May 27, 2016
Shabbat Shalom
"War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy
We are coming upon that " Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie" time of year, as the BBQ Season officially begins this Memorial Day Weekend. Monday's holiday is the time to honor our fallen soldiers.  From 1775 until today, we have lost over 1.3 Million soldiers in US fought wars.  Nearly 300,000 were from WWII alone and the next highest casualty count was during the Civil War when over 200,000 military deaths occurred.  Over 40,000 soldiers are MIAs (Missing in Action) and over 1.5 Million were wounded during their service.  We honor their sacrifices this Monday but what about the other 364 days of the year. We embarrassingly fall short of taking care of our Veterans after they are no longer in uniform. We must do more to help, especially, our wounded Vets and devise a plan suitable to all.  Bravo to Nancy Schlichting for taking on the difficult challenge of chairing the Veterans Commision of Care.

"Night" by Elie Wiesel
Last Saturday, 89 year old, Hermina Hirsch fulfilled her bucket list adventure of singing the National Anthem at a Tiger's game.  After suffering the torture of 5 Concentration Camps and losing her family in the process, for the past 60 years, she has enjoyed life and raised her family in Metro Detroit. Singing is her salvation and the National Anthem is her favorite song.  Here is her story: 

"The Nine" by Jeffrey Toobin
Shame on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas for being the only dissent when his 7 other companions reversed the death penalty sentence of an African American man due to a blatantly bias case where the jury was racially selected. 
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/24/us/supreme-court-black-jurors-death-penalty-georgia.html  This is a forewarning for us to vote for a president who will nominate respectable judges to all our federal courts especially SCOTUS. 

"Once Upon A Potty" by Alona Frankel
It could be coming to our great state of Michigan as the Republican State Senator from Escanaba this week, introduced a Bathroom Bill to our Lansing legislators. Thank goodness, our majority leader plans to place the Bill in a committee that most likely won't bring it to the floor, but we must be vigilant to prevent this type of discrimination.
Bravo to Maroon 5 for adding their voice by cancelling their NC concert in protest over their State's discriminatory legislation. And though, Dave Matthews chose to proceed with his Charlotte concert, he is donating a portion of the proceeds to fight the anti-Trans Law.  Most Americans polled feel legislation should not dictate which bathroom people choose to use.  Those who profess smaller government seem a bit hypocritical when instituting (so-called) moral judgements that increases governmental oversight. So, now 11 States are suing the Federal government to express their (bigoted) response to POTUS' directive to allow our nation's public school students to choose the bathroom that fits their gender. Someone need to invent a device so close minded people can step into the shoes of their "enemies" for just one day.

"1984" by George Orwell
In more governmental news, protection of Atheists, Ritual Slaughter and Circumcision will be added to the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 as increased attacks on these religious freedoms demand inclusion in the current RF Act. The House vote was unanimously in favor of this amendment as the legislation now moves to the Senate.  Many European countries are trying to ban these religious freedoms and we must not follow suit.

"My Promised Land" by Ari Shavit
Israeli politics have always been messy but recently the government, led by Bibi, has lost it grasp and formed a new coalition which leans the country to a very right tilt. He formed a bond with the conservative Nationalist Party of Yisrael Beytenu and Avigdor Lieberman will take over as Defense Minister next week as the first DM with little military experience.  He is a polarizing figure and his new position is troubling to many Israelis and supporters as it sets a new era for Israel. Frankly, we need a new name at the top, since the one that's been there for 10 years is unable to make the progress needed for our beloved country.

