Dear Friends and Family,

As you are reading this week’s message, we were SUPPOSE to be in St. Petersburg, Russia. But “man plans and G-d (and the Russians) laugh”.  My Russian visa was sabotaged so St. Petersburg (for us) was not meant to be.  We will meet the Technion group (including my mom and Don) on the 2nd half of the trip in Israel.  I was concerned about computer access and free time on this trip so with the magic of technology, this message was written prior to our departure, in the Newark airport and scheduled for delivery (to you) Friday morning at 6:00am (Detroit Time).

I saw this article before we left and wanted to update you. Five years after the Cycling for Peace group emerged with Gilad Shalit as their symbolic guiding light, they, for the first time last month, commenced the bike trip with Gilad actually leading 500 cyclist including 150 Arab Israelis.  This was the first time since his October release that he has made a public appearance. He was greeted with love, respect and support. Here is the article:http://israel21c.org/social-action-2/gilad-shalit-joins-arab-and-jewish-cyclists-for-peace/?utm_source=Newsletter+5%2F23%2F2012&utm_campaign=May+23+2012+&utm_medium=email

Did you see this wonderful and creative youtube of Isaac’s proposal from last week. Apparently, it has logged over a million hits already. It is sweet and fun to watch:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5_v7QrIW0zY#!

Remember to give thanks…

 Cats are SO dramatic!

Wishing you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom,

Lisa

Dear Friends and Family,

Life is short.  Why does this cliche constantly need to be reminded? A horrible tragedy occurred in our community last week. A fearful grandmother purchased a semi-automatic gun to protect herself from her grandson, which eventually ended the 17-year-old’s life. I think its time to revisit our 2nd amendment and re-amend it from our “right to bear arms” to “our right arms should be bare” (of guns). So many lives would have been saved or protected if guns were drastically limited and prosecution against them stronger.

Life was short for the Munich 11 (the 11 Israeli athletes who were murdered during the 1972 Munich Olympics). Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon received a rude, insensitive replied of NO when he requested a minute of silence in memory of the Munich 11 at this year’s London Olympics. Please sign this petition to help change their minds https://www.change.org/petitions/international-olympic-committee-minute-of-silence-at-the-2012-london-olympics

And view more info at this Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/justoneminute.org.uk?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email

It is truly a shanda (shame in Yiddish) that 40 years later, the International Olympics Committee is denying this request. It would be nice if Mitt Romney took a stand on this issue as the past CEO of the 2002 Olympics.

Life was short for the Brothers Gibb (aka. Bee Gees). Rest in Peace, Robin, who passed away last week at the early age of 62. He joins his younger brother Andy who died at age 30 and his twin Maurice who died at age 53. Life ended too soon for these talented siblings. Please enjoy this vintage gem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRNTQvXSsfA

With the above 3 paragraphs all addressing short lives, I felt obligated to include tips on how to lengthen your life. Here are 14 great tips that research has proven to benefit your life. They include flossing daily, sleeping soundly, expressing gratitude and a few odd ones (like #3) you’ll just have to read about for yourself.   I hope you find this informative: http://www.wikihow.com/Live-a-Long-Life

We are coming up on the holiday of Shavout, which commemorates the day we received the Torah from God. We celebrate this holiday with all night Torah study sessions and the consumption dairy products. The dairy product connection eludes me; so if one of the many rabbis (or learned friends) on this email want to reply with an explanation, feel free.

As Memorial Day approaches, lets remember and appreciate all veterans who have served our country with your lives.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom,

Lisa

Dear Friends and Family,

I’m sure Time Magazines flew off the news stands this week with their highly controversial cover. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a woman nursing her 3 year old child in support of Attachment Parenting. I’ve always thought basic (common sense) parenting classes should be taught in High School since it is the most important and impactful job we have in life. Even if you don’t have children of your own, your influence may affect nieces, nephews or neighborhood kids. I am a big supporter of nursing your children (with time limits) but we are more of the “Blessing of the Skinned Knee” (by Wendy Mogel) philosophy than the “Attachment Parenting” style. I highly recommend Wendy’s book, which has a common sense approach to parenting.

