Tonight we light the candles
When the holiday begins,
As the latkes fry in oil
And the dreidel quickly spins.
We’ll try to block out hatred,
Often aimed to harm or scare
As the world keeps moving onward,
In most cases, unaware.
It’s impossible to fathom
So much loathing and for what?
Yet we’ll watch the candles glowing
And be glad for what we’ve got.
Potato latkes, fried in oil
Are eaten every year
When calendars remind us
That our holiday is here.
To keep up the tradition,
There are choices we must make –
Buy them frozen in the market,
Use a mix (that’s a mistake!)
Find them in a local diner
Or, if you have time and space,
Gather all of the ingredients
And your cookware in one place.
Then you peel and grate potatoes
With an onion, egg and salt,
Plus you have to squeeze it dry;
(To leave some liquid is a fault).
Add in matzoh meal to thicken
While your oil heats in a pan;
Next, you fry them ‘til they’re golden
Or the closest that you can.
If you’re lucky, all your efforts
(For it is a lot of work)
Will be worth the energy you spent
(With compliments a perk).
Just as long as you eat latkes,
Get them any way you’ve chosen.
Since I spent all morning grating,
Come next year, I’ll go with frozen.
Potato latkes* sizzle
in pure olive oil
pancakes fry up brown
One scrumptious bite
~ assimilation drowns
_____________________
*'Latkes' are synonymous
with (potato) pancakes.
Archie did cartwheels for Veronica
Jughead even played his harmonica ~
But Veronica’s Jewish
Leaving two suitors bluish ~
Steinberg made her latkes for Chanukah
_________________________________
'Latkes' are potato pancakes, a traditional
Chanukah treat.
Our holiday was musical
(The food was yummy, too)
Because our grandkids each received
A shiny new kazoo.
To add to the festivities,
Another gift revealed
Harmonicas, which both of them
Did very proudly wield.
With latkes, dreidels, presents and,
Of course, the candles lit,
Our Chanukah was lovely and
My cookies were a hit.
We won’t all be together for
The candles left to light,
But the glow will carry forward
From the sweetness of last night.
I love Jewish food,
So does my tum,
It makes my mouth water
And delights my tongue.
I worked in the City.
Of London years ago
London brings back memories,
That I treasure so.
I used to pass a Jewish Deli,
As I walked along the street,
The smells coming from that Deli,
It smelled marvellous to eat.
A little bell tinkled as I opened the door
The aroma of Wally in spiced vinegar
It was a smell not to ignore.
These pickles were in a huge barrel
Made of wood and copper,
You placed your hand into the tub
And hope to find a whopper.
One of my favourite Jewish foods
Is chopped liver
The thought of it now
It makes my taste buds quiver.
Upon the shop counter, I spied,
Mozzah and Gefilte fish
It was hard not to purchase
Every single dish.
I adored Latkes,
Flat Potato Cakes
Just thinking of the flavour
It makes my stomach ache,
Freshly baked Bagels,
A bread roll shaped like a ring
Solly, the deli owner,
Sold everything.
I will always remember shopping.
At Solly's old-fashioned deli,
I have fond memories of his shop
And so does my belly.
**Chanukah**
Colored Candles
Luscious Latkes
Songs and Prayers
Love and Heritage
Dreidel Playing
Peace for Israel
**Chanukah**
12/13/2022
O Chanukah, dear
my problem is clear
You arrived way, way
too early this year
What's a fellow to do
your candles all through
Potato latkes all eaten
dreidels spun, weather-beaten
Still no snow on the ground
yet to come Christmas sounds
While holiday gifts they are wrapping
Chanukah's tucked away, napping
Alas and alack, please make up your mind
never again to fall so far behind
12/25, Chanukah! next year, do you hear
if you expect me to be of holiday cheer
On Chanukah we dreidel spin
And chocolate gelt we hope to win.
If we get Gimel ‘stead of Shin,
Let’s celebrate tonight.
We eat some latkes, oil-fried,
Which balabustas* made with pride,
With applesauce served on the side,
Our smiles sweet and bright.
At sundown as the candles glow
We tell the tale of long ago
And sing the Dreidel song we know,
Our spirits free and light.
We open presents, wrapped with care
To see the gifts well-hidden there;
With so much love for all to share,
It’s Chanukah, all right!
*impressively competent homemakers
~ As the Dreidels Spin ~
Game, set and match
Here comes a fresh batch
of potato latkes, as the dreidels spin
Up comes a gimmel -- You win
Maccabees mean Victory
so many menorahs to see
Let's dance the hora and sing a song
It's Chanukah time ~ we all get along
Light the candles, flames so bright
Chanukah's here eight days and nights
Spin the dreidel 'round and 'round
Potato latkes frying, yummy sounds
A few coins for the kinder
Precious silver gelt
Chanukah's a minor festival
~ deeply felt
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
Channukah Candles
Burn so bright … Latkes delight …
Spin the Dreidel!
I am from
I am from my mom’s jean jacket with leather lining, from levi’s and converse.
I am from the cracked blue painted walls and worn down white windows.
I am from the white calla lilies, the roses.
I am from yearly trips to Laguna Beach and stubbornness, from Patty and Camille and Marcus.
I am from the procrastination and determination.
From “clean up your damn room” and “take out the trash”.
I am from pseudo Hanukkah. From matzo ball soup, latkes, and no religious aspects.
I’m from Santa Ana and Europe, quesadillas and pizza.
From the two different families.
I am from Natural Bridges State Beach, Russian River Campgrounds, and Foothills Park.
Happy Thanksgivukkah!
Latkes and turkey!
Protocol here is
A little bit murky.
It hasn't happened
For thousands of years
And we'll all be dead
Before it reappears.
So watch all your football
And spin your best dreidel.
Slurp up that pumpkin soup
With some kneidel.
Savor these holidays;
Celebrate twice,
'Cause having Thanksgivukkah's
'Specially nice!
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