All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah

All right. Gertie clambers out and puts her arms around Papa’s neck, which is still cold from the out-of-doors. “Am I glad to see you”, says Papa. “I brought Uncle Hyman home with me. Do you want to come say hello?” Gertie shakes her head.

“Mama said you had a hard day. Did you have a hard day?”

Gertie nods.

Papa thinks.

Then he says, “Tell me. Are you old enough to light the Menorah this year?”

“Oh yes, Papa!” I’m old enough”, she says.

“Good. Because I need some help to kindle the lights of Hanukkah”.

 

Darkness has come.

Mama smiles at Gertie when she joins the family in the front room.

They set the menorah in the window so the neighbors can see.

Everyone gathers around.

 

Papa strikes a match.

He and Gertie light the shamash, the helper candle.

They say the blessings in Hebrew.

And Gertie, together with Papa, takes the shamash and lights the first candle, just one candle, for the first night of Hanukkah, for the first time.

 

The latkes have been kept hot in the oven.

Mama gives the first one to Gertie.

Gertie gives a kiss to Mama.

The chicken is salty and the applesauce sweet.

The latkes taste of history and freedom,

of love and crispy potato.

 

The all-of-a-family eats together.