Shabbat Shalom
April 15, 2016
USA Tax Day
Country Dance Moves
My guilty pleasure is  Dancing with the Stars and my new favorite hero is deaf dancer  Nyle DiMarco (who is also eye candy to watch).  He can't hear a sound but is a smooth 
silhouette on the dance floor.  He is also "fluid" (his word) in his sexuality and a good role model and segue to our Nation's progress, which is like the Two-Step Dance... Two steps forward, then rock back.   Our Supreme Court legalized gay marriage nearly a year ago (June 26, 2015), but some States (North Carolina and Mississippi), just didn't like those " sacrilegious " ideas so their conservative State Congress invited loophole laws to  squish  freedoms and rights to the LGBT Community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender). But will the State's pocketbook protest as corporations and Rock Stars damage their State's income with their boycotts?  Bravo to Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr who cancelled their NC concerts over their idiotic "Bathroom Bill" and Bryan Adams cancelled his concert in Mississippi over their ridiculous "Religious Freedom" Bill. This nurse (Hooray for nurses!) said it best...

Female  Funny-bone
And let's face it;  Don't women always say it best.  That's what Elizabeth Banks knows so she created the first ever website dedicated to the World Wide Web of funny women. It's called WhoHaHa... Who is behind all that HaHa or what makes our Whoha say Ha.  Any which way you look at it, it's meant to inspire, motivate, encourage women (and men) to view, share, be entertained and learn from the funniest women of our society.  Here's Elizabeth Banks' intro to her new website:  http://whohaha.com/about/   Just a warning, you could spend a bit too much time watching all the hilarious videos like the one I watched with Amy Schumer pitching her new idea to Lin Manuel Miranda (Can you tell I had extra healing time this week with my computer).  

Tikkun Uma
Another bright woman was Goldilocks.  She knew the balance and value of things not being too hard or too soft.  No government is perfect, but being too hard like Russia during communism or Sharia Law abiding countries is horrible. But being too weak or soft like India can also be detrimental. India's lack of government oversight and strength caused two killer disasters recently.  24 people died when an overpass collapsed during construction and over 100 people perished with more than 500 injuries when an  Indian Temple caught fire after unregulated fireworks were lit.  Those of us who live in countries like the US or Israel should count our lucky stars, yet also continue to help elect legislators who will improve our governmental imperfections to help Tikkun Uma (Heal our Nation). 

Tikkun Anashim
Another fictitious but potentially powerful female figure is Zari who was created by the Sesame Street geniuses to help empower young Afghan girls. Zari was introduced to her new friends this week as a 6-year-old who attends school and dreams of a future career. "Sesame Garden" has been in Afghanistan for 5 years and this is the first gender specific character introduced to help instill a sense of strength and well-being for many of the oppressed Afghan women and girls. Bravo to Sesame Workshop on their progressive global efforts at Tikkun Anashim (Heal all People).  
Pay Day
And while attempting to equalize our people, let's continue to create equal pay for genders in this country as we just commemorated  Equal Pay Day.  On average, women are paid 79 cents on the dollar compared to men and these stats have remained stagnant for the last decade and a half. Here are 6 facts about equal pay you might find interesting: 

UN's farfetched Imagination
We all imagine a more perfect world and hope we are moving in that direction but Israel's imagination is reserved for less lofty goals than perfection and more realistic goals like less hatred and violence. Yet, while Israel focuses on self-preservation (of her people and nation), the UN recently (and quite frankly, always) sanctions (only) Israel for Human Rights violations against Women (specifically Israel's human rights of Palestinian women) . It is despicable when most neighbors around her are down right abusive to their women, yet Israel is always to blame as the worst violator according to the UN's Commission on the Status of Women.  This Honest Reporting video explains it all:

Yeah, Jay!
"Sticks and stones...", as the saying goes, won't stop Israel from rising above the fray with all their lifesaving efforts, including their Ambucycle (which should be used worldwide). Bravo to Jay Leno for supporting her efforts as he raised $50,000 in 1 minute at last Sunday's  United Hatzalah fundraiser.  Check out this inspiring story:
http://www.israel21c.org/jay-leno-raises-50k-in-one-minute-for-israeli-ems-service/   And to see Jay here in Michigan for another amazing cause. Please attend our Forgotten Harvest Comedy night on Saturday May 7th.  See community list below for details.

