Shabbat Shalom
November 17, 2017
Day of Thanks
Did you know that Thanksgiving is the reason for the introduction (in 1953) of the Frozen TV Dinners which was an innovative way to repackage Swanson's mistake of their overabundance (by 26 tons) of unsold post Thanksgiving Turkey.  More holiday fun facts?...Bellying up to a Beer Bar hits records the night before Thanksgiving and plumbers are requested for a record number of jobs the day after Turkey meal prep is over. Whether you're a Beer Guzzler or Plumber, I hope you enjoy our upcoming Day of Thanks and that it includes your favorite people, places and foods. Though, one pet peeve of mine is how Black Friday seems to creep in reverse to interfere with Thanksgiving Thursday.  Is shopping so important it needs to trump the actual holiday?  Corporations should respect their workers and allow them to enjoy (as best they can) family time rather than clocking in for extra corporate revenues.  There is plenty of shopping time on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday to complete your holiday giving list.  And of course, please don't forget to open your hearts for Giving Tuesdayhttps://www.givingtuesday.org/


Jump on Board 
While on the idea of giving, it's time to give your body the insurance it needs for a healthy life as open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is now active but only until Dec. 15.  Trump continues to sabotage the ACA as he cut this year's enrollment period in half and severely reduced marketing for this lifesaving program. But so far the enrollment numbers have jumped dramatically from last year. The concern is that those who are more in need of health insurance tend to sign up early and those healthier citizens, who are needed to stabilize the cost efficiency of the system, tend to sign up later.  It is important for the younger healthier buyers to jump on board sooner rather than waiting till the last minute when it might be harder to enroll because of less staff.  But now it seems our Republican-led Senate has decided to amend their Tax Reform Bill (for a December vote) with the removal of the tax induced mandatory requirement to purchase health insurance which will further weaken the ACA even more. But bravo to two Repub Senators (Johnson of Wisconsin and Collins of Maine) who both object to the current Senate Tax Bill.  I hope more Repubs will see the long term affects of much higher Insurance premiums if the mandate is eliminated. 3 Repubs are needed to squish this tax bill.

Never Again
An apple a day will not cure us from the growing nationalistic, xenophobic movement permeating our global communities.  Last weekend, 60,000 Polish Nationalist marched in the streets of Warsaw during their Independence Day celebration. "Whites Only" signs were visible through the red smoke bombs that created an irie environment for the marchers. Heard and seen at the March were messages like "Remove Jewry from Power" and "Pray for Muslim Holocaust".  This far right view is prevalent all over Europe as this article details: http://wapo.st/2j0pzjQ  Half of the 6 Million Jewish victims of the Holocaust were Polish so this week's Warsaw demonstration brings back horrors of the past.  We must continue to prevent genocide and never allow this evil hatred to gain power.  Bravo to Sheldon Cohn and his team for producing this video that reminds us of the lives lost during the Nazi reign and how their stories must be shared via Dor L'Dor (generation to generation). 

Warsaw Demonstration 11/11/17

Double Standard
From generation to generation, Jews have endured obstacles, opposition and oppression, but always continued to survive, succeed, progress and prosper despite our constant bias attacks. The BDS (Boycott, Divest and Sanction) movement against Israel is meant to cloud the true image of the Jewish State with falsehoods. They say Israel's treatment of Palestinians is racist even though the exact opposite is true with Muslims in every field of Israeli society.  Not to mention, no one seemed to boycott Egypt when Gaza was under their flag and Jordan was never criticized when they controlled the West Bank. Facts and history are irrelevant for the University of Michigan's Central Student Government who this week approved the proposal (which failed in 10 previous vote) to boycott 3 companies which cooperate with Israel.  The CSG will now request that the Regents convene an ad hoc committee to investigate the proposal.  The University has only boycotted twice in its history; against Apartheid and Tobacco. 
How about a boycott of the Palestinian Authority until they stop paying Terrorist and their families for murdering Jews.  Our congress is in the process of instituting the Taylor Force Act which will hopefully halt the payment incentives for encourage terrorism.  
http://thehill.com/opinion/international/360477-passing-the-taylor-force-act-will-mark-a-vital-step-in-the-war-on And even with countries who threaten to wipe her from the map, Israel still offers humanitarian earthquack relief, but of course, Iran refused the help.



