Today, Nov. 6th, marks the 6th year of my Shabbat Shalom hobby.  I plan to continue it at least “sixfold” more years (I hope that means 6×6 or 36 more years). All 6 years of these email are now being transferred to a blog so in the near future you will be able to read them at the blog site, WordPress and comment with your thoughts.  Apparently the 6th anniversary is celebrated with Iron and Candy, so feel free to shower me with Horseshoes and Hershey’s kisses…

“Error” is my middle name and I made three of them (that I know of) last week.

1. Dr. Thomas Kovan z”l was Linda’s uncle.

2. I missed Rick Weinstein’s birthday on Nov. 3rd

3. Brenda Steuer’s birthday is not Oct. 30th, it is May 15th.

Triple oops to these mistakes and any others.  I fully admit my human flaws and would rather write with mistakes than miss my weekly habit.

While counting “flaws” or deadly judgements in error, the world should know that nearly 800 terror attacks have occurred in Israel since the Jewish New Year, only two months ago, including 4 stabbing victims this week (2 elderly people). Why do so many sit idly by or worse yet, blame Israel for this terror? There is no excuse for this behavior, no matter the politics.  Those blaming Bibi or the occupation or any injustice should educate themselves on the Truth. As I’ve always said, Israel is by no means a perfect country (there is no such thing), but she has bent over backwards in her historic attempts to make peace with the Palestinians. Completely withdrawing from Gaza, giving 99% of demands during Olso, treating Arab victims of terror and neighboring wars…and the list goes on of her Humanity.  There is absolutely no justification for Terrorism.  No modern, democratic country would stand for these attacks on their innocent citizens, not to mention the real intent (of some extremists), to obliterate the existence of the Jewish State and in some eyes the Jews too. I’m a self-proclaimed bleeding heart liberal but on this issue I differ greatly from my left kinship. The stakes are too high to ignore the facts and sit idling by…

This week’s elections produced an unexpected guard change in Kentuckyfrom a Dem. Governor to a very conservative Republican one, which the state hasn’t seen in 40 years. The newly elected (Tea-Party) Matt Bevin and his (Detroit born) Lieutenant Gov., Jenean Hampton, made history as Ms. Hampton became the first African-American ever to be elected to a Statewide office in Kentucky. Both Bevin and Hampton are newbies to elected office and now lead their State that used to be dominated by the Dems. The other surprising (and maddening) upset occurred in Houston, TX where the opposition to an anti-discrimination law used a scare tactic implying the law would allow sex offenders to enter women’s bathrooms. Houstonians fell for it and voted against protecting equal rights.

224 people lost their lives in the Sinai Desert plane crash as investigators are trying to determine the cause of this deadly tragedy.  Was the aircraft in poor condition or was foul play involved?  Of course, the demonic Daesh takes credit and now the UK has pulled their flights for this desert resort town. To the victims families, no answer will bring back their loved ones, but to the Russian authorities, cause might be the reason for future actions.

To the dismay of US negotiators and leadership, Iran has become more hostile and emboldened after the Iranian Nuclear agreement as opposed to friendlier and more understanding. Americans continue to be arrested in Iran for espionage, Iran tested a ballistic missile a few weeks ago and this week they celebrated the (double Chai) 36th anniversary of the Iran Hostage Crisis with a rally chanting Death to America and Death to Israel as both flags were burned. Of course they try to explain that “their” meaning of “Death to America” only refers to the evil American policies certainly not the Americans.  Yes, that makes it all better.  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-04/iran-marks-u-s-embassy-storming-as-deal-leaves-rivalry-intact

Iran’s celebration this week

“Dear passengers, we will be landing soon in Palestine.” is not how pilots should address their passengers when approaching Ben Gurion International Airport squarely situation in the land of Israel.  Not surprising this Iberian Airline pilot was removed from the Madrid/Israel route and hopefully required to go back to High School geography class.  After an investigation, Iberia Airline says it was a misunderstanding (lost in translation).  They refute that the Spanish version included Palestine as the final destination while the English version only stated Tel Aviv with no mention of Israel.

