We Shine Brighter Together at RTR…

Combining over 110 years of Reform Judaism in Rockland County, Temple Beth El (Spring Valley) and Temple Beth Torah (Nyack) merged to create an even brighter entity, The Reform Temple of Rockland (RTR). Everyone comes together here – interfaith couples, LGBTQ families, the young and the not-so-young – to create our warm Jewish community. Our Worship is enriched with a love of music, filled with our gifted Cantor’s voice, our choir, and our Chai Life Rock Shabbat band. Toe tapping and hand clapping are encouraged! See for yourself why so many find our family-friendly Friday night services or educational programming so inspiring, or why our B’nei Mitzvah are just beginning their journeys, not ending them. Each of us is a Jewish light but together, we all shine brighter. Don’t wait for a holiday to drop by. Our caring clergy and congregation look forward to meeting you!

Israel Resources

From the Union For Reform Judaism / Reform Movement

Communities of Belonging Don’t Just Happen…URJ Camps are Putting in the Work

Communities of Belonging Don’t Just Happen…URJ Camps are Putting in the Work jemerman May 3, 2024

Summer Youth Experiences

Photo of four diverse people at 6 Points, holding up a frame with all four of their faces inside the frame

While camp is an oasis away from everyday life, it still exists in a world that has much work to do around harm prevention, particularly for Campers of Color, gender-diverse campers, campers with a variety of body sizes, and campers with disabilities.

Continuing Trauma, Ambiguous Commemoration, and Decisive Change: Israel’s National Days in 2024

Continuing Trauma, Ambiguous Commemoration, and Decisive Change: Israel’s National Days in 2024 jemerman April 25, 2024

Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut

Photo of four people's silhouettes holding hands up in the air; with the sun setting in front of them

When Yom HaZikaron arrives on the eve of May 11th - 219 days since the horrific events of October 7th - we expect to still be stuck in the limbo of this ongoing nightmare.

“We Were the Lucky Ones:” Bringing The Holocaust Out of History Books and Into Our Homes

“We Were the Lucky Ones:” Bringing The Holocaust Out of History Books and Into Our Homes jemerman April 25, 2024

Film

Photo from the Hulu series "We Were the Lucky Ones," starring Joey King and Logan Lerman

Since 1945, there have been over 440 Holocaust-related films and miniseries, and that's not counting documentaries. Hulu offers the latest, a new limited series, "We Were the Lucky Ones."

Harnessing the Power of our Mothers Around the Seder Table

Harnessing the Power of our Mothers Around the Seder Table jemerman April 17, 2024

Passover

Photo of a group of people standing in a circle

We have so much to learn from our mothers, past and present. Soon, we'll return to the story of Passover and to the narratives of three remarkable mothers whose determination, fearlessness, and love changed the course of biblical history.