A girl of age two walks up to her mother,

Looking longingly at her older brother.

His statement so proud to show that he’s a Jew

She thinks, “Why, oh, why can’t I be like you?”

I want to have that declaration, that stamp on my face

To show that I too want to embrace Him

My G-d, in my simple young mind

Where is my chance to search and define?

I’m confused and searching

So hard and unwilling

When will I get that badge to show

That I too have love to bestow?

So far away is marriage and devotion,

She wants the chance, she thinks of a notion:

When will I turn three? Then with true liberty

I can welcome you Queen, so pure and holy.

When that day arrives a smile beams across her face,

She rushes up to the candle in pure joy and haste.

Her relatives and family smile at her sweetly,

Just an innocent young child, looking at the candles longingly.

But beyond their imaginations are her thoughts churning

For the time when it will be the end of her yearning.

She takes the match in her hand

Beside her mother she does stand,

Welcoming in the holy day with thoughts and prayer.

Twenty years later she’s still doing the same action

With her own child, who awaits her birthday in great anticipation.

From generation to generation the flame is passed on,

To show and signify that we are the true ones.

For years that have passed and other people’s morals had a lack,

The women and the chosen people

Have shown all who were evil

That we will always be the ones

To have won the evil inclination

Of our hearts’ purification.

Women have the might

To shine their inner light.

Welcome in the holy day now

And be Jewish women proud.    

— Raizel Lazaroff, Age 13
Texas, USA