Tali is a senior at Bais Yaakov. She enjoys singing, spending time with her hessed family, and keeping up with friends.
POETRY- 2009
Grades 7 - 9
First Place - Zoe Goldstein
Third Place - Asher Mintzer
Grades 10 - 12
First Place - Sarah Mizrachi
Poetry, Grades 10 -12: Third Place
Chesky Goldstein - Tali Etziony
Called out to G-d when
His health failed.
Even at the young age of nine he
Sought after his religion. He
Knew that while the rest of his hair may be gone, he
Yearned to keep his payos, his identity.
G-d listened to his prayers,
Only sparing his payos. His
Long blond curly payos were still there even though he was
Diminishing in so many other ways. The
Spark within Chesky was still thriving.
The tangible payos are a lesson to us all.
Even the prayers of young children are answered.
In life, always pray, for G-d’s door is
Never locked.
About Chesky Goldstein
The inspiration for this poem came from a story in the book, Touched by a Story 2, by Yechiel Spero. Chesky Goldstein was a cute, active nine year old boy, living in B’nei Brak, Israel. As he got older he started getting headaches. His parents were told he had cancer, would have to undergo chemo, and would lose his hair. He prayed to G-d to spare his payos - side locks, his beloved symbol of Judaism. Miraculously, G-d spared his payos. Chesky was proud to be a Jew.