Tikvah Tuesday
The Jewish observance of Tisha B’Av is this Tuesday Aug. 5th*. It is a Fast Day (no food or drink) that commemorates the destruction of our 1st and 2nd Temples which occurred about 656 years apart but coincidentally on the same Hebrew calendar date of Tisha (9th) day of the month of Av.  At this moment it feels like our enemies want the history books to include another destruction of our “Temple” Israel but just as we’ve survived all past attempts we, too, will survive this one with continued hope (Tikvah) for Peace.

                                                   Gazan child digging tunnel

Threatened Freedoms
Palestinians do deserve a State but it should be peacefully NEXT to ours, not IN PLACE of ours. But, for those who think this war is just a Middle East conflict involving Jews… it is not.  It is basically a conflict by those who abhor the Democratic Freedoms we hold near and dear.  this conflict has also emboldened Anti-Semitism to bubbling up in Europe.  This war is being waged all over the world. As an example, millions of dollars are being (quietly) paid to Al Qaeda and its affiliates to free kidnapped European hostages.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/30/world/africa/ransoming-citizens-europe-becomes-al-qaedas-patron.html?_r=0

Groups like Al Qaeda, Taliban, ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah, Boka Harem and their friends would like to eliminate democracy EVERYWHERE. Extremist on all sides are dangerous to our freedoms. Here is an extremist mother who’s son was treated in an Israeli hospital for a heart condition.  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10204348730899301&fref=nf

Remember the book…

Shameful
Shame on the NRA spokesperson who criticized a Jewish businessman for supporting Gun Control by suggesting that gun policies were used by the Nazis against the Jews.
http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2014/07/jewish-federation-demands-resignation-of-nra-lobbyist/

Shameful
Shame on our Congress for wasting money and time on an absurd political stunt to sue our President for doing the job we democratically voted him in to do.

Reflections
Amid the tragic world events occurring this Summer, it is time to take a breather and reflect on our own daily lives.  We are here on Earth to Enjoy (ourselves) and Improve (our surroundings). Enjoyments like the warmth of Summer, hugs of grandchildren, health and well-being of family and friends, outdoor (James Taylor) concert, ice cream…deserve appreciation.  It’s also important to remember the other half of the “Enjoy and Improve” equation by helping those around us. Sometimes “doing good” is more enjoyable than even Ice Cream.

James in his “Detroit vs Everybody” shirt this week at
Pine Knob

Music Makes Everything Better
To end this week on a beautiful note, here is the music of Sonna Rele and a messy haired Matisyahu singing a great new song called “Get Up”.  There’s a cute kid at the end. Is it Matisyahu’s son? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ngCcZPEsuc&feature=youtu.be

Lisa

Parting shot of a true mentch!

Pope Francis‘ surprise visit this week to join fellow Vatican staff in the cafeteria lunchroom.

Congrats to Richard Bernstein for announcing his candidacy this week for Michigan Supreme Court.  With his experience, skills and intellect, he is an excellent choice for our Supreme Court.

Michigan Primary is this Tuesday August 5th