Protective Edge
After a week of accelerated tension with over 500 Hamas rockets targeted at Israeli citizenry and the IDF using defensive tactics in Gaza to help keep Israel safe, most are praying and hoping for a settling down period.  Israel wants calm while Hamas (the terrorist organization not necessarily the people of Gaza) wants graphic photos and breaking news headlines for their propaganda fight, not to mention the destruction of Israel. These rocket attacks are NOT new.  Since 2001, nearly 13,000 attacks from Gaza have been endured by Israel (that’s an average of 3 attacks EVERY single day). Here are the full stats: http://www.idfblog.com/facts-figures/rocket-attacks-toward-israel/ (side note: Thank God for the Technion designed/US Funded Iron Dome Defense System which has saved numerous lives). The media tries to equalize each side but in reality, Hamas has been instigating terror for years while Israel takes the defensive approach to eliminate the ammunition. Hamas uses human shields while the IDF sends forewarning notices before hitting rocket lunchers and suspected terrorist homes. The sides are NOT equal and this cartoon is a perfect analogy to the situation (thanks, Tzachi for sharing):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbdnu_R9G40 Also, Hamas and their supporters use fabricated images to perpetuate pity though thankfully this tactic was discovered by the BBC fact checker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnO4gy8dQIc

Hamas can never be a Peace Partner and hopefully this situation has helped the PA to reconsider it’s bond with this terrorist organization.

Disgraceful
Naivety convinced me that the coldblooded terrorists who murdered the 16 year old Palestinian, Muhammad Abu Khdeir could NOT have been Jewish as this type of revenge activity isn’t within our ethos.  Sadly, I was wrong and the Jewish terrorists who committed this dastardly crime were apprehended this week. This act is despicable, deplorable and deserves severe punishment.

Israeli visitors at the mourners’ tent of the Abu Khdeir family
Shuafat, Jerusalem  

Humanity
Personal attempts to heal the deep-seeded wound were exhibited all this week by Israelis. The father of one of the kidnapped Israeli teens called with condolences to the family of the slain Arab teen. Israeli families attended his memorial service, paid condolence visits to his home with a genuine sense of apology and expression that those who did the killing do NOT represent 99.9% of the population.  Bibi also called the family and expressed his deepest condolences.  Sadly there is asymmetry with these Humane acts of kindness, since Arabs who express support of Jews are often treated as traitors and their lives are threatened.

Parentless
Here in the US, we have different human crisis dominating our border.  Will the nearly $4 Billion requested by Pres. Obama cover the enormous task of dealing with the projected 90,000unaccompanied immigrant children and teens detained while trying to reach our cherished American cities.  These kids are trying to escape their Central American homes where poverty, gang violence and Drug Lords dominate their surroundings.

Rectification
Bravo to our Michigan Senators Levin and Stabenow for supporting the Senatorial attempt to overturn last week’s SCOTUS decision with their endorsement of the Protect Women’s Health from Corporate Interference Act.  A companion House bill is expected, too.  The Hobby Lobby SCOTUS decision emphasizes the importance of our electoral process as the trajectory of our nation lies within the confines of 9 lifetime appointed Judges who’s personal beliefs can change the course of our country. This is why it is important to vote but also why it is strategic for elderly Judges like Ruth Bader Ginsburg to think about retirement while Obama is still in office. Justice Thurgood Marshal always regretted his retirement timing and his fears held true since Pres. George H.W. Bush replaced him with Clarence Thomas who will most likely go down in history as our lest-respected Justice.  Also, no other country has Lifetime appointments.  We should think about term limits for the Supreme Court or a reconfirmation process after a certain amount of time (like 15 years).

Gotcha
This is a great story of how one German photographer sabotaged the Nazis during WWII. This perfectly Aryan baby turned out to be Jewish. At the time, the truth would have cost her life, but now she proudly explains the story in this article:
http://www.businessinsider.com/nazis-perfect-aryan-poster-child-was-jew-2014-7 

Sports Kudos
Mazel Tov to the world’s top tennis player, Novak Djokovic, on two major events this week; winning Wimbledon and getting married.  Also, good luck to Argentina and Germany this Sunday as they battle to become the World Cup champs.

CSN&F
This week’s parting gift is this “totally awesome” musical pairing of David, Stephen, Graham and Jimmy.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. http://tinyurl.com/CSN-Jimmy

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

Lisa

P.S. Our son, Aviv, will be in DC this month participating in a High School program at Georgetown.  Any DC residents who want to touch base, email me and I’ll give you his contact info.  Thanks.

US Representatives
District 3 – Brian Ellis – Western MI – (Justin Amash must go)
District 5 – Dan Kildee – Central MI –
District 7 – Pam Byrnes – Jackson, parts of Ann Arbor…
District 9 – Sandy Levin – HW, RO, Fern, Frank…
District 11 – Livonia/Novi area – Bentivolio MUST go!
District 12 – Debbie Dingell – Detroit, parts of Ann Arbor…
District 14 – Ruby Hobbs – Detroit to Auburn Hills zigzag

District 40 – Mary Belden Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township and the eastern portion of West Bloomfield Township

District 61 – John Fisher – Portage/Kalamazoo area.

Women’s event for Rudy Hobbs on Tuesday July 15th (5:30-7:00pm) at The Detroit Golf Club (17911 Hamilton Rd.)  For more info please click here:
https://act.myngp.com/Forms/8422294253136248832?midqs=-4286300945349869568

If you live in Ann Arbor, please stop by the home of dear friends, Bunky and Neal Elyakin on Sunday, July 20, from 5:00-6:00 to greet Debbie Dingell, who is running for the congressional seat currently held by her retiring husband, Congressman John Dingell. Debbie is interested in meeting people in the district and hearing from her (hopefully) future constituents. THIS IS NOT A FUNDRAISER but they’d like to know if you plan to attend. So please email elyakin@mac.com or call/text 734-417-6094. The address is 1300 Red Oak, Ann Arbor

Candidate Forum for the14th US Congressional District (we support Rudy Hobbs in this race) sponsored by:
Jewish Community Relations Council
American Jewish Committee
Anti-Defamation League
July 22nd @ 7pm
Adat Shalom Synagogue
29901 Middlebelt Road
Farmington Hills 48334

In memory of the 3 Israeli teens, there is a Detroit Challah Baking Event planned for Thursday July 31st at 7 pm at The Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit.  For more info, please contact Aviv Gordon at avivagordontma@gmail.com

Two upcoming Gary Peters Events:
1. Monday July 14th in NYC
2. Friday July 18th at Det. MGM with Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Please contact Hy Safran with any questions at hy.safran@gmail.com
Thanks.

Please check out the broadcast premiere of Eli’s Story (about the incredible Holocaust surviver who toured many Detroiters at Yad Vashem) on Detroit Public TV, Sunday, Aug. 17, from 8-9 p.m. It will be the capstone of a full day’s rebroadcast of the Simon Schama series The Story of the Jews, which will begin at 12:30 p.m. and run till 8 p.m.

We will be celebrating our 10th anniversary of the Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Friends Luncheon on behalf of the West Bloomfield Henry Ford Breast Care and Wellness Center.  We are teaming up with the Detroit Lions this year as the luncheon will be Tuesday October 7th at Ford Field (Shuttle buses will be provided).  Hope you can join us.  More details to come.

Our friends at Forgotten Harvest need help to raise $60,000 to purchase a NEW food truck! The best part? Anyone who raises or donates at least $250 will have their name forever displayed on the truck! Here’s how to participate in this GREAT Opportunity:
https://www.crowdrise.com/ForgottenHarvestTruckAppeal