Speaking of parenting, here are this month’s Birthdays. No cryptic descriptions of celebrants this time, just their full names. Hope all of you had or will have wonderful celebrations: Gail Mondry, Leo Maxbauer, Michael Singer, Sophia Ruiz, Zoey Spiegelman, Joey Selesny, Laura Zausmer, Dan Ruiz, Elinor Ruiz, Mark Milgrom, Matt Kletter, Andrew Etcht, Jeff Kepes, Steve Miesowicz, Jesse Stern, Julie Edgar, Paul Magy, Brianna Mark, Barbara Horowitz, Jason Fisher, Rachel Berg, Shira Eylakin, Micki Berg, Elise Benyas, Michael Maddin, Joel Kahn, Ashley Oleshansky, Brian Adelman, Nathan Upfal, John Steinberg, Sally Orley, Trudi Weinman, Beth Brandvain, Betsy Appleton, Rochelle Upfal, Robby Weinbaum, Arthur Horwitz, Linda Lee, Tzachi Shani, Bassie Shemtov and Lisa Leve. Just trying something new. I might go back to the fun descriptions, but that takes more brainpower.

There are two significant family celebrations this month. First Aunt Micki Berg turned 70 with a party at Drag Queen Bingo, which was a blast. Also, Ariella and Tzvi are celebrating their 1st anniversary.

The Queen of Disco (with 5 Grammys on her shelf), Ms. Donna Summer (age 63), passed away this week after a long battle with cancer. In her honor and memory, please enjoy this songhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaZim6ybvdA

Sunday May 20th is Yom Yerushalem (Jerusalem Day), which commemorates the reunification and establishment of Israeli control over the city in 1967 and returned realistic meaning to our Passover saying of “Next year in Jerusalem”.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom,

Lisa

Dear Friends and Family,

Marriage equality is the top story of the week with President Obama’s declaration of support. Discrimination against those who are gay is like denying rights to those who are left-handed or have blue eyes. If being Homosexual is a CHOICE than the same would hold true for being Heterosexual. I don’t ever remember choosing… do you? Unfortunately many legislators and religious leader seem to bend over backwards to prevent gay rights. Jon Stewart showed the hypocrisy of the Missouri State House with this video of Gun Rights vs. Gay Rights. I can’t believe the woman in this clip is a Missouri State Legislator:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-may-3-2012/free-at-last–free-to-blast

Israel made history this week as Bibi performed a miracle by creating the strongest coalition government in its 64-year existance.   Mandatory Army or National Service for the Ultra-Orthodox Community, Orthodox Women and Arab Israelis could be the first achievement planned. Hopefully this strong coalition could ease the path for peace talks, too.

Rest in Peace Maurice Sendack and Vidal Sassoon. Both were born in 1928 to Jewish immigrants and both were very philanthropic.

Maurice, who was raised in Brooklyn, would have applauded President Obama’s affirmation of Gay Marriage as he lived with his partner, Dr. Eugene Glynn, for 50 years. My favorite Sendack collaboration is with Carol King on the animated tale of Really Rosie. As nursery school teachers in the early 80s, Hannan and I played this album everyday to the kids at MSU’s Spartan Village Day Care Center. In honor of Shabbat and tonight’s chicken soup, please enjoy this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuVwboKvo7E&feature=related

Vidal was raised in London, but due to family difficulties lived in a Jewish Orphanage until he was 11. At the age of 20 he (like my father-in-law) joined the Jewish underground and later fought in the Israeli War of Independence. His claim to fame was his talent with the shears, his eye for beauty and his creative trendsetting sense.

We celebrated Lag BaOmer this week with bonfires, haircuts, weddings and of course FOOD as we remember Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai for, either, his connections to Jewish mysticism or his revolt against the Roman Empire. Sorry Rabbi friends for this weak interpretation.

55 deaths and 400 injuries occurred this week in Syria from the double suicide car bombs in Damascus. Each side (the government and the opposition) are blaming each-other and with the lack of media accessibility it is hard to decipher who is responsible. Seems to me, overall blame goes to President Assad for the current deadly atmosphere he has created.

I LOVE Henry Winkler but missed seeing him this week at Temple Israel, but my good friend, Jason Miller, was there and of course Mr. Winkler graciously wished us (via Jason) a Shabbat Shalom:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk-TIDe3bVM&feature=youtu.be

Wishing you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom and a Happy Mother’s day (especially to my mom),

Lisa

Dear Family and Friends,

How can an ardent professor of Peace spew such anti-Semitism? If you haven’t heard, the Norwegian “Father of Peace Studies” theorizes that last summer’s massacre of Norwegian campers may have been ordered by the Mossad. After all, it shares a day in history with the King David Hotel bombing (hence the proof).Professor Johan Galtung is the founder of the International Peace Research Institute in Oslo (sounds respectable…right?). He seems to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing with his references to the fabricated publication of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. A book falsified by the Russian secret police in 1903 that accuses the Jews of plotting world domination. Over 100 years later, this book continues to be published as FACT and is endorsed by the likes of the original Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Saudi Arabian ministry of education. Professor Galtung not only connects the Norwegian camper massacre to the Jews, he also blames the Holocaust on “the fact that Jews held influential positions in German society”. Though his views are repulsive to many and criticized in some press, he is still respected and continues his publications and interviews. Incidentally, his granddaughter was at the camp during the massacre and escaped unharmed.