Marry an Israeli
As you enjoy your family Turkey Day, Hannan and I will be in Israel to  help celebrate the wedding of  Jessica Curhan  and  Itzik Lulu Shamriz .  As someone who married an Israeli and whose daughter did the same, I can say with experience, Jessica has made a wise choice with her new husband.  Wishing the newlyweds a life filled with health, happiness, peace and prosperity. And wishing the new Mother/Father-in-laws (dear friends, Sue and Mike), the enjoyment of a bonus son. 

The Real James
This week's musical selection is one James' tribute to another namesake.  Did you know that JT wrote Sweet Baby James, not for his nephew as his claims at all his concerts, but for Jimmy Kimmel who turned 50 this week :-).  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeZUTXzX6M8

Good Bye, Ben
November 19th is Ben Platt's last performance as Evan Hansen.
Here is an A Capella version (by The Vocal Company) of one of the wonderful songs from his show:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr35uQjBxTY   Wishing Ben all the best and much thanks for bringing so much heart to his amazing performance.

Wishing you and your family a 
Peaceful and Sweet Shabbat Shalom. 

Lisa
lisashabbatshalom.com

Condolences to this week's mass gun murder victims in California which included 5 fatalities and 10 injuries (7 were children).  All the words and opinions about access to guns have been exhausted due to the constant gun barrage.  New and progressive common sense thinking legislators are needed to stop these senseless recurrences.  

Mazel Tov to Notorious RBG (Ruth Bader Ginsburg) on the first presented Lifetime Achievement award and Natalie Portman on the 5th year recipient of the Genesis Foundation which is dubbed the Jewish Nobel Prize.  http://forward.com/fast-forward/387661/ruth-bader-ginsburg-gets-lifetime-achievement-award-from-major-jewish-group/

BS to the Trump Administration (for many things, including) for reversing Obama's ban on importing Elephant Trophies (which are a fancy way of say their tusks and other parts).  His sons are Big Time, Big Animal hunters.   http://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-admin-reverse-ban-elephant-trophies-africa/story?id=51178663

Bravo to the Israeli - Iraqi friendship between their two respective and lovely representatives:  https://nypost.com/2017/11/15/miss-israel-and-miss-iraq-snap-a-selfie-for-world-peace/
Though Miss Iraq endure hateful comments to her post, she bravely kept in online.

Shame on Senatorial Candidate Judge  Roy Moore for racking up numerous sex abuse allegation from former teenagers and for continuing his effort to represent Alabama with his gunslinging style and hypocritical Ten Commandment displaying courthouse requirement.


Nov. 17
Andrew Stein 
Mark Lipton
Debbie Rogers Siegel Chonoles
Jodee Fishman-Raines
Sue Marx
Jeff Barker
Bill Berman z"l would have been 100

Nov. 18
Noah Tepperman
Carole Caplan
Shari Rogers (Chicago)

Nov. 19
James Philip Norville 
Renee Dorn Ruiz 
Mara Moss
Marty Rosenthal

Nov. 20
Jolie Schiller Altman 
Justin Jacob
Elyse Madgy Friedman

Nov. 21
Francee Ford
Sari Shapiro Cicurel
Lisa Katzman
Nancy Schlichting

Nov. 22
Caryn Satovsky Siegel
Keith Lewis
Tali Shani

Nov. 23
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
Marc Schechter
Marty Maddin
Robbie Franklin Sherman

I'm prone to mistakes, so if I missed your birthday 
or got the wrong date, please let me know.



Please Help
I am a certified circulator for a Michigan petition to place a proposal on our 2018 Ballot to amend our constitution to establish an  Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission to End Gerrymandering.  Petitions can only be signed in person and this issue is vital to rightsize our voting districts. If you'd like to sign it, please reply back to this email.

November 17 (Friday)
Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation
5th Annual "Puttin on the Ritz"
Honoring: Congressman Sandy Levin
Villa Penna in Sterling Heights
6:00-11:00pm

November 20 (Monday)
MIBB Educational Foundation Ambassador Awards Dinner
Knollwood Country Club
5050 W. Maple Rd.
West Bloomfield Township
5:30 Reception
6:30 Dinner
Honoring: 
Mark Davidoff - Chuck Newman Impact Award
Plasan Sasa Israel - Bridge Builder Award
George Roberts - Young Professional Award

December 5 (Tuesday)
Fundraiser for Elissa Slotkin for Congress
Home of Anessa and David Kramer
For questions and address to home:
RSVP@elissaforcongress.com
FYI, we are very impressed with Elissa's experience, skills and intellect  and she will be an excellent Michigan Representative .  We hope you are willing to support her efforts.

Parting Thoughts...

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