Chaya Sora's Poem/Acrostic

Edna Sharon Doernberg had this poem which belonged to her father, Ben Louis (Dov Aryeh) Sharon. We think it was written by Chaya Sora, his niece. Unfortunately there is no date on the paper. The large letters at the beginning of each line of the poem, when read from top to bottom, spell out the words "Dov", "Aryeh", "Sarah", and "Charondzickui", as shown. The English translation is below the image of the poem. View a photo of Chaya Sora.

English translation by Rabbi Max Newman July 1997, Cincinnati, Ohio

Top Center paragraph

Passover eve is on its way

I wish to our family a good year

That we shall merit during the coming year

To see each other in our holy land

--- Sarah Charondzickui

Top right paragraph (acrostic "Dov")

A generation comes and a generation goes

The knowledge of my brother I shall never lie about.

Center right paragraph (acrostic "Aryeh")

There is no man who will not thank the person who has bestowed kindness unto him

Many thanks to you

My blessing is this, that G-d should send much success in the works of your hands

Hopefully you will merit coming to greatness according to your wish.

Bottom right paragraph (acrostic "Sarah")

<Sarah>

We will always value your name <???>

You have done with us much

Be well, and do not forget us.

Left paragraph (acrostic "Charondzickui")

Month by month you provide to us that we live

Many are the times that I've had occasion to mention your name for good

You are a light for our many souls

I have acquired knowledge from labor which is not mine.1

As I sit down to describe my biography

A sea of memories remind me

Of your kindness which there are no words in a book to describe

The reading of thanks from the midst of my heart I give to you

Your heart in all places should light your success.

 

1 implication of gift from G-d

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