Dear Friends and Family,

65 years ago this week, with bated breath, Jews around the world, listened to the United Nations vote to partition a sacred land into 2 States, one for Jews and one for Arabs. Our short lived Jewish celebration followed 6 1/2 decades of war, terrorism, bloodshed and conflict yet these tenuous years led to our current modern innovative strong Eretz Yisrael. Again this week, the United Nations voted on the same territory granting the Palestinians the status of Nonmember Observer State (elevating them from their previous status of Entity). The big questions is what will happen next? Will they navigate this new responsibility to the high road and enter direct talks with Israel or will they travel down the low road and enter criminal complaints against Israel.  Only time will tell but our hopes and prayers on routing them to the Right Road surely can’t hurt.

From his lips to God’s ears.  Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of the Hamas leader knows of evil firsthand and he believes Hamas must be eliminated from the face of this earth. http://www.timesofisrael.com/son-of-hamas-mosab-hassan-yousef-calls-out-gaza-barbarians/   We need more Palestinians to see beyond the lies, deceit and stifling voices and bravely speak up to help promote peace. Until we have peace in the region, we will continue to need the most state-of-the-art defense systems, like the amazing Iron Dome.  Here is the back story of how it was developed: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=6509

Never Say Never Again is not only a famous James Bond movie, it should also be the motto for our congressional leaders.  Signing the Grover Nurquist petition to NEVER raise taxes is an irresponsible act by any legislator as you NEVER know where our nation will be, like right now as we approach to edge of the fiscal cliff. Compromise is the key word.  I hope those with our economic fate in their hands can find the right compromising formula.

I hope this musical depiction of parenthood brings a smile to your faces:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecrg2CV2icg

Hanukah is 8 nights away so here is this year’s a capella “Eight Nights Hanukah Mashup”  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WAbTDHblxFM#!

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

Lisa

Dear Friends and Family,

Equivalence is irrelevant when it comes to the Middle East.  Deadly and constant rocket attacks* from Hamas (the terrorist organization that rules Gaza) have caused 5 Israeli deaths compared to over 100 Palestinians (many of them terrorist). BUT, we protect our citizens with the lifesaving Iron Dome while they use human shields as protection. To avoid civilan casualties, the IDF drops pamphlets, sends text messages and voicemails warning of imminent attacks (to destroy rocket launchers) while Hamas targets everyone and anyone in its range. The Palestinian children are taught martyrdom in their schools while we value life as a sacred gift. Their leaders use their citizens as sacrificial pawns while the media reports only the superficial story and forgets the facts and history.** In fact, the new phenomenon of Pallywood (fabricating videos of injuries or presenting Syrian footage as Gazan carnage) is reprehensible but these tactics work to their PR advantage***. We would love nothing more than to live in Peace while many of their leaders would love nothing more than to eliminate Israel from the face of the Earth… certainly no equivalency with those goals.  Let’s pray this cease-fire leads to diplomacy and stability yet if history is our guide, we, unfortunately, may see more shelling within a few months.

Even while Israel was in the midst of a war, she still remembered her edict of Tikkun Olam (healing the world) as she was the only county to send assistance to the victims of Superstorm Sandy. http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/11/20/3106914/israel-helped-sandys-victims.html

RIP Hostess treats.  Though 15,000 workers may lose their jobs and the company is being liquidated, time will tell what will happen to the products like Twinkies and Ding Dongs (which have been around since 1930).  And who could forget the smell ofWonder Bread as you drove downtown on the Lodge Freeway. That scent has long been gone from Detroit and I assume none of you are rushing to buy those $300 cases of Twinkies from eBay.

Hopefully all of you are still sufficiently stuffed from last night’s Thanksgiving Dinner with turkey, brisket, potatoes, green beans… at least that is what we ate thanks to my sister Sheri’s great holiday dinner.  I thought it would be fitting to include the Thanksgiving Day themed (16 minute song) of Alice’s Restaurant.  This brings back great memories for me and I hope it does the same for you.  Here is Arlo Gurhtrie‘s 2011 recording: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNLE5z7jNaM

Thanks, Debbie C, for sharing this brilliant idea called GoldieBlox to help girls become interested in science, engineering and construction http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNLE5z7jNaM

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

Lisa

* 8,500 rockets have hit Israel since 2005 when Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza.

