Dear Friends and Family,

As you read this email, I will be touring Eretz Yisrael (aka. The Land of Israel) with several wonderful women on our Federation’s Women’s Department Mosaic Mission.  With my neurosis to constantly plan ahead, I wrote this at my home desk and sent it to my system to be delivered to you Friday 6:00am (before my Thursday evening departure).  Next Friday’s Shabbat Shalom will be sent from Israel, though I’ll be home when you read it all thanks to the modern miracles of airline and internet technology.

For much of the 3 years that I’ve been writing these Shabbat Shalom emails, I had consistently included a prayer for Gilad Shalit.  His plight was the reason I started the Soap Box.  We were fortunate to be in Israel a year ago, this week (celebrating Ariella and Tzvi’s wedding) when he was released,  so I thought you would enjoy an update on Gilad and read about his first public interview where he talked about his life in captivity.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4291227,00.html

We, in Michigan, have 6 proposals to consider at the ballot box. The one that gets my blood boiling is Prop. 6 regarding our International Bridge between Windsor and Detroit.  Here are some facts. The bridge will cost $2.1 Billion with Canada footing most of that cost and lending Michigan our portion of $550 Million which we will pay back with toll revenue.  Every living past MI governors and our current governor supports this (no brainer) deal as we are in definite need of a new bridge. Mr. Moroun (who owns the current bridge) has spent $10 Million to fight this effort with Prop. 6 (and its flat out advertising lies) that (if passed) will require all future crossings (bridges or tunnels) to be stalled and weighed down by state and local elections.   Please vote (a big fat) NO on Prop. 6 and share this info with others.

While I have elevated the Prop. 6 issue above my Soap Box section (due to its importance, hoping other Soap Box issues will not be jealous), this next issue is also very important.  Please take a look at this NYTimes article regarding Women’s rights and choice.  Our Supreme Court justices are aging and the next president WILL appoint 1 or 2 new Judges.  Let’s make sure they will appoint Judges who will protect Women’s Rights as well as all of the other concerns in our lives. Please take a look at this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/16/opinion/if-roe-v-wade-goes.html?_r=0

And speaking of Women’s Rights, here is an update on Malala Yousafzai, the brave 14-year-old Pakistani girl who’s only crime was to fight for the rights of education for all Pakistani girl.  As you recall, the Taliban shot her (in the head) and 2 of her friends.  She survived and is now being treated in England but her enemies are now waging a war on her reputation.  http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/16/after-a-bullet-in-the-head-assaults-on-a-pakistani-schoolgirls-character-follow/

Bless you boys!  The 4th game will be played while we are in transit to Israel.  Go Tigers.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom,

Lisa