Give Peace a Chance

Bravo to the 40,000 + PROtesters in Boston last weekend who represent the majority of our county who are Pro-Peace, Pro-Equality, Pro-Diversity and Pro-Humanity which scared away the hateful elements who only want to divide our nation.  But Boston wasn't alone in their outcry of peace.  Rallies popped up in...

Hot Springs, AK

Portland, OR

Atlanta, GA

Dallas and Houston, TX

Memphis, TN

New Orleans, LA.

May these positive protest push the evil elements back into the dark caves where they belong. 

Bravo to...

Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach

Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society

American Cancer Society

Cleveland Clinic

American Friends of Magen David Adom

American Red Cross

Salvation Army

Susan B. Komen

and many others for canceling their events at Mar-a-lago as one of the intents of Trump's campaigning and now POTUS position is to raise the profile of his brand. We must put our money where our mouths are and prevent the Trump Brand from profiting from his status since he really never disconnected from his entities. And hats off to the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce who publicly stated "that supporting Mr. Trump directly or indirectly did not speak well of any organization."   While he campaigned as a "businessman", it's gratifying to finally see businesses and CEOs wisely turning their backs on his exposed charade. 

USS John S. McCain

The ship was named in honor and memory of Senator John McCain's Father and Grandfather, both respected military officers. Sadly the shipped collided this week with a commercial tanker near Singapore which caused the death of 10 soldiers and the injuries of 5 others. This is the 2nd collision within the two months as a similar incident occurred off the coast of Japan. Intense investigations on safety protocol is now underway. Condolences to the family and friends of the 10 victims and speedy recovery to those who were wounded. 

Robo War

For the most part, deadly autonomous war weapons were limited to the science fiction genre, but as our military's imagination and our engineering abilities collide, a concerted effort to prevent these potential Killer Robots from being developed has been petitioned to the United Nations by 117 Technology Leaders like Elon Musk. These autonomous weapons could cause a 3rd type of warfare that would be devastating for humankind. 

http://money.cnn.com/2017/08/21/technology/elon-musk-killer-robot-un-ban/

Buenos Aires to Tel Aviv

Not since 1960, when Adolf Eichmann was transported by an El Al plane from his hideout in Argentina to his "final" destination in Israel had another El Al plane touched ground on Argentinian soil.  But this will all change next month with the culmination of a joint agreement of the two countries.  Bibi plans to be the first sitting Israeli PM to visit Argentina and Latin America. 

http://www.jta.org/2017/08/21/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/decades-after-the-flight-that-carried-eichmann-el-al-will-fly-again-between-israel-and-argentina

Expensive Skies

Traveling can be extremely expensive.  Just ask the Secret Service as they've exceeded their budget due to the excessive amount of POTUS family travel.  For comparison, Obama spent $96 million on Secret Service for all 8 years while the agency will need an injection of $60 million alone, just to get through the next year. They've estimated that is cost $1 million each time he travels to Mar-a-lago. Just this year, he has taken 53 leisure days, each with a government paid price tag.  Apparently, Budgets are for losers.   http://bit.ly/2xqd3Qr

Obama who put more Land and Sea area into Federal Protection than any other past POTUS. After his 4 month review, our Sec. of the Interior, Ryan Zinke is basically keeping our monuments safe (from oil and timber companies) with some vague boundary caveat that does concern environmentalist.  One of the elements that hopefully affected his decision was the 2.4 Million American comments registered in support of protecting the monuments. 

