In this scene, Karen’s beloved Aunt Eva arrives for a visit. Mama asks Karen to light the menorah, and Karen realizes thatMama really does understand that she is growing up.

Scene 6: Hanukkah

Monday and Tuesday, after work and school, they finished the last details of settling into their new home.

Hanukkah arrived on Tuesday, and they prepared to light the first candle of the menorah, that evening. Karen was eager to light it, but Mama kept stalling and looking out the front window. At last, she threw open the front door and shouted, “Eva! Mazel tov! At last!”

Karen ran to the door and hugged the tiny woman who stood on the porch, then they went inside and closed the door.

“Karen,” Mama said, “Help your Aunt Eva with her suitcase. She’s going to sleep in your room, and you’re going to sleep on the couch.”

Karen struggled to lift the suitcase, but managed to carry it into her bedroom. Without being asked, she changed the sheets on the bed and then hurried back to the living room.

“Now that we’re settled, let’s light the menorah,” Mama said.

She carried the golden menorah that her family had treasured for generations into the living room and put it onto a table in front of the window on the left side of the room, as seen from the street.

Eva touched the menorah with the tip of one finger.

“This was our mother’s menorah—your grandmother’s menorah,” she said to Karen. “The one you’re named after, and someday it will be yours.”

Mama unwrapped a box of candles and took out two. They were long and slender. One was white, and one was blue. She put the white one into the menorah and used a match to light the blue one.

“Always start with the candles at the right end,” she said to Karen.

“Now, let’s say our prayers.”

Mama opened a thick book and held it so they could all see it. None of them could read Hebrew, but the book had the words spelled out in phonetic English. Mama and Karen stood on each side of Aunt Eva, and all three read aloud.

“Now, let’s read the English version, so we understand what we just said,” Mama said.

They read aloud, and when they got to the words, “Blessed are You, Lord our Hashem, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion,” all three burst into tears.

Mama handed Karen the blue candle. “You’re a big girl, now,” she said. “Go ahead and light it.”

Karen’s eyes filled with more tears at being given this honor.

“Do you remember what to do, next?” Mama asked.

“Yes, Mama. I put the blue one in the middle.”

“And what’s it called, sweetheart?”

“It’s the shamash, Mama, the attendant candle.”

After they gazed at the burning lights, Mama said, “Now, we have to be practical, again, and feed your Auntie. She must be exhausted after all the long flights.”

©2021, Karen Lynn-Chlup. All rights reserved.