Shabbat Shalom
Getting ready for the High Holidays
September 23, 2016  
Tom-Cat
My week was sandwiched between two wonderful concerts. Music is inspirational, therapy and pure pleasure.  Both musical experiences were Oldies Throwbacks, one older than the other. Sunday (in Windsor) was the incomparable, sexy and iconic Tom Jones (age 76), whose voice was as strong and powerful as ever and whose stage presence was mesmerizing, plus he had a talented band which added to the intrigue. And Thursday is be my lifelong favorite,  Cat Stevens (age 68) in DC that coincides with a visit with our Georgetown sophomore son, Aviv. This week's message was sent to the system Wednesday evening due to Thursday morning travel plans, so no description of the Cat concert till next week, though I'm grateful to be able to attend (thanks DG) and know it will be enjoyable.  I hope your life is filled with your favorite music to brighten and lighten your days.











Tom Jones                                       Cat Stevens

Queen-Adam
Speaking of concerts, Queen with new frontman, Adam Lambert (who "lights a Hanukkah Menorah") performed in Tel Aviv last week.  I heard the concert was fantastic so in tribute to their performance in Israel, here is an amazing Israeli a cappella group covering the song "Don't Stop Me Now". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpJOdBuxYcs  It turns out neouroscientist have discovered that cheerful music can make you happy and after much research, they found that this song, " Don't Stop Me Now" is the happiest song in the world.  No Joke:  https://www.indy100.com/article/dont-stop-me-now-is-the-happiest-song-in-the-world-according-to-a-neuroscientist-7318321

Face-Face
Israelis have a wide range of musical tastes and opinions, but the one thing they all agree on is their deep desire for Peace. With Peace always on the minds of western world leaders, President Obama and PM Netanyahu sat down for their 17th face to face while they were both in NYC for the UN General Assembly. These two men have No Love Lost, though their respective countries do love each other and lately tensions have been slightly eased. The meeting was benign as neither of them wanted to stir up any controversy during this very tenuous campaign season that might sweep anyone into the arms of a Trump presidency (poo, poo, poo, kenahorah- keep the evil eye away).  They did speak of future golf outings together, most likely not at Mar-a-lago.
Wednesday's meeting

Bridge-Gate
While heads of state at the UN try to bridge the peace among nations, another bridge to the big apple was being discussed in a court of law. As most suspected, it seems Gov. Chris Christie knew all about the gridlock leading to the George Washington Bridge(gate) caused for vindictive political reasons.  The trial is underway and the prosecutor started the first day with the revelation that Christie was well aware of the plan to close the lanes leading to the bridge to punish the mayor who didn't support him. Here is the NYTimes article for more details:  http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/20/nyregion/bridgegate-trial.html?_r=0

Privacy-Security
In the shadow of the UN were the remnants of last week's Manhattan and NJ explosion. The perp was caught rather quickly and I can't help but connect this effort with the current Snowden case in the news.  Should Snowden be pardoned or prosecuted? Is our intelligence system overreaching or appropriate considering our era of homeland terrorism?  Does our privacy overid our security?  Personally, I don't mind the responsible digging with sufficient knowledge of these methods to help keep us citizens safe.  Most news agencies, including the NYT, think Snowden should be exonerated, however the Washington Post has taken an historic different stance and suggests he be prosecuted.  https://goo.gl/e91N8X

Fire-Pants
Trump admits to 1 big birther lie, though his admission is a lie in itself, while so many other lies still fill his pants. And who should be blamed for the polls when all these lies land on the doorsteps of America where they are believed as truths.  The media is not doing Americans justice when they don't fact check Trump's content. His lies are perpetuated as truths and we are the victims.  No other candidate in history has ever had such "fiery pants" but many Americans are blinded to the flames.  Little Miss Flint can see right through the fire as these are her reactions when meeting POTUS and The Donald.
Children know best
Pepe-Skittles
Publicly labeling the " Basket of Deplorables" might have been a mistake but many of his supporters are extreme racists and anti-semites, including his son, Don Jr.  Of course all causes need a mascot to express their views and these "Deplorables" are no different. Meet,  Pepe the Frog. If you don't know about Pepe, check out this video from Rachel Maddow which explains it all. Why would any "sane" supporter (and there are many even in our community) stand side by side with these despicable, deplorable Trump backers who are being fed and condoned by Donald. It is pure evil and against the fibers our nation. 
As mentioned, his son Donald Jr. seems to be the king of deplorables with his constant hateful tweets and postings. This week, he compared Syrian refugees to a bowl of skittles which contained a few poisinous one. 
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/21/us/politics/donald-trump-jr-skittles.html    Bravo to George H. W. Bush (aka 41) for publicily announcing he will be voting for Hillary. 

George-Janice
Happy 225th anniversary to the Farmers Almanac.  It was first published back in 1792 when President George Washington was our nation's leader.  The almanac is filled with weather predictions based on astronomy and more as their motto is "to be useful with a pleasant degree of humor" .  Also, in this year's almanac is the information about a total Solar eclipse expected to cover much of our country from Oregon to South Carolina in August of 2107. NPR interviewed the current editor, Janice Stillman, who is only the 13th editor in their very long 225 year history.  It seems to be a job for life.  She was delightful to listen to and if you are interested, here is the interview: 
http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2016/09/19/old-farmers-almanac  By the way, here is another Almanac prediction from Janice Stillman (who I assume also lights a Hanukah Menora):
"The irony to me is that the 'mitten' of Michigan will probably not need mittens this winter," she said. "They're the one spot along the border, really, that is predicted to be relatively mild."  As a "mitten" resident and someone who hates to be cold, I hope she is right.

