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"They'll be laughing and singing,
music swinging; Dancing in the street"
Autumn is the time we celebrate 5 Jewish Chagim (Holidays); Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and today ends this Autumn journey with
Simchat Torah when we blend our love of dancing with our love of Torah. The holiday commemorates the Torah cycle as we end and begin a new round of weekly Torah Portion (readings/commentary) and publicly express our affection by dancing in the streets with the Torah Scrolls. Our Jewish holidays are numerous and complicated which is why I'm reading (and recommend)
Abigail Pogrebin's new book,
My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jews. Wishing you a fun and meaningful Simchat Torah which translates to Happy Torah.
"We didn't start the fire
No, we didn't light it, but we tried to fight it"
Sadly there is no dancing in the streets for
Northern California residents as 22 massive wildfires have scorched and decimated several communities and lives. The toll is rising with stats (as of today) at 23 deaths, 100s of injuries and 100s still missing. As the hot winds continue to blow strong, the fight to extinguish the flames is futile. The affected area reaches beyond 122,000 acres with more than 3,500 homes and businesses in ashes. The famous wine country of
Napa and
Sonoma was heavily damaged and 3,000 cannabis gardens are at risk. The fires extended westward toward Nevada and as far south as Long Beach. We are one planet, bonded to each other by various connections. As humans we grieve as other humans suffer. Our earth and atmosphere is also conjoined to each continent which dominoes, one to another. Global Warming has caused excessive droughts in California causing combustible timber and wildfires. Yes, natural disasters occurred long before humans altered our atmosphere but the excessive nature of each natural disaster has been exasperated by the warming we've implemented on our planet.
The
Rippeys
, Charles (age 100) and Sara (age 98) were married for 75 years and both lost their lives when they were trapped in their home as the wildfires
approached
.
"Love Song to the Earth"
Featuring
Paul McCartney, Jon Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow, Fergie,
Colbie Caillat, Natasha Bedingfield and many more.
Regulations by Obama and other respected global leaders had started to make an impact on our environmental concerns, but our current US leadership is oblivious to sustainability and only seems to be interested in the bottom-line dollar and his bottom-dwelling base. This week our
Environmental Protections Agency
(led by anti-protectionist, Scott Pruitt), repealed the Clean Power Plan which regulates CO2 emissions, in effect squashing our chances of fulfilling the Paris Agreement with aims of a cleaner, healthier planet. Most likely the issue will be brought to the courts for a legal decision, but this is another indication that our current leader and his cronies are short sighted and "morons".
Since Pruitt took office, only 1% of his meetings have been with Environmental Agencies while the majority were with the Fossil Fuel Industry.
Here's the interesting but distrubing breakdown in colorful charts:
https://flipboard.com/@flipboard/-less-than-1-of-epa-administrators-meeti/f-c857edb3d0%2Fcnn.com
Sadly, the repeal of the Clean Power Plan is only 1 of 52 anti-environmental actions already in the works. This article clearly explains how much damage is possible in only 9 months. http://nyti.ms/2hPvpI8
How do we get it through their thick skulls that...
"Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn't see"
One thing that is crystal clear is the fact that access to
Birth Control causes less unplanned pregnancy and less need for abortions so you'd think anti-abortion activist would promote birth control. Well, you'd be wrong. Apparently, those who find abortion abhorrent for them (and everyone else) also don't believe birth control should be easily accessible to all women. Seems quite hypocritical just like the hypocrisy discovered last week of Ohio (anti-abortion)
Congressman Tim Murphy
who will resign this month after his pregnant mistress revealed his text message suggesting she seek an abortion. Also this week, the current Oval Office Occupant (OOO) modified a rule to allow employers (based on religious beliefs) to deny birth control access to their employees health care plan. Do you think he knows or even cares that abortions rates declined after ObamaCare was instituted primarily because more women had access to birth control. He also cut the marketing budget which promotes people to sign up for ObamaCare (ask: Affordable Care Act) and shortened the timeframe to register, essentially, sabotaging it. And for now, our SCOTUS is somewhat equally divided (though leans a bit right). But if our current OOO is still occupying the space as Ginsberg (age 84) and Breyer (age 79) continue to celebrate birthdays, we could see a SCOTUS of a
"different stripe",
that could do real damage to our rights as women, minorities, immigrants, LGBT... If there is ever a time for thoughts and prayers, it is now and for the health and longevity of these two liberal justices.