** David Harris always says it best: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-harris/israel-and-hamas-moral-cl_b_2167742.html?msource=DHBlog69

*** Pallywood in actions: http://www.therightscoop.com/pallywood-is-back-injured-man-in-gaza-miraculously-recovers-in-seconds/

Dear Friends and Family,

After weeks upon weeks of consent rocket barrage, Israel finally retaliated upon the Gazan terror tactics and killed the Hamas commander (who was responsible for the abduction of Gilad Shalit, among other atrocities) with a pinpoint targeted attack and a warning to other Hamas terrorist that their fate will be the same if rockets continue to threaten Israel. Sadly, of the hundreds of rockets that were launched from Gaza this week, one reached a home and killed an Israeli family of 3.  If it were not for the Iron Dome, many more casualties would have occurred and if it were not for the security fence, many more terrorist attacked would have penetrated Israel’s territory. Here is a very interesting youtube of how the Iron Dome works:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djp_kdgppLo   After 64 years, Israel’s enemies should come to terms with reality and accept its neighbors and the prosperity it could bring them by making peace with Israel.

Lazer passed away last week.  He served his community well with his gentle touch, mild mannor, loyal disposition and soft fur.  He was the companion dog at our local Jewish apartments for the elderly. His comrade in arms (or should I say, paws) just across the street is Henry, the collie, who works the hall of Henry Ford Hospital (voluntarily accompanied by my brother, Jeff, on a weekly basis).  I know dogs are greatly loved in this community so here is a tribute to their endless devotion. A tip of a hat and a wag of a tail to: Pixie, Penny, Tripper, Liza, Milo, Elgin (OBM), Dexter, Emma (of blessed memory), Sophie, Zeus (OBM), Thor, Yoda, Badu, Coltrane, Rocky, Daisy, Tony, Sadie, Freeway, Eve, Chimpy (OBM), Sooty, Ziggy, Greta(OBM), Maggie, Shaggy (aka. Sholmo), Palsy, Benny, Maude andStar...I’m sure I missed many more loving companions, so sorry if I missed your pooch.

I always favored Paul over Mick, but Mick and his gang are celebrating their 50th year of existence with a new album call GRRR! and the possibility of a Rolling Stones concert somewhere in the near future. Also, celebrating 50 years is the record company A&M, though Herb Alpert (as in A) and Jerry Moss (as in M) are no longer owners or even involved, they led the charts with great bands like Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Burt Bacharach, Brasil 66 and my all time favorite, Cat Stevens. Though The Tijuana Brass conjured images of a Latino band, no one actually was.  Herb used to say, the band had the makeup of 4 lasagnas, 2 bagels and an American Cheese.  Here is some vintage Brass, enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vp6CsgncKw

25 years after Mick and Herb formed their respective bands (which was 25 years ago, if you are following the math), the words “Let my people go”were song in support of Soviet Jewry by 1/4 million protesters.  The historic March on Washington took place with the leadership of Elie Wiesel and refusenik, Natan Sharansky (both men, just this week, spoke at the Federation’s General Assembly).  Those collective voices led to the ultimate release and freedom of 1 million Soviet Jews as President Reagan continued pressure on Gorbachev who was visiting the US just after the protest.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom and a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

Lisa

Dear Friends and Family,

Storms have permeated our lives this month.  Remnants of Sandy still effect many;  aNor’estern dumped more rain and snow on many of those same victims and thank goodness we ended our 2012 political storm that weathered all of our souls. We could use some calming zen clouds to roll over our “villages”.

This mesmerizing video might do the calming trick and keep in mind these dancers are all deaf, relying only on the 4 trainers in each corner for directions.  Thanks, Ettagail for sharing: http://www.youtube.com/embed/7vs-H7xLnrs?rel=0

It seems like the newest superstar of this election is (Michigan born) statistician, Nate Silver, who’s near perfect prediction of this election (and the last one) has brought a beam of light to his words.  What’s needed now is a predication that our Congress can compromise to create a parachute to protect all of us the the looming Fiscal Cliff.

