As a Jewish viewer who grew up watching animated series like Rugrats, I can wholeheartedly say that these shows played a significant role in shaping my understanding and appreciation of my cultural heritage. From Rugrats to Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, each of these shows brings a unique perspective on the Jewish experience, often with a touch of humor that makes it relatable for anyone, regardless of their background.
Hanukkah (often spelled Chanukah) is an annual Jewish celebration marking the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, along with a miraculous event where a small amount of oil used to light the temple’s menorah burned for eight nights instead of just one. In contrast to other winter festivals, Hanukkah-themed movies are scarce, and television episodes don’t have many representations to boast about.
It’s fortunate that we have several television specials which not only honor the holiday, but also provide laughter, joy, and a fantastic watch. What makes it even better is that these episodes cater to diverse age groups and themes, ensuring there’s something entertaining for everyone in the family to watch together.
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“The One with the Holiday Armadillo”
Friends (Season 7, Episode 10)
The popular television series known as “Friends” follows the lives of six friends residing in an apartment in Manhattan. In the festive episode titled “The One with the Holiday Armadillo,” one character, Ross (portrayed by David Schwimmer), endeavors to educate his son, Ben, about Hanukkah. When Ben is disheartened that Santa won’t be visiting, Ross comes up with a plan to surprise him – dressing up in a Santa suit. However, he discovers the store has run out of them. As an alternative, he purchases an armadillo costume and shares the story of Hanukkah with Ben instead.
As another friend, Chandler, appears donned in a Santa suit, Ben’s focus begins to shift – until Santa proposes that they both listen to the Holiday Armadillo narrate its tale, capturing Ben’s attention once more.
Hanukkah in a Christmas World
Ross’s struggle rings true to many who have tried to maintain their holiday celebrations within a world obsessed with Christmas. There’s nothing wrong with this Christmas joy, but it can feel like the default. In that sense, Ben’s reaction to “real” Santa makes sense, but his later eagerness to learn more about his father’s culture (and his own) is heartwarming and encouraging.
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“Heck of a Hanukkah”
Even Stevens (Season 1, Episode 15)
In the television series “Even Stevens,” Shia LaBeouf played the role of Louis Stevens as a youngster. The show frequently explored his family dynamics and his predicaments, with the episode “Heck of a Hanukkah” delving into both aspects. Excited about gifts, Louis sneaks them open secretly, but inadvertently drops them out the window while attempting to conceal them. This results in him being grounded for Hanukkah, and feeling that his family would be better off without him, Louis undertakes a journey reminiscent of “It’s a Wonderful Life” to a world where he had never existed.
Hanukkah Meets Christmas
Mentioning scenes from the classic Christmas film, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” adds a delightful touch to link the festivities. The episode offers laughter and heartwarming instances, while the underlying message on the importance of family is a valuable lesson for kids everywhere.
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“A Blue’s Clues Festival of Lights”
Blue’s Clues (Season 3, Episode 4)
Blue’s Clues showcases the escapades of a canine character named Blue and her changing human companion as they embark on clue-finding missions and unravel mysteries. In the episode titled “A Blue’s Clues Festival of Lights,” Blue teams up with her pal, Josh, to decipher Blue’s Clues so they can discover who will be joining them for Hanukkah celebrations.
Simple and Successful
This tale is perfect for families with younger kids, but older audiences will also find enjoyment. What makes it special are the parts where characters celebrate Hanukkah, engaging in activities like spinning dreidels and preparing latkes – these segments are particularly delightful.
In a previous episode titled “Blue’s Big Holiday”, there was also a reference made to Hanukkah, as one character, Orange Kitty, was depicted celebrating this festival with her friend, Sam.
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“A Christmas Story”
The Goldbergs (Season 3, Episode 10)
The TV series “The Goldbergs” is inspired by the actual childhood experiences of its creator, Adam F. Goldberg, and is filled with humor and Jewish traditions. Notably, it includes multiple episodes that revolve around Hanukkah, with “A Christmas Story” being a standout among them.
Under an ironic title, “A Christmas Story,” commenced with matriarch Bev (portrayed by Wendi McLendon-Covey) harboring feelings of envy towards the holiday customs of their neighbors, the Kremps. In a bid to infuse Hanukkah cheer, she concocts a novel festivity dubbed Super Hanukkah, essentially Christmas but with blue and silver adornments (and a Hanukkah tree). Taken aback, Pops (played by the late George Segel) endeavors to halt her, and ultimately, she recognizes that the Kremps’ holiday isn’t flawless either, and that cherishing her genuine traditions is more meaningful.
