Mewsings: My Life as a Jewish Cat
By Greta Beigel
Copyright 2010 Greta Beigel at Smashwords
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--NEW ZEALND—STOP YOUR FIGHTING
--PESACH WITH THE GOVERNOR OF HAWAII
Today, I’ve snuck into a sacred space
Head bowed, I well know my place
Sidling through a doorway
I hurry across the hallway
Landing on a sunny perch
Of an apparent makeshift church
Home to Sof Ma’arav, a lovely Honolulu congregation
(Rumor has it, the Westernmost Conservative in the nation)
Yes, I’m engaged in a dangerous game
But spy on worshippers just the same
Dressed in muumuus and flowery skirts and shirts
Ever-studious, some still find time to flirt.
There’s the glam president seated in the very first row
Wearing a giant green hat offset with a wide white bow
She davens devoutly, flexing at the knee
Then tickles her husband’s neck for all to see
I thrill at Torah readings, also commentaries on Jewish law
Grateful this day’s sermonizer proves hardly a bore
Oh, here comes Mi sheberakh, the prayer for the sick
Guess the clock has started to tick
The ark will soon close; holy scrolls locked away
Time to get going and beat the fray
I jump in the car, land lightly on my feet
Appearing all cozy & calm on the front passenger seat
“Shabbat Shalom,” Mamma says, patting my head and showing me a smile
I purr, turn over and do role Polly’s for her for a very long while
HANUKKAH NIGHTS/LIGHTS
Hanukkah, Hanukkah, Festival of Lights
Each December we honor you over eight fun-filled nights
’Twas not always so
Thousands of years ago
A ragtag army of Hebrews led by one fearless Judah Maccabee
Defeated Greek/Syrian warriors who would not let our people be
The Temple of Jerusalem was recaptured, cleaned and rededicated
And a menorah representing a tree of eternal light newly-created
With enough oil to light the candelabra for but one day
There appeared to all to be no other way
Yet lights burned bright for days numbering eight
Making the miracle of Hanukkah, well, great
Today we kindle candles as a sacred rite
Some children pray and play; still others test their might
There’s good food and song and competitive fun
Spinning the dreidels--four-sided, lopsided tops-- bearing Hebrew words everyone
Games are my forte, to me winning is all