Want to take an Autumn Drive on the most scenic route in America?  Try the pinky of the "mitten"


Willie-Dolly
If you are a country music enthusiast, you will enjoy this new collaboration from the most famous to the lesser known musicians paying tribute to country music in this wonderful video  https://goo.gl/K66Uvg

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

Wishing elder statesman, Shimon Peres age 93, a refuah Shlema (healing) after a massive stroke last week left him in a coma. He is on a respirator and recent CT scans showed no change in his condition.  He is making some positive advancements so continued medical treatment is being administered. 

Condolences to Michael and Barbara Horowitz and their family on the passing of Barbara's mother,  Florence Friedman z"l.  May her memory and spirit bring comfort to those who loved her.

Condolences to Debbie Levin and Larry Snider and their family on the passing of Larry's mother, June Snider z"l.  May her love and spirit bring comfort to those who mourn her passing. 

Condolences to the Marilyn Turner and family, friends and fans of John Kelly, who passed away this week. He and Marilyn were a media fixture of our Detroit scene in the 70s, 80s and 90s.  Kelly and Company was our local morning talk show that showcased wonderful stories and relevant issues to our community.  May his family gain comfort from his spirit and memories and may he rest in peace.

As you can see, I love our  Detroit Zoo  (that's me feeding the giraffe)  and all it does for the welfare, conservation and rescue of all animals and our environment.  Please join me and  my co-chairs  Doreen Hermelin  and  Treger Strasberg  at Doreen's home 
Tuesday Sept. 27th  to hear more about this marvelous gem in our community.  
See below for more details.
 Happy Birthday

Sept. 21st 
(missed from last week)
Jan Klein

Sept. 23rd
Perry Ohren
Mark Keller

Sept. 24th
Jack Folbe
Judy Sklar Cantor
Nancy Siegel Heinrich
Allen Wolf

Sept. 25th
Talia Raviv 
Linda Hiller Novak
Terri Rossman
Rose Rita Goldman

Sept. 26th
Connor Tukel
Dana Baskin Coffman
Judy Weiner
Izhak Segal
Liz Olsson
Scott Berger

Sept. 27th
Paul Chaben
Gayle Friedman Gold
Carol Sobel

Sept. 28th
Eed Dorn
Josh Kanter
Emily Camiener
David Lubin
Brandon Hynes

Sept. 29th
Doris August
Marla Moiseev
Nori Klar
Steven Arbit

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

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: 

Please join me in supporting...

Christine Greig - State Representative (my district)
Robert Wittenberg - State Representative
Tim Greimel - State Representative
Nicole Bedi - State Representative 
Jeremy Moss - State Representative
Andy Schor - State Representative

Vicki Barnett - Oakland County Executive
Andy Meisner - Oakland County Treasurer
Lisa Brown - Oakland County Clerk
Jim Nash - Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner
Jessica Cooper - Oakland County Prosecuting Attorney 
Marcia Gershenson - Oakland County Commissioner
Helaine Zack - Oakland County Commissioner
Charles Gaba - Oakland County Commissioner

Randi Berman Sakwa - W. Bloomfield s chool board member

Laurence B. Deitch - U of M Regent
Denise Ilitch - U o M Regent

Debbie Dingell - US Congress
Sandy Levin - US Congress
Brenda Lawrence - US Congress (my district)
Gretchen Driskell - US Congress
Suzanna Shkreli - US Congress
Lon Johnson - US Congress
Dan Kildee - US Congress

Yes - Proposal for Regional Transit Authority for SE MI

Hillary Clinton  - POTUS  

To review all of the candidates and proposals, please check out this site:  https://goo.gl/GjaHMj


September 25 (This Sunday)
Tamarack Camps
Kick-Off Event - Free
Michigan Stadium (The Big House)
Ann Arbor (Jack Roth Stadium Club Entrance)
For more info:
or to RSVP 

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

The Berman Center for the Performing Arts
JCC
West Bloomfield
7:30pm
Honoring: (well deserving) Linda Z. Klein with the 
Fred M. Butzel Memorial Award 
for distinguished community service

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)
JAC Membership Lunch
Home of Roz Blanck
11:30 Registration and Lunch
12:00-1:00pm Program
Featuring: Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow
Guest speaker: Congressman Sandy Levin
JAC is Joint Action Committee on Political Affairs supporting Israel, Reproductive Rights and Separation of Religion and State. For more  details please email info@jacpac.org or check out website at https://jacpac.org/

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 13 (Thursday)
Jewish Senior Life
Honors: Carol Rosenberg for her 36 years of service to our community's Older Adults.
Featuring: Lily Tomlin
Royal Oak Music Theatre
Doors open: 6:30
Showtime: 7:30
More info: Beth Tryon
248-592-5026 or btryon@jslmi.org

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 and Alan "Big Al" Muskovitz
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  

November 3 (Thursday)
The Pickle Recipe
A film written and produced by  Sheldon Cohn
Opens at the  Maple Theater 
Bloomfield Hill, MI
Opens around the country on Oct. 21