Thought of
the week.

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK – 11.03.23

By Asher Gottesman

I know it’s the third week in a row I’m discussing the situation in Israel and anti-Semitism worldwide, yet I will continue to discuss this until the war is over and all people are out of harm’s way. Additionally, I want to help others be aware of what is really…

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THOUGHT OF THE WEEK – 10.27.23

By Asher Gottesman

Today at UCLA, hundreds of students were chanting, “Israel, Israel, you can’t hide, we want Jewish genocide.” This isn’t 1930s Germany–this is 2023 Los Angeles, California. Yesterday, a man broke into a home in Studio City after seeing a mezuza on the door post, intent on killing Jews. For anyone…

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THOUGHT OF THE WEEK – 10.20.23

By Asher Gottesman

I shared a very similar thought about a year ago around this time, yet it’s currently more important than ever. Who is considered a great leader and what is considered great leadership? Noah, who created the ark and saved his family and the animals from the flood which destroyed the…

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THOUGHT OF THE WEEK – 10.13.23

By Asher Gottesman

The power of double standards and the power to justify even the greatest of atrocities truly baffles me, amazes me, causes pain deep in my soul, and begs me to ask myself, am I delusional? Where must I show up to be a better human? Israel, my country, the place…

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THOUGHT OF THE WEEK – 10.06.23

By Asher Gottesman

Loneliness, fear of missing out, and concern with what others think of us have all been topics that have been on my mind, and have also been brought up by many of the folks I have the privilege of spending time with. I think these are all actually very similar…

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THOUGHT OF THE WEEK – 09.29.23

By Asher Gottesman

I have been thinking about all of the suffering around us, all the pain in the world and all the recent tragedies, and I’ve been wondering about the why. If God is infinite and can do anything and everything, why is there evil, why is there suffering, and why is…

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THOUGHT OF THE WEEK – 09.22.23

By Asher Gottesman

Faith is the ability to hear the music beneath the noise. -Rabbi Jonathan Sacks This coming Sunday evening is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, it is the day of atonement. Truly the greatest gift we have, is the day itself forgives us for all sins between man and…

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THOUGHT OF THE WEEK – 09.15.23

By Asher Gottesman

This week is Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. It is also known as the Day of Judgement, where our entire year is decided and decreed in the heavenly courts. Throughout my entire life, I have come into the holiday with fear, overwhelm, and concern of what will be this…

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THOUGHT OF THE WEEK – 09.08.23

By Asher Gottesman

I just had the privilege of going to Israel, and together with my sister, we helped our mom move into a retirement community. The experience was wonderful and the camaraderie with my sister made me feel so close to her. It also made me sad because of how far away…

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THOUGHT OF THE WEEK – 09.01.23

By Asher Gottesman

Expectations are resentments that are just waiting to come out. However, the truth is we all have expectations, and it isn’t at all realistic not to have them. To take it a step further, extremes of any emotion aren’t healthy, and in fact they can be deadly; it’s all about…

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