Shabbat Shalom
November 3, 2017
Back to Reality
The normality of calamity has returned to our headlines as this week brings more terror to our streets with a truck attack on bikers in lower Manhattan.  8 people were killed and 12 were injured as they were just going about their day until a brainwashed soulless terrorist decided to end their lives. It occurred near the shadow of the World Trade Center and will be recorded in history as the 2nd worst NYC terrorist attack since 9/11.  Many of the victims were tourist from Argentina and Belgium.  5 Argentinian classmates were celebrating their 30th High School reunion when the unthinkable happened.  As much as we all wish this to be the last senseless  attack, it seems we are destined to endure this hideous behavior till... who knows when?  The heinous human who perpetrated this evil act was supposedly connected to ISIS (though ISIS didn't take credit since he's still alive).  Seems ISIS is in 18 countries including the Philippines but Nas Daily (one of my favorite videographers) found that ISIS can be defeated.  Check out this recent Nas Daily video montage where he uses 4 of his one-minute segments to tell the story of the Filipino city of Marawi


Our Responsibility
What a difference a year makes...?   As I write these messages, I always look back to see what I wrote the previous year, mostly to grab the week's birthdays but also to check on how we've progressed.  Last year, during the first week of November, we were about to elect our next president and it's not surprising how concerned I was about the election outcome. Here is that Shabbat message  http://conta.cc/2fjGiNj   No matter how slim the margin was (10,000 votes in Michigan) and how many Michigan Obama voters didn't show up to the polls (75,000), we are stuck with our current POTUS and must figure out how to inspire voters in all future elections to educate themselves and show up to the polls. Election day is this Tuesday November 7 and I suggest you google your City's sample ballot to find out what you'll be voting for. This is the Farmington Hills ballot: http://bit.ly/2iN2Ziu    Even off year voting is important. This Tuesday, Detroit will hopefully re-elect Mayor Duggan and NYC will pick a Mayor too. Utah will replace congressman Jason Chaffetz and Virginia and NJ have gubernatorial races. I hope all of you get to the polls on Tuesday and encourage those around you to vote too.

Tuesday November 7
Tradition
By the way, 8 years ago this week, I wrote this message and haven't missed a Friday delivery since...

On Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 7:36 AM, Lisa Lis < llis@mac.com> wrote:
Dear Friends and Family (who live out of town and who I would like to keep in touch with more often),

I am attempting a new tradition of sending quick brief Shabbat Shalom emails each Friday morning.  This is my first one and I hope it will become habitual.

In Farmington Hills, the leaves are covering our lawn and a frost formed this morning.

All is well in our household.  We are recovering from Aviv's Bar Mitzvah two weeks ago and looking forward to visiting Liat in Hawaii this winter.

I plan to keep these emails brief and any brief reply is a bonus.

Wishing you Health, Love and a Peaceful Shabbat,

Lisa
My promise to keep sending these emails has been kept but the promise to keep them brief got thrown out the window.   


The Investigation
So Robert Mueller (who is well respected by both parties) is keeping his promise to thoroughly investigate "Russiagate".  The first chips are following with the 12-count indictment against former Trump Campaign Chairman, Paul Manafort and his accomplice Rick Gates during their years as pro-Russian lobbyist. It seems they concealed $$Millions in overseas accounts to benefit their luxury shopping spree.  Also, George Papadopoulos, another Trump campaigner, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about Russian emails filled with Clinton dirt.  By the way, please confuse George Papadopoulos with the other Greek political (handsome) Clinton-connected George Stephanopoulos who brings us real (not fake) news on ABC's Good Morning America. Another real news agency, PBS produced an eye-opening Frontline expose' about Putin's revenge http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/putins-revenge/  Essentially, it is imperative that we confront and confine Putin's bullying or he will enjoyably continue to interfer in our democracy.  In the meantime, l et's raise a glass to Mueller and bid him well on his extensive investigation as we all wait for the next shoe to drop.
Banksy and Balfour
100 years ago this week (Nov. 2, 1917), the British government expressed their approval of a Jewish Homeland in the region called Palestine through their Balfour Declaration.  This set the stage for our future re-established (from biblical times) Modern state of Israel. It's been a rocky road but through the bumps, Israel has persisted to become a light unto all Nations.  Well, not everyone feels this warm and fuzzy about Israel.  In fact, the famous British graffiti artist, Banksy, threw a street party in the West Bank city of Bethlehem to "apologies" to the Palestinians for the British Balfour "mistake".  He even created a etched graffiti on the separation wall (which has prevents suicide bombs and further Jewish deaths).  Here is the BBC story:  http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-41832871  An actor was hired to portray QEII, but thankfully the real British government is celebrating the Balfour centennial with pride and a formal dinner with Theresa May and Bibi Netanyahu. 


The Competition
Yes, the Israeli road continues to be rocky.  Though, the good news is that Israeli athletes were allowed to attend a Judo competition in Abu Dhabi (where Israeli passports aren't welcomed in the country).  The bad news is they weren't allowed to display any Israeli emblems on their uniforms or have their national anthem played during the awards ceremony or have their flag raised when they won. And the UAE competitor refused to shake hands with his Israeli counterpart before their round, of which the Israeli won. But the other good news is the  12 Israeli Judokas, who attended the  International  Judo Federation's Grand Slam in United Arab Emirates, proudly returned to Israel with 5 medals.  This is only the 2nd year they were allowed to compete so hopefully in the coming years, the  UAE will slowly allow Israelis to be Israelis and recognize the existence  of the only Jewish State in the world. 
 
Tal Flicker (on the right) took home Gold Medal 
and sang Hatikva even without the music. 

