Shabbat Shalom
November 11, 2016
Please note: This week's message was completed Wednesday evening (prior to our Thursday flight) so if any big news occurred after that, I'll cover it in next week's message.

Dark Clouds
Darkness has prevailed during this election.  I'm bewildered, frustrated and saddened with the outcome and have deep concerns for our future.  So many in our country could be in serious disrepair if commitments of eliminating ObamaCare, appointing extremely conservative Supreme Court Justices and alienating the world community come true. And with Congress on his side, he can do damage to the fibers of this Great Nation.  I feel like this is a fictional movie. I just can't believe it! Honestly, how did this happen?  Its disheartening to know there are so many Americans (though she, like Al Gore, did win the popular vote * ) who are discontent with their lives and our government that they would vote for the promise of extreme change. It seems the Democrats lost all over the map. For the first time in nearly 30 years, Michigan went Republicans (by a minuscule 13,000 votes). And sadly, there won't be Metro Detroit public transportation in the foreseeable future.  Once the shock, disbelief and mourning subsides, it will be time for like minded people and organizations to continue the efforts for equality and humanitarian values. But in order to get anything done, our Nation, Legislators and Citizens need counseling with an expert Therapist and a long Meditation Session so we can have a healthier "Marriage" with those on the "other side".  


Thank You
Today is Veteran's Day and gratitude is due to all current military personnel and veterans for devoting their precious time and lives to serve and protect our freedom and rights. We live in an (already) Great Country due in part to those who step up to serve.  Thank you to veteran friends like Ryan Friedrichs, Gary Peters, Rick Krosnick and many of the fathers of my friends including my own father who served in WWII. 

Black and White
Los Angeles is this weekend's destination to spend time with good friends and "An Old Fashioned Love Song" of 3 Dog Night. May this Shabbat bring "Joy to the World" as our country works to reconnect with both "Black and White". Though "One" (is the loneliest number), let's hope we won't be alone in healing the campaign wounds and the deep schism in our democracy.  Maybe Jeremiah can bring us some Joy:


Whisker Mission
As we departed October with a focus on Women's Health and our Pink Ribbons, we enter November to promote the concerns of Men's reproductive regions and Mental Health. If you see mustaches sprouting, it must be Movember . While the Mo Bros are sporting their whiskers, they must also get their gentlemen parts checked for cancer as well as keep tabs on their mental health. Movember started in Australia with only 30 mustaches in 2003 and has grown to over 5 million Crumb Catchers worldwide with Hundreds of Millions of dollars raised to support Men's health projects.

RIP
She was the first woman to hold the position of US Attorney General as she presided over the famous cases of the Waco Siege, the Unabomber, the Oklahoma City Bombing and the heart wrenching saga of Cuban 6-year-old Elian Gonzalez. Sadly, Janet Reno lost her battle to Parkinson Disease this week at the age of 78. She never married and had no children but had lots of friends and family.



Shout Out...

Bravo to Rabbi Daniel Syme and Keith Famie. Tonight at 8:00pm,  Detroit Public TV will be airing their acclaimed documentary called "Death is NOT the Answer".  May this film help those families touched by depression and suicide.

Bravo to Detroit Friends Potato Chip on being picked by Oprah as one of her "favorites".  These delicious chips are well deserving of the honor as the potatoes come from a vacant lot in a distressed area of Detroit.  But once the potatoes were grown, they had a hard time selling them till someone suggested making them into chips.  
Here is the feel-good story.  https://goo.gl/F8dGhu

Bravo to the 99th anniversary this month of the Balfour Declaration (dated Nov. 2, 1917) which declared Great Britain's "Blessing" of a Jewish State.  Here are the exact words in the letter from UK Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour to Jewish Community leader Walter Rothschild: "His Majesty's government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country"
Since Israel became a country, there has not been an official Royal Visit by anyone in the "family". But that may change next year during the centennial of the Balfour Declaration. It is expected that there will be an official Royal Tour by a senior member of the family.  I'll keep you posted:  http://www.timesofisrael.com/in-historic-first-senior-british-royal-said-to-be-planning-official-trip-to-israel/

Parting Thoughts
There are many people, places and things in our country that deserve a Bravo Shout-Out .  We must seek them out in our quest to Tikkun our Nation. Just because we are thrown a curveball, doesn't mean the game is over. We have respected, admirable legislators on the front lines who need our help. Let's continue the Right Fight to keep our country progressing on the right track.  

