In Michigan, Spring has sprung…up and down.  One day its 60, the next its 20. Snow was in our forecast for today. One thing for sure, the warmer weather is outlasting the colder days and longer sunlight sure beats 5pm darkness.  Soon, blossoms will start to appear and there’s no turning back from there.

Its no secret that I am a proud Democrat. Yet, I try to express my views (Equal Rights, Environmental Protections, Women’s Rights…) in a respectful manner to avoid offending friends whose opinions fall on the opposite side of the spectrum. However, the one issue that should never be debated is our support for Israel.  The venues to do so are as varied as our opinions (AIPAC, ZOA, JNF, J-Street…).  Historically, our US government has been Israel’s best friend but at times it has also been at odds with our (Democratic diversely populated) Jewish Homeland… Eisenhower forced Israel to withdraw from the Sinai in the 50s, Bush (Sr.) withdraw military support in the 90s and other US Administrations have had their reprimanding moments. It is our jobs as Diaspora Jews and Israel Advocates to speak up (to friend, legislators, uninformed…) in support of Israel’s basic right to exist.  We also need to fight when lines are crossed and the fake based rhetoric becomes Anti-Semitic and Anti-Israel like this week’s Chicago Tribune cartoon which causes a snowball effect that gathers more lies to fuel our enemies.

Abortions are legal yet women’s access to them is threatened everyday.  And when access is limited, desperate women returned to desperate and dangerous alternatives.  If the anti-abortion activists were genuine in their efforts to limit abortions, they would focus on pregnancy prevention. However the opposite holds true as they prefer to limit birth control information and insist on celibacy often directed only at girls; forgetting it takes two to tango. Our Republican-led Michigan Senate has just approved a Right to Life licence plate where proceeds will benefit their anti-abortion mission.  Its next stop is the Repub-led House where passage is expected there as well. There are 27 other MI fundraising licence plates benefiting Universities, Cancer Research, Children, Lighthouses…

but this is the first one to benefit the efforts to limit access to a legal procedure.

http://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/18/choose-life-license-plate-approved-state-sente/24958789/  and check out this excellent Rolling Stone aritcle that points out 5 reasons we need to continue fighting to keep Choice a legal option:  http://tinyurl.com/RS5reasons

In another state and another issue, Texas is grappling with allowing the Confederate Flag on their licence plates.  Their controversy is now in front of the Supreme Court.  They are hoping to get the Texas (and SCOUS) stamp of approval forSons of Confederate Veterans, regardless of their offensive message of White Supremacy, just as Michigan has given their stamp of approval to the anti-abortion group.

There are 591 days until the 2016 elections. Shouldn’t there be moratorium on campaigns?  In my world, it would be 365 days. One year is plenty of time to convince someone to vote for you. And while we’re at it, let’s limit our campaign spending. How about $1 million for presidential candidates compared to the $1 Billion (per side) that was wasted on the last election. Citizens United is a poison in our society and needs to be overturned sooner rather than later. Those with opposite views to mine would say we live in a democracy so no campaign regulations are needed but I’d argue creating a level playing field is the most democratic way to elect our officials.  Mr. Ted Cruz is now, officially, our 27th declared candidate*.  His stance on so many issues are too extreme to satisfy most American voters, but it will be interesting to see how his supporters spin his Canadian birth with an American Mother when those same people balked at Obama’s legitimate American birth but with the same citizenship of his mother.

Wishing you a Sweet and Meaningful charoset eating Passover holiday.  More info on Passover in next week’s Shabbat message. But in the meantime, two very talented groups of musicians took my favorite Bruno Mars song and created these Hip-Hop Passover Videos. Which do you like best?

I’m prone to this AISH version since good pal, Michael HarPazis the lead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v3xjf1kGlg

Also enjoy this Six13 rendition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q7Jo7FkLH4 Both are great and serve to help retell our Passover Story of Freedom and Redemption.

With more ice cream news, Happy 75th birthday to Dairy Queen! Did you pick up your free cone last Monday (MI DQs are giving away the free cones today, March 20th, first day of Spring aka Spring Equinox). And of course, I can’t talk about Dairy Queen without mentioning its owner and my hero,

Warren Buffett.  Here is a 90 second video of why the humble, philanthropic, smart WB tops my admiration list:

Mazel Tov

new grandparents

on the arrival of baby

Grayson.

