Shabbat Shalom 
May 5, 2017
Happy Cinco De Mayo
Guacamole
For Americans, Cinco De Mayo (5th of May) is celebrated with Mexican cuisine, culture and street fairs of Margaritas and Mariachis.  For Mexicans, it is the recognition of their unexpected yet successful conquest against French forces in 1862. In Mexico the celebration is very low key and mainly political with battle re-enactments.  But here in the States, we go all out and among the highlights, we consume loads of guacamole sacrificing 81 million avocados. Bravo to the 33.6 million Americans with Mexican heritage.  May they continue to aid in our economic and employment growth and bring diversity to our melting pot and this guac pot. 
Serious Concerns
Thankfully (with no money for the idiotic Mexican border wall) Congress passed a $1 trillion budget last week to hold us over till September. Gratitude is also due for continued support of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative , The Arts* and Planned Parenthood , all which had been seriously threatened. But just yesterday, a HUGE shaming is due for those in the House for passing a bill that will eliminate affordable healthcare for millions of Americans. The fate of this devastating bill is now at the hands of our Senators, and one concern which will definitely be worse off is our deadly epidemic of Opioid Addiction ? Hospitals, Docs and Big Pharma are to blame for the overprescription of this highly addictive drug meant only as a short term relief.  These painkillers, in their legal form are called OxyContin, Percocet, and Vicodin, while the illegal street form is called Heroin. Whichever form you talk about, it is killing  not  only pain, but a rising number of people in our country.  US citizens consumes 80% of all Opioid usage worldwide (though Canada is now growing too) while we are only 5% of the global population. The drug works wonders if you are in pain, but can be highly addictive to many people. 40% of all accidental drug overdoses are due to Opioids and these deaths exceed the number of AIDS victims during its peak years. This is a serious situation that requires innovative solutions. Both Tribeca and HBO screened a new documentary about this epidemic "Warning: This Drug May Kill You" .  And no, Donald, building a wall will not diminish this killing spree. Also, don't get any ideas to emulate Filipino President Duterte who deals with their drug issues by just killing any suspected offender. It's a disgrace our POTUS invited him to the White House. It's bizarre how Trump speaks so highly about evil global leaders who are known killers like Putin, Duterte and Kim Jung Un, per Donald about Un, "He's a pretty smart cookie" and "I'd be honored to meet him".  Trump's screws seem to becoming looser every day. But I digress...To return to the Opioid problem, for political and outdated reasons, Marijuana is classified as a Class 1 drug (the most dangerous) yet many experts believe it could be helpful in reducing our Opioid addiction.  3 studies in this article seem to connect the dots:  https://www.attn.com/stories/16906/federal-agency-admits-marijuana-curbs-opioid-use  

The Benefits
Not only could marijuana be helpful with the opioid issue, but here in Michigan, if all goes as planned, revenues from the sale of cannabis could exceed $1 Billion to benefit our State. Medicinal use of the plant is currently legal here with 1/4 of a million Michiganders pocketing Medical Weed scripts. An effort to offer a ballot proposal in 2018 is in the works to add Michigan to the 8 other recreational States.  This could generate $100 million in taxes and fees which could bring needed funds to our educational system and to cities/counties which allow marijuana sales.  http://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2017/04/30/pot-activists-push-put-legalization-2018-ballot-michigan/101041002/

Israeli Weed
Just last month Israel decriminalized the use of Marijuana and is a global leader in cannabis research for medical advancements which has the potential to be a $50 billion market.  Israel was a pioneer 50 years ago when it began its interest of this medicinal plant.  The treatments could help a range of illnesses/disease such as  diabetes, Parkinson's, epilepsy, myeloma, psoriasis, fibromyalgia, PTSD, cancer, multiple sclerosis (MS),  chronic pain , and  broken bones . The list of ailments is growing. New cutting edge research is now being conducted on Israeli autistic children and young adults with promising results. This article explains the details: https://goo.gl/w8I92K 


Africa Love Israel
Like the climate of Israel, Africa has an abundance of sunshine which can easily translate to solar energy.  Israel requires all
its buildings to install solar water panels to harness the sun's energy.  One of the main reasons many African villages are lacking water and electricity is the absence of energy to fuel these conveniences. The main goal of the non-profit Israeli organization called Innovation Africa is to bring solar panels to remote African villages to power up Water Pumps, lighting and other electrical needs in schools and homes.  Check out this feel good video that shares the joy and appreciation of many Africans.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjJQCVP0K74&t    And it's not just solar energy, Israel helps Africa in many other ways,including Women Empowerment, Food and Sanitation, Early Childhood Education, Irrigation Techniques and the list goes on...
Constant Bias
An entity which is blinded to Israel's global humanitarian efforts has always been the UN which continuously and biasly sanctions her with false accusations.  But last week, all 100 US Senators  signed a letter to the current U.N. Secretary General António Guterres to protest the UN's unfair treatment of Israel. https://goo.gl/42K9xd    Guterres welcomed the letter but indicated he can't monitor every aspect of the UN and just this week the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) passed another anti-Israel resolution. The problem is the excessive number of smaller anti-Israel countries (many themselves with major Human Rights violations) who band together and vote in sync against Israel. A threshold of integrity is needed to be allowed to vote on any UN committee. 


