Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 5 x 3inch loaf pan.
In a bowl, mix nuts, dates, baking soda, and salt with a fork. Add shortening and boiling water. Let stand for 20 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, beat eggs with a fork. Continue stirring, add vanilla, sugar and flour. Add date mixture, mixing just to blend. Pour into prepared loaf pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour and 5 minutes or until done. Place on wire rack for 10 minutes to cool, then remove from pan. Let cool completely on wire rack.
In a small bowl combine cream cheese and chopped cherries and mix until blended. Slice date nut bread into 1/2 inch slices and spread cream cheese mixture on slices and top with second slice. Cut into 4 pieces and decorate tops with a small dab of cheese and piece of cherry. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Makes about 36 sandwiches. Enjoy!