Shabbat Shalom
September 9, 2016  
Sinners and Saints
On the eve of the 15th anniversary of 9/11, we pause to reflect and remember the 2,996 innocent souls whose lives were violently and abruptly ended by brainwashed hatred. When will we see an end to those who believe in superiority over humanity?  When will the teachings of hatred stop? For the sake of our future generations, let's hope we win this battle to defeat Terrorist Islamic Extremism.  What might help are more souls on our Earth with similar beliefs as (Albanian born)  Mother Teresa  who this past week was official declared a Saint by Pope Francis, only 19 years after her passing. The event at the Vatican was celebrated by 1,500 homeless Italians who were bused to St. Peter's Square and fed pizza after the ceremony.  Saint/Mother Teresa devoted her life to uplifting the desolate souls of India as her motto was  "The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread".  May the spirit of Teresa's soul inject itself into those whose minds are filled with hatred. 

Farrokh to Freddie
And speaking of "saints", Freddie Mercury was also deservedly recognized this weekend as an asteroid orbiting Mars and Jupiter was named in his honor for what would have been his 70th birthday. Freddie was immensely talented and was taken from Earth too early from complications of AIDS.  He was born,  Farrokh Bulsara,  in Sultanate of Zanzibar which is now called Tanzania, grew up in India and died in England at the age of 45. He had a 4-Octave Range and was consistently voted the best vocalist in popular musical history. He was truly a legend.
Freddie Mercury Asteroid
Everyone needs "Somebody to Love"

Drug War
On the not so saintly side is Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte (a cross between Idi Amin and Donald Trump). S ince taking office 2 months ago, President Duterte has  killed 2,400 of his own citizens because they were connected to drug usage or drug sales and he has no filter for his mouth. He encourages the police and anyone else to kill anyone suspected of drug connections. On average 40 people a day are being killed. If there is interference of his methods, he's threatens to institute Martial Law to protect his anti-drug campaign/slaughter.  These assassinations  were quantified by our president as human rights violations which according to Duterte  warranted a response to call Obama a "son of a whore".  Obama decided to cancelled a meeting with this "colorful" world leader and his apology was futile in changing POTUS' mind. So remember, when going to the Philippines, remember to leave your drugs (and gum) at home.
Not sure this is the best method to fight the drug war.

Man vs. Nature (we might lose)
Its very auspicious, but a new book and project might help save our human existence.  It's called Half-Earth by Evolutionary Biologist E.O. Wilson.  Currently, many plants and species are disappearing before our eyes. The trees are the lungs of the Earth and we must stop destroying the life-saving Rain Forest. Right now about 15% of Land and 10% of Water is protected. In order to sustain life for our children, we must protect 50% of both land and water. There have been 5 mass extinctions during Earth's history but this potential 6th extinction, which Wilson calls the Biological Holocaust, will be, for the first time species-caused (that's us) and will include our demise. All this is scientifically measured yet legislators who don't believe in science (like Trump) will continue the selfish path of biological destruction. 

Healthy Heart
We need a healthy environment and a healthy body to survive. Mazel Tov to Dr. Joel Kahn and Detroit Public TV on this week's broadcast of the Whole Heart Solution educating us on how to prevent Cardiovascular disease. Look for a re-airing of this show 

50 Unique Foods
This is not a perfect segue from Joel's healthy diet but for all you foodies out there (I'm talking about you, Diane Orley and others), here are each of our 50 States famous foods.  For Michigan, think our northern tart treat...Some are quite bizarre, like Utah's Jello Pretzel Salad and New Hampshire's Maple Syrup on Snow. Hope you enjoy:

Fight Cancer
Everyone seems to have been touched by Cancer in their lifetime, either through a friend, family member or themselves and this evening, huge stars are working to raise funds to help fight the Big C.   Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C) will air tonight Sept. 9, on all the major networks plus many other cable stations at 8:00-9:00pm Eastern Time. USA Network will air it again at 11pm (tonight). Wishing the program success in raising the much needed funds to fight this metastasizing disease. 

