Shabbat Shalom September 27, 2013

Dear Friends and Family,

Human Dignity
I whole-heartedly agree with this quote by Brian Dickerson of the Detroit Free Press. “Health Care should be recognized as a fundamental Human Right”.  With Oct. 1st looming, some legislators are still battling to sabotage both affordable access to Health Care AND our national fiscal budget.  It is disgraceful to waste precious legislators’ time on 42 attempts to defund Obamacare. The Supreme Court declared it legal yet millions of $$s are still being squandered on scare tactic ads* encouraging healthy young adults to boycott the system. For the system to work, all Americans are required (and deserve) to Opt In. This will keep insurance rates affordable for ALL. Why “tilt at (righteous) windmills” when cooperation (as voters intended) is needed to help improve the (thankfully) inevitable new Health Care System. I think what’s feared most from detractors is that it will be successful.  This Karma video (from last week) is indicative of the problem that could occur to anyone without medical insurance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s22HX18wDY

  

Where is the Dignity?
Where is the Loud Public Outcry from the moderate Muslim community whenever their religion is highjacked in the name of terror.  72 deaths and nearly 200 injuries occurred at the Westgate Mall in Kenya and all for WHAT?  How do you combat terror when death and martyrdom is their goal.  The Israelis are all too familiar with this scenario which is why they were nearly first on the scene to help negotiate and rescue victims.

Attempted Dignity
The United Nations General Assembly occurred this week in NYC with slight optimism for Peace as Abbas (Palestinian leader), Rouhani (Iranian leader), Obama and Bibi all spoke of HOPE, though the Israelis walked out before Rouhani’s speech. This action might have been pre-mature.  Action, though, is the key word, as words can be meaningless unless they are followed by meaningful action.  Only time will tell.  By the way, did Rouhani condemn Nazi atrocities? The man seems to be hiking a tightrope.

Papal Dignity
I love Pope Frances and his compassionate philosophy.  It will be interesting to watch the meaningful actions of the Catholic Church.

Talented and Dignified
I also love Sir Paul and his new song/video.  Tell me what you think: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/paul-mccartney-takes-a-bow-in-new-lyric-clip-20130917  I heard he delighted 10,000 fans this week while performing 15 songs during (and after) the Jimmy Kimmel show.  I’m only a little obsessed with Sir Paul but I’ll try to control my passion.

Dignified Employment
Please check out this interesting video on how we can affect American jobs.  Seems so simple and achievable.
http://www.millionjobsproject.us/

Dignified Action
Just because we CAN doesn’t mean we Should. This holds true for many actions in our lives but none more meaningful than how we use our cell phones.  “Stop and smell the roses” rather than photographing them.  This video illustrates it best and if it looks familiar to you, maybe you need a behavioral adjustment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OINa46HeWg8

Wishing you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom and a Happy Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah (the end of our Sukkot holiday),

Lisa

* search “Creepy Uncle Sam” if you want to be disgusted by their tactics.  I don’t want to dignify them by even posting them in this message.

As mentioned last week, Gary is the Best Friend a Michigander could have. He has repeatedly proven himself worthy with his intellect, compassion, support for Israel, dedication… the list goes on.  This will be a very tight race as the other side plans to spend LOTS of money fighting Gary.  In fact, negative ads have already started to appear.  Even if you cannot attend this event, any donation to Gary’s Campaign would be greatly appreciated.

Shabbat Shalom September 20, 2013

Dear Friends and Family,

Deja Vu
Non-Regulated Gun Accessibility PLUS Under-Researched and Stigmatize Mental Illness EQUALS a continued death plague on our US Society as ANOTHER Mass Murder reared its ugly head this week.  12 innocent souls were lost as the sorrow ripples through their families and the anger bubbles up again in our Country.  Its shocking how selfish, stubborn and uncompromising some Gun Lovers are.  The NRA has a $231 Million yearly budget.  The least they can do is commit just 5% (that would be $11.5 Million) to Mental Health research since (I would assume) 100% of the Mass Murder Shooters have Mental Illness.  But what is REALLY needed is a ban on Assault Weapons and thorough Background Checks.  Blah, Blah, Blah… Deja Vu.

Biblical Proportions
Noah’s Ark was needed last week in parts of Colorado where 1,600 homes were destroyed, 3,000 people were evacuated, 8 lives were lost and 100s are still missing.  It will take Millions of Hours and Dollars to Repair this Disaster.

Global Outcry
The UN has confirmed this week (the old news) that “someone” in Syria violated the “punishable?” war crime of using chemical weapons which caused the death of over a thousand lives.  Who will inflict the punishment upon the perpetrators of this evil crime? Who is protesting against these barbarians?  The UN? The European Union? The US? The constant Anti-Israel picketers? Will the time come in the near future that evil acts against humanity will be abhorrent to the Global Community or will we continue to stand idle and blind-eyed to human suffering.