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-na-pol-national-monuments-20170824-story.html

Heads Up

By Oct. 1, 2020, all Michiganders will need a new Compliant Drivers Licence to use as proof to board Domestic Flights, Federal Building and (the often visited) Nuclear Plants. To obtain your new ID, you will be required to provide your Birth Certificate, US Passport or Naturalization Papers.  http://bit.ly/2xcs9d1

The Fix

Gerrymandering and Citizens United are two of the worst policies which upset the "apple cart" of our democracy.  Sadly, with #45's SCOTUS appointment of Justice Gorsuch, it doesn't seem reachable to overturn CU but the good news is that, here in Michigan there is an organization which is helping to eliminate our State's Gerrymandering.  It's call Voters Not Politicians and you can find out all about this important issue at their website http://www.votersnotpoliticians.com/

VNT is working diligently on a petition to provide a 2018 ballot initiative to change our Michigan constitution to require an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission.   Petitions will be all over the State (400K signatures are needed), so please check out the website to find one near you.  See the Community Event's list below for a program on this topic at the Birmingham Temple on Sept. 8 where you can also sign the petition.

Lila Tov (Good Night)

How many times have you heard that Sleep is the key to a healthy lifestyle?  Well, if you interested in getting a better night sleep, than you're reading the right paragraph.  Here are some important Dos and Don'ts with the full detailed article at the end of this section.

Don't... Fall into a evening Wine Drinking Routine.  Alcohol impairs the quality of your sleep.

Don't...Expose yourself to Blue Light and Screens.  It interferes with your melatonin  producing gland. 

Don't...Eat a large meal before sleep.  Some foods can stimulate your brain.

Do...Smell Lavender.  It lowers your heart rate, blood pressure and skin temperature .

Do...Drink Almond Milk with Turmeric.  It calms the nervous system.

Do...Take a M agnesium  Salt Bath before bedtime.  It decreases Cortisol  levels. 

Do...Keep your room cool and airy.  It helps reduce your body heat.

http://bit.ly/2v3p9T1

 

House of the Rising Sun

Hope you enjoy this week's musical selection of this amazing acoustic rendition of the Animal's classic song performed by Kesha and backed up by the Roots.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83kHQ7RB53s

Torah Portion
This week's Torah Portion, Shoftim, talks about how even our kings and leaders and teacher and parents should all abide by the same rules.  Humility is the secret sauce.  Aish.com state: "The more humble, the greater the leader, because a humble person has no interest in his own honor, power and self-aggrandizement. He serves those who he leads."  Arrogance breed immaturity while humility breeds respect.  Our greatest leaders (Moses, Ben Gurion, Lincoln, Gandhi, Malala, Mandela, Pope Francis...) all had/have a natural understanding of humility.  Wish this secret sauce could be spread around the world. 

Wishing you and your family a 

Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom.

Lisa

lisashabbatshalom.com

Mazel Tov...

Noah Bernstein on becoming a Bar Mitzvah this week.  As you follow in the centuries old tradition of Judaism, may you, your siblings and parents, Mark and Rachel, shep nachas from this momentous day.

Bravo to...

Billy Joel (who was born Jewish with ancestors who perished in the Holocaust) for protesting the Neo-Nazi vulgarity as he affixed a Yellow Jewish Star (similar to the ones Jews were forced to wear by nazis during WWII) to his sports coat while performing at his Madison Square Garden concert this week. http://www.jta.org/2017/08/22/news-opinion/united-states/billy-joel-wears-yellow-star-of-david-during-concert-encore

In Memory...

It has been 4 years, on Aug. 26, that young George A. Orley z"l passed away. His spirit touched the hearts of many and his love was spread among friends and family far and wide.  He will be forever missed as he was truly a blessing unto all who knew him.  

Condolence...

To our nation for the loss of two trailblazing, comedic, cultural, iconic American legends of  Dick Gregory age 84 who parlayed his comedic talents into his Civil Rights mission and Jerry Lewis z"l (aka: Joseph Levitch) age 91 whose humor is unparalleled and whose passion for Tikkun Olam was exhibited every year during his fight to cure Muscular Dystrophy.  May both men rest in peace while they bring humor to their next journey.

Safety...

Is wished upon all those in the path of Hurricane Harvey in the Gulf of Mexico this weekend.

I'm prone to mistakes, so if I missed your birthday 

or got the wrong date, please let me know.

Parting Thoughts...