date TBA
We are doing our part for the
 environment!
Wear your Riverdale Temple T-Shirt
on Mitzvah day! Shirts may be bought from WRJ Judaica shop
* These activities are open
to the community call
temple for detail.
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Date and time to be announced
We will be showing the Israeli
movie to be announced
There is no charge for the movie,
but there is a suggested donation
to the temple, of $5.00 so that we
can continue to show movies for
your enjoyment.
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Looking for a Recital Hall? A place to have a party?
Have your next Simcha or Meeting in our beautiful Social Hall.
(see other photos of our Social Hall, decorated for a party, in our picture gallery)
Call the Temple office for information
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Please Note!!!
New Service
"T'hillat Shabbat at Riverdale Temple"
Next Tehillat Shabbat service will
be held TBA at 7:30 p.m.
The service will also include Birthday Blessings
for all ages. for further information click here
Shabbat Worship
Fridays
July 3 7:00 p.m. Shabbat service
Parashat Chukkat-Balak
July 10 7:00 p.m. Shabbat Service
Parashat Pinchas
July 17 7:00 p.m. Shabbat service
Parashat Mattote-Masei
July 24 7:00 p.m. Shabbat service
Parashat
July 31 7:00 p.m. Shabbat Service
Parashat Va-Etchannan
Saturdays July & August
note change is service time
10:00 a.m. Shabbat morning service
and dialogue on the sidra
The Community is welcome at all
our Services.
Please note! Summer worship hours
starting in July:
Friday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m.
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Our professional quartet will
participate in our shabbat
services on TBA
Please contact Cantor Leslie Friedlander
if you would like to underwrite the professional quartet
at one of our services (718-548-3800, ext. 5).
No one is turned away because
of inability to pay!
call the Temple at (718) 548-3800
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Support our Temple!
Visit our Gift Shop for great
gift ideas.
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