* The Arts

Music
For this week's selection, check out this 17 year old multi-talented (singer, songwriter, drummer, guitarist, pianist)  local girl, Katelynn Corll:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yvyki3rZyE  and this is a repeat from a year ago but it is one of the best remakes of a Beatles tune which encapsulates today's Millennials.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLpE1Pa8vvI

Film
Our Jewish Film Festival begins this Sunday evening with guest speaker, Leonard Maltin and the screening of The Last Laugh which deals with jokes about taboo topics like the Holocaust. Here is a trailer for that movies with the likes of Sarah, Mel, Rob, Gilbert, Carl, Harry...(can you guess the last names of these famous Jewish Comics). 
Click here for all the details of our Detroit Jewish Film Festival
https://www.jccdet.org/arts-culture-education/detroit-jewish-film-festival/ which is also featuring our friend, Sheldon Cohn's film, The Pickel Recipe on Sunday May 14 @ 2pm. The Festival runs May 7-18. 

Theater
Mazel Tov to this year's Tony nominees for Best Play:
Come From Away
Dear Evan Hansen
Groundhog Day
Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812  (12 nominations)
For the complete list, check out this site:

Wishing you and your families a 
Sweet and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom 
and a pleasant weekend.
Lisa
lisashabbatshalom.com
Happy Birthday

May 5th
Dan Ruiz
Mark Milgrim
Matt Kletter
Hyla Gottlieb Williams
Stacey Block

May 6th
Beth Snider
Suzy Farbman
Judy Altenberg

May 7th
Andrew Echt
Jeff Kepes
Steven Miesowicz
Betty Pernick

May 8th
Julie Edgar
Sandy Lippitt
Stacy Brickman
Martin Goldman

May 9th
Julie Kurzmann Bodnick
Paula Radin Lebowitz
Ofri Galperin
Carolyn Goodman Iwrey

May 10th
Paul Magy
Larry Trager
Rebecca Rosen Goodman
Kenny Cantor

May 11th
Brianna Mark
Elanah Nachman Hunger
Andrea Stone Rosen
Zelda Gechter
Afa Sadykhly Dworkin

May 29
Peter Remington 
(correct date, disregard my previous mistake but a month's worth of greetings is due for his big 7-0)
 
I am prone to mistakes so if I missed your birthday or got the wrong date, please let me know.
 

May 6 (Saturday)
Orchards Children's Services
Gerald L. Levin "Champions for Children Signature" Event, 55th ~ Emerald Anniversary
VIP  5:00pm,  General  6:00pm
The Henry Ford Museum
For more information, please contact Katora Cole at kacole@orchards.org
or go to www.orchards.org

May 6 (Saturday)
Variety, the Children's Charity
85th Anniversary
Hearts and Stars Gala
Townsend Hotel 
Honor Bruce Rosen
Call  (248)-258-5511  for more information.

May 7 (Sunday)
Walk for Israel
Temple Shir Shalom 
A family event designed to "celebrate Israel".  
Activities 12-4 
Lunch 12:30
Walk 1:30

May 8 (Monday)
Jewish Federation and Joint Distribution Committee
Hope Against Hate -  3 Events in 1 Day
- Fight or Flight
A Conference on the Modern Jewish Community
Noon to 5pm
- "Denial"
Film screening
5pm to 7:30pm
-  Deborah E. Lipstadt
discusses  "Denial: Holocaust History on Trial"
7:30pm to 9pm
For more details:

May 10  (Wednesday)
Jewish Historical Society of Michigan
Annual Meeting
Temple Kol Ami
7:30 pm
Featuring Aimee Ergas and Aviva Kempner 
Discussing Jewish Heroes and Sheroes
Presentation of Leonard N. Simons History Award

May 10  (Wednesday)
Planned Parenthood of Michigan event
The Cube at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra 
6:00pm
Guest Speaker: Dr. Willie Parker
(Sold Out)

May 14 (Sunday)
Mother's Day
Looking for a perfect mother's day gift...? Please consider supporting the JFS  Joy Project  which helps bring critical services to families in our community. 

