Heartfelt Shabbat Shalom Feb. 28, 2014

Dear Friends and Family,

Happiness Hugs
Two weeks in Israel provided much enjoyment, entertainment, inspiration and warmth, but what sticks in my mind most is a lesson learned from (the always informative and best Israeli tour guide) Naomi Miller-Rockowitz, that 12 hugs a day will help bring happiness into your life.  Here’s proof of Naomi’s wise words: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5756/10-Reasons-Why-We-Need-at-Least-8-Hugs-a-Day.html

2000 Hugs
Saturday provided the opportunity for over 2,000 hugs and lots of happiness as we attended the largest indoor Yoga Class at the Detroit Lions Ford Field. It was quite a site to see and this first phenomenon will continue as a yearly event.

 

Atmospheric Climate 

Lion and Lamb
As March comes in like a Lion and out like a Lamb, I am happy to bid farewell to the nastiest Winter in recent history. Congrats to us as Michigan achieved First Place on the Weather Misery Index List created by the National Weather Service. Not only did we suffer from the massive amounts of snow and the bitter nosedive temps, but the rest of the world also has been suffering. England has been bombarded by storms and floods for the past several months and their new concern is the flooding has uncovered unexploded WWII bombs.

 

 

 

 

 

Political Climate

Thank you for the Veto
Shame on Arizona Legislators for creating a bill that will give license to discrimination by allowing any business to deny services based on Religious beliefs.  This ridiculous law could have been interrupted in abusive ways with the obvious discrimination against Gays OR some obscure Religion could have a belief against brown-eyed middle-aged women and then legally deny to serve me at their establishment.  What we SHOULD focus on is a Federal Law protecting the rights of the LGBT community against the discrimination that already occurs in many parts of our country.

African Hatred
Repugnance is covering the land of Uganda where Homosexual acts are already illegal but now President Yoweri Museveni just signed the law to punish them with a Life sentence.  This is a conciliation since the original law had the punishment as Death. As usual, religious extremist are behind this hatred.

Beware of Lies
Lies are filling the airwaves leading to our Nov. 2014 election.  A doozy is now airing against Congressman Gary Peters* that flat out lies about a patient and her disdain of ObamaCare.  Fact checking found many holes in her statement.  Makes you think… if the Affordable Care Act is SO bad, why do they need to resort to lies? When I googled the woman making the accusations, several news agencies set the record straight.  Here’s just one of them: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/wp/2014/02/20/a-hard-hitting-anti-obamacare-ad-makes-a-claim-that-doesnt-add-up/

Warranted Tribute
Kol Hakavod (All of the Honor) to Congressman John Dingell for his lifelong commitment to his district, the State of Michigan and our whole Country.  For over 80 years a Dingell has held a congressional seat with distinction. John Dingell Sr. took office in 1933 and his son, John Dingell, Jr. was swore in upon his father’s death in 1955. His accomplishments, respect and admiration exceed quantification.  He is praised by both sides of the isle and deserves much accolades.  His record of longest serving member of congress will be hard to break.  Wishing him all the best and high hopes for his wife, Debbie Dingell to succeed him and continue the Dingell legacy.

Congressman John David Dingell, Jr.

Kiev
As the people of the Ukraine started out with peaceful demonstration to encourage their government to join the EU and retreat from Russia, they quickly learned that all out war was spiraling toward their direction.  Sadly, death, destruction, chaos and confusion now exist while their leader is on the run and their fate in perils. Wishing them peace and stability for their county. Watch this video to see the outrageous opulence that was stollen from its people and wasted on its leader.
http://www.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000002732759/inside-the-museum-of-corruption.html

10 Offenders
Alabama, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Indiana,  Iowa, Missouri, South Carolina, West Virginia, Mississippi and Kentucky have all entered 2014 with outrageous anti-abortion bills pending in their legislature.  Its incredulous the degree to which anti-abortion activist will stoop to prevent a legal procedure. Yet once the abortion is prevented and an unplanned child arrives, those same legislators turn their backs on some of those needy families by denying them assistance with medical care, food and shelter.
Go figure! http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/02/18/3299871/terrible-abortion-bills/#

Court Case
Michigan could be the next State to approve Marriage Equality as a court case in now underway with a lesbian couple who want to jointly adopt two children by fighting the adoption laws and attempting to overturn the ban on gay marriages. Stay tuned for updates.

