Kayla Steinberg’s Eight Nights of Hanukah

A Little Holiday Levity

Kayla Steinberg is one of the students in my JCS 7th Grade class. The following is her own composition and is posted with permission. Pretty remarkable to have been written by a 7th Grader!

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On the first night of Hanukah,
My true love sent to me
A menorah in a pretty blue box.

On the second night of Hanukah,
My true love sent to me
Two chocolate gelts,
And a menorah in a pretty blue box.

On the third night of Hanukah,
My true love sent to me
Three frying latkes,
Two chocolate gelts,
And a menorah in a pretty blue box.

On the fourth night of Hanukah,
My true love sent to me
Four spinning dreidels,
Three frying latkes,
Two chocolate gelts,
And a menorah in a pretty blue box.

On the fifth night of Hanukah,
My true love sent to me
Five stars of David,
Four spinning dreidels,
Three frying latkes,
Two chocolate gelts,
And a menorah in a pretty blue box.

On the sixth night of Hanukah,
My true love sent to me
Six menches dancing,
Five stars of David,
Four spinning dreidels,
Three frying latkes,
Two chocolate gelts,
And a menorah in a pretty blue box.

On the seventh night of Hanukah,
My true love sent to me
Seven Maccabees-a-fighting,
Six menches dancing,
Five stars of David,
Four spinning dreidels,
Three frying latkes,
Two chocolate gelts,
And a menorah in a pretty blue box.

On the eight night of Hanukah,
My true love sent to me
Eight candles and a shames,
Seven Maccabees-a-fighting,
Six menches dancing,
Five stars of David,
Four spinning dreidels,
Three frying latkes,
Two chocolate gelts,
And a menorah in a pretty blue box!


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As the teacher, it is incumbent upon me to point out that it should be "menschen" not "menches" but consider that poetic license.

Thanks to Sharon Gold-Steinberg and Michael Steinberg, Kayla's parents, for their permission as well. You should be kvelling for having such a wonderful daughter!

Happy Hanukah!
3,865 views 7 replies
Reply #1 Top
Hard to believe that a 12-year old wrote this!
Reply #2 Top
I like it better because it's 4 days less than that annoying Christmas song. I wonder if someday this will take over as a Hanukah song...hmm, you never know. Not bad for a junior high kid. :)

~Zoo
Reply #3 Top
Happy Hannukah as well!
Reply #4 Top
Makes me ferklempt (and don't correct my spelling or I'll be forced to go messugah on yo keppie, son)
Reply #5 Top
Does anybody here know how this celebration got started? It's a sobering story but one of triumph and celebration.

Hint: The Maccabees were involved.
Reply #6 Top
Not only is Kayla's poem remakable, she is as well. She is a very accomplished young woman - and warms the cockles of her grandma's heart!!
Reply #7 Top
As Kayla's great-uncle, I'm not surprised at her creativity. She (and her sisters) are very good at solving word puzzles that I pose to them. My concern is: do Mike and Sharon know who this "true love" is and what his future prospects are?