May 15 (Monday)
Federation's Women's Philanthropy 
Signature Event
Shaarey Zedek - New Location for more room
7:30 pm
Featuring Jill Kargman (Bravo's Odd Mom Out)

May 11 (Thursday)
City Year Red Jacket Gala
Cobo Center, Grand Riverview Ballroom
1 Washington Blvd.  Detroit
Cocktails: 5:30pm
Dinner/Program: 7:00pm
2017 Idealist in Action Award:
Matthew Simoncini 
President and CEO of Lear Corporation

May 17  (Wednesday) -  New Listing
The Detroit Public Library: An American Classic 
By: Barbara Cohn and Patrice Rafail Merritt
Book Launch Party at
The Detroit Public Library
Main Branch
5201 Woodward Ave.
Detroit
6:00-8:00pm
Free event

May 20 (Saturday)
Cabaret 313
Tony Award  Winner for lead role in The Color Purple
LeChanze
Marlene Boll Theatre at the Boll Family YMCA
1401 Broadway St., Detroit
7:00pm and 9:30pm performances

May 21 (Sunday)
Kadima Youth Mental Health Conference
Birmingham Covington School
Morning Session for parents, caregivers, community
Afternoon Session for educators and mental health professionals

May 21 ( Sunday)
Eight Over Eighty
Honoring eight members of our community, all over the age of 80, who have demonstrated a dedication throughout their lifetime to Tikkun Olam - Repairing the World.
Congregation Adat Shalom
11:30 am
Beverly Bennett
Dr. Stuart Falk
Margot Gardner
Elaine Greenberg
Dr. Robert Matthews
Evelyn Orbach
Eunice Korman ring
Michael Weiss

May 22 (Monday)
The Emily Stillman Foundation 
Night of Laughs
The Berman Center for Performing Arts
West Bloomfield
Doors open: 7:30 pm
Featuring: Heather McDonald (from Chelsea Lately)

May 24 (Wednesday)
Federation's Awards Night
The Berman Center for Performing Arts
West Bloomfield
5:30 pm 
William Davidson Lifetime Attachment Awards:
John E. Jacobs and Marjorie Krasnick
Young Leadership Awards:
Rabbi Yisrael Pinson, Dr. Jennifer Sobol and Steve Migliore 

May 26 (Friday) New Listing
Oldest (95 +) Community Members Brunch
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
10:30 AM - Registration
11:00 AM - Program
RSVP to Beth Tryon

May 30 (Tuesday) New Listing
The Rabbi Irwin Groner Memorial Lecture Series
"50 Years After The Six Day War,
Where are we in the Middle East?"
Featuring Ambassador Dennis Ross
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
7:30pm
Free event for the community
For more info: 248-357-5544

June 3 (Saturday)
American Cancer Society
Relay for Life
St. Mary of Orchard Lake

June 4 (Sunday)
Hillel Day School
Annual Dream Maker Gala
Honoring: 
David and Nadine Farbman
Steven and Janice Traison
Alum awards:
Edward Alterman (class of 86)
Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny (class of 91)
Jonathan Ozeran (class of 97)

June 6 (Tuesday) 
Jewish Family Service Annual Event
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
Evening with Author  Jennifer Teege
Who learned later in life that her grandfather was a Nazi Commandant.
Debra Marcus 
dmarcus@jfsdetroit.org
248.592.2327

June 8  (Thursday) 
Starfish Family Services
Great Hearts Gala
Cobo Center, Grand Riverview Ballroom
Honoring The Jewish Fund
Lori Fidler
734-727-3144

June 12 (Monday)
Hank Greenberg Memorial Invitational Golf Outing
Franklin Hills Country Club
Honoring: Fergie Jenkins, Dick Enberg & Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg (Kids Kicking Cancer)
Benefiting  the Lawrence & Idell Weisberg Cancer Treatment Center - Karmanos
For more info:
248-592-9323     

June 13 (Tuesday)
Detroit Public TV
Bravo 2017
DPTV Riley Broadcast Center, Wixom
Evening
Spotlighting & Honoring:  Florine Mark (aka:Mom/Bubbie)
For more info: Jamie Westrick
248-305-3784
jwestrick@dptv.org

June 16 (Friday)
Detroit Zoo
Sunset at the Zoo
This year's theme, Green is the new Black, will highlight the remarkable environmental & sustainability efforts of the Zoo. 

June 17 (Saturday) - New Listing
Forgotten Harvest 25th Annual Comedy Night
Featuring Seth Meyers
Fox Theatre
Detroit

August 27 (Sunday)
Hazon 
The 2nd Annual Michigan Jewish Food Festival
Eastern Market

September 23 (Saturday)
Camp Sea-Gull Reunion
Camp Ticonderoga
5725 Rochester Rd, Troy, MI 48085
7:00pm
Please RSVP at this site:

Parting Thoughts...