I hear crashing waves bubble up on the sand.

Tall palm trees swaying in the soft breeze

Make me turn my gaze to the row of big beach houses

Standing with a gap between them

My back turned to the ocean

I see a beautiful woman in a yellow dress pass by.

Hand in pocket, I reach for the Shabbat candles.

I ask the woman, “Excuse me, are you Jewish?”

“Wow!” exclaimed the woman, and then burst into tears.

“Yes I’m Jewish, I have my grandmother’s marvelous silver Shabbat candlesticks.

I have never wanted to light them until today.

Thank you for igniting my Jewish flame,” the woman in the yellow dress said before she left.

Estee Wolfe, Age 12
Bnos Menachem School
Brooklyn, NY 11213