Shock and disbelief are still of the mindset for most Americans who can’t fathom the reality (that Israelis endured for decades) of local terrorist attacks.  Free-Will allows humans to choose there actions.  We wouldn’t want to be non-thinking robots, but when Free-Will intersects with Evil and Brainwashing, the results are Hateful, Selfish and Deadly. The twisted minds who target innocent lives (often children) to further their “cause” are barbaric and backward.  One way or another, in this lifetime or their next “Journey”, they will pay their price and learn the simple choice of Right and Wrong.

As I write this message, the casualty toll from the Earth Shattering (2.1 magnitude) Fertilizer Plant explosion is still unknown, but bound to be devastatingly high.  The search, the prayers and the vigils are just underway but most likely will continue for weeks to come.

Why does the RIGHT to barrier-free Gun Ownership trump the RIGHT to a bullet (in your body) -free Life. 90% of Americans (including 88% of gun owners) support background checks yet 46 Senators (including 4 Democrats) sided with the NRA, which clearly represents the Gun Manufacturer, not necessarily the Gun Owners. Let’s work hard (with the help of Mayor Bloomberg, Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly) to democratically rescind their Senatorial jobs (or sway their opinions) during the 2014 elections.  Thank you Michigan Senators Levin and Stabenow for voting in favor of the amendment.

Between this week of sadness were some sparks of delight. Sunday began a 3-day 60th birthday Vegas exertion with Tennis buddies plus one (Betsy A, Diane O, Liz G and Hillary I). Needly to say, we has a fantastic time however only a few photos are available, since what happens in Vegas…
                 

(on May 22nd) Betsy will be Sixty and Sexy               Hiking in Red Rock Canyon

Also this week, we celebrated Israel’s 65th birthday at the Ann Arbor Noa Concert.  If you have never seen or heard Noa (Achinoam Nini), you are missing the majestic voice, movement and inspiration of a gifted Israeli (Bronx raised) gem.  Here is a sample of her beauty. Sorry the visual is so small.  I’ve also included a more professional video of her:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgXVWx0HR8U&feature=youtube_gdata_player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7umbGoQODc

Unfortunately, at this concert (and at most Ann Arbor Jewish events), were the Anti-Israel protesters spewing hateful rhetoric meant to insight anger and mispresent facts. Ann Arborites endure these uneducated bias bigots every time they attend a Bar/Bat Mitzvah service, Shabbat or High Holiday service, Israel celebration or Jewish event.  Now, Israel is not perfect by any means and yes she has made mistakes in her history, but if those protester read (with an open mind) all of the actual (not falsified) historical facts from the last 65 years, they would not be so vigilant against Israel (unless they were flat-out anti-semites). Sadly, we (as Jews) have endured this hatred for all of our 4,000 year history with no relief in sight.

Monday is the 43rd celebration of Earth Day.  Over 1 Billion people all over our Earth/Home will participate in Earth Day activities next week.  We are headed in the right direction to help preserve our (only) home however many countries and industries need to hop on the bandwagon sooner rather than later. A few of my pet peeves regarding our Earth are excessively idling cars and lights burning when not needed. Please turn your cars and lights OFF when not in use.  Thank you.

Dear Friends and Family,

Rest in Peace Baroness Thatcher, the longest serving British Prime Minister in the 20th Century and the only one with Ovaries.  Also, condolences to the family of Annette Funicello on her early passing at age 70.  We will miss her Mouseketeer Ears, Beach Blankets and Pajama Parties.

5 million babies have been conceived since 1978 when Dr. Robert G. Edwards first helped Mr. and Mrs. Brown become parents to Louise Brown using In Vitro Fertilization. The father to IVF, Dr. Edwards, passed away this week.  His efforts (though criticized at the time) have brought immense joy to those 5 million families.

Dr. Edwards and Louise

HATE is a very strong word, but I can say without hesitation that I HATE Bullies and Mean People.  Why do some feel the need to exert force and racist slurs upon subordinates.  I’m sure Sigmund Freud could explain their actions, but common sense and compassion should prevent them.  Rutgers Head Coach, Tim Rice(with apologies to the talented Sir Tim Rice of the London Stage for dragging his name through the mud), should have been fired as soon as this abhorrent behavior of abuse became public.  The only reason he was fired (5 months after video of his abuse was seen by Rutger’s administration) was because his actions went viral. All those who witnessed his abuse and didn’t take action, should also be punished.  But apparently, punishment at Rutgers also comes with a $1 Million severance pay for the Athletic Director who just resigned over the incident. Key and Peele (comedy duo with Key as a native from Southfield) does a great job shedding a humours yet eloquent light on this problem.  As with all good satire, core elements are true:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUvFeyGxaaU

Its a shame that a few Athletic Professionals taint the field for the good ones. Bravo to University of Michigan Basketball Coach, John Beilein, who came to Ann Arbor during a low point and elevated his team to Final Four Champs.  Maybe next year they can go the full distance to win the championship.

Also, Bravo, to Federal Judge Edward Korman for his insightful decision to allow (Plan B, the Day After Pill) to be sold over the counter so it is accessible when needed. I’m sure North Dakota (the worst of all States regarding Women’s Rights) will attempt to fight the Plan B accessibility ruling since it’s State Legislature just passed its Personhood Amendment basically stating Life begins at conception with the all Rights (including the Right of Protection) due to that Life. Essentially, this mean harming the Zygote (fertilized egg) could be illegal. North Dakotans will be a vote on this Amendment next year.  I’ll keep you posted.