If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I’d like to do…

Though Daylight Savings Time, this year, brought Spring weather to Michigan, it still is considered an antiquated system.  We should just pick a time and stick to it. John Olivier showcased the absurdity and history (no, it’s not for the farmer) of DST in this hilarious video:

20 Years ago, the Fourth World Conference (held in Beijing) studied the status of Women and not surprisingly, results showed excessive discrimination, abuse and inequality for (the female) half of the world’s population. Well, this week the UN confirmed what most already knew, that women are still at extreme risk throughout most societies. Government delegates from across the globe are convening at the UN headquarters this week to assess efforts instituted back in Beijing in 1995. Some advancement are apparent, such as a decrease in maternal mortality and higher percentage of girls enrolled in school but these positive trends are outweighed by serious concerns like domestic abuse (legal in some countries) and the increase of human trafficking. There is much more work to be done before women of the world are respected like their male counterparts.

“We can not ALL succeed when half of us are held back”

Malala Yousafzai

ObamaCare has proven to all that it is not a job killer nor an economy destroyer (new indicators estimate even lower Health Care Costs than anticipated**) but this doesn’t stop the (over 50) congressional attempts to repeal it and now the 2nd visit to the Supreme Court to overturn it.  This current case,

King V Burwell, is attacking the State Exchanges that would affect 75% of the newly insured. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of King (Virginia residents who brought the case) and against Burwell (our US Secretary of Health and Human Services), it would seriously throw a monkey wrench in the system essentially pulling the insurance rug from nearly 8 million people and not providing an alternative solution. It seems to be a split court now and just like the last court case, Chief Justice Roberts will probably make the final decision. Let’s hope he again saves the day.  A vote could take place as early as (today) March 13th but the opinion might not be known till June.

Senator Tom Cotton, age 37

* Shame on University of Oklahoma frat SAE for their racist chant that included the “N” word and was caught on tape.  The South (and other corners of our country) continue to be riddled with racism but seem to elude videotaping.

Condolences to Beth Gotthelf and Steven Miesowicz and their family on the passing of Beth’s brother, Dennis Gotthelf z”l. May his spirit and memory bring comfort to those who loved him. May he rest in peace.

This poem by Judi Schram touched a cord…

By the media coverage and general obsession, it felt like we were witnessing the Speech of the Century. Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu was welcomed to the Joint Congressional Session like a King to his court and was showered with 26 Standing Ovations. The Talking Heads agreed he categorically expressed the clear and present danger of Iran. Though was his goal of altering the Iran Nuclear Agreement (approaching its March 24th deadline) reached. Personally, I don’t think Iran deserves any nuclear program, be it…medical, energy and certainly not weaponry. But that limitation would be too dictatorial for the democratic Nations involved in the negotiations. I agree with Bibi’s description of Iran’s “hide and cheat” tactics. We just can’t trust them and must believe their intent of wanting to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth and do everything in our power to circumvent their capabilities. But a different dimension to the Speech dominated the media conversation. Did the protocol of the invitation and the partisan reactions cause damage to our collective political support for Israel? All sides are to blame for this fiasco. Bibi’s motives were in question as the timing of the speech bumped up against his March 17th re-election. Repubs should not have invited Bibi without pre-dialogue with the White House. Dems should not have played into the blame game squarely questioning bi-partisan support of Israel feeding directly into the anti-Israel propaganda machine. And shame on those 60 Dems lawmakers who, after all said and done, still decided to boycott the speech. This boycott was unprecedented as never before in congressional history have 60 members missed a Joint Session. Did these legislators harm their Jewish support by not attending the speech? Historically, 70% of American Jews vote Democratic. Here are just a few of the boycotters:

Bibi at the Joint Session

Logically (since Austin, San Francisco and Tel Aviv are the world’s friendliest Tech Cities), Apple has chosen Herzliya (a Tel Aviv neighbor) as the new home for their second largest Research and Development Center because of the immense brain power coming out of Israeli Universities (like Technion). Apple’s CEO Tim Cook travelled to Israel this week to inaugurate the project. Environmental concerns were prominent on Cook’s mind as the Herzliya glass building is one of the “Greenest” for Apple and the State of Israel.