The Israeli inventer of WAZE, a real time navigational app, never imagined that the White House and FEMA would be using its expertise to help New Jersey residents guide them to less crowded gas stations.  I first heard about this great app while in Israel recently by our wonderful tour guide, Noami.http://www.waze.com/blog/attention-wazers-help-us-get-fuel-to-new-jersey-residents/

This election produced many FIRSTS:

For the first time ever, Puerto Ricans have voted to become our 51st State (though implementation will not be quick or simple)

For the first time ever, all four New Hampshire Congressional Delegates (plus their Governor) are Women.

For the first time ever, an openly Gay US Senator was elected as Tammy Baldwin will proudly represent Wisconsin.

For the first time ever, there is an Asian woman, Mazie Hirono, elected to the Senate representing Hawaii. She is also the first Buddhist.

For the first time ever, there is a Hindu in Congress named Tulsi Gabbard also from Hawaii.

For the first time ever, Illinois elected a Thai American double ampute veteran, Tammy Duckworth, as a congresswoman.

For the first time ever, two States, Colorado and Washington, legalize the sale and usage of recreational marijuana (yet it is still a Federal crime).

For the first time (in 200 years), we elected 3 two-term presidents in a row.

For the first time ever (and unlikely to happen again), a Kenyan woman gave birth to twins on Wednesday and named them Barack Obama and Mitt Romney (no joke).

And Lastly, for the first time ever, the Democratic caucus in the House is NOT majority White Males.  It will include 60 women, 43 African-Americans, 27 Latinos and 10 Asian-Americans.

This is NOT the first or last time I wish you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom,

Lisa

Dear Friends and Family,

Megastorm Sandy rained down on our Eastern Seaboard this week with monster devastation throughout much of the Northeastern part of our county.  An estimated 10 million people lost power including our daughter and son-in-law in New Jersey who (rather than sit in a cold dark apartment) decided to road-trip it to Detroit for a bonus visit with family.  I hope you and your loved ones are safe from Mother Nature’s wrath and if you were affected, your life is (or will be) back to normal sooner rather than later.

Also raining down this week (and almost every week) were 80 rockets fired from Gaza onto the Southern Israeli city of Sderot.  Of course you might not know about this constant bombardment since this regular occurrence rarely hits our news outlets.  It did make the Canadian News since the Alberta Deputy Premier (who was visiting Israel) almost witnessed a rocket attack first-hand till they wisely altered his itinerary.

Bravo to Dan Gilbert on his Quickly executed Pro-Detroit video highlighting our High Tech Corridor. Though we lost to San Francisco in the Worlds Series, we are gaining ground on them with our High Tech industry.  I commend all Detroit booster and Dan has been a wonderful leader in this respect. Here is that great video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOR3X0IU8_U

Also, Bravo (this week) to our US Supreme Court who declined to hear an appeal from an Oklahoma (lunatic) attempt to define fertilized eggs as persons with legal rights deeming some forms of Birth Control as murder.  This may be an extreme view but there are plenty of people who are adement on reversing Roe V. Wade and eliminating access to birth control.

$2 Billion…that is what has been raised (at record levels) for this presidential campaign. No offense to the ad agencies and media outlets who profit from this expenditure, but can you imagine what that kind of money could do for so many worthy causes.  This county is truly desperate for some Campaign Finance Reform.  Also, I can’t wait till my inbox is vacant of the 50 a day policial messages we all have been receiving for the last 2 years.

I have tried very hard to be respectful of my friends on this email list as I know some think and vote differently than I do. In a perfect world, we would be abe to receive ONLY factual information and base our decisions on truth, but in this world, spin doctors and falsehoods permeate our senses so sifting (reference from our Mosaic Mission) through the rhetoric sometimes requires a PHd.  So, for the last time (till the next election), my Soap Box will be filled with my 2 cents of those (people and issues) I am supporting.

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

Lisa