The Blessing Cup

The Blessing Cup

Picture Book
Patricia Polacco knows how to make the past come alive for our
youngest children. In The Keeping Quilt she had told of her
grandmother fleeing with her family to America. In this companion
volume, The Blessing Cup, she tells the story of another precious
family heirloom.
The story begins long ago and far away in a village in Russia.
A young bride receives a very special gift from her Aunt--a china tea
set of such beauty everyone in the village admires it. A note says
that anyone who drinks from it receives God's blessings. The marriage
prospers and children arrive. Although never wealthy, the family
members feel rich.
One night the temple is set on fire. The Tsar has decreed that
Jews may no longer live in Russia. They must leave with only the
belongings they can carry or pull in carts. The family decides to go
to America where the father has a cousin. They set out with the
parents pulling a cart loaded with their most precious treasures
including their two very young children. Most nights the father
sleeps on the cold ground while his family sleeps in the cart. Then
one day the father collapses from pneumonia...
The Blessing Cup is a lyrical reminder of what is truly most
important in life, a true blessing to all who read or hear it.
And, yes, Polacco's family still has a cup from the set.
On a personal note, my family has a number of heirlooms that have been
passed down through generations. My Amber is a genius at uncovering
their stories. I am very thankful for her talent and willingness to
use it to make our past come alive.
Do you have treasures handed down in your family? One of the greatest
mitzvahs you can do for future generations is to record their stories.
A great big shout out goes out to all who have the gift of keeping the
past alive.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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