Elsewhere in the world, Obama made an unannounced visit toAfghanistan this week to announce the end of our US military operation there by 2014. Though Bin Laden is dead, there is still major unrest in Afghanistan, with un-neighborly neighbors like Iran and Pakistan and the brutal ideology of the Taliban (who endorses honor killings and stoning against women). By the way, the above Prof. Johan Galtung speaks highly of the Taliban (no surprise there). Will “man’s inhumanity to man” ever end? Between Syria, North Korea, Iran, parts of Africa…unfortunately, utopia is not in our near future.

The French elections are this Sunday.  I truly hope Sarkozy wins another term.  The alternative candiate could be very toublesome for the French Jewish Community as well as the State of Israel.

On a lighter note, the top 10 favorite concerts have just been announced by Rolling Stone Magazine. See if you agree.
10. Metallica and My Morning Jacket
9. Prince
8. Foo Fighters
7. Paul McCartney (my personal #1)
6. The Rolling Stones
5. Radiohead
4. Pearl Jam
3. U2
2. Green Day
1.no surprise… Bruce Springsteen

Hope you enjoy a few concerts this summer.

My Great-Aunt Chilly who truly deserves the “Great” before her name is 101 and going strong. Our family is blessed to have her in our lives. You can read about her in this week’s My Jewish Detroit website: http://myjewishdetroit.org/2012/05/celebrating-101/

Yasher Koach (Bravo) to Mark Zuckerberg for his efforts to raise awareness of organ donation on Facebook. On Tuesday, the day it was announced, there were 6,000 people who indicated their willingness to be organ donors at State Registration locations compared to 400 on a normal day. It is truly amazing the power of the Internet.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom and a festive Cinco de Mayo.

Lisa

Dear Friends and Family,

It’s time to acknowledge April birthdays and my first salutation goes to our beloved State of Israel. YOU, Israel, deserve many accolades at your mere age of 64 years young. YOU are the only true democracy in your neighborhood, YOU invented life-enhancing and life-saving technology, YOUR female citizens have equal rights, YOUR press is free to openly criticize your governing body, and YOU allow religious freedoms within your borders. Yet for all this, your birthday gift this year is a Flytilla protest, Hamas rockets, Iranian death treats, boycotts and constant condemnation from the likes of the United Nations and the Methodist Church. I assume you would have preferred a simple fountain pen and a chocolate birthday cake but there is always hope for next year. Wave your flag and celebrate Israel’s 64th.

http://www.aish.com/h/iid/Israel_Wave_Your_Flag.html

Others celebrating April Birthdays are: Jon F (Jan’s bff and Detroit booster),Michelle R (missing our cute niece in Israel now), Lisa W (Marc’s babe and mom of 4 babes), Aviv L (our 4th babe), Carole L (Hillel pianist during our school days there), Nancy W (my Camp Sea-Gull childhood twin), Neal Z(Esther’s biker guy), Geoff K (my favorite and most reliable event planning friend), Marc S (Lori’s love and eye caring doc.), Pam L (good friend and regular Shabbat dinner attendee), Jo R (helps cure the world of Cancer and talented artist), David V (dad to 4 future Israel protectors), Shmulik K (sweet Israeli cousin), Paige M (sweet niece finishing her 1st year at Tulane), David H(Rose’s lucky guy), Emily L (my cousin who keeps our dermis safe and beautiful), Liat L (our daughter who bakes in Marquette), Abe S (my sister’s wonderful husband), Helaine Z (Andy’s better half), Linda K (Technion booster), Bonnie A (Ronen’s beautiful wife), Andy D (recent Reykjavik visitor with his wonderful family), Paula M (Camp Sea-Gull sisters and Jim’s love),Marcy L (Barnett’s babe), Wendy Y (big 5-0 wife of Rabbi Paul), Lisa B(Howard’s honey), Rick K (Chicago and JNF asset) , Illana G (Neighbor Saul’s baby daughter), Eric F (shares his attention with Gary and Dena), Laura F(daughter-in-law to across the street neighbors and daughter to wonderful Marion), Penny O (our favorite four-legged Orley), Don C (Keri’s BFF and Botsford’s booster), Edie S (Don’s darling), Amy G (neighbor crew), Barb T(Steven’s soulmate), Liz M (California artist), Keri C (Don’s darling and JN story development editor), Lisa SS (Tal’s BFF), Orly L(Gil’s gal and our neice doc.),Lisa KS (Camp Sea-Gull friend), Beth M (Steve’s southern bell inspiration).