“As a preemptive action today, however well-justified, may come back with unwelcome consequences in the future”. Aside from the nearly 5,000 US casualties, Daesh is our main unwelcome consequences from that era.  It seems the evil intent and actions of these terrorist continue to escalate into even more barbarism (if that is even possible). This latest destruction of cultural antiquities is reminiscent of the Taliban’s pulverization of the ancient Buddha statues in March 2001, exactly 14 years ago this month.

* Daesh (means “trample down” or “crush”) is the derogatory name they don’t like that is given to them by the regional entities. They want to be called IS or Islamic State, of which, they are neither.

Wishing a (Refuah Shlema) rapid recovery to our USAmbassador Mark Lippert as he was slashed with a knife at a Breakfast Meeting this week in South Korea.  The perpetrator has a history of attacking ambassadors to (violently) support a reunification of Korea.  Also on the Korean front, South Korea just eliminated a six decade old law that criminalized adualtry. After effects included increased stock value of companies that produce Condom and The Pill… no joke:

Shine on Israel and Jordan for last week’s signing of the historic water agreement which will save the shrinking Dead Sea and quench the thirst of both nations:

Shame on Ferguson, MO as a Federal report announced this week the despicable Racial Bias against their Black community which they used to their financial benefit.

Shine on Wayne State University for honoring Viola Gregg Liuzzo 50 years after the White WSU nursing student responded to MLK’s plea for volunteers to assist with the civil rights movement, which took her life:

Shame on Ben Carson (potential Repub. Pres. Candidate) for almost everything that comes out of his month, including this week’s comments about his belief that Homosexuality is a Choice because prisoners choose it in jail. He has since backtracked, but quite frankly, I think he truly believes it.

Shine on Senator Barbara Mikulski  (Maryland Dem.) as the longest serving woman in Congress (Nearly 40 years combined in both the House then the Senate). As she announced this week she won’t run for re-election in 2016, it will be difficult to fill her small but mighty shoes.

Shine on Jimmy Kimmel and his cohort of real Docs for this excellent and humorous pro-vaccine video:

Shame on German Publishers for bringing Mein Kamft back to German Bookstores (with annotations) after the 70 year ban. Not sure if it will be used as a learning tool to avoid a repeat of history or as inspiration for the demented:

Shine on China for instituting a 1 year ban on the import of Ivory. Hopefully this test year will morph into a lifetime ban by squelching the Chinese appetite for Elephant tusk.  Bravo to Prince William who this week encouraged China to extend the ban. http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1729598/prince-william-urges-china-enact-permanent-ban-ivory-trade and while I’m on the subject of Elephants, finally, Ringling Brothers have decided to “free” the Elephants from thier inhumane circus treatment by the year 2018. A bit late, but better than never:

Bravo to Harvey Bronstein and Margot Halperin for being recognized as this year’s Federation Lifetime Achievement Honoree.  The awards will be presented to them in May.  Thanks, Harvey and Margot for your passion and dedication to our Jewish Community.

Condolences to the dear friends and family of Jeff Surnow z”l (age 63).  An avid biker since age 50, who was tragically hit by a police car while biking in the early morning Hawaiian hours. May his memory and spirit bring comfort to those who loved him and mourn his passing.

Condolences to friends Bob and Anita Naftaly and Howard and Lisa Brown on the passing of Grace Naftaly z”l (age 101). May her long life, spirit and love bring comfort to her family during their time of sorrow.

As many know, Leonard Nimoy z”l grew up in an orthodox home and took the clergy Tefillin wrapped fingers forming a Shin as his Vulcan hand gesture. He was talented well beyond Star Trek as he often perform as Tevye in Fiddler productions, wrote poetry and published several photography books.  Less known was his declaration of Love (at the end of this) rendition of “If I had a Hammer”.  You were well loved, Mr. Spock/ Mr. Nimoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvoJQlhzHyU

Long Live and Prosper