Dear Friends and Family,

We are currently in the Days of Awe, those 10 days between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, when we reflect on our past year’s actions, ask forgiveness from our friends and family, do good deeds and pray for our name to be sealed in the Book of Life for another year. If I have wronged any of you, I apologize.  I wish everyone a Healthy, Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year of 5773.

I hope I don’t start out this new year missing anyone’s birthday but if I do, please let me know so I can (repent and) add it to my calendar for next year.  Here goes… Happy September birthdays to: Ariella LR (our first born non-profit professional), Shelley GW (first met at a JT concert),Michal L (Israeli niece), Diane K (Emery’s pride and joy), David B (The Lion’s Den), Shelley WC (Harrison High School friend), Or T (Hofit music lover), Sandy S (Mitchell’s mom), Michele B (Sea-Gull pal), Suzi T(Bennet’s better half), Omri W (Kibbutz to Grand Rapids friend), Irwin W(Bonus Uncle), Sheri MS (North Star Reach Pres.), Jack F (Amy’s lucky fella), Dana BC (thanks for your Federation Phone calling help), Nori K(favorite store, Warren’s owner), Brian G (Lizzy’s love), Pam B(California dreamer), Colleen P (Forgotten Harvest promoter) , Connor T(Youngest brother of 3), Sophie C (Mike and Sue’s baby girl), Talia R(soon to be big sister in Ashkelon), Marla M (Andy’s better half), Morgan B (Matthew’s favorite sister),  Barbara R (California cousin), Lisa P(Bruce’s pride and joy), Michael R (Politically minded U of M student),Jane S (Stanley and Aviv’s safta), Diane B (Minneapolis bonus family),Kerry M (ACLU promoter), De McB (Peters Piper), Julia DeM (Camp co-counselor), Mary HS (High School pal turned author), Perry O (JFS lead man), Eed D (Kevin’s main squeeze) and Bunky and Neal (Happy 30th anniversary).

To all you Michigan lovers, please enjoy this music video which includes the filming of 50 Michigan city in one week:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Puv-wGYbcPM&feature=youtu.be

This week marks the first anniversary of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and much progress among our proud military gay heros has aspired thoughout this year.  In honor of them and to help promote Equality please view this wonderful video (I found on PJ Facebook) created by Modern Family‘s Jesse Tyler Ferguson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_EyZVeorhY&feature=player_embedded

If you LOVE the West Wing like I do and you are appalled by the lack of voter turnout and the even lowers voting stats on our Michigan non-partisan ballots options… then you will LOVE this video of real West Wing actors (working gratis) to help encourage our Michigan voters to shlep to the polls this Nov. 6th and vote the FULL ballot (partisan, non-partison and proposals) especially Bridge Mary McCormack for Supreme Court:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v52FLMOPSig

Lastly for this week, please enjoy this Rosh Hashana message from Gilad Shalit. His optimism and faith are refreshing and genuine.  Though his release last October brought overwhelming joy to his family and friends, we still must remember the families of terror victims who will never be reunited.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4282055,00.html

Wishing you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom, A Happy Healthy Shana Tova and a G’mar Hatima Tova (Your names sealed in the Book of Life for another year),

Lisa

Dear Friends and Family,

As the mile-high twin blue lights beamed skyward from Ground Zero and the Red, White and Blue blanketed Statue of Liberty shone in the harbor (on our 9/11 commemoration), bullets and fire bombs terrorized and murdered innocent American lives on the other side of the world. Condolences to the family and friends of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and the 3 other Embassy Staff as they lost their lives while heroically leading the efforts to help heal the Libyan society after the fall of Gaddafi. This heinous act was perpetrated by brainwashed evil-minded cowards who will use any excuse (like an idiotic low budget racist film) to fuel their efforts of returning civilization back to the Dark Ages.  In the 21st Century, we (the human race) should be concentrating on how to move our societies Forward, not backward. We should be striving for innovation and progression.  We should be improving the world and encouraging peaceful coexistence not continued conflict. Let’s hope our new year of 5773 will be more peaceful than our past year.

A little closer to “our” home, more terror occurred this week when Gazan bombs landed in Southern Israel and destroyed a house and cancelled school in Beer Sheva and Ashdod earlier.  Why must the people of this region endure constant and deadly threats while our overactive media remains silent.

I, along with Debra, Roz, Sharon, Doreen, Barbara, Susie, Beverly, Marcie, Sandy, Jennifer, Sylvia, Dana, Orna and 1700 other women invaded NCY (Times Square to be exact) at this year’s International Lion of Judah Conference.  Great speakers, great weather, great restaurants, a great show… GREAT CITY.  By the way, I know there is a saying that goes “almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades” but can it also count for ALMOST getting Seth Meyers (from SNL) to say Shabbat Shalom.  I asked him (as we dined at the restaurant where the SNL cast goes every Tuesday evening), but he was in a hurry so I’ll have to catch him next time.

Though I didn’t get Seth Meyers, here is an amazing JT impression by (Seth’s old colleague), Jimmy Fallon and then see the real JT at my mother’s house:
http://blogs.providencejournal.com/arts-entertainment/subterranean/2012/09/jimmy-fallon-convention-song-parodies-james-taylors-fire-and-rain.html

Small sampling of JT at my mom’s:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qtOwoK1Oy4

James, his wife and band were gracious, warm, compassionate about our country and HUGHLY talented. It was truly the most fun fundraiser I have ever worked on.

I LOVE this Rosh HaShana “Call your Zeyde” youtube from Temple Judea from the San Fernando Valley.  Hope you enjoy too.  I found it on Jason Miller’s facebook.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Btf4SriS-4&feature=share

This Argentinean Hava Nagila Flash mob is for my son-in-law and his Argentinean/Israeli family: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDOQwig1hHo (thanks, Ettagail)

Dear Friends and Family,

Burning Man 2012 ended its week-long festival of the senses (sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touch).  I’ve never been there but assume it is fascinating.  Here is a photo snippet of the sights: http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/pictures/burning-man-2012-20120905

Also ended are the political conventions, yet the Game continues.  Obama vs. Romney… Democrats vs. Republicans…Women vs. Men (but not the men readers of this email).  Sandra Fluke, Georgetown Law student and favorite dart board to Rush Limbaugh, spoke passionately and eloquently about this issue. One of her most profound statements was a premonition of…”An America in which access to birth control is controlled by people who will NEVER use it” We can not allow this senario to exist. We need to continue to move forward in our progressive evolution, appreciating where we came from, but not returning to those less enlightened days.

To set the record straight, as soon as the mistake was discovered that Jerusalem was not included in the DNC platform, the President immediately directed the amendment to be added to correct the error.

No people, no party, nobody is perfect. Mistakes will always be made (we are human), but it is how we handle the aftermath that counts. Excepting responsibility, asking for forgiveness, correcting the error, all exhibit strength and courage.  Very soon we will be repenting for our year’s worth of mistakes and looking forward to a new year of sweetness, health and happiness.

As Rosh HaShana quickly approaches here is a wonderful music video which shares a beautiful New Year’s message:
http://www.aish.com/h/hh/video/What-Makes-Rosh-Hashanah-Beautiful.html

Though I think I have included this video in one of the past Shabbat Shalom emails, it is so powerful, it deserve repeating. This poem depicts a strong affirmation of ourJewish Identity, and by the way, it was recorded exactly 2 years ago on this day of Sept. 7th.  Thanks, Jack F for sharing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAeWyGGTdEE

Wishing you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom and L’Shana Tova Tikatevu which means May you be inscribed (in the book of life) for a good year.

Lisa