Music
One of my guilty pleasures is Dancing with the Stars and this year's top contender is the young (23 year old) Jordan Fisher who (among many of his credits) played the eldest son of Alexander Hamilton on Broadway.  But my favorite musical contribution (of his) is this catching tune from Mauna with his buddy Lin Manuel Miranda.  I hope you'll say "You're Welcome" for including it in this week's message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=61&v=0DLzyvT4eUo

Jordan and Lin
 
Fall Back
Don't forget to turn back your clock this Saturday evening as we fall back into Standard Time and leave Daylight Saving Time till we mess with the clocks again in the Spring.  Every year we mention how outdated this system is yet every year we follow the regimen of adjusting our clocks and our sleep cycles.  Sleep has replaced water as the most essential element for the health of our bodies. And too many people lack this golden slumber element in their lives.  Here is a very interesting article that details 10 issues of sleep that many of us are lacking.   http://bbc.in/2A2uclb



Brief Updates

- Bravo to the contestants of the Miss Peru beauty pageant as they provide gender violence stats on stage instead of announcing their body measurements. 

- Controversial reactions were voiced after a German Railroad company decided to name its new high speed train after Anne Frankhttps://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/31/world/europe/germany-anne-frank-train.html?_r=0

- Bravo to the Federal Judge who blocked our current (but hopefully shorted lived) Oval Office Occupant from preventing Transgender troops from serving in the Military. 

 - Bravo to the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) in their technical wisdom to detect and destroy deadly tunnels built from Gaza to Israel.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinians-say-at-least-5-dead-9-injured-as-israel-blows-up-gaza-tunnel/

- Happy  60th Birthday this week to the  Mackinac Bridge connecting our beautiful Michigan peninsulas over the Straits of Mackinac.  Here are 60 interesting facts about our Mighty Mac. 

- Mazel Tov to the Houston Astros and Justin Verlander for winning the World Series. 

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

Lisa
lisashabbatshalom.com


Condolences to Brian and Ashley Adelman and their family on the passing of Brian's dad, Jack Adelman z"l age 93.  May his long life bring warm memories to those who mourn his loss and may he be a blessing unto his family and friends.  

Condolences to my sister Sheri Mark and the Stulberg family on the passing of Jeff Stulberg z"l (age 59).  May his memories bring comfort to his family and may he rest in peace.

Happy Birthday!
Happy 4th birthday today to our sweet granddaughter, Hadassa (Dassi)

Nov. 3rd
Hadassa Vered Raviv 
Wendy Eichenhorn Stone
Ethan Orley
Rick Weinstein
Freddy Cohen
Bob Friedman
Ken Levin

Nov. 4th
Abbey Brasch Nathan
Ellen Byrne
Tomer Zur
Steve Migliore
Avi Aaron Feldman
Leiby Burnham
 
Nov. 5th
Debra Feldman Singer
Heidi Blas Barzily (Happy 60th)
Michael Horowitz
Sheldon Cohn
Susanna Pollak Mould
Michelle Winterberger

Nov. 6th
Rhoda Milgrim
Carol Ann Feder Levis
Robin Kaufman Trepeck
Kari Grosinger Alterman
Bob Henrich
Bruce Gorosh
Ruth Messinger

Nov. 7th
Brad Schlafer
Linda Hayman
Kim Levitt Chesbrough
Tracey Grosinger
Susie Citrin
Dennis Buck
Jack Lessenberry

Nov. 8th
Dan Kohn 
Bruce Weider
Jeff King
Vivian Lieberman
Pam Ayres
Joan Greenfield

Nov. 9th
Amy Morganstern
Patti Phillips
Richard Bernstein 
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 3  (Friday) 
Detroit Public TV 
Detroit Performs Live 
3rd annual celebration of Motorcity Music
The Fillmore in Detroit
6:30pm Doors open and VIP Strolling Dinner
8:00-9:30pm Live concert, broadcast, and worldwide live-stream
Featuring:  Ruben Studdard, Alexander Zonjic & the Motor City Horns, Ethan Daniel Davidson, Jill Jack, and The Miracles Revue featuring Mark Scott. 
Ticket and sponsorship info at www.detroitperforms.org/live

November 6 (Monday) 
JARC 37th Annual Fall Fundraiser
British Rock Invasion with the DSO
The Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center
7:30pm

November 7 (Tuesday)
Election Day

November 7 - 12  
Hadassah Annual Rummage Sale
November 7 and 8           9 am to 4 pm
November 9                     9 am to 7 pm
November 10                   9 am to 3 pm
November 12 (bag day)   9 am to 1 pm
For information, call Carol Ogusky  248-683-5030

November 10 (Friday)  
Levin Center at Wayne State University Law School
Presents a day-long conference on 
Current Issues in Immigration Law:
- Immigration Detention
- Sanctuary Cities
- Iraqi Deportations in Detroit
- Travel Ban
Conference is free but advanced registration is required

November 14 (Tuesday) - New Listing
Fundraiser Supporting Jordan Acker For U of M Regent
Our home
5:30 - 7:00pm

November 16 (Thursday) 
City Year Women's Leadership Breakfast
Colony Club
2310 Park Ave, Detroit 48201
7:00 - 8:00am Registration and Networking
8:00 - 9:00am Breakfast and Program

November 16 (Thursday)
An Evening with Friends of Jewish Senior Life
In memory of Jeffrey Zaslow z"l
Featuring pianist David Syme
Also performing Cantor Michael Smolash and the Hillel Choir
The Berman Theatre at the West Bloomfield JCC
Patrons tickets at $118; general tickets at $54 and $36.
For tickets visit
Or call the Berman Box Office at 248-661-1900.  
For more information:
Beth Tryon 248.592.5026 or  btryon@jslmi.org

Knollwood Country Club
5:00 - 7:00pm

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


Parting Thoughts...


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