Dear Friends and Family,

As we in Michigan were dodging snow flakes on Wednesday, those in Ashkelon, Israelwere dodging a rocket which thankfully fell on an open field.  I know our winter blizzard was a top News Story, but, somehow, I missed the news media’s coverage of the rocket.

As we approach the 9th Annual Israeli Apartheid Week (aka. Israel Hate Week), gratitude should be showered upon the Rolling Stones for snubbing the misguided BDS(Boycott, Divestment, Sanction) activists who unsuccessfully tried to prevent Israeli fans from enjoying the sights and sounds of Mick and his buddies in celebration ofIsrael’s 65th birthday.  Not only did Mick ignore the pressure, he added a 2nd concert, which of course sold out immediately.

Speaking of BDS, maybe those who consider Israel an apartheid state should check out the rapidly growing Israeli Soda Stream Company and their inclusive work environment. Their factory is like a United Nations, though, unlike the real UN, these ethnic and religious representatives actually respect each other.  Check out this eye opening video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl85AL1l0H0

To combate Hate Week, the pro-Israel movement instituted Buy Israel Week with these two websites to help:
http://www.buyisraelgoods.org/ and http://www.buyisraelweek.com/

It was another first for Rosa Parks this week as she is the First Black Womento permanently grace the halls of the US Congress with the placement of her immortalizing 9-foot bronze statue. It is fittingly in a seated position as that simple act (now taken for granted) helped fuel the changes needed over 1/2 century ago.

He sported a Lincoln Beard, kept our county healthy and became the most famous Surgeon General. Condolences to the family of C. Everett Koop on his passing this week at the age of 96.  Koop is responsible for elevating the health concerns of tobacco and in 1984 was quoted as recommending to “create a smoke-free society in the United States by the year 2000.” Though we have improved, we still have much progress to achieve with our Smoke-Free country.

Yes, they are never short for a Minyan in Hollywood and many of those working in the industry have a Yiddish Soul, but a percentage of those Billion Oscar viewers last Sunday, who already think Jews control the world, were given more fuel for their bias views from a small animated brown bear named Ted.   I liked Seth MacFarlane‘s hosting style, but this one sketch lacked global forethought.

By the way, you’ll never find an Oscar for sale or at auction, because, since 1950, all winners (and their heirs in perpetuity) have been required to sign an agreement to never sell the statuette unless they offer The Academy first dibs for $1.

Although the Israeli documentary The GateKeepers (testimony of 6 Israeli “Secret Service” chairmen ) didn’t win the Oscar, the prize did go to our Detroit story of singer-songwriter, Rodriguez, who unbeknownst to him,  had a 30 year following by South African diehard fans who thought he was dead. Bravo to the NOW Oscar winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man.

Kol Hakavod (bravo) to the First Jewish Oligarch, Victor Pinchuk from the Ukraine (a former Soviet Union nation) to sign the Giving Pledge (created by Bill Gates) which Very Rich People (VRPs) commit to distributing a majority of their vast wealth to philanthropic causes.  Other notable signers are: Michael Bloomberg, Warren Buffet, George Lucas and our very own Detroiters, Dan and Jennifer Gilbert.  To see photos and quotes from all the signers, check out this website: http://givingpledge.org/

Kudos to the Schusterman Families for establishing the new Israel Institute housed in Washington DC which will catapult the Study of Modern Israel (both in the US and around the world).  The interest level to study Modern Israel has increased substantially as research has shown that within the last 7 years there has been a 70% increase of Modern Israeli courses taught at Universities and Colleges.  For more info, please check out their website: http://israelinstitute.org/

Congrats to Lon Johnson and Bobby Schostak on winning their elections to represent Michigan’s Democratic and Republican parties (respectively).  To impact the important issues concerning our Great State, I hope they are able to encourage legislators to findCommon Ground rather than stubbornly Stand their Ground.  A more serious space where Common Ground is desperately needed is inside the Beltway.  The US public is exhausted with this stalemate and deserve some progress on our debt debacle. The affects of sequestration most be prevented.  BUT, thanks ARE due to Congress (this week) for the passage of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

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

Lisa

P.S. Many have asked if I am up Friday mornings at 6:00am (Det. time) to send these emails.  Well, no.  I write and edit them throughout the week and send the final version to my system Thursday evening to be scheduled anytime I choose.  So, as of this moment (Thursday evening), I don’t know WHO our Detroit Emergency Manager is, but we do anticipate a new era for our beloved and struggling city.