Dear Friends and Family,
Eliminate Bigotry
There should be ZERO tolerance for prejudice, racism and bigotry, but disgracefully, it persist and festers a lesion on our Human souls. It seems The Mighty Dollar trumps Compassionate Integrity. Mr. Sterling had a well documented racist history yet he was able to BUY recognition from the likes of the NAACP. It’s disconcerting that some in this world continue to feel superior to others but when this absurdity comes from the ethos of one of “Our Own”, it is downright embarrassing. Good riddance to the LA Clippers owners and bravo to NBA commissioner Adam Silver for his appropriate punishment of a Lifetime ban from the Sport and $2.5 million fine. Hopefully this will send an meaningful message to other soulless bigots.
Freedom to Abuse
Nigerian Islamic Militants named Boko Haram (means Western Education is a Sin) have recently kidnapped hundreds of girls and young women from their boarding schools and most likely forced them into marriage or slavery. Million of Nigerian children lack access to a safe education experience. Gordon Brown, UN’s Education envoy, is trying to assist with this issue and will meet with Nigerian President Good Luck Jonathan but this problem is rampant in his county. Education is essential for a developing country and to prevent access to education is a Crime against Humanity.
Years of Danger
This whole week was filled with severe storms throughout a vast swath of our country. 100 deadly tornadoes, torrential rainstorms heat-waves & Fires and massive flooding clabbered our States and stole the lives of 36 people. The severity in this weeks weather is unusual; In fact it seems this whole year has been unusual. Are we to blame…? Our climate is changing as it has for millions of years, BUT, has our human behavior tampered with our global and oceanic thermostat causing severe reactions. I’ve been watching an interesting Showtime documentary series called “Years of Living Dangerously” which spotlights the cause and affects of our human actions. We need to make some serious changes in our (Global Population’s) behavior or the world we live in today be devastatingly different for our future generations.
Wrong Word
Here are John Kerry‘s words about Israel: “A two-state solution will be clearly underscored as the only real alternative. Because a unitary state winds up either being an apartheid state with second-class citizens – or it ends up being a state that destroys the capacity of Israel to be a Jewish state,” . A BIG OOPS on using the word “Apartheid”. Israel would never allow itself to get into a situation where the demographics would threaten our Jewish Majority. Worst case scenario, Israel will have to disengage from the West Bank just as we did in Gaza, create a protective dome from any potential attacks and… PRAY for PEACE. By the way, for Gary Peter’s articulate response to Sec. Kerry’s mischosen word, see the Political section below.
From a wall in the Old City of Jerusalem.
“We” are the collective.
Paying Tribute
Somber remembrance immediately follows joyful celebration this week in Israel (and for all Zionist) as Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut are commemorated. Sunday evening marks the beginning of Israel’s recognition of her fallen solders and victims of terror and Monday evening starts the celebration of Israel’s Independence. These two days are purposely connected to remind us to always look to the bright future especially after remembering the horrors of our past. On Yom HaZikaron, at 10am in the morning, a 2-minute siren is hear throughout Israel as the whole nation comes to a halt. Cars on the roads and highways stop and everyone stands at attention wherever they are. It is truly a moving site to see. Please join our Detroit commemoration of Yom HaZikaron this Sunday evening (promptly) at 5:30pm at the Berman Center at our West Bloomfield JCC. There is no charge but they ask that everyone be seated by 5:15pm. http://jewishdetroit.org/event/youm-hazikaron-israels-national-memorial-day/ and please enjoy this musical video celebrating the HOPE we all have for Israel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsE1cAKM4Yc
Haifa Healing Powers
Prayers and well wishes go to, Gennady Kernes, the Jewish Mayor of Ukraine’s 2nd largest city, as he is recovering at Haifa’s Rambam Hospital, from a gunshot wound sustained (this past Monday on Holocaust Remembrance Day) in his hometown of Kharkiv. Though Anti-Semitism was not suspected in his assault, his recovery at the hands of our Jewish hospital may save his life.
Not a Jew
I take pride in the accomplishments of Jews around the world and have always assumed Seth Meyers was a member of our Tribe, but my mistake was corrected when I saw this entertaining clip from Seth, himself:
http://www.nbc.com/late-night-with-seth-meyers/video/seths-story-seths-jewish-enough/2776163#i
Though he married a Jew
Was a Jew
Sadly, this Jewish guy from NJ clearly got the WRONG message when he was brainwashed to become a radical Muslim spewing terrorist ideas that landed him in jail:
http://www.npr.org/2014/04/25/306533963/the-jewish-kid-from-new-jersey-who-became-a-radical-islamist
Who is a Jew
The saying goes… 2 Jews, 3 opinions. This week the Conference of Presidents (of Major Jewish Organizations) rejected entrance of J Street into their esteemed entity. As mentioned several times in these emails, my Jewish Tent is Tall and Wide, welcoming all who believe in the continuity of our Peoplehood and security of our Homeland (all except Jews for Jesus or Messianic Jews as their beliefs contradict our identity). So, as our opinions vary and continue to diverge, our acceptance, tolerance and coexistence with each-other should increase to maintain the united force we require to help sustain our future.
Lisa
Bonus Track 1
Thanks,
Michael Berke for posting this absolutely beautiful rendition of my favorite Beatle’s tune “In My Life”. This version is performed on the Skjold Bass, by Rob Smith, and it reflects a stunning version of the original. Truly worth a listen…
http://www.wimp.com/solobass/
Bonus Track 2
I don’t necessarily believe in ghosts or spirits, but this young (7 years old) girl must be channeling the vocal abilities of Ella Fitzgerald. Amazing… “Fly me to the moon”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X4sqQbuQZI
Bonus Track 3
I’ve spotlighted these amazing dancing in previous weeks. Hope you enjoy this new video by these very talented Urban Dance Students:
http://tinyurl.com/UrbanDanceCamp
Bob Benyas (z’l)
Our community lost a treasured visionary with a talented eye for beauty, a WWII vet and a dear friend when Bob Benyas passed away this week at the age of 90 (and 1/2). For years, Bob was the ever present photographer throughout our region capturing the likes of Presidents, Prime Ministers, Sports Legions and Music Icons. But most importantly he was a sweet man, devoted to his family and friends. May his spirit, memories, love, support and photos bring comfort to his dear wife (of 63 years), Shirley, his sons Mark and Eddie and their families, his brother Don and sister Etagail and all who loved him. He will be truly missed.
Paul Sherizen (z’l)
Condolences to the Sherizen family on the passing of their patriarch, Paul Sherizen. He was a devoted supporter of Israel as he was ever-present at all AIPAC events. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family during their time of sorrow.
Max Fischel (z’l)
Dear friends, Barbara and Irvin Kappy lost their beloved father this past week. Max was a sweet wonderful man who survived the Holocaust to flourish and raise a beautiful family with his beloved wife, Sophie Fischel (z’l). May his memories and love bring comfort to Barbara, Irvin, Brandon and Michelle as his legacy lives on in their lives.
Cantor Harold Orbach (z’l)
Condolences to the family of Cantor Orbach on his passing.
Bob Hoskins
Actor Bob Hoskins age 71, best know for his role in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (a movie we saw hundreds of times with our kids) died this week from pneumonia. He also suffered from Parkinson’s disease.
Al Feldstein (z’l)
If you were a MAD Magazine fan, you’ll be sad to hear of the death of Al Feldstein (age 88) who was its guiding force for 30 years.
Shabbat Shalom - שבת שלום 