"In October I'll be host
To witches, goblins and a ghost"
Carole King, Really Rosie
As mentioned last week, each month has several causes connected to it to help bring awareness to the issue. Breast Cancer Awareness is the attention grabber for the month of October, but it is also
Domestic Abuse Awareness
month and here is a website dedicated to eradicating this ugly stain on our society.
http://www.nrcdv.org/dvam/taxonomy/term/48
Also, so you are fully informed, it is also Awareness Month for:
- Down Syndrome
- ADHD
- Spina Bifida
- Bone and Joint Health
- Bullying Prevention
- Dental Hygiene
And many more. To see the full list, check out this website:
And speaking of awareness, I found these two videos to be
eye-openers on issues I thought I knew a lot about...Israel and the Great Lakes. Hope you find them interesting and informative.
The first is called
"Geography Now! Israel"
and is hosted by the fast-talkin
Paul "Barby" Barbato
who's done his homework and presents the regional facts in a fascinating attention grabbing way. At the end, he has a two-sided debate by himself that is worth the watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWKmazrRIwA
The 2nd is called
"What's so great about the Great Lakes?"
You're sure to learn a thing or two about the glacier produced lakes that surround our peninsulas. Hope you enjoy:
"It's the only thing that there's just too little of"
It seems, now more than ever,
"what the world needs now, is love sweet love".
I look forward hearing one of my favorite artists,
Kyle Riabko and his marvelous Bacharach renditions at the next
Cabaret 313 on Oct. 27 (See calendar below). In the meantime, here's a little sampling of Kyle, live at Joe's Pub in NYC:
Wishing you and your family a
Peaceful Shabbat Shalom
and a (Happy) Simchat Torah
Lisa
lisashabbatshalom.com
Condolences to the Andy Laker and Kim Laker Freid and their families on the passing of their beloved mother,
Beverly Laker z"l
(age 86). May her memories and spirit bring comfort to those who knew and loved her and may she be a blessing unto her community.
Condolences to Abbe and David Sherbin and their family on the passing of David's father, Jerry Sherbin z"l (age 90). May his family and friends gain comfort from his spirit and love and may he be a blessing unto his community.
It is devastating to offer condolences to the family of those who lose their children at a young age. This is the case for the family of Olivia Aronoff-Kinsella z"l who died this week at the age of 20. Thoughts and prayers go out to her mother, Jacqueline Aronoff and her family during this heart wrenching time. May warm memories of her short life embrace those in mourning for the life of Olivia.
Oct. 13th
Fred Levine
Bryan Schefman
Oct. 14th
Beth Zeman
Oct. 15th
Lisa Beckwith Weisman
Randy Orley
Terri Orbuch
Joe Bernstein
Oct. 16th
Idan Percy
Ron Oberstein
Hilary Wolf Borman
Matan Eldan
Oct. 17th
Alisha Siegel
Sophie Wolens
Alan Schram
Kim Rivkin Novak
Jennifer Lerner Friedman
Oct. 18th
Mathew Berg
Julie Zuckerman Gessin
Terran Leemis
Oct.19th
Pat Miles
I'm prone to mistakes, so if I missed your birthday
or got the wrong date, please let me know.
Please Help
I am a certified circulator for a Michigan petition to place a proposal on our 2018 Ballot to amend our constitution to establish an
Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission to End Gerrymandering. Petitions can only be signed in person and this issue is vital to rightsize our voting districts. If you'd like to sign it, please reply back to this email.