Here I Am
Hineni… Our president was on target with this uplifting speech about our accomplishments and contributions as Jewish American Citizens.  It is our responsibility to step forward and voice our beliefs and hopes to Tikkun (repair) America.  His words are accompanied by a (2.5 minute) slide show of our Jewish American History: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoRe2JDkPqU

Karma
This 3 minute video has experienced world-wide circulation (over 9 million views) since posted just 10 days ago. Its message is poiyant, meaningful and hopeful.  Please enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s22HX18wDY

Our Jewish History
40 years ago (Oct. 6, 1973) 2,800 Israelis lost their lives during the Yom Kippur War.  This surprise attack on our holiest day of the year by Egypt and Syria was in vein as the Sinai Dessert and the Golan Heights were NOT recaptured as Egypt and Syria had intended.  Though it did set the stage for the Land for Peace swap between Sadat and Begin.

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

Lisa

Hag Sameach Sukkot

Aviv built Sukkah

Mazel Tov to the whole Kappy family (Irvin, Barbara, Mimi, Brandon) on this weekend’s dedication of the (parents and grandparents) Viola and Garry Kappy Anne Frank Tree Exhibit and Garden.  Our Holocaust Memorial Center is one of only 11 Worldwide locations to receive a sapling from the Chestnut Tree Anne Frank wrote about in her diary. This is a wonderful living tribute to The Kappy Family and our community.

The recent polls indicate a “neck and neck” race for our US Senatorial Seat.  Whether you are a Republican or Democrat, please so some research on your choices: Congressman Gary Peters and Terri Lynn Land.  We strongly support Congressman Peters as he has proven to be smart, dedicated, committed to our State of Michigan and our State of Israel, Pro-choice and protective of all Michigan citizens from the underserved to the working class to Business owner and everyone in-between. These are just a few of his attributes, but we suggest you try and meet him at one of the many events scheduled around town. Please let me know if you want to attend one and I’ll get you the info.  In the meantime, here is his website:

 Shabbat Shalom September 13, 2013

Dear Friends and Family,

Fast Days
Our two holiest days of the year are Shabbat and Yom Kippur and this year they combine forces.  Did you know it is forbidden to Fast on Shabbat so if any of the other 6 Fast Days (yes, there 7 Fast Days during our year) fall on Shabbat they are conveniently moved to Sunday. But NOT Yom Kippur since both days are of equally significance.  This is the only time we are permitted/required (if able) to Fast on Shabbat.  May you have an Easy and Meaningful Fast and may your name be written and sealed in the Book of Life for another year.

Threads that Bind
Though we as Jews have “only” been around for about 3.5 thousand years we are celebrating the New Year of 5774.  So why the discrepancy?  My very un-rabbinic interpretation is that the world was biblically “born” 5, 774 years ago and it is our job to take care of the WHOLE world (Tikkun Olam) and not just when we came on the scene. Tikkun Olam is our Jewish responsibility that must be continuously taught to future generations.  It proudly binds us as a people with the valued thread of Healing and Repairing our surroundings.

First Hero
Tragically 2,977 lives perished 12 years ago, this week.  They included men, women, children, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Firefighters, Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, Americans, Israelis and citizens from 113 other nations.  One of those Israelis was Danny Lewin, the first victim of 9/11. Danny was a 31 year old husband, father, Tech genius, businessman and IDF solder who also happened to serve in an elite Israeli counterterrorism unit.  So, during those first moments of inflight chaos, his instincts kicked in and he lost his life trying to defeat the five box-cutter wielding terrorists.

Danny Lewin – Hero

Terrorism is a Cancer in our world that MUST be extinguished.  Let’s hope this New Year of 5774 brings an end to Man’s inhumanity to Man and Peace on Earth can spread it’s protective wings around us all.

Missing Flag
There is a story about this famously photographed flag from 9/11. It was snatched off a docked boat near Ground Zero and hoisted up moments after the catastrophe. Then “The Flag” fluttered in the wind at NY’s City Hall, Yankee Stadium and on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. However somewhere between the original flag raising at Ground Zero and its first destination, it was replaced by a larger different flag and to this day the whereabouts of the original flag are unknown.  There is a website dedicated to solving this mystery: http://www.findthe911flag.com/

19 year old (soul)
Here is an excellent Ted Talk by, Kevin Breel, a brave and incredible young man who opening discusses his depression.  It is moving and powerful and worth the 11 minutes it take to watch.  His words of wisdom on excepting ourselves is a message that needs to be shouted from the rooftops.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3yqXeLJ0Kg

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

Lisa

P.S.  Dear Rabbis and religious scholars (on this list), If I have mistakenly given any religious misinformation, please let me know so I can correct my errors.   Thanks.

Shana Tova 5774 and Shabbat Shalom September 6, 2013