Again and Again
Will anything change…? Has anything changed since Aurora’s Century Theater, Newtown’s Sandy Hook, Blacksburg’s Virginia Tech, Tucson’s Safeway (ironic) or Memphis’ Lorraine Motel? What does occur is lots of talking heads giving repeated commentary but action is needed as it speak louder than words. Have we addressed our gun accessibility or racist concerns? Are politicians even using the right words to describe this heinous, racist, gun violent attack? What is the threshold that will change our society? If the murder of kids, preachers and civil rights leaders isn’t a tipping point.. then what will motivate us to take action. Certainly, a courageous congress willing to do the right thing would be a good start.
In Memory
From ages 26 to 87, nine lives and souls were stolen from their family and friends due to brainwashed hatred. May their spirits and memories bring justice to this evil act to help prevent further senseless bloodshed.
Reverend Clementa Pinckney, age 41, was a State Senator and the senior pastor of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Cynthia Hurd, age 54, was a dedicated library manager.
Reverend Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, age 45, was a pastor, a speech therapist and a high school sports coach.
Tywanza Sanders, age 26, was a recent graduate with a degree in Business Administration.
Ethel Lance, age 70, was a mother, a grandmother and a custodian at the church.
Susie Jackson, age 87, was the cousin of Ethel Lance and a regular member of the church.
Depayne Middleton Doctor, age 49, was a mother of four and sang in the church choir.
Reverend Daniel Simmons, age 74, received a Purple Heart from the Vietnam War.
Myra Thompson, age 59, had received her licence to the Ministry shortly before she was murdered.
12 Stars and 2 Stripes
One thing that might change, yet should have years ago, is the removal of the Confederate Flag. Southern Governors are finally jumping on the Flag Removal bandwagon only after years of debates with flag waving “Southern Pride” that has kept the racist symbol flying high to this day. Its beyond tardy that this past evil relec be buried along with the racism it represents. Bravo to Walmart, Amazon, Sears, Ebay and others from pulling all merchandise from their sales stock with any confederate flag emblems. Shame on Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina and Louisiana for having laws on their books protecting the confederate flag. Bravo to California for their ban on sales or displays of the confederate flag. For more info on this racist symbol, check out this PBS article
United Nations…at it again
Shame on the UN (as usual) for lumping Israel in with the terrorist organization Hamas when condemning last year’s Gaza War. Israel was purely defending herself (as usual) against those who want her wiped off the face of the earth. Israel has the ability to completely annihilate Gaza but took careful measures to insure that last year’s protective maneuvers would avoid casualties. They sent warning notices and fired targeted attacks strictly at the source of their rockets and terrorist. Where is the UN’s condemnation that Hamas’ Rockets were purposely situated near schools and hospitals and were aimed at Israeli citizenry? Where is condemnation that supplies meant to help build their infrastructure was used to build terror tunnel? If Hamas had the same powers as Israel, they won’t hesitate to annihilate the Jewish Homeland. The snowball is rolling since now, Palestinians will use this bias report to file war crimes against Israel at the Hague International Criminal Court. Israel, like every country is not perfect but the inordinate attacks on our tiny democratic Jewish homeland is constant, disproportional and despicable.
Olive Branch
Where are the eyes on Israel when she opens her borders for Ramadan (this week) allowing 90,000 Muslims (from Gaza and the West Bank) to pray on the Temple Mount. The IDF and Israeli police secured the area so it could be a peaceful space for prayer. Israel would want nothing more than to allow these peaceful moments to endure but why are the borders closed? For one reason only, to keep out terrorist and suicide bombers. Those who criticize Israel’s tight security forget the senseless bloodshed (daily) of innocent men, women and children at the hands of maniacal monsters. Until they love life more than they hate us (paraphrased per Golda), then the security status quo must continue.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/over-90000-at-temple-mount-on-first-friday-of-ramadan/
Deal Deadline
With the June 30th deadline creeping up on the negotiations for the Iran Nuclear Deal, the Iranian supreme leader is throwing a monkey wrench into the “agreement”. He’s announced several restriction that are potential deal breakers for many. Former well respected American adviser raise serious doubt about a future deal in this open letter to the President:
http://tinyurl.com/RossOpenLetter
Shame on Chabad of Michigan
For needlessly pursuing and prolonging a property lawsuit against (smaller) Sara and Morris Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center. This territorial fight has been going on for too many years with too much wasted time, energy and (donor) money in lawyer fees. On May 20th our Michigan Supreme Court ruled against Chabad of Michigan and instead of accepting that decision, they are going back again to the State Supreme Court to ask for reconsideration. Do we really need to fight against each other when we should be united to continue our collective work of Tikkun Olam.