One of Many Great Hanukkah Episodes
Among the many Goldbergs episodes featuring Hanukkah, “The Goldbergs Han Ukkah Solo,” “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” and “Hanukkah on the Seas” are particularly noteworthy additions to your list. These episodes either focus on or reference Hanukkah, and each one offers a fresh perspective while maintaining the series’ traditional holiday theme.
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“The Hanukkah Story”
The Nanny (Season 6, Episode 10)
The TV show “The Nanny” centers around Fran Fine, a character portrayed by Fran Drescher, who becomes a nanny for the wealthy Sheffield family. After multiple seasons, Fran and Maxwell Sheffield (Charles Shaughnessy’s character) acknowledge their feelings for each other and get married. In the episode “The Hanukkah Story,” they celebrate their first holiday as a married couple, but things initially go wrong when Maxwell schedules a business trip on the first night of Hanukkah. Eventually, he decides to return to Fran for the celebration, but an accident leaves him stranded and needing to conserve gas to keep warm.
Jewish Joy
In this specific episode, I find myself appreciating the nod to Jewish culture, much like the miraculous oil in Hanukkah lasting eight days instead of one – just as the gas in Mr. Sheffield’s car does here. It’s a charming detail that truly enhances the storyline, and I also enjoy the flashbacks showing how Maxwell and Fran used to celebrate the holidays together.
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“The Best Chrismukkah Ever”
The O.C. (Season 1, Episode 13)
In a nutshell, character Ryan Atwood, portrayed by Ben McKenzie, shifts residence to the prosperous neighborhood of The O.C., residing with the Cohen family after his own mother forces him out. Major storylines revolve around Ryan’s struggle to fit into his upscale new surroundings and foster bonds within his newly-acquired family, including brother Seth, played by Adam Brody. In the episode “The Best Chrismukkah Ever,” Ryan encounters the Cohens’ distinctive tradition of blending Christmas and Hanukkah festivities. Initially hesitant due to past turbulent Christmases, Ryan eventually takes part in some celebrations, signifying his acceptance into their family from now on.
A Real-World Spin on the Holiday
As a movie enthusiast who appreciates diverse cultures, I was ecstatic about this episode because it beautifully blended my two worlds. It made me eager for more when subsequent seasons continued to honor the holiday. Although Seth may have hoped for Chrismukkah to become a phenomenon, it’s still celebrated today – just like Festivus from Seinfeld.
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“My Mom, Greg’s Mom and Josh’s Sweet Dance Moves!”
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (Season 1, Episode 8)
Rebecca Bunch, portrayed by Rachel Bloom, is the lead character in “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.” She relocates to West Covina with hopes of rekindling a romance with her former boyfriend, Josh, played by Vincent Rodriguez III. However, Rebecca struggles with personal and psychological troubles, which are exacerbated by her mother Naomi (Tovah Feldshuh).
In the episode titled “My Mom, Greg’s Mom, and Josh’s Dance Moves!”, Naomi visits Rebecca during Hanukkah. However, Rebecca falsely claims she’s accomplished significant success since relocating to California. As the episode concludes, Naomi uncovers Rebecca’s deception, leading to a sincere conversation between them (as much as Naomi was able to have).
Stereotypical but Relatable
Among all the episodes of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” that delve into Jewish culture, this one truly stands out as one of my favorites. Though Naomi’s character may seem stereotypical at times, she’s undeniably reminiscent of certain Jewish mothers I know. Her unique traits and the captivating song associated with her make her a joy to watch on screen.
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“A Rugrats Chanukah”
Rugrats (Season 4, Episode 1)
In the animated series “Rugrats,” we follow the escapades of infants Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil, and their cousin Angelica. During an episode titled “A Rugrats Chanukah,” these toddlers were introduced to a portion of the Hanukkah story before visiting Grandpa Boris, who was playing Judah in a play. Upon discovering that Shlomo, once a rival of Boris, would be portraying the Greek king, the babies started referring to him as the “Grinch of Hanukkah” and swore to outsmart him. Eventually, Shlomo and Boris made up, and Boris shared the remaining part of the tale with the babies.
A Brilliant Light
Initially renowned for its Passover special, “A Rugrats Chanukah” was a delightful extension to the series, serving as a novel representation of the holiday for numerous Jewish viewers. It remains fondly remembered today and serves as an excellent means to educate children about the holiday or pay tribute to it as adults.
In the same vein as Shlomo expressed, a menorah symbolizes the gentle glow of our community in dark times, illuminating the world. Similarly, this series and those preceding it serve as a radiant beacon, underscoring the importance of representation and embracing diversity.
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2024-12-25 05:02