Fight Hate
"Anti-Semitism is one of the world's oldest and most pernicious and deadly forms of hatred" said, Ban Ki Moon this week at the first ever high-level UN forum to deal with this issue.  The rise is occurring in Europe and online but the halls of the UN also witnessed an increase of lies and rhetoric about the Jewish Homeland which is, in no uncertain terms, also anti-semitism. http://goo.gl/edXV6L

7 on the 7th
Waterproof, wireless with dual cameras...Yes, I'm talking about the new iPhone 7, announced this week on Sept. 7th...coincidence? This Apple introduction warrants the return of a classic comedy skit from 2007 call the iRack.  Its funny, brilliant and just as relevant today as it was nearly 10 years ago.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcjLEwZqcQI

Condolences to  Nancy and Jim Grosfeld and their family on the passing of Nancy's mother,  Sylvia Babcock z"l (age 103).

Mazel Tov to Reuben and Lori Rashty and their family as Hannah became a Bat Mitzvah this week. May the inspiration of this momentous event continue to bring joy to the whole family. 

Happy 50th Anniversary to the cultural phenomenon Star Trek.  Its first episode aired Sept. 8, 1966 and the original TV show only ran 3 season (after an intense letter-writing campaign to add the 3rd year). Spin-offs, movies and conventions helped secure the popularity of Spock, Kirk and the others to remain an indelible fixture in our minds. As Spock always said,  "Live long and Prosper" with the hand motions of a Cohen on Shabbat.  http://goo.gl/AQ3fZQ

Wishing you and your family a 
Sweet and Peaceful  
Shabbat Shalom 
Lisa
Each week's message is now posted and backlogged here:
lisashabbatshalom.com
 
September 9th
Barbara Nusbaum
Jane Sherman
Lisa Nederlander
Marty Rosenthal

September 10th
Sharyn Gallatin
Susan Kaplan

September 11th
Michelle Bleznak
Stefanie Pasman Wollach
Nan Giblin Beeler

September 12th
Diane Benyas
Diane Mondry
Morgan Berg 
Jordan Gruber
Jill Alper
Bunky and Neal Elyakin (Happy 34rd)

September 13th
Kary Moss 
Scott Miller

September 14th
Pam Benyas
Suzi Terebelo
Patty Haron
Toni Trager-Bradley

September 15th
Eli Mayerfeld
Irwin Wright
Diane Farber
Omri Winterberger 
 
I am prone to mistakes so if I missed your birthday or got the wrong date, please let me know.
 


Hillary Rodham Clinton and Tim Kaine
VS
Donald J. Trump and Mike Pence

I must admit, these elitist self-centered Trumpettes causes a gag reflex in my intestines. 
And these Trump quotes also flipped my stomach as this chart shows you which ones caused defection of the GOP leadership.   http://goo.gl/5xh7zU
Supposedly, Trump has committed to attending all 3 presidential debates (which is a bit surprising to hear), but let's see how he does in the first one which is only 17 days away.

First Presidential debate
Monday September 26th 
Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY.

Vice Presidential debate 
Tuesday October 4th 
 Longwood University in Farmville, VA.

Second Presidential debate 
Sunday October 9th 
Washington University in St. Louis, MO.

Third Presidential debate
Wednesday October 19th 
University of Nevada in Las Vegas, NV.

Presidential General Election
Tuesday 
November 8, 2016

Important Voting Information
Please make sure the new voters in your life are registered to vote. Our Michigan deadline to register is Oct. 11th.
For info on how to register in every state, please check out this website: 
http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/14/politics/how-to-register-to-vote-in-every-us-state-and-territory/ 

Also, you can vote absentee by requesting your ballot now and returning it (in most States) in person or postmarked by Nov. 7th.  Or you can vote early in many States.  For example, in Michigan you can vote early at your local Clerk's office from Sat. Sept. 24th - Nov. 7th. Here are early/absentee dates and deadlines for each State: 


September  11  (Sunday)
eRace Mental Illness and the Silence
5K Family Run/Walk
11:00am
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
For more info, please contact Wren Hack
wren@shaareyzedek.org or 248-535-7110

September 13  (Tuesday)
Hadassah's Opening Meeting
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
Boutiques and Luncheon
10:00am 
Guest Speaker: Nancy Spielberg 
(Director, Producer, Screenwriter and Steven's sister)
For more info, please contact Carol Ogusky 
cogusky1@gmail.com or 248-683-5030

September 13 (Tuesday)
Hillary Clinton Issues Update
Birmingham Temple
28611 W. 12 Mile Rd.
Farmington Hills
7:00pm (45 minutes plus Q & A)
For any volunteer interested in strengthening their knowledge of the issues so you can feel prepared to support with Hillary with fact-based information. 

