Zahava Bauer

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Oct 8, 2024, 9:59 AM

There’s an ache In the stomach In the soul Of the widow Who leans Against her window Weary from The day Her weeping A whisper So her children Won’t wake After she tucked them Into bed On her own Again.

Oct 7, 2024, 12:45 AM

Why Did We Make Aliyah? לערבב את השטן

Bleary eyed and carrying one too many suitcases, we walked out into the familiar arena in Ben Gurion airport. Accompanied by shofar blasts and song, we fell into the embrace of family and friends awaiting our arrival. Flags waved...

Sep 1, 2024, 11:15 AM

September First

Did I move to the country Of the dying or the living Of the hostage or the free Of the afraid or the fearless Beaten? Emboldened? Or is it -- could it be? -- both? Do we all have hearts full -- Of cracks? A daily struggle...

Apr 28, 2024, 3:31 PM

A Seder of Stories

Where were we sitting Who sat where? Was I the one who Packed it Baked it Parted the seas That time when Time stood still This night A night of stories Some gory Some glory All ours To tell till morning When our nation Was transforming How do we tell it Share it Bless it Forgetting the plates Filled...

Apr 28, 2024, 6:42 AM

Waiting for Elijah

We sit round The table Glowing, overflowing With linens starched Just for this Night. But one guest, He’s missing The empty plate Glistening Adjacent, a cup Filled to the brim Every so often I glance, just to see If a drop has Gone missing But that wine Still is sitting With no one To drink it You see? Halfway through the...

Mar 22, 2024, 10:43 AM

Haven’t we heard This story before Of women swiftly snatched from safety Subjected to whims Of a ruler crueler Than they knew Haven’t we heard This story before Of a man who stood vigil Never bowing Always vowing To bring his daughter Home Haven’t we heard This story before Of a man Who plots a plan We...

Jan 15, 2024, 7:25 AM

Have you seen my friend Hersh? My sister Noa? My son Kfir? They were last seen Laughing Crawling Living So I’m looking For my family For I haven’t seen them In too many months I keep Marching Hoping Praying But I haven’t heard From them Have you? I sent out pictures To the world I hope you’ll help me Find My...

Jan 14, 2024, 5:11 AM

Nightmares Reawakened

Sleeping, dreaming Comforted by layers of Comforters, The iron dome, A security fence, The hand of God Pierced Eyes open The sound of the siren Dawning, awakening A race to a safe room That never truly felt safe From the slam of the door Echoing the knocks of Nazis 2023 or 1943? Their racing...

Jan 3, 2024, 7:19 PM

Remember Remember when we used to Turn on our phone To check the weather? Not whether Our brothers Are alive Remember when we used to Take walks In the park? Now we march To the words Bring Them Home Remember when we used to Scroll through Pictures of Happy families? Now we picture The families Of the fallen Remember...

Jan 3, 2024, 6:06 PM

Desperate for light

Was it just last year When Chanukah Was filled with light…? Reflecting the story Of a nation’s heritage ravaged, then salvaged The golden glow a lasting promise That we would outlast The enemies we’re cast But I’m sitting Unbelieving For this unyielding promise was Misleading Compromised When this year’s 8 days Were stuck On the 7th When were the Blessed flames Doused,...

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About Me

Zahava Bauer grew up in Teaneck, NJ and recently made Aliyah to Efrat from Bala Cynwyd, PA with her husband and three children. She is an English teacher in Ulpanat Oriya, and previously taught in Caskey Torah Academy in Philly. She loves to write poetry in her spare time, and enjoys snow days, hiking, and a day at the beach. Her Bachelor’s degrees are from Stern in Jewish Education and English Literature, and her Master’s degrees are from Azrieli and GPATS. She hopes for nothing more than peace in the Middle East and achdut among Am Yisrael!