Yasher Koach (Bravo) to Mona Elthahawy, an Egyptian-American journalist who (while covering the Arab Spring was assaulted and injured), continues to bring light to the world about the brutality, mutilation abuse (90% of Egyptian women) and discrimination of females in the Middle East. Brave souls like Mona are in short supply and need to be recognized. (thanks Ilan R. for sharing)

Another woman who has a very interesting story to share is Madeline Albright. She just completed an investigation of her secret childhood Jewish life and the fact that most of her family perished in the holocaust yet her parents never told her about the horrors.   Please view this fascinating video. Also, we are lucky to have an opportunity to meet Ms. Albright in person on Sunday May 6th. See Soap Box below for details. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/47144314/ns/today-books/t/madeleine-albright-reflects-childhood-during-wartime/#.T5gjiO1Q3PK (Thanks Gail F. for sharing)

Sunday was Earth Day and more than 1 Billion people took part in helping to insure that a clean and healthy planet is accessible m’dor l’dor (from generation to generation). You, too, can do your part by coming to our home this Thursday May 3rd at 7:30pm to hear guest speakers Hon. Mark Schauer and Hon. Joe Schwarz, M.D. share with us on how to keep our Michigan environment safe. Please join our gracious Host Committee, Jackie Victor, Jocelyn Benson, Beth Gotthelf, Carolyn Tisdale, Mark Bernstein, Rachel Bendit, Jennifer Champagne, Laura Champagne, Bridet Mary McCormack, Wendy Bice and others for this wonderful event. Please see Soap Box below for more details.

Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial day) was observed last week in Israel. It’s truly amazing to witness the minute of silence the whole country experiences. People everywhere stop what they are doing (driving, walking, working, shopping…) and stand in silence to remember the victims of the Holocaust when the countrywide siren is blared.  This tribute happens twice in Israel with the 2nd occurring this week for Yom HaZikaron, remembering fallen soldiers. Please join (Hannan and me, Ron and Stacy Klein and Rose and David Handleman) to participate in the Michigan Initiative to support the US Holocaust Museum by attending an event on June 11th at the home of Rose and David Handleman.

Speaking of a memorial silence, for 40 years, requests to the International Olympic Committee for an observance of silence (in memory of the Munich Israeli athletes murdered) have been denied. Please sign this online petition to encourage the IOC to institute this peaceful memorial.https://www.change.org/petitions/international-olympic-committee-minute-of-silence-at-the-2012-london-olympics# (thanks Sue C. for sharing)

Wishing you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom,

Lisa

Dear Friends and Family,

We are blessed and grateful for the abundance of condolence cards, emails, calls and shiva visits we received this week (both in Israel and Michigan). Continuous interaction with friends and family is the essence of living a meaningful and enjoyable life. Hannan’s parent’s lives were filled with the love of their family and friends and we are lucky to follow in their footsteps.

Hannan’s father lived to the age of 88 in a country that enjoys the 5th highest longevity rate in the world. Why do people in Israel, “a tiny country surrounded by many enemies” (quote credited to our son-in-law, Tzvi) live longer than citizens of the United States (38th) Norway (15th), Germany (20th) and Canada (12th) among many others?  There are several reasons for this phenomenon but one reason is NOT that Israel spends more on health care than other countries.  In fact, Israel spends 7.9% of its GPD on health care (to her full population), while the US spends 17.4% (to the lucky few with access to medical services).  So, why the discrepancy?  Here are a few reasons.  Research shows that intermittent stress strengthens your biological resistance and Israelis deal well with catastrophes and learn to move on easier.  Also, Israel is like one big family.  Israelis have a strong sense of connection to their neighbors and friends almost as if they were family.  Even within actual families, the bonds are well preserved with economic and emotional connections extending beyond age 30. Strong connectivity to others is very healthy for longevity. In addition, Israel is a true melting pot of Chulent (Shabbat Stew) in the sense that Jews from all parts of the world mixed genes to make Israelis more resistant to disease. The last two possible reasons for Israeli longevity are their constant pursuit of knowledge which benefits the health of the brain and their incredible sense of humor which allows them to laugh at almost anything… and everyone knows humor is the best medicine.