September 14 (Wednesday)
Holocaust Memorial Center
7:00pm
Profiting from the Holocaust?
Legal and Ethical Controversies Over Nazi Art Looting. 
Keynote Speaker: Raymond J. Dowd, esq
For more info, please contact 
Program Chairperson: Richard Herman  248-593-0395

September 16   (Friday)
Cabaret 313
Opening night of their 4th Season
Players' Club Playhouse
7pm and 9:30pm
Featuring: Danny Gurwin and Erin Dilly
"To Broadway and Back Home"
For tickets: 313.405.5061

September 20 (Tuesday)
Jewish Women's Foundation
Women Lighting the Way
Detroit Athletic Club
11:30am
Keynote Speaker: (gay rights)  Attorney Dana Nessel

September 22 (Thursday)
Friends of the IDF Women's Luncheon
Tam-O-Shanter Country Club
11:45am
For more info, please contact Paul Lebowitz

September 23 (Friday)
Breakfast with Chelsea Clinton
At the home of Gretchen Whitmore
Lansing, MI

September 26   (Monday)
Dr. Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic
2016 Esteemed Women of Michigan
A few of the 19 "Esteemed Women" include:
Treger Strasberg
Dr. Mona Hannah-Attisha
Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny
Alicia Stillman
Yours Truly
Centerpoint Marriott, Pontiac
6:00pm
For more info:
Julie Yaker
julie@eyecatcherconsulting.com
248.952.8280


September 27 (Tuesday)
Detroit Zoological Society
Hidden Gems of the Detroit Zoo
at the home of Doreen Hermelin
6:00 Light Supper
6:30 Program
For more info or to RSVP: Gena Meadows
gmeadows@dzs.org
248-336-5703

September 28 (Wednesday)
Yad Ezra Annual Dinner
Honoring (the wonderful) Rachel and Jason Zimmerman
Adat Shalom Synagogue
6:00pm Strolling Supper
7:10-8:00 Program
For more info:  info@yadezra.org

October 1 (Saturday)
Humble Design
Gigs for Digs
The Fillmore, Detroit
Concert by: JR JR (Indie-pop band from Detroit)

October 7 (Friday)
Florine Mark's 17th Annual
Remarkable Women Charity event
Guest speaker: Actress Lainie Kazan
The Henry Hotel, Dearborn
11:00-2:00pm
For more info:
Sheryl Fellows
sfellows@wwgroup.com 

October 10 (Monday)
MI Women Win 
Our home
5:30pm - 7:00pm
Hope you can support this effort to help bring more women legislators to Lansing.
http://www.miwomenwin.com/no-ceilings 

October 13 (Thursday)
Michigan League of Conservation Voters
Innovation in Conservation Awards Gala
Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, Detroit
Honoring: Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha 
Lifetime Achievement: Honorable Dr. Joe Schwarz

October 14 (Friday)
Detroit PBS
Detroit Performs Live
The Fillmore Detroit
6:30pm
For more info:
Michelle Gaisser
248-305-3739

October 27  (Thursday)
Jewish Historical Society
Chasing Dreams: Baseball and Baseball History with Mike "Stoney" Stone
Detroit Historical Museum
6:30-8:30pm
Tickets $40
For more info: 248-432-5517

October 30 (Sunday)
Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus
32nd Anniversary Dinner
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
5:30pm
Honoring: Rozie and Bernie Friedman
Guest Speaker: Dr. Deborah Lipstadt
For more info:
Ruth Stern
248-536-9601