October 14 (Saturday)
Humble Design
Gigs for Digs fundraiser concert
Featuring
Mayer Hawthorne
The Fillmore in Detroit
October 15 (Sunday)
Wisdom 10th Anniversary Dinner
(
Women's Interfaith Solutions for Dialogue and Outreach in Metro Detroit)
Farmington Hills, MI 48331
5:00-8:30pm
$50 per person
October 16
(Monday)
Yad Ezra Annual Fundraiser
Honoring:
Aimee and Richard Simtob
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
6:00pm
October 17 (Tuesday)
Fundraiser for Jocelyn Benson
Former Dean of Wayne State Law School
Best qualified candidate for
Michigan Secretary of State
Home of Florine Mark
5:00-6:30pm
To rsvp and to receive address, please contact:
Elisa Malile
248-621-4746
October 17 (
Tuesday)
Magen David Adom Detroit Gala
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
5:30pm cocktails, 6:30pm Dinner
Guest Speaker:
Jonathan Medved
For more information or to RSVP please contact:
October 18 (Wednesday)
Michigan Israel Business Bridge
(MIBB)
Annual Meeting
Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit
Conference Room Area, Room F
6735 Telegraph Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
7:00pm-9:00pm
October 18 (Wednesday) -
New Listing
David-Horodoker Organization
80th Anniversary Dinner
If your grandparent or great-grandparent emigrated from the town of David-Horodok and you are interested in attending this dinner, please contact Roz Blanck
October 19 (Thursday)
Exploring the Jewish Art and Artists in the Private Collection of Doreen and David (z'l") Hermelin
Save the date for this docent-led, first-of-its-kind benefit for the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan at the Hermelin home. More details coming soon.
October 25
(Wednesday)
Forgotten Harvest Fundraiser
Farms To Hungry Tables
Women's Harvest Breakfast @ Detroit Athletic Club and/or
Dinner Event @ Grosse Pointe Yacht Club
Also, Pampered Chef is donating 30% of sale proceeds to Forgotten Harvest Farms through 11/8/17
October 26 (Thursday)
The Great Big Challah Bake
Royal Oak Farmers Market
6:00pm
October 28
(Saturday)
Cabaret 313
Kyle Riabko. Close to You: Bacharach Reimagined
If you are a Bacharach fan, like me...you will NOT want to miss this show. This was one of my favorite shows I've even seen in NYC. I'm excited he'll be in Detroit and assume tickets will go fast.
October 30
(Monday)
JAC Membership event
Home of Roz Blanck
9:15 Registration and Breakfast
9:45 - 10:45am Program
Featuring:
Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow
JAC is Joint Action Committee on Political
Affairs supporting Israel, Reproductive Rights and Separation of Religion and State. For more
details please email info@jacpac.org or check out website at https://jacpac.org/ or to register for the event:
November 3
(Friday)
Detroit Public TV
Detroit Performs Live
3rd annual celebration of Motorcity Music
The Fillmore in Detroit
6:30pm Doors open and VIP Strolling Dinner
8:00-9:30pm Live concert, broadcast, and worldwide live-stream
Featuring:
Ruben Studdard, Alexander Zonjic & the Motor City Horns, Ethan Daniel Davidson, Jill Jack, and The Miracles Revue featuring Mark Scott.
November 7 (Tuesday)
Election Day
November 10 (Friday) -
New Listing
Levin Center at Wayne State University Law School
Presents a day-long conference on
Current Issues in Immigration Law:
- Immigration Detention
- Sanctuary Cities
- Iraqi Deportations in Detroit
- Travel Ban
Conference is free but advanced registration is required
November 16 (Thursday)
City Year Women's Leadership Breakfast
Colony Club
2310 Park Ave, Detroit 48201
7:00 - 8:00am Registration and Networking
8:00 - 9:00am Breakfast and Program
November 16 (Thursday)
An Evening with Friends of Jewish Senior Life
In memory of Jeffrey Zaslow z"l
Featuring pianist David Syme
Also performing Cantor Michael Smolash and the Hillel Choir
The Berman Theatre at the West Bloomfield JCC
Patrons tickets at $118; general tickets at $54 and $36.
For tickets visit
For more information:
November 17 (Friday)
Sterling Heights Area Community Foundation
5th Annual "Puttin on the Ritz"
Honoring:
Congressman Sandy Levin
Villa Penna in Sterling Heights
6:00-11:00pm
November 20
(Monday)
MIBB Educational Foundation Ambassador Awards Dinner
Knollwood Country Club
5050 W. Maple Rd.
West Bloomfield Township
5:30 Reception
6:30 Dinner
Honoring:
Mark Davidoff - Chuck Newman Impact Award
Plasan Sasa Israel - Bridge Builder Award
George Roberts - Young Professional Award
Parting Thoughts...
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