Name
Years in Service
2009 - Present
(2006-2009)
(2001-2006)
(1999-2001)
(1996-1999)
(1995-1996)
(1992-1995)
(1986-1992)
(1984-1986)
(1983-1984)
(1977-1983)
(1974-1977)
(1969-1974)
(1963-1969)
(1955-1963)
(1954-1955)
(1948-1954)

"The Case for Peace" by Alan Dershowitz
Both Israelis and Gazan civilians would like to seal up the ever increasing tunnels that Hamas is building to infiltrate and terrorize Israel.  Gazans know that they will be human shields when the tunnels are discovered and destroyed. Hamas sees this as a win/win to have the tunnels and get world sympathy, while, Gazans see it as a lose/lose since the tunnels will put their lives in danger and the cement should be used to build their homes.  http://www.thetower.org/3406-gazans-fear-being-used-as-human-shields-as-hamas-builds-tunnels-under-homes/  While  tunnels are being built in Gaza, their southern neighbors, Egypt (for the first time) have planted tiny hopeful seeds in their new textbooks to positively reflect and teach the Israel/Egypt Peace accord. 

This week's musical selection is a new creative video with breathtaking images directed by two talented Israeli geniuses. Check out Coldplay's Up&Up:

And closer to home (our daughter, Liat Lis) also with an Israeli connection (her father), just release her new Lake Toba album and website with her musical partner, Kyle McGonegle. Hope you enjoy their bluegrass and folk style.

Wishing you and your family a 
Sweet Shabbat Shalom
Lisa
Each week's message is now posted and backlogged here:
lisashabbatshalom.com

Condolences

Our community lost a patriarch this week when Joseph Orley passed away at the (kenahora*) age of 95. He and his wife, Suzanne Orley z"l, raised a loving and dedicated family, who are also leaders in our community.  Our love and thoughts are with their children, Allan and Joy Nachman, Larry and Melissa Lax, Gregg and Harriet Orley, Rob and Marcie Orley and their large and extended family.  Our love also goes out to Joe's brother, Graham (and Sally) Orley and their family and his sister Rhea (and Robert) Brody and their family.  May Joe's spirit continue to live on in his family and our community as his life was truly a blessing unto all. 

Sending love and prayers to dear friends, Rachel Bendit and Mark Bernstein and their family on the passing of Rachel's mother, Gail Bendit z"l.  May Gail's spirit and love bring comfort to those mourning her death and may she be a blessing unto her family and friends. 

Condolences to Tina, Alan and Hank Pinter and their family on the passing of beloved mother and grandmother, Sarah Pinter z"l. May Sarah's memories and love bring comfort to her family and friends and may she be a blessing unto her community.

Condolences to Beth Gotthelf and Steven Miesowicz and their family on the passing of Shirley Gothelf z"l.  My Shirley's love and spirit bring comfort to those who mourn her death and may her life continue to be a blessing. 

* Yiddish term meaning "without the evil eye" and is often said when someone lives a long life. 
 Happy Birthday!

May 27th
Marc Stanley 
 Robin Schwartz
Ben Goutkovitch
 
May 28th
Shari Finsilver
Tzachi Shani

May 29th
Rachel Portnoy
Peter Remington
Sam Laser
Steven Wiener
Ariella and Tzvi's 5th anniversary
 
May 30th
Ellie Glen
 
May 31st
Lisa Rosberg Leve
Bassie Shemtov
Dr. Irvin Kappy
Stephanie Curhan
Ken Bertin
 
June 1st
Wyatt Levin
 
June 2nd
Sue Folbe Curhan
Mike Binder
Blanche Mindlin

Remember these songs...
check out the new Baby Boomer version.

Bobby Darin - Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' A Flash
Herman's Hermits - Mrs. Brown, You've Got A Lovely Walker
Ringo Starr - I Get By With A Little Help From Depends
The Bee Gees - How Can You Mend A Broken Hip
Roberta Flack - The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face
Johnny Nash - I Can't See Clearly Now.
Paul Simon - Fifty Ways To Lose Your Liver
The Commodores - Once, Twice, Three Times To The Bathroom
Procol Harem - A Whiter Shade Of Hair
Leo Sayer - You Make Me Feel Like Napping
The Temptations - Papa's Got A Kidney Stone
Abba - Denture Queen
Tony Orlando - Knock 3 Times On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall
Helen Reddy - I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore
Leslie Gore - It's My Procedure, And I'll Cry If I Want To
Willie NelsonOn the Commode Again

Yes, I write every word of these messages...mistakes and all. 
 Please ignore the typing errors but if I missed your birthday 
or got the wrong date,  
please let me know.


