Chanukah On Board

Nine hundred plus are on our ship,
A Viking ocean cruise,
And of the people we had met,
We were the only Jews.

So we were quite surprised that on
Our list of day's events,
Menorah lighting made the grade
And what that represents...

Is Chanukah! For every night,
We light a candle's flame
Consecutively; by day eight,
Our freedom we proclaim.

At six p.m. we showed up and
Were pleasantly surprised
To find another couple
And some Chanukah supplies -

A challah,* Chanukiah,**
Yarmulkes*** and kosher wine;
Jelly donuts, plates of latkes****
And a lit menorah sign.

Some pamphlets held the blessings
And a few more people showed.
We sang and lit the candles;
Their electric flame-bulbs glowed.

How wonderful to celebrate
An ancient joyous rite 
With a bunch of strangers linked on board
On Chanukah's first night.

*a special twisted bread
**a special menorah (candelabra) used on Chanukah
***skullcaps worn by men
****potato pancakes eaten on Chanukah
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

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Rigoler Avatar
December 7, 2018 at 8:45 PM
I love Challah and even make my own for eating pleasure. Latkes, though, I know of but have never eaten any. Though I've seen them served with sour cream and caviar. Now I'm hungry! / M
Leffanta Avatar
December 3, 2018 at 7:33 PM
Nicely done, Ilene! 900-2 odds and you still come out a winner! Aloha! Rico
Allison Avatar
December 3, 2018 at 9:21 AM
oh how wonderful Ilene! I used to love the celebrations and rituals when I worked for Jewish families when I was a private nanny. I adore challah and I;'d forgotten all about potato Latkes:-) My boss and her mother especially were wonderful cooks!:-) Have an awesome holiday:-) hugs Jan xx
Michael Avatar
December 3, 2018 at 9:10 AM
You packaged Chanukah in poem, lit candles, meet friends, ate...all on a cruise...
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