Yeah, Brian!
Bravo to all those who take on the important role of elective office.  Our campaign system (frankly) sucks and needs a major overhaul, but in the meantime, we need to play by the rules and a dear friend, Brian Kepes, is running for Bloomfield Township Treasurer.  I hope you will help support him by attending his fundraiser Wednesday May 4th at Oakland Hills Country Club. All are welcome to attend and support Brian, regardless of what city you live in.  See more details in the below community list.

Bernie's Pick
Speaking of the campaign... let's move on to the Presidential level and mention Bernie Sanders' new controversial Jewish Outreach Director,  Simone Zimmerman . Simone is the former president of J Street University's National Student Board and vehemently opposed the Gaza War and Occupation. She also has expressed public venomous hatred of Bibi (I'm not a fan either but her rant was filled with expletives).  She does not represent the majority of Jewish Dems and is a poor choice as Bernie's Jewish surrogate. (late breaking news: Bernie fired Zimmerman after revelations of her Bibi rant).  By the way, though Bernie was born Jewish, it seems, his lifestyle does not reflect a Jewish identity. He has never attended any Jewish DC legislator gathering.  Though I truly don't know how he lives his daily life, I do believe a Jew is a Jew by their lifestyle, not by their birth. Though the religion of our candidates is irrelevant to their qualifications, unless of course, they cross that Separation line of Religion and State. 

One More Week
Passover starts next Friday evening so I hope you are "thrilled" with this new Pesach Y-Studs A Capella video. Seder means Order in Hebrew and this special order is creatively included in this professional produced fun and educational youtube: 



We are One People
And now that the Conservative movement has "blessed" us Ashkenazi with the Sephardic Passover diet including beans, rice and legumes, here are some yummy new recipes to include in your Seder this year: 


Wishing you and your family a 
Sweet Shabbat Shalom.
Lisa
Each week's message is now posted and backlogged here:
lisashabbatshalom.com

P.S.  Mazel Tov to former Senator  Carl Levin on the announcement this week of the new Naval Destroyer to be name in his honor, USS Carl M. Levin. The ship will set sail in 2020. 

P.P.S.  Bravo to this week's groundbreaking and naming of old Tiger Field as new Willie Horton Field of Dreams and the headquarters for the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL).

April 15th
Pam Lippitt
Judith Hamburger Burdick
 
April 16th
Jo Strausz Rosen
Nili Lotan
Keri Guten Cohen
Liz Marx
Paula Parr

April 17th
Lisa Soble Siegman
Brenda Wayne
Maxine Berman (Happy 70th)
Jason Brown
 
April 18th
David Victor
Orly Lis Lior
Shmulik Klein
 
April 19th
Beth Margolin
Lisa Kirsch Satawa
 
April 20th
 
April 21st
Dana Kukes Pogoda
Paige Mark
Tony Spokojny
Liz Schubiner
Pam Rissman Smith


Big race this week is the NY State Primary on 
Tuesday April 19th

Current Delegate Count:

Democrats 
Hillary Rodham Clinton: 1,758
Bernie Sanders: 1069
2,383 delegates needed to win
1,938  delegates up for grab

Democratic Convention
 Philadelphia, PA 
July 25th-28th, 2016 

Republicans 
 Donald Trump: 743
 Ted Cruz: 545
John Kasich: 143
(Rubio refuses to release his delegates till the convention)
1,237 delegates needed to win
854 delegates up for grab
 
Republican Convention
Cleveland, OH
July 18-21, 2016

Michigan State Primary Election is
Tuesday Aug. 2, 2016
(I will update you on ballot issues as soon as they are available)

Presidential General Election is 
Tuesday 
November 8, 2016



For Mother's Day
Looking for a perfect mother's day gift...? Please consider supporting the Joy Project which helps bring critical services to families in our community.  Call 248-592-2339

April 17th (Sunday)
Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County
Honoring: Zingerman's Community of Businesses
Rackham Auditorium, Ann Arbor
3:00-5:00 pm
(734)769-0209
info@jfsannarbor.org

April 19th  (Tuesday) 
Emily Stillman Foundation
Spring Sensation Luncheon
Tam-O-Shanter Country Club
Guest Speaker:  Heather Thomson CEO of Yummie, Inc.