Lastly, this year of 2016 will go down in history with the most unexpected events: Brits voting for Brexit, the Cubs winning the World Series and the Trump Presidency. What more could possibly happen in the next two months?

Wishing you and your family a 

 Peaceful Shabbat Shalom,

Lisa

You can always read all current and past Shabbat messages at 
lisashabbatshalom.com

Condolences to Bob Aronson and his family on the passing of his father, Jerome Aronson z"l at the age of 99.  Jerome was a WWII veteran who enjoyed music, theatre and golf.  May his love and spirit bring many happy memory to help comfort those who mourn his passing. May his life be a blessing unto his family and community.

Condolences to Stacy and Jeff Brodsky and their family on the passing of Stacy's father, Jack Friedman.  May his spirit and love bring comfort to those who knew him and mourn his loss and may he be a blessing unto his family and friends.

Condolences to the family and friends of Jodi Beth Jaffe Silverman z"l who passed away at the young age of 53 from early onset Alzheimer's. For those who's lives she touched, may her memories bring you comfort during your time of mourning. And may the scientist helping to unlock the deadly key to this disease gain the knowledge needed to help find a cure.

* is it time we start the conversation about the merits of the Electoral College which now produced both the Bush and Trump presidencies. 
Happy Birthday

Nov. 11th
Michelle King
Michael Yashinsky
Jeff Levin
Mark Leipsitz (Happy 60th)
Shari Ferber Kaufman

Nov. 12th
David Contorer 
Sylvia Wolfe
David Liss 
Max Spiegelman 
Miranda Wilgus 
Sharon Landau Levine

Nov. 13th
David Mark (big brother)
Elyse Schostak (Not Elise who's is Dec. 13)
Mark Ian Burnstein

Nov. 14th
Richard Kepes
Vicki Galperin
Jeri Fishman

Nov. 15th
Larry Wolfe 
Peter Alter 
Donna Pearlman

Nov. 16th
David Zuckerman 
Jody Cohn Charlip

Nov. 17th
Andrew Stein (City Year)
Mark Lipton
Debbie Rogers Siegel
Jodee Fishman-Raines
Mr. Mandell "Bill" Berman
(Happy 99th to our community Patriarch)

I am prone to mistakes so if I missed your birthday or got the wrong date, please let me know.
 



November 15  (Tuesday) - November 20 (Sunday)
Hadassah Annual Rummage Sale
Wide selection of everything!
Hadassah House
5030 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield
For more details, please contact 
Carol Ogusky

November 17 (Thursday)
City Year 6th annual 
Women's Leadership Breakfast
Detroit Athletic Club
241 Madison Ave. Detroit
7:30am Registration and Breakfast
8:00-9:00 Program and Discussion

November 17  (Thursday)
Friends of Jewish Senior Life
3rd Annual Jeffrey Zaslow Media Night
Berman Center for the Performing Arts
Featuring: Duff Goldman of TVs Ace of Cakes
6600 W. Maple Rd., West Bloomfield
7:00pm
Tickets at www.theberman.org
for more info: Leslie Katz
248-592-5062 or lkatz@jslmi.org

November 19 (Saturday)
Detroit Gala: The beNeFit IV
Benefiting Children's Tumor Foundation
Our community's generosity has this event Sold Out
However, there is a chance to attend by getting on the waiting list.  Please contact Joyce Keller at

November 26 (Saturday)
Cabaret 313
Featuring Broadway and TV star Megan Hilty
The Cube
Marjorie S. and Max M. Fisher Music Center
8:00pm

November 28 Monday
Carole King Intimate Home Concert
Fundraiser for Senator Debbie Stabenow
At the home of my mother
For more info:
Annette Rodgers
stabenowvictoryfund@gmail.com
810-515-9984

December 1 (Thursday)
Orchards Children's Services
Sip and Shop for a cause at the Franklin Village Boutique
Noon - 6:00pm

January 7  (Saturday) and January 8 (Sunday)
University of Michigan
UMS (University Musical Society)
(Israeli) Batsheva Dance Company