“Falling, yes I am falling…” Paul
Sukkot (translation: huts or booths) is the joyous 7 day (8 days in diaspora outside of Israel) holiday that celebrates the harvest with a symbolic temporary 3 walled hut we eat (sleep) and celebrate in during the holiday. May the walls of your Sukkah remain standing as apposed to this Sukkot parody of a Paul McCartney song performed by Rogers Park.
“Going to the Chapel…” Dixie Cups
The First Monday in Oct. brought great news from the Supreme Court to 5 States (Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin) with Marriage Equality cases pending. The Justices decided NOT to review these cases in essence clearing the wedding bell path for the long awaited legal marriage unions. This brings our growing number of Marriage Equality States to 30. Our Michigan LGBT marriage status is pending at the Federal Court level due to our Attorney General Bill Schuette’s appeal of Judge Friedman’s ruling eliminating the marriage ban. By the way, 17 countries (including these 10 below) all enjoy Marriage Equality.
“Did you ever know that you’re my hero…” Bette
I have been following CNN’s Heros Award Ceremony since it started back in 2007 and this year is exceptionally exciting since one of the top 10 candidates has been a hero and a healer here in Detroit for 15 years. Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg founded Kids Kicking Cancer that teaches, through martial arts, “that pain is a message that you don’t have to listen to”. Over 5,000 kids (and their families) have been helped by the techniques and compassion of this wonderful man. Rabbi Goldberg is all too familiar with the devastating effects of Cancer as 30 years ago his daughter was diagnosed with leukemia just before her 1st birthday and passed away when she was only 2. Please vote for Rabbi Goldberg (you can vote once a day) at:
“Doctor, doctor, gimme the news…” Robert
Pink seems to be everywhere this month as, for 29 years, it has been the official color of Breast Cancer Awareness. The NFL football players wear Pink, the 400 ft. spire at the top of World Trade Center One will be Pink, an Orlando police officer will be driving a Pink patrol car…and the list goes on. If all this Pink
reminds women to get their mammograms, then bring on the Pink. Female friends, please check to see when your last mammogram was and keep current.
“Oops, I did it again…” Brittany
Last week I mistakenly attributed the United Nations HeForShe speech to the Wrong Emma. The correct Goodwill Ambassador is
Emma Watson, who by the way, was criticized and attacked (via social media) for her outspoken views promoting Women’s rights:
http://tinyurl.com/WatsonSlate
“Tell me whats going on” Marvin
“Muskrat Susie, Muskrat Sam” Daryl/Toni (Cap. & Tennille)
I’m not sure WHY the news, that 50% of our Global Wildlife has become extinct in the last 40 years, hasn’t been blasted across our headlines and shouted from rooftops. This sounds like Big and Worrisome news to me. Humans (of course) are the cause, due to our rapid consumption of Trees, Fish and Water and our ever growing Carbon Footprint. Hopefully more attention to conservation efforts will help reverse this alarming trend since our Human existence is just as fragile.
“At the Zoo” Paul and Art
as I begged for local Detroit Zoo visit with my family. As an adult I’m thrilled to sit on the Detroit Zoological Society’s board to help bring awareness of this great institution with all its incredible conservation initiatives, including, the care of 51 rescued turtles during the bizarre case as they were being smuggled (on their way to China) strapped to the leg and groin of their carrier.
http://tinyurl.com/smuggledTurtles. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles… to the rescue.
“Sittin’ on the dock of the bay…” Otis
California is experiencing an extreme drought that is devastating their lives and environment. Gov. Brown has asked residents to cut their water consumption by 20% and there are some homes which have no running water anymore. Here is an eye-opening interactive photo display of the drought effects on several California sites:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/alexnaidus/california-drought-images#l2q77k
“I am woman, hear me roar…” Helen
13 more abortion clinics bolted their doors in Texas last week after new severe laws forced their closure. The whole State of Texas now has ONLY 8 clinic remaining, down from 41 last year. This is tragic for nearly 1 Million Texas women of reproductive age who are 150 miles or more from any abortion facility. For those with minimal financial means, this essential blocks access to ending unwanted pregnancies. The Supreme Court may weigh in on this issue as there is an appeal to reverse the Texas Law:
“What the world needs now is love sweet love…” Dionne
College campuses all around this nation are experiencing an increase in anti-semitism (as well as anywhere Jews or Israel are like the Cleveland Cavaliers game against the Tel Aviv Maccabi team this past weekend). But back to the college concerns, please check out this video of students from all corners of our country as they speak of the hatred and vitriol on their campuses:
“got the rockin’ pneumonia & the boogie woogie flu” Johnny
Ebola victim, Thomas Duncan, died this week but panic should NOT ensue as in reality, Ebola is less contagious than most diseases. Yes, it is deadly and we MUST fight this epidemic, but please take a look at this chart and remember to vaccinate your children as this is how we stop the spread of curable diseases.
“We are family, I got all my sisters with me” Pointer Sister
Wishing you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom, a Hag Sukkot Sameach (Happy Holiday of Sukkot)
Lisa
Post Script
Condolences to Family, Friends and our entire Global Jewish Community on the passing of the legendary (100 year old) Ralph Goldman (z”l) for his decades of passionate work on behalf of Israel, Jewry and humanity.
Condolences to the Music lovers on the passing of Raider’s band leader, Paul Revere at age 76.
Thank You to the late Buffalo Bills founder and owner, Ralph Wilson, as he left the majority of his $1.4 Billion estate to his beloved Hometowns, Buffalo and Detroit.
Mazel Tov Marion Freedman on her well-deserved JPM JCC honor.
Thanks Doug and Todd for all your efforts in leading our community these last several years and Good Luck to Larry and Ben as they take over the reins.
Mazel Tov to Mitch (my Camp Sea-Gull Tripper) and Nancy Kantor on the engagement of their daughter Lisa Kantor to Bill Guth (from Toronto).
Mazel Tov Anita and Bob Naftaly on receiving their Honor from Yad Ezra this week.
Wishing a speedy recovery to Rabbi Norman Roman on his unexpected emergency surgery a few weeks ago.