As she looked at the blazing yellow light in front of her, she davened for her family and self. A rich feeling overcame her: a feeling of joy and achievement. As she looked up to the heavens she thanked Hashem for the present of the Torah and the ability to light the Shabbos candles. Now at this very moment, she joined with millions of women and girls around the world uniting as one and welcoming the Shabbos Queen. She cried out to Hashem for a Refuah Shelaimah for Klal Yisroel, thinking of those less fortunate than she, those who can’t physically light candles tonight. She prayed that by next Shabbos we could all light Shabbos candles together in Yerushalayim with the Beis Hamikdash!

Chaya Blackman, Age 13
Beth Rivka School
New York, USA