Coincidentally, while we were in Israel sitting shiva, a play in Tel Aviv was being performed by Olympia Dukakis, called Rose, about a women sitting shiva.  It was well received according to Olympia, who happened to be on our flight back to the States. She graciously agreed to record a VIP Shabbat Shalom greeting.

To view her greeting, please click here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w0YJCQiI4E

This Thursday was Holocaust Remembrance day which marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau 67 years ago. Currently, there are just under 20,000 Holocaust survivors living in Israel but each day this number shrinks so it is vital we remember their stories and fight genocide across the world.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom,

Lisa

Dear Friends and Family,

The end of an incredible life occurred this week with the passing of Hannan’s father, my father-in-law and our children’s Saba (grandfather), Yosef Lis.  Yosef enjoyed a life of many delights yet also struggled and survived the hardships of Europe during WWII.  He was born in the Warsaw Ghetto and at age 14 he escaped with two siblings to Russia unwittingly leaving his parents and 3 older siblings behind to eventually lose their lives to the German killing machine.  The Russians sentenced him to hard labor in a work camp in Siberia for his continued commitment to Zionism.  After Poland was liberated in late 1944, he was released and traveled back to Warsaw in search of his family only to find the horrors.  There he realized his future lies in building a Jewish State.  He traveled to Italy and joined the Irgun (Etzel, the Zionist underground movement fighting to establish a Jewish homeland). He worked to smuggle death camp survivors into Palestine before boarding a ship himself.  His ship was intercepted by the British navy and sent to an interment camp on the Island of Cyprus.  There he trained, played soccer and met his future wife (Hannan’s late mother, Ester).  In early 1948 they were smuggled into Palestine which was about to gain independence as a sovereign Jewish nation.  As a young IDF solider, he fought bravely in the War of Independence driving armored trucks into besieged Jerusalem.  He continued as a driver for the national Egged Bus Company while as a reservist participating in the wars of 1956 (Sinai Campaign) and 1967 (Six Day War).  They raised two wonderful sons and were proud grandparents of 6 beloved grandchildren.  Their stories are typical of the generation who founded modern Israel and should be remembered as most have passed on.

We are in Israel now as the funeral is Sunday afternoon.  We will be back in Farmington Hills Wednesday evening and will be sitting shiva at our home on Thursday April 19th.

As this weekend brings an end to Passover (here in Israel it ends Friday evening), this is my last opportunity (till next year) to share with you two Passover particulars.

First, apparently my assumption last week of the Last Supper Seder is most likely mythical. Rabbi Mike M replied with an articulate well-versed 3-point rebuttal to my assertion. 1. if we started retelling the exodus story in the 2nd century that would have been after the Last Supper.  2. If it was during Passover, Jesus would have referred to bread as matzah (which he does not) and 3. the timing of the sacrificed paschal lamb doesn’t make sense.  If you are truly interested in this issue, please confer with your rabbi, as my paraphrasing (and understanding of religious issues) has much to be desired.

Second, Hannan shared this wonderful Passover story at both of our Seders, so if you were at either, sorry for the repeat.

David Ben Gurion went to the White House in 1954 to seek support for our newly established country of Israel.  He came upon resistance from, then Sec. of State, John Foster Dulles (as in the airport), who was not one of our best friends.  Dulles ask, after 2000 years of exile, how Ben Gurion and the tiny State of Israel could possibly represent all the Jews of the diaspora such as those from Poland, Russia, Yemen, Morocco and all corners of the world.  Ben Gurion politely replied by stating that 200 years ago, the Mayflower set sail to establish a new county that turned into the highly respected, most powerful democratic country in the world. He then asked Dulles to find 10 boys and girls from the DC area and ask them each the following questions. 1. What was the captain’s name on that journey?  2. How long did the journey last? 3. What did they eat on the journey? 4. How did the sea behave?  Most likely not one child will know that answers to any of the questions. Ben Gurion went on to state that over 3000 years ago, the Jews left on a journey out of Egypt.  He suggested to Dulles to find 10 Jewish children anywhere in the world and ask them those same questions about our exodus journey and you can bet all 10 will know who the captain was, how long the journey lasted, what they ate and how the sea behaved.

The sanctity of preserving our Jewish traditions is in the celebrations of our holidays.  Our matzah eating days are nearly complete with hopefully not too much intestines clogging. We look forward to our next holiday celebration.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom,

Lisa