Interview With Demond Johnson, Contest Winner & Sweet Messages + Nikki Haley20th December 2017

Interviews, Newsletters

I hope everyone had a wonderful Hanukkah! Isn’t it beautiful watching the menorahs burn down with their glowing candles? Here’s a photo of my Janusz Korczak menorah on the last night of Hanukkah. So beautiful!

If you’d like to share photos of your menorah, please send them to me and I’ll include them in next week’s newsletter. I’d love to see them!

INTERVIEW WITH DEMOND JOHNSON

I hope you enjoy my interview with with Demond Johnson. He participated in the mezuzah contest a few weeks ago which asked, “Let me know where you would hang it or who you would give it to.”

Demond Johnson Demond responded, “The Mezuzah truly is a beautiful piece! If in fact I did end up winning this amazing gift, as much as I would love to hang it above my home door, I would bless my beloved mother with it and allow her to display its beauty in her home!”

I read every response but something about Demond compelled me to learn more about him. I followed the link to his website, where I learned that he was the President/CEO of A2 Fitness Professionals in Ann Arbor, MI, that he served in the army for 20+ years, he worked with contestants of NBC’s The Biggest Loser, and that he is on the board and participates in many wonderful organizations and causes. I was curious to learn more about his Jewish upbringing. Check out the interview!

NIKKI HALEY, US AMBASSADOR TO UN:
YOU GO, GIRL!

On Monday, December 18, 2017, Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the U.N., cast the only veto of an Egyptian sponsored resolution that rebuked the President’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The vote was 14-1.

She said, “Today, buried in diplomatic jargon, some presume to tell America where to put our embassy. The United States has a sovereign right to determine where and whether we establish an embassy.”

“I suspect very few member states would welcome security council said.

“The fact that this veto is being done in defense of American sovereignty and in defense of America’s role in the Middle East peace process is not a source of embarrassment for us. It should be an embarrassment to the remainder of the Security Council.”

“What we witnessed here today in the Security Council is an insult. It won’t be forgotten. It’s one more example of the U.N. doing more harm than good in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

Tomorrow, the General Assembly is scheduled to vote on a resolution condemning Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem. Nikki Haley said that the U.S. will be “taking names.”

Nikki Haley is a powerhouse. She got the hugest applause when she spoke at AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee)in Washington, D.C. last year. She is a great friend of Israel and I admire her so much!

CONTEST WINNER!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest to win these beautiful handmade Star of David earrings. I asked:

How are you celebrating Hanukkah this year?

and the winner is……

BONNIE!!! (bagelgirl)

Below are some of the wonderful responses that I got:

I’m celebrating Chanukah this year with my beautiful family & friends. ~ David K.
I am celebrating Chanukkah with my family by lighting all 9 menorahs in our house every night. I collect Hanukkiah and my daughter (age 7) insists on lighting all of them each night. We turn off the lights and bask in the amazing, massive glow, both from the candles and from our hearts! ~ Jessica G.
This Chanukah, I will make dinner with latkes for my son, daughter in law and grandson. It expanded to include a cousin visiting from Israel, her graduate student son and daughter and baby grandson. Happily added a new friend, recently widowed and another cousin whose family lives on the east coast. No presents allowed, just the joy of being together. ~Gail
Happy Hanukkah. Our son, daughter-in-law and beloved grandson live in New York. We FaceTime every night lighting the candles. This year our son had to be in Los Angeles the first night so while we Face timed with our grandson on my phone, our daughter-in-law called our son in LA and had him on her phone which our grandson held up to his phone so we could see him. With the wonderful technology, we were able to be all be together and light the menorah. What a blessing. ~ Suzanne
I’m spending time with my Son for Hanukkah this year. He has been away at college for the last 3 years during Hanukkah. This Year Surprised me and came home to celebrate with Me. The doorbell rang and I was not expecting anyone and usually I won’t answer the door. Something made me answer and there was my Son with his arms open and saying Surprise!!! Of course I began to cry, I am a single Mom and raised my Son alone and really felt the empty nest syndrome. I am so happy and what a special Hanukkah Gift. I always told my Son that he is my greatest gift. So that’s my Hanukkah story for this year!! ~ Amy C.
We’re celebrating Hanukkah by having friends over, eating latkes, doing tikkun olam projects on each night, exchanging gifts, playing dreidel, listening to Hanukkah songs, and biggest hit with the kids: playing the Shalom Spot It game. ~Carolyn
Much like Shabbat, Hanukkah is a time of respite for our family. We look forward to the chance to literally take a deep breath, let it out, and leave the rest of the world behind as we shed a light in the darkness. We make make latkes, or not, spin the dreidel, or not, depending on the night, but we admire the candles and bask in the warmth of our family together at Hanukkah. ~ Michael W.
This year is a learning year for me! It will also be a year of finding myself and reflecting more on the Torah! ~ Frances
We r celebrating Hanukkah with family and friends, I made Hanukkah sugar cookies, lots of latkes and had friends for Shabbat dinner and family coming tomorrow for lots of good fun and food. We all donate one night to a charity to give instead of receive. ~ Karen
I am hoping to spend time with my daughter, and family, my daughters’ father-in-law is Jewish, I hope to spend time with him, to learn of the Jewish religion. ~ Rebecca