April 20th (Wednesday)
U of M Food Allergy Center
Spring Luncheon
Knollwood Country Club
(734) 763-0866
facspringluncheon@umich.edu

May 1st (Sunday)
Jewish Historical Society of Michigan
57th Annual Meeting
Temple Beth El
2:00pm-3:15pm Tour of Rabbi Franklin Archives
3:30pm - Meeting

May 4th (Wednesday) 
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
Lois Linden Nelson Woman's World
Honoring Henrietta Weisberg (dear friend's mom)
Featuring Paula Abdul
llnwomansworld.org
248-357-5544 Ext 48

May 4th (Wednesday)
Brian Kepes for Bloomfield Township Treasurer
Oakland Hills Country Club
3951 W. Maple Rd., BH
5:30pm-7:00pm
$150 suggested contribution
RSVP to briankepes@outlook.com or 248-383-5769

May 6th (Friday)
Orchards Children's Services
2016 Gerald L. Levin Champion for Children's
Signature Event
Soundboard, Detroit
6pm
248-258-0440

May 7th (Saturday)
Forgotten Harvest 
24th Annual Comedy Night
Featuring Jay Leno
Fox Theatre
To purchase tickets:
1-800-745-3000   
Or please contact Marc Berke at 248-864-7525 for more information and sponsorship options.

May 11th (Wednesday)
City Year Red Jacket Gala
Ford Field
5:30-9:00pm
aashkenazi@cityyear.org

May 13th (Friday)
Planned Parenthood 100 Year Gala
6:30
Detroit Marriott at the RenCen
Honoring (well deserving): Nancy Schlichting

May 17th (Tuesday)
Jewish Family Service Annual Meeting
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
6:30pm
Featuring Natan Sharansky
Honoring Operation Exodus Participants & JFS Award winners
(248) 592-2300

May 19th  (Thursday)
ORT Spring Fundraiser
ORT and the City
Eastern Market, Shed 5
6:30pm
In collaboration with The Somerset Collection and CCS 
Sponsorship or more information
(248) 723-8860 

May 20th  (Friday)
Variety-The Children's Charity
A Star is Born
Honoring: Shinola
Emagine Royal Oak and Star Lanes, Royal Oak
6:30pm
248-258-5511

May 22nd  (Sunday)
Hillel Day School Annual Gala
Honoring: 
Beverly & Arthur Liss and Norma & Michael Dorman
(Two amazing couples)
For more info, please contact  Amy Schlussel 
aschlussel@hillelday.org

May 22nd (Sunday)
Jewish Senior Life 
8 over 80
Congregation Adat Shalom
11:30am
(248) 592-1101

June 8th  (Wednesday)
JCRC 2016 Activist Award
Honoring (well-deserving) Drs. Conrad and Lynda Giles
Adat Shalom Synagogue
7:00 pm
Guest Speaker: Dr. Mark M. Schlissel 
President, University of Michigan 
(248) 642-5393

June 10th (Friday)
Starfish Family Service
Great Hearts Gala
Eastern Market Shed 3, Detroit
Honoree: Mariam C. Noland and the Community Foundation for SE Michigan
(734) 728-3400

June 11th (Saturday)
American Cancer Society
Relay for LIfe
West Bloomfield High School
10:00am
Kinderfun65@aol.com
248-909-8742

June 23rd (Thursday)
JVS Strictly Business
MGM Grand Detroit
Keynote Speaker:  John Rakolta, Jr.
fvictor@jvsdet.org
(248) 233-4290

 
 
I am prone to spelling, grammatical and birthday mistakes. Please ignore the typing errors but if I missed your birthday or got the wrong date, 
please let me know.