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Simchat Torah
October 17, 2014
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Dear family and friends,
Columbus Day
Oct. 12, 1492, Columbus sailed the Ocean Blue. Yet the celebratory day we spotlight is as controversial as our ocean IS blue. Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon, South Dakota, Iowa and Nevada don’t recognize the holiday. Apparently, Columbus himself was much to be desired with his scrupulous personality and his evil intent for the indigenous people. The lack of Columbus Day enthusiast dates back to the moment the ships landed when the native population was exploited, enslaved and contaminated with disease, which, from the Native’s perspective, put a damper on his arrival. Though the U.S. is not the only country which dedicates a day to good ol’ Christopher. Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Spain and Italy ALL pay tribute to this “hero”. Simchat Torah
Another holiday celebrated this week (today) is Simchat Torah which is the Happiest holiday of our Jewish calendar. Each week we read a segment of our Torah with our cycle culminating and commencing on Simcat Torah. We finish reading the final portion of the 5th (and last) book, D’varim (Deuteronomy), and start the first chapter of the first book, B’reishit (Genesis), on this joyous holiday. It is the cycle of Life, the cycle of Peoplehood, the cycle of Judaism. We finish and begin with great appreciation and happiness for the life lessons, traditions, laws, guidance and Earthly purpose for our existence. The holiday is celebrated by tangoing with the Torah (or disco, salsa, hip hop…)
Pope Francis
Bravo to the most progressive Pope in papal history (though I’m no expert) for his welcoming stance on Gays, Divorcées and untraditional families. This week Pope Francis evoked a sense of Vatican II with his “radical” ideas of accepting people for, Who they are rather than Who they sleep with. The Papal report didn’t go so far as to accept Gay unions or embraced divorce without annulment, but they expressed the idea that the worth and acceptance of a person shouldn’t be based on narrow elements of a life.The Pope’s message of Love and Acceptance flows well into this next paragraph…
Brian Wilson
Alfred Nobel
Child welfare and education were awarded the top Nobel Prize for Peace when the committee selected Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzay as this year’s winners. Their symbiotic relationship was carefully considered as young/older, Indian/Pakistani, male/female, Muslim/Hindu representatives who on individual platforms have contributed to the wellbeing and education of hundreds of millions of children around the world. As a side note, did you know that Alfred Nobel made his fortune from his invention of dynamite hence his wish to reverse his legacy to Peace.
Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzay
Supreme Court
Texas abortion clinics are starting to re-open this week as our U.S. Supreme court blocked the restrictive laws and strict regulations that shut them down in the first place. Though this week’s ruling might only be temporary since the State is appealing the decision. By the way, it was a 6-3 vote with Samuel Alito, Antonin Scalia and ClarenceThomas all voting to keep the restrictions in place…not surprising. We must make sure these three views are NOT replicated by any future president. I’d hate to see how they’d vote on Roe v. Wade.
Safe and Healthy
Keeping us safe also entails preparedness which sadly was lacking with this current Ebola situation. Most hospitals in our country, including Dallas, lacked expertise in Ebola protocol which resulted in one death and two current infections. Wishing these two nurses a full recovery (which is possible with early detection) and a halt in further outbreaks.
Though Israel and the PA don’t agree on everything, they are cooperating on how to keep their region safe from Ebola:
Wishing you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom, a Hag Simchat Torah!
Lisa
Post Script: NYC is next weekend’s birthday destination where Hannan and I will be celebrating my 54th. Your assignment, if you choose to take it, is to reply with any and all favorite NYC activities (food, music, theater, museums, shopping, outdoor spaces, nightlife, shows…) which will be accepted with much appreciation.
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18 Days till Elections
Some would have you believe in the myth of Voter Fraud which is used to perpetuate repressive voting laws, which inhibit lower income Americans from voting; And during midterms, like this election, voter turnout is way down (especially among women), so it is incumbent for all who want progressive voices representing us to
GET OUT and VOTE!
Please.
ID Laws are crushed:
Preview your ballot
There is lots to research so I hope you find this site helpful. To assist you in your research, Roz Blanck will be hosting an open forum to discuss candidates and ballot issues on Monday Oct. 27th @ 7:30pmat her home 31305 Woodside Dr., Franklin. RSVP to248-626-2347 or rkblanck@gmail.com. Please spread the word and hope to see you there.