Change of Mind
Bravo to the 14 members of the Presbyterian Church for opening their minds and rethinking their stance on Israel.  After visiting the SodaStream factory, they saw Israel in a new light and plan to share this view with their constituents.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/177670#.Uwl3lvRdVFX

Wishing you and your family a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom,

Lisa

P.S.Thank you, Sting and Paul for an AMAZING concert in Michigan this week. Advance apologies to my poor cinematography:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfzYlFVLf5c&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

 

*Please join us in support of Congressman Gary Peters campaign for the US Senate.  As you can see from the dishonest ads against him, we all need to do our best to help Gary win this election.  His opponent, Terri Lynn Land, will use her wealth and the (nearly unlimited) wealth of the Koch Brothers to deceive our Michigan public. Bottom line, Gary is more qualified, experienced, skilled and knowledgeable to represent us in the Senate.  He has proven his friendship to Israel and has Michigan’s best interest in mind when serving the public.  He is a moderate, logical and intelligent leader and it would be a true “shanda” (disgrace) if he didn’t continue to represent us.  Please join us at the March 23rd (3-5pm) event at the home of Mindy and Scott Eisenberg. Please contact Hy Safran for more info or to rsvp: Hy@PetersForMichigan.com

Please join us at Forgotten Harvest 22nd annual comedy night with guest star Tim Allen.   Tickets are selling fast and range from $15 to $150. Corporate and personal sponsorship levels are also available. Funds raised help rescue unused food, repackages it and distribute it to families in need all in a timely manner. Their system is AMAZING and if you would like a tour, please let me know. http://www.forgottenharvest.org/events/detail.aspx?i=71

Welcome to the world, Aurora Julian Cash, born in Ann Arbor Feb. 10th toElaine and Howard Cash.

Little Fara Naomi is lucky to be born into the wonderful Saulson family headed by Eli and Michele.  Welcome to our community!

Proud of Michigan as we acknowledge the 167th anniversary of (the first in the nation) abolishment of the Death Penalty on March 1, 1847.  Shame on those States who still use capital punishment with Texas being the “deadliest” State as they have executed 510 people (the most in the nation) since 1976. Yes, some evil souls deserve to die yet our imperfect judicial system also sentences and executes innocent individuals.   China is the world leader in executions with over 4,000 Chinese put to death by their (un-admitted) government each year. China’s execution rate is more than the combined total for the rest of the world.

Jerome Sonenklar, age 92.  Loving father and father-in-law of Marty and Ben Rosenthal and Susie and Scott Leemaster. May his lifelong commitment to his community and family bring comfort to those in mourning.

Sally Lou Nosanchuk, age 78.  Mother and mother-in-law to Linda and Scott Sircus. A lifelong philanthropist and an avid sportswoman.  May her memory bring comfort to those who mourn her loss.

Paco de Lucía, age 66. Famed Spanish flamenco guitarist.  Considered one of the finest guitarist in the world died suddenly (and too young) from a heart attack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6Nw0Hm_wTM

Alice Herz-Sommer, age 110. Alice was a talented content woman who’s piano skills helped sustain her to achieve the status of the oldest Holocaust surviver.  Her story was made into a very inspiring documentary.  May her soul rest in peace:  http://www.upworthy.com/she-was-40-when-the-nazis-took-her-now-shes-outlived-them-and-has-something-incredible-to-say?g=2

Harold Ramis, age 69. Talented actor, directer, writer of many hilarious movies (most famous Animal House) sadly passed away (too early) this week after battling an autoimmune disease.

Shabbat Shalom Feb. 21, 2014

Dear Friends and Family,

This week’s message will arrive in your inboxes just as I am arriving home from my 2 week visit to Israel.  As a reminder, when traveling,  I have minimal time and access to a computer, so I write these messages ahead of time and have them scheduled to arrive Friday 6am.

Today is my mother’s birthday so if you know her (or even if you don’t), I’m sure she would love a birthday shout out to her email fmark@wwgroup.com

Happy Birthday, We love you!

Wishing you and your family a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom,

 Yoga Rocks

The numbers are huge.  Please join us at the Detroit Yoga Class lead by birthday boy Eric Paskel* at Ford Field, tomorrow, Saturday Feb. 22nd at 8:30am http://comeplaydetroit.leagueapps.com/events/21754-yoga

Please join us at the Forgotten Harvest 22nd annual comedy night with guest star Tim Allen.  Tickets range from $15 to $150.

Shabbat Shalom from Israel Feb. 14, 2014

Dear Friends and Family,

I’ve now have been in Israel for about a week.  To remind you, I wrote this email and next week’s Shabbat message before I departed.  With minimal access to a computer, and to avoid breaking my tradition of never missing an opportunity each Friday to reach out and wish you Shabbat Shalom, I always pre-write emails before traveling.

So, there will be no updates on this week’s news, opinions on politics or Shout Outs.

But since I’m in our Homeland, how about some facts about our Jewish Sanctuary. (Webster’s definition: a place where someone or something is protected or given shelter.)  Israel is our safe place. IF it had been established two decades earlier (than 1948), our global population today would be twice as large.  Protection is essential but not the only reason it exists.  We have ties to the land dating back thousands of years.  It was the home of our ancestors.  “Next year in Jerusalem” is our mantra.  I hope all of you (who don’t live here) have an opportunity to visit Israel with your families.

