Spring-filled Shabbat Shalom April 4, 2014

Dear Friends and Family,

Fort Hood
What causes a tragic shooting to occur twice in four years on the same grounds of Fort Hood Military Base? Is it easy access to firearms, lack of attention to mental illness… These questions will continue to plague our society as continued mass shootings persist.   We need more action to help prevent these tragedies. Prayers for the families of the 4 fatalities (including the shooter) and the for 16 injured.

Chile
An 8.2 magnitude earthquake plus a 7.5 foot tsunami hit the coastline of Chili this week.  Whether this is a pre-glow to the “Big One” is unknown but Mother Earth sure seems mighty feisty lately.

ACA
NO…“Armageddon has not arrived. Instead, this law is helping millions of Americans and in the coming years it will help millions more” POTUS/ 4-1-14.  As the Stats are still being tabulated and the March 31st deadline was stretched, it appears the 7 million enrollee target was exceeded.  Procrastinators PLUS those with pre-conditions PLUS more kids on parent’s plan PLUS those now eligible under the expanded Medicaid options (in certain States, like Michigan) will ADD up to a Healthier American Population (both medically and fiscally).

McCutcheon and the RNC
What’s NOT healthy is this week’s SCOTUS (Supreme Court) decision to allow EVEN more billionaire influence on our already lopsided campaign finance rules.  It removed the restriction on the total amount in combination(previously $123,200) you can give to various candidates in a 2-year election cycle. These restriction (now being eliminated) were instituted to prevent corruption.  The campaign dollar sign continues to strengthen and muffle out the mainstream voices. The issues of the Wealthiest Few will be reflected in the candidates they will shower millions to elect.

Turkey
Seems old school forms of communication are preferred by The Turkish Republic as they have recently banned Twitter and Youtube (with Facebook not far behind) from their arsenal of social interaction options. Prime Minister Erdogan thinks his enemies are using these sites to sabotage his re-election campaign.

Afghanistan
Another country nearing elections is Afghanistan.  Even though the Taliban were overthrown in 2001, they still reek havoc in the country. Remember, they were the ones who blew up the ancient priceless giant Buddha statues in early 2001 and just this week they made a deadly goof when they meant to massacre a Christian Day Care Center but entered the building next door to find a heavily guarded American contractor office which flipped the massacre back onto the Taliban thugs.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/29/world/asia/taliban-militants-attack-kabul-house-and-trap-foreigners.html?_r=0

Hope these new Afghan elections can secure the permanent elimination of ALL Taliban members and supporters.

Chris Christie
When running for office, it is essential to select your words carefully and know your audience.  Now whether you use the term “Judea and Samaria” or “West Bank” or “Occupied Territory” determines your political slant.  But when invited by Sheldon Adelson to  speak before the Republican Jewish Coalition, you might want to make sure you use the correct term, which Gov. Chris Christie mistakenly did NOT do.  Using Occupied Territory in front of that crowd could invite hostility. An immediate private apology to Mr. Adelson took place following the speech, but was it enough for the Jewish republicans community? We’ll see who they back in 2016. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/04/01/why-chris-christies-occupied-territory-remark-was-significant/

Peace
We were SO close to getting Jonathan Pollard released in connections to the Peace Talks but this week progress hit the skids as PA Pres. Abbas attempted backstage maneuvering at the UN and Israel halted the release of the last batch of prisoners. Will Peace in the region ever exist?  Is it even possible? While Israel is willing to release murderers and terrorist for the sake of Peace, Mr. Abbas won’t even acknowledge Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish State.

Pat Robertson
I assume most of you don’t watch Pat Robertson’s 700 club but if you had this week, you would have found out “Why Jews are so rich”.  Shamefully, a Rabbi Daniel Lapin was his guest to perpetuate this “newsworthy”  topic.
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.583181

Lisa

Our Community lost a devoted soul who stood for justice, compassion, philanthropy and Tikkun Olam.  Linda Lee died (age 69) early Monday morning within a couple weeks of first learning of her Pancreatic cancer diagnosis.  She was a true leader who touched so many lives with her many passions.  May her spirit, love, memories and life’s philosophy bring comfort to those who mourn her loss.

Condolences to Bob Aronson and his family on the passing of his beloved mother, Deborah Feingold Aronson (age 88) of Milwaukee, WI.  May her memory and love bring comfort to Bob and his family.

2. The GOP are ratcheting up efforts to limit voter turnout (especially among poor voters) by adding more restrictions to our already restrictive voting process.  Less voters from lower income populations means less votes for the Democrats. Simple Math.  In the last 15 months alone, 9 States have instituted laws to make it harder to vote even after evidence shows we don’t have a voter fraud problem : http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/30/us/new-gop-bid-to-limit-voting-in-swing-states.html?hpw&rref=us&_r=0

POTUS and Gary at Ann Arbor’s Zingermans

Please support Kadima’s fundraiser Thursday May 8th @ 7:30pm @ Shaarey Zedek with guest speaker Patty Duke who will discuss her struggle with Bipolar Disorder.

Got a business idea or are you interested in our local business environment? Please attend Hebrew Free Loans JUMP START program on Sunday April 13th at 10am at Lawrence Tech. University in Southfield (plus, Hannan is one of the speakers):

Please renew your JAC membership (or join) in support of candidates who believe in a Strong Israel, Pro-Choice and Separation of Religion and State. This year’s event (free to all current members) will be Monday May 5th @ 9:30am for aCandidate Forum featuring Senate candidate Congressman Gary Peters and many other local candidates. Special guest is Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

Please join me at Women’s World featuring guest speaker, Jane Chatzky (NBC Financial Editor) and honoring my mother, Florine Mark with the Woman of Valor award.  Shaarey Zedek (Southfield)Wednesday May 7th @ 11:45 program/1:00pm lunch. (Boutiques 9:00-4:00)

April is Autism Awareness Month.  Please support the efforts to learn more about this disorder.

Bravo to US Attorney General Eric Holder for providing federal recognition of the 300 Michigan Gay Marriages performed last week which grants them equal eligibility for Federal benefits.  They remain in Michigan Marriage Limbo as does the future of Michigan Marriage Equality till it works its way up the court system.

Bravo to the Indian Government (with help from the Gates Foundation) for reaching the Polio-Free 3-year mark. Sadly many neighboring countries still continue to experience outbreaks but hopefully one day soon we can eradicate this disease from our planet.

Bravo to Barbara Cohn on her dedicated efforts at the Detroit Public Library (main branch on Woodward) to restore the enthusiasm to the stately building by providing fascinating tours of its hidden gems. I highly recommend this wonderful experience:

Bravo to Oakland County Clerk, Lisa Brown, on being selected as Mark Schauer’s running mate for the Governor’s Race.

March 20th

  April 4th

April 5th

April 6th

April 7th

April 8th

April 9th

Aviv Lis (our youngest turns 18)

April 10th