Democrats 
Hillary Rodham Clinton: 2,305
Bernie Sanders: 1,539
2,383 delegates needed to win
921  delegates  up for grab

As the Democratic convention approaches, a committee has been formed to hammer out the Party Platform and Israel seems to be a contentious issue as Bernie reps are insistent on instituting demands and criticism of Israel. They say Hillary doesn't have a pulse on the party base. I say Bernie's reps have proven past anti-Israel sentiments and they don't represent the base. 

Democratic Convention
 Philadelphia, PA 
July 25th-28th, 2016 

Republican Nominee
Donald Trump

Apparently "presumptive" can now be removed, as The Donald has accumulated enough delegates to qualify him as the definite Republican Nominee.  Please keep in mind, he is still a Narcissistic Egotistical Two-Faced Conman who instigates Hate and could do serious damage to our county.  His motive for this presidential journey are purely self centered and must be stopped.  No matter how much you dislike Hillary, she is a qualified sane person.  Nobody can say the same for Trump (Drumpf, his ancestral name)

Republican Convention
Cleveland, OH
July 18-21, 2016

Michigan State Primary Election is
Tuesday Aug. 2, 2016
If you live in Bloomfield Township, please vote for 
Brian Kepes for Treasurer
(I will update you on more ballot issues 
as soon as they are available)

Presidential General Election is 
Tuesday 
November 8, 2016

June 8th  (Wednesday)
JCRC 2016 Activist Award
Honoring (well-deserving) Drs. Conrad and Lynda Giles
Adat Shalom Synagogue
7:00 pm
Guest Speaker: Dr. Mark M. Schlissel 
President, University of Michigan 
(248) 642-5393


June 10th (Friday)
Starfish Family Service
Great Hearts Gala
Eastern Market Shed 3, Detroit
Honoree: Mariam C. Noland and the Community Foundation for SE Michigan
(734) 728-3400

June 11th (Saturday)
American Cancer Society
Relay for LIfe
West Bloomfield High School
10:00am
Kinderfun65@aol.com
248-909-8742

June 12th (Sunday)
Michigan Democratic Party
Summer BBQ
Kensington Park, Milford
Orchard Place Pavilion
1:00-3:00pm
Contact Jill Farber-Bramson for more info:
jsfarber@yahoo.com
248-661-5529 or 248-595-1437

June 13th (Monday)
26th Annual Hank Greenberg Memorial Golf Invitational
Franklin Hills Country Club
Honoring Shawn Green, Tom Gage and Dr. Michael Lutz
(248) 592-9323

June 20th (Monday)
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
7:30 pm
Free Admission
Distinguished Scholar: Rabbi David Wolpe
Highly acclaimed Rabbi of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles
wren@shaareyzedek.org
248-357-5544

June 22 (Wednesday)
Jewish Historical Society of Michigan
First Nosh Gen event 
Belle Isle Aquarium
7:00-9:00pm
Enjoy Food, Drinks and interesting history of the stately structure that Albert Kahn built. 
wrbice@michjewishhistory.org
(248) 432-5517

June 23rd (Thursday)
JVS Strictly Business
MGM Grand Detroit
Keynote Speaker:  John Rakolta, Jr.
fvictor@jvsdet.org
(248) 233-4290

June 27th (Monday)
Take Back The State House
Fundraiser to help elect quality legislators in Michigan
Our House (address provided upon RSVP)
5:30 - 7:00pm
Please join us discussion with
House Dem Leader: Tim Greimel
Jewish Caucus Dems:
Jeremy Moss, Andy Schor and Robert Wittenberg
Our State Rep: Christine Greig 
For more info please contact Cortney Goddard 
cegoddar2@gmail.com or 517-243-8914

I'm happy to post events important to you, however I'm unable to include a website as too many websites increase the chance that these emails will not reach your inboxes.  If you want more info about an event, you can google the agency sponsoring it.