One company that does love Israel is the candy, Mentos. About a year ago, they started printing “I love Israel” on their Mentos packaging, but it seems only recently that social media has picked it up and figuratively thrown it into those exploding Diet Coke bottles.  As you can imagine, those who hate Israel have a campaign to boycott Mentos, which is why I’m chewing some Mentos gum right now. FYI, Mentos (the peppermint flavored caramel candy) was invented by two dutch brothers while riding a train to Poland in 1932. And Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati holds the World Record of the most Diet Coke/Mentos explosions.  I knew you’d want to know that.

(Windmills of my Mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0ZljYnObOI )

Happy 85th birthday to the Detroit/Windsor Tunnel (2nd busiest US/Canada crossing) which opened for traffic Nov. 3, 1930 at the cost of $23 Million and took 26 months to build.

This beautiful Hebrew rendition by IDF singers of Leonard Cohen famous song was published exactly one year ago today and as our breakfast table is filled with two IDF soldiers (our son, Mataan, who joins Nov. 26th, and bonus son, Josh) who both will be returning to Israel in 2 weeks, this song is in their honor. http://www.israelvideonetwork.com/the-idf-produced-the-best-version-of-leonard-cohens-hallelujah-ever/

Bravo and BS…

…Bravo to Sara Soaba’s brave words at the Knesset defending the State of Israel as a Muslim Israeli Zionist.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSOMe9LuC-E

…Bravo to the genius who brought together children and elderly in this comboNursery School/Nursing Home.  All ages benefit from this symbiotic coexistence. http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/life/day-care-center-s-presence-transforms-residents-at-mount-carmel/article_c2687598-7f42-11e5-959b-df6c61ab8129.html

…Bravo to Bush (Senior) on criticizing his son’s advisors (Cheney and Rumsfeld) in his new book.

…Bravo to Egypt for (the first time ever) voting in support of Israel at the UN.  A votet to accept Israel’s membership on the Committee for the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space Affairs. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/africa/22027-for-the-first-time-since-1948-egypt-votes-for-israel-at-un

…Bravo to Pope Francis for reiterating this week that Anti-Israeli sentiment equals Anti-semitism. http://www.thetower.org/2506-pope-equates-anti-zionism-with-anti-semitism-says-israel-has-right-to-safety-and-prosperity/

…Bravo to China and Taiwan leaders for opening up lines of communication after 75 years of silence. http://blogs.wsj.com/briefly/2015/11/04/5-things-about-the-taiwan-china-talks/

…Bravo to the Women of the Supreme Court and their new awesome portrait unveiled this week Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.

 …BS to Roger Waters who despite his blatant anti-Israel rhetoric sold out a show in New York after suggestions were made to concert-goers to refund their tickets.  No refunds were requested but protesters to his BDS stance were out in strength. http://www.27east.com/news/article.cfm/Sag-Harbor/128470/Roger-Waters-Is-Boycotted-Outside-Bay-Street-Theater-On-Friday

…BS to China‘s population policy that has created an invisible class of 6.5 million “2nd child” chinese  statusless citizens.

…BS to the Bangladesh Islamic extremist who are stabbing/murdering secular blogger and publishers. http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/writers-publisher-stabbed-attack-bangladesh-capital-34873579

Of Blessed Memory…

Though I didn’t know her, she raised a wonderful son who created a beautiful family with his wife.  Condolences to Keenan and Orna Wolens on the passing of Keenan’s beloved mother, Maliette Wolens z”l.  Survival and determination describes the life of Maliette as she lost many family members to the Holocaust while she and her family were on the run till they landed in Mexico City.  She later settled in Dallas and raised her family as a dedicated member of the Jewish Community. She lived each day to the fullest as she preferred flowers sent to her while alive and not to her funeral. As stated in her obit, “In lieu of memorials, please send flowers to someone you love.”  Sending love, hugs and these flowers to Keenan, Orna, Alana, Ethan, Sophie and Raquel.