Judical Races
After requesting advice, these people were suggested:
Supreme Court: Richard Bernstein, Bill Murphy
Supreme Court Incumbent: Deb Thomas
Judge of Circuit Court 6th: Lisa Langton
Judge of 48th District: Kevin Kevelighan
Please consider supporting:
Gary Peters: US Senate
Sandy Levin: US Congress (District 9)
Pam Byrnes: US Congress (District 7)
Debbie Dingell: US Congress (District 12)
Jeremy Moss: MI Representative (District 35)
Sandy Colvin: MI Representative (District 39)
Mary Belden: MI Representative (District 40)
Robert Wittenberg: MI Representative (District 27)
Kristy Pagan: MI Representative (District 21)
Christine Greig: MI Representative (District 37)
John Fisher: MI Representative (District 61)
Vote ahead of time
Absentee ballots are currently available to request at your county clerks office. You can even fill it out and submit it right then and there, or they can take it home and mail it back anytime before the Nov. 4th election. Also, new for this year in Michigan, you can request your absentee ballot on your smartphone:
For other States, you can contact the county clerks office in your city.
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Extended till Nov. 7th
You have 23 more days to jump on board of David Broza’s
Indiegogo Crowd-funding project to support the film documentary ofEast Jerusalem West Jerusalem. Through a sneak peak, I can confidently say it is well worth your help. Any and all investments are welcomed with great perks in return. Thanks.
Now through Nov. 16th
Please vote (once a day is allowed) for Rabbi Elimelech Goldbergfor his well-deserved Hero status as the guiding force of Kids Kicking Cancer through CNN Hero’s Award contest.
Now through Jan. 31st
Mittens for Detroit has just embarked on its 5th collection season with this year’s goal of 20,000 (new/unused) mittens or gloves. There are donation locations all around town. Two, I know of, are Weight Watchers and Starbucks. To find a drop box closest to you, please click here: http://mittensfordetroit.org/locations/
Thursday Oct. 23rd
ReMarkable Women Luncheon
Guest speaker: Tonya Reiman
The Henry, Dearborn
For more info: http://askflorine.com/remarkable-women-live/
Thursday Oct. 23rd
American Jewish Committee
2014 Distinguished Leadership Award Dinner
Honoring Gene Michalski
President & CEO, Beaumont Health
Townsend Hotel
5:30pm Reception
AJC Detroit at 248.646.7686
Shabbat Oct. 24-25
Join the international celebration of Shabbat with The Shabbos Project. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC89SX8l6JJLECCgbmp-SdEw
Monday Oct. 27th (7:30pm)
Voter Open Forum – get all your questions answered
31305 Woodside Dr., Franklin.
RSVP to 248-626-2347 or rkblanck@gmail.com
Wednesday October 29 (7:30pm)
Film Screening
Body and Soul:The State of the Jewish Nation
The Berman Center for Performing Arts
West Bloomfield JCC
Post-screening discussion with producer/director Gloria Greenfieldand Rev. Dr. DeeDee Coleman
Tickets available from The Berman Box Office: 248-661-1900
or theberman.jccdet.org/ticketing
Plus there will be a Detroit screening Thursday October 30
6:00pm – Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church
8700 Chrysler Freeway Drive
Buffet reception followed by screening
Post-screening discussion with Rev. Dr. DeeDee Coleman and producer/director Gloria Greenfield
Open to the public at no charge
Sunday November 9th
Holocaust Memorial Center Dinner at Congregation Shaarey Zedek honoring Dr. Richard K. Stoler with guest speaker Alan Dershowitz. http://www.holocaustcenter.org/dinner
Saturday November 22 (6:30pm)
The Benefit II in support of the Children’s Tumor Foundation to help fight Neurofibromatosis.
Detroit Marriott at the Ren.Cen.
Hosted by Jennifer and Dan Gilbert
For more info: Joyce Keller at 313-202-6606 or joycekeller@quickenloan.com
Tuesday December 2nd
City Year Women’s Leadership Breakfast
Detroit Athletic Club
For more info, please contact Jenna Moritz at jmoritz@cityyear.org
Check out this matching contest and donate to help:
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This week’s Birthdays:
Oct. 17th
Alisha Siegel
Sophie Wolens
Oct. 18th
Mathew Berg
Julie Zuckerman (NYC, not JFMD)
Terran Leemis
Oct.19th
Robert Reed – “Mike Brady”
(1932-1992)
Oct. 20th
Doron Levin
Megan Wilbur (Teach for America)
Oct. 21st
Alison Schwartz (Happy 50th)
Karen Kahn
Yoav Raban
Kerry Duggan
Oct. 22nd
Billy Newman
Jocelyn Benson
Marcia Gershenson
Rick Radner
Oct. 23rd
Marion Freedman
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Shabbat Shalom - שבת שלום 