Approximately, 17,000 Fatalities (Military and Civilian) have occurred during the (too many) wars Israel has experienced during her brief history. Plus about 4,000 victims have died as a result of Terrorist Attacks on the tiny sliver of land.  Multiply those numbers by 10 to reach those injured and disabled due to wars and terror and the casualties skyrocket. This Monday, Israel pays tribute to its fallen soldiers during Yom HaZikaron and as Life is a Cycle, this sorrowful day is followed by Yom HaAtzmaut, the day we celebrate Israel’s Independence.  Happy 65th birthday and I hope one day (soon) she will receive the only birthday gift we have been wishing for since 1948…the gift of Peace.

I found another video I know you’ll LOVE. In honor of Yom HaAtzmaut, this youtube epitomizes the upbeat HOPE, vitality, youth, history, culture and innovation of TODAY’s Israel. Please enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsE1cAKM4Yc

One HUGE gift Israel DID receive recently is the potential for energy independence.  A few months ago, a HUGE amont of Natural Gas was discovered under the Mediterranean.  Last month, this gas went online to the homes and businesses of the Israeli population.  This could be a HUGE windfall for the economic and security concerns of Israel.

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

Lisa

Dear Friends and Family,

When will violence diminish in our societies?  We might not be as barbaric today as we were 500 years ago, but will it take us another 500 years till we (all around the world) value LIFE.  When we speak of places or people like: North Korea, The Taliban, Syria, Hamas, much of Africa… the list goes on, we think of death and sorrow.  Even in our country, violence and aggression is all around us… in schools, movie theaters and even on our front porches.  Bravo to Colorado for its progressive gun control laws but since our State borders are transparent, we all won’t be safe till all 50 States pass similar laws to ban assalt weapons and require background checks.  I hope Michigan doesn’t wait till AFTER a mass murder to follow Colorado’s path.

Old and tattered things, people and places deserve respect and rejuvenation.  This is the case for the old and neglected Steinway which was rotting in the Motown Museum.  In its heyday sweet music was created by Motown legends but time took it’s toll on it’s ivory and wood, until Sir Paul came to the rescue and now it looks like this:

The renovated piano was returned to its home in Detroit this past Monday.  So too will the City it resides in as many “Sir Pauls” are concentrated on renovating the old and tired buildings, schools, parks and neighborhoods of Detroit.  One day soon, it too will look like a brand new Steinway.

Unfortunately, old people are sometime also forgotten and abused.  Our Western culture should study Eastern societies when it comes to respecting their elders. Sadly, a rash of attacks on older adults occurred in Israel last week.  I hope these attackers are sufficiently punished and the stories bring light to the atrocities.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/elderly-man-beaten-for-driving-slowly-suffers-coronary/

The above story sorely illustrates that Israel is not a perfect society, yet we as the world’s citizens are far from reaching any Utopias.  But here is a positive story about Israel’s diverse and democratic existence (which follows last month’s annual and hateful Israel Apartheid Week).  The Voice (Israel’s music contest similar to ours) just crowned this year’s winner who happens to be an Arab Israeli.  Here is her beautiful rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah: http://vimeo.com/62539173  Also, crowned last month wasMiss Israel, who this year is an Ethiopian Jews.  Not sure how these two examples fit the Apartheid definition (not to mention the Arab Justice who sits on the Israeli Supreme Court or the voting rights of all Arab Israeli citizens).

If you want some (extreme) examples of discrimination, you can look back 70 years to the Warsaw Ghetto when the Nazis on the first night of Passover (during the Seder) tried to finalize Hitlers extermination plan until the famous Warsaw Uprising thwarted their attempts (temporarily). Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) which this year is Monday April 8th was chosen because most Jews don’t know the actual date their relatives perished during the Holocaust so the anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising was selected as Yom HaShoah.

Now for the best news of the week.  Sales of University of Michigan T-Shirts have skyrocketed this week as the Wolverines basketball team is headed to Atlanta to complete against Syracuse on Saturday in the Final Four College Basketball tournament.  The last time U of M (with the Fab Five) made it to the Final Four, Clinton (Bill) was President, Ruth Bader Ginsberg was appointed to the Supreme Court and the Military “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy was instituted. Go Blue!

As I often return to the main reason for these emails, which is to wish all of you a sweet Shabbat Shalom, I found this wonderful video which eloquently depicts my admiration for Shabbat as our most sacred holiday. http://www.aish.com/sh/s/Shabbat-Stop-Rest-Enjoy.html  We share Shabbat dinners each week with our friends and family (rotating homes).  Our 4 children have grown up with this tradition and I hope they plan to pass it on to their families.

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

Lisa

P.S.  Again I missed the story in the main stream media this week about the Northern and Southern attacks against Israel from Syria and Gaza.  What do you think the US would do if Mexico and Canada repeatedly lobbed rockets at North Dakota and Texas?

P.P.S.  RIP, Phil Ramone (music producer to some of my favorite artist like Billy Joel and Paul Simon),  Jane Henson (Puppeteer and Jim’s wife) and Roger Ebert (Film Critic)