Shame on Ben Affleck
For trying to “White Wash” his slave-owning ancestors out of his history on the PBS documentary series Finding Your Roots. This fact hiding attempt came to light during the Sony hacked email enlightenment. He was the only star to request the omission and PBS jobs will be lost due to their compliance.
http://tinyurl.com/AffleckAncestorsFor developing this brilliant lifesaving device that will make driving on two lane roads much safer. Can’t wait till every truck can afford the install them.
Bravo to Alicia Stillman
For taking her Meningitis Vaccine fight to the CDC. The final recommendation fell short of what is needed but efforts to protect our children will continue.
Bravo to James Taylor
On his first number one album (ever, though others have reached the Top 10), “Before This World”.
Film Recommendations
Music Recommendation
The film
“Love and Mercy” about the life of
Brian Wilson is on the above list and in honor of Brian’s musical contributions, please enjoy this stellar BBC cover of “God Only Knows” with Pharrell, Elton, Stevie, Brian (himself) and many others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqLTe8h0-joWishing you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom,
Lisa
Michael Jackson
6 years ago this week the King of Pop died at the age of 50. Whether you loved him or not, there is no debate about the talent he possessed. Here is a new and entertaining tribute of a medley of his music by a capella group Pentatonix:
James Horner
The award winning composer/conductor died in a solo plane crash at the age of 61. He was raised in a Jewish home and is survived by his wife and two daughters. He’s associated with some of the biggest hits in hollywood like Field of Dreams, Titanic, Avatar and this Film song made popular by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkI-B2JWSZIDick Van Patten
Father to (late 70s) Eight is Enough TV show watched regularly by many.
Please save the date of Aug. 18th if you’d like to help us support Senator Chuck Schumer on his re-election. Please email me if you’d like to attend and I’ll give you more details.
Good luck to Lon Johnson (current Michigan Dems. Party Chair) on his bid for the congressional seat of Michigan District #1 which is all of the Upper Peninsula and the northern part of the Lower Peninsula.
Good news for ObamaCare as the Supreme Court this week upheld the tax subsidy provision for those needing help to purchase health insurance.
Michigan Congress has sent a bill to Governor Snyder to (unfortunately) eliminate the Michigan Film Incentives and shutter the Film Office by 2018. Shortsightedness has led to this poor decision as our state has benefited greatly by the film industry through the last several years.
Michigan (with the blessing our of Sec. of State) will hopefully alter our Absentee Voting Restriction to a No-Reason request for ballots. Currently, you need a reason to vote early and absentee but making it easier will only increase our dismal voter turnout.
Bobby Jindal is the newest Republican to enter thePresidential Race. Here is the list so far. More depth into these candidates will follow in the months leading up to our 2016 election. And I’m sure this list will grow even longer.
Democrats
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Bernie Sanders
Martin O’Malley
Lincoln Chafee
Republicans
Jeb Bush
Ted Cruz
Rand Paul
Marco Rubio
Ben Carson
Carly Fiorina
Mike Huckabee
Rick Santorum
George Pataki
Lindsey Graham
Rick Perry
Donald Trump
Bobby Jindal
In honor of the cat who stowed away on an ultralight flight:
http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2015/06/22/cat-on-a-plane-moos-erin-pkg.cnn
Happy Birthday!
June 26th
Dave Schwartz
Jennifer Golding Silverman
Rabbi Aaron Bergman
Ron Perry
Elaine Schonberger
Mary Stone Tessler
June 27th
Karen Blum Kelman
Orly Rubinfeld
Dolcy Rubinfeld
June 28th
Deborah Tyner
Dan Ginis
Gale Nosanchuk
Andrea Laker
June 29th
Beth Wolpin Gans
Steven Rosenthal
June 30th
John Linden
Nancy Gad Harf
Julie Smith Yolles
July 1st
Jay Hack
July 2nd
Megan Topper
Rina Raviv
Miriam David Forman
Mitchel Rosenzweig
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Shabbat Shalom - שבת שלום 