Pete Sokoloff is a happily married Scientologist, residing in Southern California. His business is investment banking; his passion is helping others solve their own problems, gain greater abilities and go on to live inspired lives.
When I was traveling through Arkansas with a business partner, our host pointed out a burned-out establishment and proclaimed it was “Jew fire,” implying it was arson for profit, set to collect insurance proceeds.
The day after Thanksgiving 2018, I suffered a heart attack and was rushed through triple bypass surgery. My wife is helping me with wonderful care. Our home is full of flowers; I thank the many family and friends who sent their love, admiration and best wishes for my wellbeing.
Then, one day, my world changed. I mean CHANGED. I suddenly found myself in present time, in touch with everything and everyone around me. My affinity for my surroundings and myself soared into the stratosphere.
I come from a large, affectionate family that includes grandparents, parents, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins. Looking back many years, when we were all much younger, family occasions would fill a house to the rafters with love, gossip and good food.
This year, on the last night of the holiday, as the candles in our menorah flickered out with puffs of smoke, I thought of the meaning of Hanukkah. We celebrate a long ago victory in a fight for religious freedom.