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What's the Deal with Hanukkah Movies?

We have eight nights, we should at least have eight movies!

Emilie Crossan

Nov 20, 2018

College of Charleston

“A Rugrats Chanukah” (Nickelodeon)

Ever notice how you almost NEVER see any Hanukkah movies during this time of year? Yeah, us too!

I know there's a lot to work with when it comes to Christmas movies. Themes of happiness, family, love, faith, etc. are seen in almost every single one of them. But you mean to tell me that Hanukkah can't have those same themes when it comes to movies?

No, Hanukkah is not the most important holiday in the Jewish tradition. Actually, according to Jewish Law and the Torah, it's not even a big holiday at all. However, its close capacity to Christmas and capitalism have made it somewhat Christmas' Jewish equal. Really, it's to try and make no one feel left out. Unless you celebrate Hanumas (Chrismukkah?) and you get the best of both worlds.

But when Christmas comes around, us Jews are left in the shadows with barely any Hanukkah movies to enjoy. Seriously, go search "Hanukkah movies." Three show up! Search "Christmas movies," and a thousand show up!

Those three movies are "Eight Crazy Nights," "Full-Court Miracle," and "The Hebrew Hammer." The Hebrew Hammer is awful (sorry) and about a Jewish crimefighter who must stop Santa Claus' evil son from luring children away from Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in order to make them all celebrate Christmas, which I think is horrible plot-wise and ethically.

So, this is my call for more Hanukkah movies. More Hanukkah movies and books and bigger Hanukkah sections at stores!

Until we get a larger ranger of Hanukkah movies, here are my top three that are always great for a night in, eating latkes.

1. Eight Crazy Nights

Yes, it's a silly movie, but it's still a good movie. Any fan of Adam Sandler will love this. Plus, his Hanukkah Song from the film is also one of my favorites for the season!

2. Full-Court Miracle

A Disney Channel Original Movie that uses a Jewish school's basketball team in need of a good coach and a final game that everything is counting on as a huge analogy for the story of Hanukkah. Plus, it takes place in Philly, which is where I grew up, so I give it 100 bonus points!

3. A Rugrats Chanukah

You've probably seen this played on Nick every year when Hanukkah rolls around. This was probably my first introduction to the story of Hanukkah (growing up Catholic) and is still one of my favorite episodes of the Rugrats to this day. Honestly, though, it took me 19 years to finally realize that Tommy Pickles is half-Jewish.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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What's the Deal with Hanukkah Movies?

We have eight nights, we should at least have eight movies!

1. Eight Crazy Nights

2. Full-Court Miracle

3. A Rugrats Chanukah

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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