But first, I strongly recommend viewing and sharing this eloquent, articulate, factual, straight-forward message about our Jewish peoplehood and State (Thanks, Dolcy for sharing):
http://www.youtube.com/embed/B084EmNeNDk?feature=player_embedded

Now, here are some interesting facts about Israel:
1. Israeli babies are 10 less likely to have peanut allergies as they are given Bamba (a peanut snack) in their early years. I’m not a fan of the Bamba taste, but lots of Israeli kids are.
2. Israel (one of only two countries) started this century with a net GAIN of trees.  Other countries really need to stop de-forestation.
3.  Approx. 1 Million notes are left each year at the Kotel (Western Wall) and cleaned out before Rosh HaShana and Passover.
4. The most number of Chess Grandmasters (per capita) is in Beer Sheva.
5. Israeli stamps use kosher glue.
6. Microsoft has more employees in Israel (per capita) then anywhere else in the world.
7. Over 500 million migrating birds fly over Israel each year.
8.  There are 273 Kibbutzim (communes) in Israel.  Hannan and I met on one.
9. More than 90% of Israeli homes use solar power to heat their water.
10.  Israel was the first country to ban Underweight Models.
11. The Mount of Olives in Jerusalem is the oldest continuously used cemetery.
12. After the US and Canada, Israel has the 3rd largest number of companies list on the NASDAQ.

The numbers are growing.  I hope you can join us to help Detroit break the Guinness record of the largest Yoga Class at Ford Field on Saturday Feb. 22nd at 8:30amhttp://comeplaydetroit.leagueapps.com/events/21754-yoga

 

Please join us at the Forgotten Harvest 22nd annual comedy night with guest star Tim Allen.  Hannan and I are honored to co-chairing the event (with a great committee) and your support would be truly appreciated. Tickets range from $15 to $150.

In case you missed this from last week, the property of Camp Sea-Gull was recently bought by the township and soon will converted into a park.  Those responsible for the property have reached out to see if Sea-Gull Alum might want to have a reunion at camp this summer before any changes are made to it.  Many Alum are on this email list so please reply back if you are interested in this idea.

Shabbat Shalom Feb. 7, 2014

The Sochi Winter Olympics start tonight (Feb. 7th) and run through Sunday Feb. 23rd.  These are the most expensive games ever with the cost skyrocketing to $51 Billion.  There are 98 events in 15 different sporting fields. 12 new events will occur this year including the Women’s ski jumping competition.  88 countries will be represented and 7 of them will be new to the Winter Olympics. 230 athletes will represent the United States and 5 will represent Israel. Obama and Biden will NOT be attending the games BUT they are sending excellent reps including two gay athletes, Tennis star Billy Jean King and Ice Hockey player Caitlin Cahow.  Great message to send the anti-Gay Russian administration.  Wishing the athletes and spectators safety (from terrorist) during the games.

Here are my two favorite songs from the Liverpool Lads.  The first is written by both John and Paul and the second was just Paul.
In My Life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zicw_dVwhfM
Junk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuLRKtfCJXw

I wish you and your family a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom,

Lisa

For the music lovers, here is a bonus video:  I love the voice and sound of Lake Street Dive remaking this familiar song, filmed in someone’s neighborhood driveway:

Want more…?  Here there are again singing Hall and Oats:

Please support our Jewish Community by, either, asking or answering the pledge requests on Feb. 9th at Federation’s Super Sunday.  http://jewishdetroit.org/event/super-sunday-2014/

Nearly 500 people have already signed up to help Detroit break the Guinness record of the largest Yoga Class.  Please join us at Ford Field on Saturday Feb. 22nd at 8:30amhttp://comeplaydetroit.leagueapps.com/events/21754-yoga

We are thrilled that tickets are selling briskly for the Forgotten Harvest 22nd annual comedy night featuring Tim Allen.  Hope you can join us. Your support is appreciated.

Tickets range from $15 to $150.

Condolences to friends and family of Anne Heyman on her shocking death last weekend at age 52.  Anne was a true Global Healer as she founded Rwandan orphanages modeled after the Kibbutz movement. Her philanthropic efforts will be greatly missed by all who she touched.  http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.571861

Mazel Tov to Dan Kohn for opening his new hot spot Kravings on (25270 Greenfield Rd) in Oak Park. (Kosher Deli, Sushi Carryout).

Wishing a Refuah Shlema (complete healing) to Joey Selesny’s baby daughter Sara Braucha after heart surgery this week. Our prayers are with you.

Bravo to Drug Store Chain, CVS, on removing cigarettes from their sales stock to focus on health related items or at least to eliminate the single leading cause of lung cancer.

Bravo, also, to Mayor de Blasio for refusing to walk in the NYC St. Patrick’s day parade due to their contentious relationship with the gay community.

Bravo to Rolling Stone’s cover selection for this bi-weekly edition: